The students who study Chinese in China took part in the discussion group about the ancient Chinese culture. This week their topic is the reformation held by Shang Yang in Qin state.

In order to make the discussion more wonderful, all the overseas members who study Mandarin in China searched lots of historical materials and consulted the relevant experts in their university.

The historical background introduced by the books found by the students who study Chinese in China is quite helpful. In 408 B.C, the social economy of Qin State greatly changed. The land rent form transformed from labor to material objects, which is the so-called “初租禾” in the Chinese culture book of the students who learn Chinese in China. According to the book, the commercial exchange was also active in this period.

However, the development of Qin State was more backward compared with other states in the east. The main reason concluded by the Chinese culture teacher was the strong power of feudal leaders. The students who study Chinese in China also found that the diplomatic status of Qin State was not that high. Qin had no right to take part in the alliance meeting of the countries in the central plain.

In 361 B.C, the King Xiao assumed the throne. He was a capable king in the Chinese culture history. In order to change the backward situation that every state discriminated Qin and make Qin much stronger and prosperous, he decided to appoint the capable people to have reformation.

Shang Yang came to Qin State and accepted the appointment. Students who study Mandarin in China may have learnt about him in their Chinese historical books before. He was the aristocracy descendant of Wei State, whose family name was Gongsun. Because of his achievement of reformation for Qin State, he was titled Sir Shang and called Shang Yang in Chinese history.

According to the records on the book used to help students to learn Chinese in China, he was learned in the science of criminal law, who was one of the famous representatives of Legalist School at that time. In King Xiao third year and the twelfth year, Shang Yang held two reformations successively. The main contents are as following:

Firstly, to abolish the ancient field system and implement the system of crisscross footpaths between fields. To abolish the state ownership of lands in slave society, accept the private ownership of lands and allow the sales of lands; the tax of lands should be imposed by state. Since then, landlords occupied fields and exploited farmers, which had been protected by the feudal laws. At the same time, the state-owned lands in slave system had transformed into feudal state-owned. The result analyzed by the discussion members who study Mandarin in China is that this measure of the reformation further promoted the development of feudal land ownership.

Secondly, to abolish the hereditary title of nobility and the hereditary official salary and set up the system of awarding people according to their contributions. As long as people who have no military contributions, they can’t be listed into the family of nobility. And the one who has the greater contribution will be ranked higher and the lands and houses awarded will be much more. The setup of this system beat the power of old aristocracy and promoted the establishment of feudal hierarchy, as well as cultivated a group of landlords who had great military contribution. The students who study Chinese in China and are interested in politics believed that this measure was the most effective one which helped the development of Qin State.

Thirdly, to weigh farming, curb business and reward farming and weaving. This policy in the reformation was the historical tradition in ancient China and some of the students have heard about it before they came to learn Chinese in China. The rewarding regulations promoted the development of feudal small-peasant economy.

Fourthly, unify the weights and measures in the whole state. Shang Yang made the unified standard measuring vessels and gave out all over the state.
Fifthly, move the capital to Xianyang in order to adapt to the development towards the east.