Wǔjìn

Wujin shared the walled city of Changzhou, a centre of learning and commerce on the Grand Canal. The canal ran through the city and joined its waterways to the Yangtze and Lake Tai. Fields, market streets and boat traffic sustained a district long known for its scholars as well as its produce.

In 1368 the Ming moved the local courier station outside the western gate, where officials and dispatches passed along the canal route. Markets spread along the water during the dynasty, with grain, cotton cloth and combs among the prominent trades. Wujin also furnished scholars to the Donglin circle: Qian Yiben joined Gu Xiancheng and others in teaching and debating public affairs at the academy in nearby Wuxi.