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商鞅 Shang Yang (390 – 338BC) A great statesman, political reformer

September 18, 2011, Sunday | Print Edition

DURING China's Warring States Period (476-221 BC), seven major states had emerged after other small realms had been annexed. These seven states continued to fight with each other for dominance and hegemony.

In the early years of this period, the State of Wei in the central part of the country, the State of Chu in the south and the State of Qi in the east were the three biggest powers. The State of Qin, situated in the west, was economically backward and militarily weak. It usually tried to avoid conflicts with other states.

But around 356 BC, the State of Qin gradually became wealthy and powerful. Eventually, it conquered the six other states and united the country for the first time in the Chinese history in 221 BC.

Behind the rapid rise of Qin, there was a man called Shang Yang. He was deemed one of the greatest statesmen and political reformists, as well as founder of a legal system in ancient China.

Shang was born in the State of Wei. In his youth, he studied criminal law and had always harbored big political ambitions. Once, he was recommended to be prime minister of the state, but he was denied by the king.

Believing he could not realize his political ambition in the State of Wei, Shang moved to State of Qin in 359 BC and became a chief advisor to Duke Xiao. Duke Xiao, at that time, had just ascended to the throne. He wanted to turn his state into a powerful kingdom. Therefore, he had recruited a large number of politicians, scholars, professionals and talented people from other states.

Shang told Duke Xiao that the big powers - the states of Wei, Chu and Qi, had all undergone social and economic reforms. So, if Qin wanted to catch up, it must adopt some drastic reform policies. The duke agreed and gave Shang the authority to launch his reforms.

Shang introduced a new administration that advocated meritocracy, thus depriving the privileges of the nobility. He also adopted a residence system, joint liability and severe punishments to crack down on crime. He prioritized agricultural production and marginalized commercial business and trade. Shang pushed ahead the privatization of land and adopted unified measurements.

To show his seriousness about the reforms, one day he put a log in front of the southern gate of the capital and announced to the public that if anyone moved it to the northern gate of the city, he would be given 10 pieces of gold.

At first, no one in the crowd believed Shang was serious because the task was too easy and the reward too attractive. Since no one bothered to try, Shang raised the reward to 50 pieces of gold.

Then, one man said, "Why not give it a try, it wouldn't hurt." So, he carried the log to the front of the northern gate. Shang immediately handed the man 50 pieces of gold.

Later, when Shang announced his reform plans, all people, commoners and nobles alike, obeyed because they knew he was a serious man.

Thanks to Shang's drastic social, economical and political reforms, the State of Qin soon became a very powerful and rich kingdom, creating the necessary resources and strength for its future rulers to defeat all other states and unify the country.

But, Shang's reforms had also infuriated some interest groups and the noble class. After Duke Xiao died in 338 BC, the new ruler, a representative of the old nobility, immediately ordered the execution of Shang.

Now and Then


 

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