Mercantilism
In the Zhou Dynasty, the economy took a turn to mercantilism, which bore a resemblance to Western Europe in the medieval ages. The Zhou built walled cities, forged iron and created a standardized currency. The cities of the Zhou Dynasty were closely related to ones we have today. They were divided into neighborhoods based on social status, income, or occupation. Most if not all cities at that time were walled for protection and most agriculture was done outside of these protective walls. Towards the beginning of the Zhou period, a single currency was established which was a strong indication of a mercantilist economy. The Zhou produced much the same products as the Shang although there is one major difference. Instead of bronze, the Zhou had begun to mine and forge iron in the fifth century B.C. Jade, bronze and ceramics were all part of the Zhou economic industry, these objects also indicated the existence of an artisan class that manufactured these goods, a sign that goods were being bought and sold and that the Zhou had moved past the subsistence farming of the Xia and Shang.
http://www.education.com/study-help/article/ancient-history-china-zhou-dynasty/
In the Zhou Dynasty, the economy took a turn to mercantilism, which bore a resemblance to Western Europe in the medieval ages. The Zhou built walled cities, forged iron and created a standardized currency. The cities of the Zhou Dynasty were closely related to ones we have today. They were divided into neighborhoods based on social status, income, or occupation. Most if not all cities at that time were walled for protection and most agriculture was done outside of these protective walls. Towards the beginning of the Zhou period, a single currency was established which was a strong indication of a mercantilist economy. The Zhou produced much the same products as the Shang although there is one major difference. Instead of bronze, the Zhou had begun to mine and forge iron in the fifth century B.C. Jade, bronze and ceramics were all part of the Zhou economic industry, these objects also indicated the existence of an artisan class that manufactured these goods, a sign that goods were being bought and sold and that the Zhou had moved past the subsistence farming of the Xia and Shang.
http://www.education.com/study-help/article/ancient-history-china-zhou-dynasty/