Shang Yang (about 390 BC - 338 BC) was a representative figure of Legalism during the Warring States Period. Originally from the Duke of Wei State, he studied under Li Kui and entered the Qin Dynasty with the Book of Dharma. The third story is about Qin Xiaogong, who was reused with his hegemonic skills and presided over reforms: abolishing mine fields and opening up roads, establishing land private ownership; promoting the system of prefectures and counties to strengthen centralization of power; creating twenty-level military meritorious titles to reward farming and war; unifying weights and measures, and moving trees to establish trust. His reforms made Qin rich and powerful, regained the lost land in Hexi, and granted merchants the title of fifteen cities. However, after the death of Duke Xiao of Qin, he was counterattacked by the old nobles and was falsely accused of treason. His car broke apart and he died. Although his body died, his law survived, laying a solid foundation for Qin to unify the six kingdoms, which can be called one of the most profound changes in Chinese history.
