Early Prosperity Under the Han Princedoms

In the early Western Han Dynasty, Suzhou regained its status as a capital for the Princedoms of Jing and Wu. During the reign of Liu Bi, the Prince of Wu, the region leveraged its abundant natural resources through aggressive economic policies, specifically “mining copper in the mountains to mint coins and boiling seawater to produce salt.” This era saw Suzhou accumulate immense wealth through these monopolies. By implementing tax reductions and “resting with the people,” the city experienced significant population growth and land development. Although the “Rebellion of the Seven States” eventually led to a shift in its political status, Suzhou’s foundation as the economic heart of the Jiangnan region was firmly established.