Shang Yang

Shang Yang was an influential Chinese statesman of the 4th century BCE, known for modernizing and strengthening the state of Qin through legal and administrative reforms. He promoted a centralized, merit-based system that emphasized strict laws, clear rules, and efficient governance, reducing the power of aristocrats. His reforms helped Qin become a powerful and unified state, laying the groundwork for China's eventual unification under the Qin Dynasty. Despite his controversial methods, including harsh punishments, Shang Yang's ideas significantly impacted Chinese legal and political thought.