Examine the Debate on Salt and Iron 81 B.C.E. in the Reilly textbook, which starts on p. 121. Han emperor Zhao held a debate on the economic policies of his predecessor, Emperor Wu.  The debate asked the question: should the government of the current emperor continue with Wu's monopolies in iron, salt and liquor, or discontinue the government monopoly? Your assigned document records the debates of the two sides.  What were the arguments in favor of government monopoly? What were the arguments against? In what ways was this also a debate about empire? Make specific references.

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Examine the Debate on Salt and Iron 81 B.C.E. in the Reilly textbook, which starts on p. 121. Han emperor Zhao held a debate on the economic policies of his predecessor, Emperor Wu.  The debate asked the question: should the government of the current emperor continue with Wu's monopolies in iron, salt and liquor, or discontinue the government monopoly? Your assigned document records the debates of the two sides.

 What were the arguments in favor of government monopoly? What were the arguments against? In what ways was this also a debate about empire? Make specific references.

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Emperor Zhao of the Western Han dynasty held a debate on the issue of state monopolies over salt, iron, and alcohol in 81 BCE. State monopolies over these products were established by the previous emperor Wu of the Han dynasty. Sang Hongyang represented the interests of the state. While the literati represented the common interests of the businesses. 

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