ABSTRACT
Normally, the agricultural foundation-the landholding and land-owning free peasantry and the physiocratic government-worked together well and harmony was achieved. To the satisfaction of all, the agricultural sector was prosperous, peasant interests and rights were protected, and the rulers enjoyed sufficient revenue and political tranquillity. In Chinese history this equilibrium nourished many culminations of technological and cultural developments: the highlights of Chinese civilisation in the past.
