新方案與十五世紀晚期江南水利改革

New Management Strategies and Hydrological Reform in the Late Fifteenth-Century Lower Yangzi Delta

為了因應十五世紀以來江南地區日益衰敗的水利機制，官員與地方水利專家協力形成了一個新的策略。這個策略與前此的慣常作為有關鍵性的差異，最重要的即是它採取了經常維持的模式以取代危機處理的作法，而築圩岸則被視為比疏濬大水道更具有優先性。在官員與地方水利專家形構這個新策略時，他們不僅考量前例以打造可行的政策，也將他們的焦點放在具體的幾個面相上：組織協作、穩定資金、動員勞動力。此一改革重新界定了國家與人民的責任，也將負擔重新分配到豪富身上，從而使國家能夠在水利事務中扮演更為積極的角色，並以此來讓地方社會受益。 In response to the failing mechanisms of hydrological management in the Lower Yangzi Delta in the fifteenth century, some officials and local specialists collaborated to form a new strategy (in opposition to that used in conventional practice) to solve the problems. A regular maintenance approach was adopted to replace the formerly popular crisis–response approach, and building polder dikes was prioritized over dredging major waterways. In doing so, officials not only brought precedents under scrutiny, but also focused on the issues of institutional coordination, fundraising, and mobilization of labor. The reform redefined responsibilities of the state and the people by redistributing duties to both the influential and wealthy. This enabled the state to play a more active role in hydrological management to better benefit local society.

In response to the failing mechanisms of hydrological management in the Lower Yangzi Delta in the fifteenth century, some officials and local specialists collaborated to form a new strategy (in opposition to that used in conventional practice) to solve the problems. A regular maintenance approach was adopted to replace the formerly popular crisis–response approach, and building polder dikes was prioritized over dredging major waterways. In doing so, officials not only brought precedents under scrutiny, but also focused on the issues of institutional coordination, fundraising, and mobilization of labor. The reform redefined responsibilities of the state and the people by redistributing duties to both the influential and wealthy. This enabled the state to play a more active role in hydrological management to better benefit local society.