Source: Historical Records and Biography of Shang Jun
Selected paragraph:
The order was given, but it hasn't been given yet, for fear that the people won't believe it. Has been set up in the south gate of the country, and those who can move to the north gate will be given ten gold. People blame it and dare not migrate. Later, he said, "50 gold for those who can migrate." There is a person who moves to it and needs to pay 50 gold, making it clear that he will not cheat. Order of death
Translation:
The decree of Shang Yang's political reform has been prepared, but it has not been announced yet. (Shang Yang) worried that the people didn't believe in themselves, he (ordered) to put a three-foot-high piece of wood in front of the south gate of the capital to recruit people who could (can) move to the north gate and give twelve taels of gold.
People were surprised to see this, and no one dared to touch this piece of wood. (Shang Yang) added, "Anyone who can move wood will be rewarded with 50 gold." A man moved wood and gave him fifty gold to show that he didn't cheat (the people). Finally, a decree was issued.
The Reforms of Shang Yang
During the Warring States Period, Qin Xiaogong appointed Shang Yang to carry out reforms. It has been done twice. The first time began in the third year of Qin Xiaogong (359 BC), and its main contents included: issuing the order of reclaiming grassland and wasteland, and implementing the feudal land rent system; Fabricate household registration and practice sitting together; Reward meritorious military service, prohibit private fighting, establish a hierarchical title system, and abolish aristocratic hereditary privileges; Reward agricultural weaving, and those who exceed it will be exempted from self-service; Suppress businessmen and business activities.
In the twelfth year of filial piety (350 BC), he moved the capital to Xianyang (now northeast of Xianyang, Shaanxi) and reformed again. The main contents are: further abolishing the state-owned land system, opening buildings and implementing the farmland system; The county system is generally implemented; Promulgating the "initial tax" law, that is, collecting poll tax according to population; Unified measurement. In addition, a severe punishment law was promulgated and the new law was implemented by violent means. Shang Yang's political reform abolished slavery in Qin State and established feudalism, which made Qin State stronger.