Dating back during the western Han dynasty, in China, 206 BCE the discussion of salt and iron arise. At this time, the emperor gather government officials and scholars to come together and discuss social, administrate, and economic problems that was going on during this time. However, while debating, two opposing groups formed. The Confucians believed secondary materials such as iron and salt should not be used as a way for the government to gain profit from people as it will teach greed and unethical behavior, also, that primary goods such as food should come first as it will increase profit in agriculture and the overall well being of the people. However, the modernist believe that the monopolies of salt and iron would increase profit for
