Movement of People and Money

This chapter explores the Chosŏn tributary embassy and their trade activities in Qing territory. Qing foreign policy guaranteed regular visits from the subordinate neighbor for the purpose of paying tribute, and the Chosŏn’s practice of sending tributary embassies created an opportunity for Koreans to make regular contact with Qing people. Although the practice of tribute payment was intended to preserve the political hierarchy between the Qing and Chosŏn, it also attracted people, money, and goods to the boundary and the northeastern margin of Qing territory. This chapter stresses that trade and tribute, the two key elements of Qing foreign policy, complemented each other to form a commercial web spanning the boundary between the two neighbors.