Preface
After the death of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, the Qin State actually had the peculiar phenomenon of "four years of mourning three kings", this series of throne changes seemed turbulent, however, the rise of the Qin State was not interrupted, but continued to flourish.
So, what factors made the Qin State maintain a strong power in the face of civil strife and finally dominate the world? Today, let us walk into that magnificent history and uncover this seemingly impossible mystery.
1. The power of the hero
In 251 BC, King Zhaoxiang of Qin died, and the death of the founding hero was like a thunderbolt on the ground, shocking the entire Central Plains. However, just when everyone was suspicious of the decline of the Qin state, the existence of this country, which was once regarded as the weakest country, rose with an even more rapid momentum.
King Qin Zhaoxiang, the monarch who reigned for 56 years, used his wisdom and courage to completely change the territory of the Warring States Period. During his reign, Qin not only defeated Zhao's powerful army, but also gradually evolved the original pattern of seven kingdoms into a new situation in which Qin, Qi, and Zhao were triparted.
In the face of this brilliant monarch, the other six countries were all jealous. When he learned the news of the death of King Qin Zhaoxiang, the Korean monarch even went to mourn in person, for fear that the envoy would not be able to convey the truth. It can be seen that the deterrent power established by King Qin Zhaoxiang for the Qin State, even after his death, still made the surrounding countries feel uneasy.
The formation of this deterrent power stems from a series of brilliant achievements of King Qin Zhaoxiang on the battlefield. During his reign, Qin successively defeated strong enemies such as Zhao and Wei, and completely crushed Zhao's military strength in the Battle of Changping. This battle not only greatly damaged the vitality of the Zhao State, but also made other countries in awe of the military strength of the Qin State.
At the same time, King Qin Zhaoxiang was also good at using diplomatic means to skillfully manipulate the pattern of the Warring States. He sometimes united with Qi and Yan against Zhao, and sometimes joined forces with Zhao against Qi, thus constantly weakening the strength of other countries. Under his careful layout, the original pattern of the Seven Kingdoms gradually evolved into a new situation of Qin, Qi and Zhao.
This kind of strategic vision and diplomatic means undoubtedly made other countries look up to Qin. Even after the death of King Qin Zhaoxiang, other countries did not dare to act rashly, for fear of offending the deterrence left by this male lord. The Korean monarch personally went to pay his condolences precisely because of this concern.
It can be said that it was the wisdom and courage of King Qin Zhaoxiang that made the Qin State grow from a weak existence to the overlord of the Warring States Period. He not only achieved brilliant military achievements, but also skillfully manipulated the Warring States pattern diplomatically, and finally pushed the Qin State to the road of unifying the world.
2. Change of power
Although the death of King Zhaoxiang of Qin shook the entire Central Plains, the change of power within the Qin state was unexpectedly smooth and orderly. All this is due to the longevity of King Qin Zhaoxiang and the maturity of the prince.
When King Qin Zhaoxiang died at the age of 75, his son King Qin Xiaowen was over half a hundred years old, and he had long been the crown prince, and he had long been aware of national affairs. This kind of maturity of the prince undoubtedly provided a guarantee for the transition of power in the Qin state.
However, fate made people, and King Qin Xiaowen died after only sitting on the throne for three days, which made people sigh. This sudden incident brought great challenges to the transition of power in the Qin state. Fortunately, King Qin Xiaowen made a wise decision before his death, that is, to establish Gongzi Yiren as the crown prince, and be assisted by Lü Buwei. This decision laid the foundation for the stability of the Qin state.
For the next three years, King Xiang of Qin Zhuang succeeded to the throne. Although his reign was short, his decision to reuse Lü Buwei made it so that the power of the DPRK and China was effectively in the hands of Lü Buwei, thus avoiding the turmoil caused by the power vacuum.
It was precisely with Lü Buwei, a wise and brave strategist, that the Qin State was able to achieve steady and far-reaching results in turbulent times. He not only maintained the stability of the country, but also cleared the way for Qin Shi Huang to dominate the world. It can be said that without Lü Buwei, it would have been difficult for the Qin State to remain so stable during this turbulent period.
It can be said that it was the longevity of King Qin Zhaoxiang and the maturity of the prince Qin Xiaowen whom he cultivated, coupled with Lü Buwei, a wise and brave strategist, that enabled the Qin state to maintain stability during this turbulent period, and finally cleared the way for Qin Shi Huang to dominate the world.
Third, the system is adhered to
In addition to the smooth and orderly change of power, the more important reason why the Qin state was able to achieve steady and far-reaching success during this turbulent period was that it unswervingly continued the policy of Shang Ying's reform of the law.
The two major policies of "rewarding military merits" and "rewarding farming" in the Shang Dynasty Reform Law greatly mobilized the enthusiasm of the people. Driven by interests, the soldiers and civilians of the Qin State did their best, which is the root of the Qin army's reputation as the "Tiger and Wolf Army".
The policy of "rewarding military merits" has allowed ordinary people to see the opportunity to obtain knighthoods through military merits. Driven by this interest, they threw themselves into the war in the hope of achieving meritorious service. This not only improved the combat effectiveness of the Qin army, but also gave the people a stronger sense of identity with the country.
The "reward farming" policy gave those people who were unwilling to join the army also have the opportunity to earn knighthoods through hard work. As long as they work hard to cultivate and provide more food to the country, they will be rewarded accordingly. This kind of policy not only increased the people's enthusiasm for production, but also greatly increased the food supply of the whole country.
It can be said that it is the implementation of these two major policies that makes the military and people of the Qin State unite and contribute their own strength to the strength of the country. This is the fundamental reason why the Qin State was able to rise in the Warring States Period.
Although Shang Ying himself had been killed during the reign of King Huiwen of Qin, his idea of changing the law continued. Whether it was King Zhaoxiang of Qin, or later King Xiaowen of Qin and King Xiang of Qin Zhuangxiang, they all unswervingly implemented this policy, thus laying a solid foundation for the strength of the Qin State.
The continuation of this system also provided a guarantee for the Qin state to maintain stability during turbulent times. Even after the death of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, the Qin State successively changed four sovereigns, but as long as this system continued, the overall situation of the Qin State would not be greatly affected.
It can be said that it was the persistence of the system of Shang Ying's reform that enabled the Qin State to rise in the Warring States Period and finally realize the great cause of unifying the world. This not only reflects the foresight of the rulers of the Qin state, but also fully illustrates the importance of the system. Only a country that can unswervingly continue its excellent system can maintain stability in the midst of turmoil and eventually take off.
Fourth, Lü Buwei's resourcefulness
The key to Lü Buwei's ability to play such an important role during this turbulent period was his resourcefulness and determination. As a small Langzhong, he quickly won the appreciation of King Qin Zhaoxiang with his talent and foresight. Under the trust of the founding ruler, he was able to enter the imperial court and became a key figure in the change of power in the Qin state.
During the critical period of the brief reign of King Qin Xiaowen and King Qin Zhuang Xiang, Lü Buwei has always held the power of the court. It can be said that without Lü Buwei, a wise and brave strategist, it would have been difficult for the Qin State to remain so stable during this turbulent period.
The key to Lü Buwei's ability to play such an important role during this period was his determination and foresight. Before King Qin Xiaowen died, he decisively suggested that Gongzi Yiren be the crown prince and be assisted by himself. This decision provided a guarantee for the transition of power in the Qin state.
At the same time, during the reign of King Xiang of Qin Zhuang, Lü Buwei also held the power of the court. He not only maintained the stability of the country, but also laid a solid foundation for the young Qin Shi Huang. It can be said that it was with Lü Buwei, a wise and brave strategist, that the Qin State was able to achieve steady and far-reaching success in turbulent times, and finally cleared the way for Qin Shi Huang to dominate the world.
It can be said that Lü Buwei's resourcefulness has undoubtedly become one of the key factors in promoting the rise of the Qin State. He not only made the right decision at a critical moment and maintained the stability of the country, but also laid a solid foundation for the young Qin Shi Huang. It was with such a wise and courageous advisor that the Qin State was able to stand firm in turbulent times, and finally achieved the great cause of unifying the world.
epilogue
A seemingly impossible miracle was staged in the Qin State. After four years of mourning and three kings, the existence of this country, which was once considered the weakest, not only did not decline, but rose with a more rapid momentum.
All this stems from the foresight and wisdom of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, the founding hero, and the persistence of the system of Shang Ying's reform of the law. Lü Buwei's resourcefulness made the Qin State steady and steady, and finally paved the way to unification.
From this seemingly impossible miracle, we can see the key to a country's strength: the wisdom of the leader, the perseverance of the system, and the wisdom and courage of the ministers. Only by combining these three can a country survive the turmoil and eventually take off.