Abstract: The merchant stratum was the characteristic social group of central Shanxi. On one hand they associated with high- ranking officials, on the other hand they devoted themselves to local development, in order to he approved by local society. Still, they could not establish an independent position outside the mainstream moral system leaving them with an awkward dual social role. Simultaneously, central Shanxi merchants had a pronounced gentry first merchant last consciousness, after gaining wealth through commerce they headed toward the path of an official career. Thus, as the merchants advanced toward modernity, the characteristics of the old merchant class faded out as they pursued a more official role. This was the special feature of professional emergence.