The Shang Dynasty Reform was a major reform movement in Chinese history. At its core is the rule of law, that is, the concept of governing the country according to law. This idea was realized during the Qin Dynasty and had a profound impact on later history.
Shang Ying believed that the law should be uniform and fair, and should not be changed from person to person or at will. He put forward the slogan "The prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people", emphasizing the principle of equality before the law. This practice was very radical at the time, as hierarchy and social discrimination were prevalent in ancient societies. However, Shang Yang adhered to his views and successfully promoted the implementation of this principle in Chinese history.
At the same time, Shang Yang also advocated strengthening the power of the state and weakening the power of the aristocracy. He believed that social stability and development could only be guaranteed through strong centralization. To this end, he instituted strict household registration systems, tax policies, and military establishment to limit the sphere of influence of local tyrants. These measures not only strengthened the country, but also laid the foundation for China's feudalization process.
In addition, Shang also integrated the idea of the legal system into the education system. He advocated taking the rule of law as the foundation and paying attention to cultivating citizens' sense of the rule of law and discipline. He also created a new examination system, the "imperial examination system", as a way to select talents and promote the idea of the legal system.
However, Shang's approach was not all smooth sailing. Many of his measures have been met with strong resistance from the opposition and have even sparked a series of political conflicts. Despite this, Shang Yang persevered, and thanks to his efforts, the Qin state gradually rose to become one of the Seven Heroes of the Warring States.
Shang Ying's idea of the rule of law opened up a new direction for China's development. His contribution is not only to promote the construction of the legal system, but more importantly, the influence of the ideas he advocated for equality and strengthening state power on Chinese history and culture continues to this day. Therefore, we can regard Shang Yang as an important milestone in the development of the legal system in ancient China.