明、清时期,两淮(淮河以南及淮河以北两个地区)盐业相当发达,是全国最大的盐区。盐商在经营盐业的过程中,积累了巨额资本,“富可敌国”。出于与官府交际及商务应酬的需要,加之炫耀露富和及时行乐,不少盐商“衣服屋宇,穷极华靡;饮食器具,备求工巧;俳优伎乐,恒舞酣歌;宴会戏游,殆无虚日……骄奢淫佚,相习成风。各处盐商皆然,而淮、扬尤甚。”(《永宪录》卷二)如盐商聚居的淮安“河下”(又称“西湖嘴”),其建筑风格、生活方式与扬州盐商居住的“河下”相仿,故被称为“小扬州”。一些清江浦、淮安城大盐商的家中,“曲廊高厦,食客盈门,细毂丰毛,山腴海馔,扬扬然意气自得也。”(《金壶浪墨》)“山珍海错,肴鼎 Ming and Qing Dynasties, the two Huaihe (south of the Huaihe River and north of Huaihe two areas) is quite well developed salt industry, is the largest salt region. Salt merchants in the process of operating the salt industry, has accumulated huge amounts of capital, ”rich and enemy“. For the sake of communication with the government and business entertainment needs, plus to show off Lu Fu and live in good time, many salt merchants ”clothing houses, extremely poor extravagant; eating utensils, Tour, almost vanquished day ... ... extravagant prostitution, phase into the wind. Salt merchants are all around, and Huai, Yang particularly. “(” Yongxian recorded “Volume II) as salt settlers Huaian River under the river ”(also known as“ West Lake mouth ”), its architectural style, lifestyle and Yangzhou salt merchants living“ River ”is similar, it is called“ Little Yangzhou. ” Some of the Qingjiang Pu, Huaian City salt merchants at home, “Qu Gallery Building, diners Yingmen, fine hub Feng Mao, Shan Huang sea food, Yang Yang Ran contented.” “ ”Shanzhen sea fault, cuisine tripod