confucian thoughts on merchants

Answer 1

In brief, merchants were one of the four occupations in Confucianism. These occupations consisted of scholars, merchants or traders, peasant farmers, and artisans or craftsmen. There are some sources that say that there was no particular hierarchy, while some say that they were respected differently. Merchants played a large role in society by establishing trade routes. Merchants did gain more success as the economy became more established, though many sources still say that they were considered a lower class.

Answer 2

"Historically in China, products producers (tradesmen) were strictly distinguished from the products traders (merchants), and the former was highly esteemed while the latter was socially suppressed."

"China's Confucius Merchants" in All Things China

https://www.viewofchina.com/confucius-merchants/