In china, what did wealth equate to?

In China (about 3 thousand years ago), cowry shells and copies of these shells were used as currency. These shells are from a certain type of snail called cowry or cowrie. "Shell money" isn't exclusive to China, as there is evidence that this kind of "currency" was also used in other parts of Asia, and also America, Australia and parts of Africa.

d. japan's attack on pearl harbor