The gōng (工)/ Artisans and Craftsmen

 

The second class in ancient China is the gōng (工) who were the artisans and craftsmen of the kingdom and who like the farmers, produced useful goods needed by themselves and as well as for the society needs.

 

The Gong was those who had skills to make useful goods. This was the class identified by the Chinese consider as a “labors”. They were like farmers produced useful goods, but most of them did not have their own land therefore, they did not generate the revenue. However, they commanded more respect than merchants because the skills they had were passed from father to son. Artisans could be government employed or self-business, and they are able to hire their own apprentices or labors to further expand their business.