Currency in wuxia

When characters in wuxia fiction pay for wine, receive rewards, or engage in trade, they use traditional Chinese currency—taels of silver, strings of cash, and individual coins. These monetary units appear throughout novels, serving both practical narrative functions and establishing the economic and social context of the jianghu.

Unlike concrete measurements that are converted for clarity, currency terms are typically retained as pinyin to preserve economic context and cultural authenticity. Understanding how these currency systems work helps readers appreciate the material conditions of life in the jianghu and the social hierarchies they reflect.

Tael (两)

Tael¹ is a unit of weight and currency, traditionally used for precious metals, particularly silver. In wuxia fiction, taels of silver serve as the primary high-value currency:

High-value transactions: Taels appear in descriptions of significant purchases, rewards, bribes, and large-scale economic activities. A single tael of silver represents substantial value, suitable for major transactions.

Social status: The ability to pay in taels indicates wealth and social standing. Characters who deal in taels demonstrate financial power and influence.

Rewards and payments: Martial artists receive taels as payment for services, rewards for heroic deeds, or compensation for losses. The amount of taels reflects the value placed on services or achievements.

Examples: “three taels of silver”, “fifty taels reward”, “a hundred taels for your head”

Historical context

The tael system varied across dynasties, with different standards for weight and purity. In wuxia fiction, taels typically refer to silver taels, which served as the primary high-value currency in traditional China alongside copper cash for everyday transactions.

String of cash (贯)

String of cash² refers to a string of copper coins, typically one thousand coins threaded together. Strings of cash represent medium-value currency:

Everyday transactions: Strings of cash appear in descriptions of common purchases, market transactions, and routine economic activities. They bridge the gap between individual coins and taels of silver.

Practical value: A string of cash represents substantial but not exceptional wealth, suitable for significant everyday expenses or modest rewards.

Economic scale: The relationship between strings of cash and taels helps establish economic hierarchy and relative values in the wuxia world.

Examples: “ten strings of cash”, “a few strings for expenses”

Historical context

The exact number of coins per string varied historically, but the standard was typically one thousand coins. Strings made large quantities of copper cash easier to handle and transport, serving as an intermediate unit between individual coins and precious metal currency.

Coin (文/钱)

Coin³ refers to individual copper coins, the smallest unit of currency. Coins appear in descriptions of everyday economic activities:

Small transactions: Coins are used for minor purchases, tips, and routine expenses. They represent the basic unit of economic exchange for common people.

Economic detail: References to coins help establish the material conditions of daily life, showing what ordinary people can afford and how economic transactions function at the lowest level.

Social contrast: The contrast between coins and taels highlights economic inequality and social stratification in the wuxia world.

Examples: “a few coins”, “ten coins for wine”, “not a coin to his name”

Historical context

Copper coins served as the primary currency for everyday transactions throughout Chinese history. Different dynasties issued various coin types, but copper cash remained the foundation of the monetary system, with silver and gold serving as higher-value alternatives.

Currency hierarchy

Value relationships

The currency system establishes clear economic hierarchy:

• Coins (文) — smallest unit, everyday transactions
• Strings of cash (贯) — medium value, significant everyday expenses
• Taels (两) — high value, major transactions and wealth

This hierarchy reflects social stratification: common people deal primarily in coins and strings of cash, whilst wealthy characters and major transactions involve taels of silver.

Economic context

Currency usage reflects:

• Social status: Wealthy characters pay in taels; commoners use coins
• Transaction scale: Small purchases use coins; major expenses require taels
• Economic power: Characters’ ability to pay in different currencies demonstrates their financial resources
• Historical setting: Currency types help establish which dynasty or period the story occurs in

In wuxia fiction

Economic transactions

Currency facilitates various plot elements:

Rewards and payments: Martial artists receive payment for services, rewards for completing tasks, or compensation for losses. The amount reflects the value placed on services.

Bribes and corruption: Currency appears in descriptions of bribery, corruption, and economic manipulation, showing how money influences jianghu politics and relationships.

Trade and commerce: Characters engage in economic activities—purchasing supplies, paying for services, conducting business—that require currency transactions.

Debts and obligations: Financial debts create plot complications, forcing characters to earn money, seek assistance, or make difficult choices.

Social commentary

Currency usage reflects broader themes:

Economic inequality: The contrast between characters who deal in taels versus those who struggle with coins highlights social stratification.

Material concerns: Even heroes must address practical economic needs, showing that martial prowess alone does not solve all problems.

Corruption: The influence of money on jianghu affairs demonstrates how economic power can corrupt honour and justice.

Generosity: Characters who share wealth or refuse payment demonstrate xia principles, contrasting material concerns with moral values.

Character development

Currency reveals character traits:

Wealth and status: Characters’ economic resources reflect their social position and influence.

Generosity: How characters use money—sharing wealth, refusing payment, helping others—demonstrates moral character.

Priorities: What characters spend money on reveals their values and concerns.

Resourcefulness: Characters who navigate economic challenges show practical skills beyond martial arts.

Translation approach

Retaining currency terms

Unlike concrete measurements, currency terms are typically retained as pinyin:

Cultural authenticity: Preserving traditional currency terminology maintains historical economic context and cultural atmosphere.

Economic context: Retaining currency terms helps readers understand economic relationships and relative values within the wuxia world.

World-building: Currency terminology contributes to establishing the distinctive setting of traditional Chinese society.

Providing context

Translations provide context for currency values:

Footnotes: First occurrences may include footnotes explaining currency units and approximate values.

Relative comparisons: Descriptions help readers understand relative values through context and comparison.

Cultural notes: Explanations of economic practices help readers appreciate the social and economic framework.

Why this matters

Traditional Chinese currency systems evolved across dynasties, with different standards and practices. The tael system for precious metals coexisted with copper cash for everyday use, creating a dual-currency system that reflected both high-value and routine economic needs.

In wuxia fiction, currency serves narrative functions beyond mere economic transactions. It establishes social hierarchies, creates plot complications, reveals character traits, and maintains historical atmosphere. The retention of traditional currency terminology preserves the economic context that helps readers understand the material conditions of life in the jianghu.

The emphasis on currency reflects real historical concerns: traditional Chinese society placed significant importance on economic relationships, and wuxia fiction incorporates these concerns into its portrayal of the martial arts world. Even heroes must navigate economic realities, showing that honour and martial prowess exist within a material world with practical needs.

Further reading

• Units of measurement in wuxia — Measurement systems including weight units
• Codes of conduct — Social rules governing economic relationships
• Jianghu — The martial arts world where economic activities occur

Footnotes

1. 两 – Liǎng. Traditional Chinese unit of weight and currency, particularly for silver. One tael of silver represented substantial value in traditional Chinese economy. ↩

2. 贯 – Guàn. String of cash, typically one thousand copper coins threaded together, serving as an intermediate currency unit between individual coins and taels. ↩

3. 文/钱 – Wén/Qián. Individual copper coin, the smallest unit of currency in traditional China, used for everyday transactions. ↩