Disputes between the Huizhou Merchants and the Local Community in Their Business-running Regions in Qing Dynasty

Because of their business running and other issues,Huizhou merchants often stood in sometimes severe conflicts with the various social classes in the local region.A case in point took place during Emperor Jiaqing's reign.Some Huizhou merchants,while establishing guildhalls in Lu'an prefecture,became involved in severe disputes with the local gentry,which led to an exhausting lawsuit of nearly two years.This is a typical case to show the relationship between Huizhou merchants and the different social classes in their business-running region.