Tao Zhu

Tao Zhu or Tao Shu (; 17 January 1779 – 12 July 1839) was a Chinese scholar-official of the Qing dynasty who played a key role a broad movement toward institutional reform in the early 19th century. He is especially known for his role as Governor-General in making changes in the salt monopoly of the Qing dynasty.

Career

Tao was trained first by his father, a scholar and teacher, and then in the Yuelu Academy, in the city of Changsha in the conservative inland province of Hunan. The Academy inculcated an ascetic philosophy of self-examination and dedication to rescuing the world from the decadence of recent times. Graduates formed what one historian called a "network of messianic alumni." Tao's reforms opened the system up to small scale traders, depriving the hereditary merchants and the smugglers of their profits and lowering costs to the consumer. However, Tao could not meet the optimistic commitments he had made to the emperor.

Tao resigned in March 1839, giving illness as the reason, and died four months later. A temple was erected in his memory in Banpu (now Guanyun), Jiangsu, a city in the salt region.