Shang Yang was a famous reformer and a representative figure of legalism in Qin Xiaogong period. He was originally a descendant of the monarch of Wei, and later went to Qin to help Qin Xiaogong carry out reforms.

The main contents of his reform in Qin state include: recognizing the private ownership of land, abolishing the well-field system, advocating emphasizing agriculture and restraining commerce, and establishing the military service system of the 12 th Army. After Shang Yang's political reform, Qin became rich in Qiang Bing, which laid a solid foundation for Qin's later unification of the six countries. Shang Yang is an indelible figure in the history of Qin State.

But Shang Yang's fate was not very good, because his reform violated the interests of the old nobles of Qin State. After Qin Xiaogong's death, Shang Yang was falsely accused of rebellion by childe Qian, and died of his younger brother. Although the final outcome of Shang Yang was not good, Shang Yang's political reform continued in Qin State.

Portrait of Shang Yang