Wang Hsüan-i

Wang Hsuan-I was a wealthy salt trader. He married a woman nee Wu who gave her husband a rather large dowry which he invested in a salt trading business. His uncle Wang wrote on that event following:
Four generaions our family had been in farming. But after my grandmother persuaded my grandfather to change to trade because merchants who went to Wen-chou and Ch’u-chou usually made a fortune, she was able to obtain capital for him and grandfather was able to become wealthy. He went to trade with his cousin in eastern Che-kiang, starting probably as an apprentice or employee. With frugality and careful planning, he gradually, built up the business.

Wang Liang-jung (1504-1579), one of his three sons, turned out to be a capable merchant and further expanded the family’s salt business. His son, Tao-yang was so successful that he was able to move the family’s business to the Huai area, the center of the salt trade, and bought an official title of the fourth rank for himself.