Pujing and the “Civilizing Process” of the Ming, 1368–1520

Obviously, the Song was a special period during which many elements characteristic of later periods appeared.1 During the Song, Quanzhou prefects relied on the interlinked systems of fangxiang and xiangli in their efforts to maintain social peace and order, transmit information to and from the bureaucracy and small communities, and collect taxes from the bottom of society.