Shang Yang was a politician, reformer, thinker and representative of Legalism in the Warring States Period. He was a native of Wei (now Liangzhuang Town, Neihuang County, Anyang City, Henan Province), a descendant of the king of Wei, and his surname was Gongsun, so he was also called Wei Yang and Gongsun Yang. So what did Shang Yang do? What is the ending of Shang Yang? Let me answer your question.
When Shang Yang was young, he liked to study the names of criminals and was deeply influenced by Li Kui and Wuqi. He studied the theory of sages from Shijiao, and later served Wei's "xianggong" uncle CuO as an illegitimate child. Uncle CuO recommended Shang Yang to Wei Huiwang when he was seriously ill, saying that "Shang Yang is young and promising, and he can govern the country with national conditions". He also said to Wei Huiwang, "If Shang Yang is not used, he must be killed, and don't let him go to other countries. [6] "Wei Huiwang thought that Uncle Cuo was terminally ill and incoherent, which was not adopted. Uncle CuO quickly turned Shang Yang around and left Wei. Shang Yang knew that Wei Huiwang wouldn't take the wrong uncle's words and kill him, so he didn't leave Wei immediately.
In 359 BC, Qin Xiaogong planned to carry out political reform in the State of Qin. He was afraid of people's comments, so he hesitated. Qin Xiaogong held a court meeting and ordered ministers to discuss the matter with industry and commerce. Gan Long and Du Zhi, representatives of the old aristocracy, rose up against political reform. They think that profit is unchangeable and it is not easy to use. "There is nothing wrong with the ancient law, and there is nothing wrong with politeness." Shang Yang pointed out in a tit-for-tat way: "What was the ancient law in the past? If the emperor doesn't mend fences, why follow? " "Governing the world is different, and the country is illegal. Wu Wangtang, not from ancient times; You can't die easily with courtesy when the summer is over. But you don't have to be anti-ancient, and you can follow the ceremony. " Therefore, he advocated "establishing the ceremony at that time and making the ceremony according to the events" (Shang Jun Gengfa and Biography of Historical Records and Shang Jun). () This refuted the so-called "Legalist" and "Etiquette" of the old aristocracy with the thought of historical evolution, and made public opinion preparations for the implementation of the reform.
In 356 BC, Qin Xiaogong appointed Shang Yang as Chang and carried out the first political reform of Qin. Its main contents include: reforming the household registration system, implementing the method of "even sitting in the same position", clearly announcing that military law rewards meritorious military service, abolishing the system of "clearing the stone and getting ten rewards", establishing the system of "twenty ranks", severely punishing private struggles, rewarding agricultural weaving, restraining merchants, reforming and formulating Qin laws, and promoting small family system.
Xianyang (now the northeast of Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province) is located in the middle of Guanzhong Plain, bordering the plateau in the north and the Weihe River in the south. It can reach the Yellow River along the Weihe River, or it can reach Hanguguan between Zhong Nanshan and Weihe River. In order to facilitate the development to the east of Hanguguan, in 350 BC, Qin Xiaogong ordered Shang Yang to recruit soldiers, build Jique Palace according to the capital scale of Luwei, and build a new capital. The following year, he moved the capital from Liyang (now southeast of Fuping County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province) to Xianyang, and ordered Shang Yang to carry out the second political reform in Qin State. Its main contents include: opening and building borders, waste ore fields, making iron yards, allowing private ownership and trading of public land, implementing county system, making laws for the first time, uniformly measuring, burning poetry books, banning private door invitations, prohibiting people from traveling, and implementing family orders to prohibit people from living in the same room.
In 338 BC, he died, and Prince Shang succeeded to the throne, namely King Hui of Qin. Gong Ziqian and others denounced Shang Yang for "rebellion", and Qin Huiwang ordered Shang Yang to be arrested. Shang Yang fled to the border and wanted to stay in a hostel. The owner of the hostel didn't know that he was a business gentleman, but when he saw that he didn't bring his certificate, he told the business gentleman that it was a crime to stay without a certificate. Shang Yang wanted to go to Wei, but Wei refused him entry because he took his son alive. After Shang Yang returned to the State of Qin, he was forced to sneak back to feudal merchants and launch city soldiers to attack Zheng County (now hua county, Shaanxi Province). Qin Huiwen sent his troops to attack, and Shang Yang failed and died. His body was taken back to Xianyang, where it was cracked and displayed to the public. Qin Huiwen also ordered the destruction of Shang Yang's family. Although Shang Yang was killed, the new law was not abolished.
It is also reasonable that Shang Yang was killed by King Qin Huiwen. Shang Yang's influence has hurt Qin Huiwen, making Qin Huiwen try his best to kill Shang Yang to stabilize his rule. Therefore, Shang Yang's death can only be regarded as a victim of rights.