{"title":"Jin Xu","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our Jin Xu collection, where you'll find captivating explorations into China's past, crafted by the talented author Jin Xu. Known for her insightful historical narratives, Jin Xu delves deep into the intricacies of China's economic and cultural evolution, providing a fascinating glimpse into the nation's rich history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the highlights is \u003cem\u003eEmpire of Silver\u003c\/em\u003e, a book that masterfully intertwines the history of silver with China's vast empire. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Xu illustrates the profound impact of silver on global commerce and the Chinese economy, revealing how this precious metal influenced everything from the rise and fall of dynasties to international trade routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a history buff or new to the genre, Jin Xu's works offer an enlightening and accessible way to experience the ebb and flow of China's historical tides. Dive into this collection and uncover the complex tapestry of events that have shaped one of the world's most influential countries.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"empire-of-silver-by-jin-xu-9780300250046","title":"Empire of Silver","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis revelatory account of the ways silver shaped Chinese history shows how an obsession with \"white metal\" held China back from financial modernization. First used as currency during the Song dynasty in around 900 CE, silver gradually became central to China’s economic framework and was officially monetised in the middle of the Ming dynasty during the sixteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, due to the early adoption of paper money in China, silver was not formed into coins but became a cumbersome \"weighing currency,\" for which ingots had to be constantly examined for weight and purity—an unwieldy practice that lasted for centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile China’s interest in silver spurred new avenues of trade and helped increase the country’s global economic footprint, Jin Xu argues that, in the long run, silver played a key role in the struggles and entanglements that led to the decline of the Chinese empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEmpire of Silver\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the intricate relationship between silver and the historical trajectory of China, deftly illustrating how this precious metal influenced the nation’s economic actions and international standing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000604279020,"sku":"9780300250046","price":53.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/24498203482294.jpg?v=1763288684"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/jin-xu.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}