Li Bozhong is Chair Professor of Humanities at Peking University, having previously taught at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Tsinghua University. He is recognised as one of the foremost scholars of the economic history of China.

• Part I. Introduction: 1. Themes, methods, sources; 2. Huating-Lou in the 1820s; Part II. Industries: 3. Agriculture; 4. Industry; 5. Services; Part III. Added Values: 6. Agriculture; 7. Industry; 8. Services; Part IV. Employment, Income and Consumption: 9. Employment; 10. Income; 11. Consumption; Part V. Conclusion: 12. The GDP and HDI of Huating-Lou in 1823–1829; 13. The Huating-Lou economy of 1823–29 in comparative perspective; Appendices.

'This is a bold and important book, which aims to provide a more rigorous baseline than we have had before for thinking about the early modern Chinese economy, and about East-West comparisons. And Li Bozhong, perhaps the most important economic historian of China working today, is just the person to make such an attempt. The book's argument is provocative, and parts of it will be controversial – but it rests on deep research and sophisticated methods. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the historical development of China's economy, and will remain so for years to come.' Kenneth Pomeranz, University of Chicago