Jiang Rufang (1860—1934), also called Boyan,pioneered the industry sector of Jiangsu province.

He was born in Chengxiang village, Taicang. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu of Qing Dynasty (1871－1908), he passed the imperial examination at the country level.

He was promoted to deputy director of a department under the Cabinet Ministry. Jiang believed the nation should set up industrial enterprises and develop its education.

He founded the Jitai Cotton Mill,later known as Litai Cotton Mill in1905. The mill used local cotton as raw materials to produce cotton yarns. With starting assets of 25,000 kg silver bullets, and 13,000 spindles, the plant went into operation in the second year to become one of the first three cotton mills in Jiangsu.

Jiang had also strengthened education in his hometown. He built and ran over 10 schools, including the Siyi School, the first modern school in Taicang. The Siyi School offered a telegram course.

In the late Qing Dynasty, Jiang served as a business senator for a decade and got involved with local financing, tax reductions, dredging the Liuhe River and the Qipu River channels.