Annotation: "In this scene of the Qingming Scroll, camels loaded with products from the market are about to exit through a..." (Annotation)

Annotation: "In this scene of the Qingming Scroll, camels loaded with products from the market are about to exit through a..."

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In this scene of the Qingming Scroll, camels loaded with products from the market are about to exit through a gate. There are multiple types of goods on the backs of the camel, and all of the camels are tied to one another as they form an organized line. This scene of the scroll shows the importance of the Song Dynasty’s international trade and its economic focus on society. The Song’s commercial activity was facilitated by the markets that encouraged the exchange of goods and ideas not only within the nation but beyond its own borders. While the Chinese would trade tea, silk, coins, porcelain, and grains, northern neighbors, in return, introduced a variety of goods including animals like camels and sheep. This part of the scroll shows how the Song Chinese benefitted from trade and incorporated these new products into their everyday lives. In other words, foreign products then advanced the trade system itself by improving transportation. I also find it interesting that there aren’t any people watching over the products on the camel’s backs. The camels are holding precious goods, yet there doesn’t seem to be that much security within the market. This might speak to the fact on how organized the markets were, and there are established relationships within all the attendees and merchants. Another interesting aspect about the camels is the importance and need of transportation in an increasingly commercialized society. Merchants had to be organized and efficient with their businesses in regard to all aspects, including transportation. When looking at these camels, it is clear that the Song succeeded economically and was able to maintain relationships with its neighbors through trade. However, it does also show that these economic, rather than military, relationships are what allowed the Song to sustain. Although the lack of military power would also lead to the Song downfall, the Song Dynasty proved that economic might is a powerful tool in international relations.