Question

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was a Ming emperor who believed in Confucianism.

Alas, how easily money and profit can bewitch a person! With the exception of the righteous person, the true gentleman, and the sage, no one is able to avoid the temptation of money. . . .
. . . During the final years of the Yuan dynasty, there were many ambitious men competing for power who did not treasure their sons and daughters but prized jade and silk, coveted fine horses and beautiful clothes, relished drunken singing and unrestrained pleasure, and enjoyed separating people from their parents, wives, and children. I also lived in that chaotic period. How did I avoid such snares? I was able to do so because I valued my reputation and wanted to preserve my life. Therefore I did not dare to do these evil things.

–Zhu Yuanzhang

How does Emperor Zhu view merchants?

as bewitchers of money
as dangerous for society
as powerful and ambitious men
as true gentlemen

Answer 1

as dangerous for society

He warns that money and profit “bewitch” people and describes ambitious men pursuing wealth and pleasure who caused social harm (breaking family ties, chaos).