Guan Zhong

Guan Zhong was an influential Chinese statesman and reformer during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BCE). Serving as the chief advisor to Duke Huan of Qi, he implemented political and economic reforms that strengthened the state of Qi, such as promoting trade, reorganizing administration, and encouraging agriculture. His strategies helped transform Qi into a powerful and stable state, setting standards for governance and statecraft in ancient China. Guan Zhong's ideas on centralized authority and practical governance remain notable, reflecting his role as a pioneering figure in Chinese political thought.