This book takes a broad historical perspective, focusing on micro-level scenarios such as the dowry system, the evolution of the tax system, the rise of vagrants, and the disappearance of slavery, to analyze the profound significance of the "Tang-Song Transition." In the author's view, from the rigidly hierarchical social structure of the Tang Dynasty to the contractual, mobile society of the Song Dynasty, this transformation spanning hundreds of years encompasses a panoramic view of politics, economy, society, and culture: Politically, aristocratic politics disintegrated, and the imperial examination system established a bureaucratic system that "selected officials regardless of family background"; economically, personal dependence loosened, the poll tax shifted to a property tax, and urban commodity economy and stock market flourished like never before; socially, slavery disappeared, and women's property rights and autonomy in marriage significantly improved; culturally, aristocratic culture gave way to popular art and literature, forming a highly modern secular landscape.
本书从大历史视界出发，聚焦嫁妆制度、税制演变、游民兴起、奴婢消亡等微观场景，分析“唐宋之变”的深层意义。在作者笔下，从唐代门阀森严的身份社会，到宋代契约化的流动社会，这场跨越数百年的转型涵盖政治、经济、社会、文化全景：政治上，贵族政治瓦解，科举制构建起“取士不问家世”的官僚体系；经济上，人身依附松弛，从人头税转向财产税，城市商品经济与证券市场空前繁荣；社会层面，奴婢贱籍消亡，女性财产权与婚姻自主权显著提升；文化上，贵族文化让位于市井文艺，形成极具现代气息的世俗风貌。
本书从大历史视界出发，聚焦嫁妆制度、税制演变、游民兴起、奴婢消亡等微观场景，分析“唐宋之变”的深层意义。在作者笔下，从唐代门阀森严的身份社会，到宋代契约化的流动社会，这场跨越数百年的转型涵盖政治、经济、社会、文化全景：政治上，贵族政治瓦解，科举制构建起“取士不问家世”的官僚体系；经济上，人身依附松弛，从人头税转向财产税，城市商品经济与证券市场空前繁荣；社会层面，奴婢贱籍消亡，女性财产权与婚姻自主权显著提升；文化上，贵族文化让位于市井文艺，形成极具现代气息的世俗风貌。
