The contents of Shang Yang's political reform are as follows:
(1) The state recognizes that land is private and allows free trading.
(2) those who reward ploughing and produce more grain and cloth may be exempted from corvee.
(3) according to the size of the military, awarded the title of Hotan House, abolished the old aristocratic privileges without military.
(4) establish a county system, and the monarch directly sends officials to govern. Significance: Through Shang Yang's political reform, the feudal system was established in Qin State, which promoted the development of feudal economy, enhanced the combat effectiveness of the army, made Qin State the most prosperous country among the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period, and laid the foundation for national reunification.
The historical significance of Shang Yang's political reform is as follows:
(1) promoted social progress and historical development: Shang Yang's political reform was a relatively thorough reform movement. Through reform, Qin abolished the old system and established a new system suitable for social and economic development.
The reform promoted the social progress and economic prosperity of Qin State. It strengthened the national strength and laid the foundation for Qiang Bing, a rich country of Qin State, and its future development. It played an important role in the history of Qin and even China.
(2) Economically, the old relations of production have been changed, and the private ownership of land has been fundamentally established.
(3) Politically, the old patriarchal clan system was impacted and disintegrated, the feudal state machine was more perfect, and the centralized construction began.
(4) Militarily, rewarding military achievements has achieved Qiang Bing's goal and greatly improved the combat effectiveness of the army. It has created favorable conditions for the next strategic development of Qin.
The impact of reform
Shang Yang's political reform was a successful political reform in ancient China, which made A Qin a powerful country, laid the foundation for the unification of the six countries in the future, and determined the idea of rule of law.
Shang Yang absorbed the experience of Li Kui, Wuqi and other Wei Chu legalists, combined with the specific situation of Qin State, further developed the legalist policy, and later came from behind and made great achievements.
Further breaking the well field system, expanding the mu system, emphasizing agriculture and restraining business, rewarding male farming and female weaving production, encouraging reclamation, and promoting the development of the small-scale peasant economy in Qin State. The county system is generally implemented, laws are enacted, and the unified measurement system is adopted to establish a centralized monarchy.
Prohibiting private fighting, rewarding military achievements and establishing a 20-level rank system are conducive to strengthening the combat effectiveness of the army. Strike against the old aristocrats who opposed the political reform, and "burn poems" and "books" to make the law clear, so that the political reform can be carried out.