清代两淮灶丁之生存环境与社会功能

清代两淮灶丁是两淮官盐和盐课的主要创造者。在食盐专卖体制的重压下，这些被清政府强行固定在盐场上的食盐生产者，每年都为国家创造了大量的社会财富。然而这样一群为社会做出过突出贡献，有着强大功能的社会弱势群体，却面临着十分恶劣的生产条件与生存环境。在官吏、盐商及其地方官僚无休止的剥削与压迫下，灶丁往往过着衣不蔽体、食不果腹的悲惨生活；而恶劣的生产条件和天灾人祸更使他们朝不保夕，随时都有失去生命的危险。两淮灶丁的上述悲惨境遇，为我们探寻清代两淮私盐问题活跃之原因提供了部分依据：

Living Environment and Social Function of Salt Producers in Lianghuai in the Qing Dynasty

In the Qing Dynasty, salt producers were the main source of official salt and salt tax of Lianghuai. Under the press of the salt monopoly system, the salt producers who were fixed in the salt by the Qing government created a large number of social wealth for the state every year. However, this vulnerable social group, who made outstanding contributions to the country with powerful functions, were confronted by very poor production conditions and living environment. Under the endless exploitation and oppression of government officials, salt merchants and local bureaucrats, the salt producers often lived in a tragic life with cold and hunger; and poor production conditions and natural disasters might also make them lose lives at any time. The above situation of the salt producers in Lianghuai provides us with some evidences to explore the reason why the private salt was very popular in the Qing Dynasty.