Lianghuai Salt-Merchants and Yangzhou Diet in the Qing Dynasty

The taxes on salt in Liang huai Area was of great significance to the national economy and the people's livelihood in the Qing Dynasty. The Lianghuai salt-merchants were said to be the wealthiest under heaven. At the time the considerable part of salt-merchants' abundant capital was consumed on their luxury life, and the consequence was that their food consumption inevitably would exert deep influence on Yangzhou diet customs and habits. It ought to be definite that Qing salt-merchants made positive contribution to the development of Yangzhou dietetic culture.