First Armed Escort in North China

First Armed Escort in North China

First Armed Escort in North China

This is found to the south of 22 East St, in Pingyao, and has a front, middle and back part, with a total area 1,000 square meters and six exhibition rooms and two other areas. It reflects the uniqueness of the armed escort system of the Qianlong emperor’s time during the Qing (1644-1911) dynasty, an early form of the insurance business that led to the development of trade during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties and played a major role in moving currency for people in business and trade.

The First Armed Escort refers to three armed escorts – the “Tong Xinggong”, “Tai Fen”, and “Changlong” – which were established in Pingyao, Qi, and Wenshui counties by Wang Zhengqing, Dai Erlv and Zuo Erba, of the Daoguang period, whose virtue and fighting skills were well known.

The armed escorts were used for the transport of currency or goods involved in flourishing business and trade deals. The armed escorts declined in use over time but their high point came at a time of chaos and social upheaval at the end of the Qing dynasty.