Deep Dive
What is the monthly allowance (月钱) in the Jia family, and how is it structured?
The monthly allowance, or 月钱, in the Jia family is a transparent system based on hierarchy. The highest allowance is 20 taels of silver per month, received by the most senior members like Lady Dowager and Lady Wang. Li Wan, a widow, also receives 20 taels due to special considerations. Wang Xifeng, a younger matron, receives 5 taels. Unmarried young ladies and masters, such as Baoyu and Daiyu, receive 2 taels. Servants also receive allowances, with first-class maids like Yuanyang getting 1 tael, second-class maids receiving 1 string of cash (1吊钱), and third-class maids receiving 500 cash.
Why does Li Wan receive a higher monthly allowance than Wang Xifeng?
Li Wan receives a higher monthly allowance (20 taels) compared to Wang Xifeng (5 taels) because she is a widow with a young son, and the family shows her extra compassion. Additionally, her husband, Jia Zhu, passed away early, and it is possible that his share of the allowance was added to hers. This reflects the family's care for her and her son, Jia Lan.
How does Wang Xifeng manage the servants' monthly allowances, and what is her financial strategy?
Wang Xifeng delays distributing the servants' monthly allowances and uses the funds to lend money at interest, effectively running a private loan business. She withdraws the money early from the family treasury, lends it out, and waits for the interest to accumulate before paying the servants. This practice allows her to earn significant profits, with her personal savings growing by hundreds of taels annually.
What is the significance of the extra 1吊钱 given to some members of the Jia family?
The extra 1吊钱 (1 string of cash) given to members like Zhao Yiniang and Baoyu is meant to facilitate small transactions, as silver was cumbersome for minor expenses. This practice also ensures that higher-ranking individuals, such as first-class maids receiving 1 tael, always have more than lower-ranking ones, even if the exchange rate between silver and copper fluctuates.
How does the Jia family's monthly allowance system reflect the social hierarchy within the household?
The monthly allowance system in the Jia family clearly reflects the social hierarchy. Senior members like Lady Dowager and Lady Wang receive 20 taels, while younger matrons like Wang Xifeng receive 5 taels. Unmarried young ladies and masters receive 2 taels, and servants are paid according to their rank, with first-class maids getting 1 tael, second-class maids 1吊钱, and third-class maids 500 cash. This system underscores the vast wealth disparity between the family's elite and its servants.
What are some examples of expenses in the Jia family, and how do they compare to the monthly allowances?
Expenses in the Jia family vary widely. For example, a crab feast costs 20 taels, equivalent to a year's income for a peasant family like Granny Liu's. Wang Xifeng's birthday celebration costs around 150 taels, while the grand expenses for the Imperial Consort's visit, including purchasing a troupe of actors and building the Grand View Garden, amount to tens of thousands of taels. These expenses highlight the immense wealth and extravagance of the Jia family compared to the modest monthly allowances of its members.
Why does Lady Wang give Xi Ren an extra 1吊钱 in addition to her 2 taels of silver?
Lady Wang gives Xi Ren an extra 1吊钱 in addition to her 2 taels of silver to ensure she has enough for small transactions and to maintain her status as a higher-ranking servant. This practice aligns with the Jia family's system of providing additional cash to those receiving silver allowances, making it easier for them to handle minor expenses without needing to break down silver.
- 贾府的月钱制度类似现代工资制度，每月发放。
- 月钱的多少与身份级别直接相关，透明公开。
- 月钱是贾府许多经济行为的计量单位。
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