刘坤一与晚清两淮盐政改革

刘坤一是晚清时期两淮盐政改革的重要人物。在两江总督任上,他针对淮盐积弊采取较为积极、谨慎的态度,适时、适度的予以改革和调整,有所为、有所不为,逐步解决淮盐行销问题。刘坤一督江之初,枭私、邻私日炽,派捐、加价严重,淮盐衰落,危机日甚。面对错综的局面,刘坤一从可行的方案出发,咨商川督、鄂督,实行减川配淮,力图实现淮盐入楚;疏销裁捐,反对盲目增引、加价,休养盐商,提高淮盐品质;缉捕枭私、邻私,剿抚并用,查禁私盐。刘坤一的一系列盐政改革措施,取得了一定的效果,为淮盐的行销提供了相对有利的环境。虽然这些措施并不能解决淮盐疲敝的根本问题,甚或只是形式上的修补而已,但是,他的改革方略仍是值得我们肯定的。

Liu Kunyi and Lianghuai Salt Administration Reform in the Late Qing Dynasty

Liu Kunyi was an important figure in the Lianghuai salt administration reform in the late Qing Dynasty. As a governor-general of Liangjiang, he adopted positive and cautious attitude towards the deep-rooted evils of Lianghuai salt, took proper measures in a timely manner to settle the problem of salt trading gradually. When he took office, salt smuggling and salt trafficking between surrounding counties were worsening, compulsory contribution and price increase were severe and salt production and trading was decreasing. Faced with the complex situation, Liu counseled the governor-generals of Sichuan Province and Huguang Province, carded out the measures of reducing the salt import from Sichuan to Huguang and increasing the salt import from Lianghuai so as to promote the sales of Lianghuai salt in Huguang, lessened the contribution from salt merchants, opposed adding salt certificates and price blindly, advocated raising the quality of salt products, arrested and pacified the smugglers and trafficking dealers to ban the private salt deals. The package of measures created a relatively favorable environment for salt trading of Lianghuai. Although his reform could not resolve the fundamental problem of Lianghuai salt, or even be taken as superficial remedies, the reform plan was worth affirmation.