Shang Yang's political reform was a thorough feudal reform movement during the Warring States Period, which conformed to the trend of feudal historical development, promoted the transformation from slave society to feudal society, conformed to the interests of the emerging landlord class, and greatly promoted social progress and historical development.
Through reform, Qin abolished the old system and established a new system to adapt to social and economic development. The reform promoted the social progress and economic development of Qin State. At the same time, it strengthened its national strength and made Qiang Bing a rich country. It laid the foundation for national reunification in the future and played an important role in the historical development of China.
Shang Yang's political reform had a far-reaching impact on the post-Qin State and the Qin Dynasty. The Qin law unearthed in Yunmeng was revised, supplemented and accumulated on the basis of this reform. The method of sitting together is also discussed in many places in Qin Law. For example, if the household registration is hidden or false, not only the township officials will be punished, but also every household who is "Wu" will be punished with a shield and "everyone will move" (that is, guarding the border will be punished).
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Shang Yang absorbed the experience of Li Kui, Wuqi and other Wei Chu legalists, and combined with the specific situation of Qin State, further developed the legalist policy, and then came from behind, and the reform achieved great results. He further broke the well field system, expanded the mu system, emphasized agriculture and restrained commerce, rewarded the production of male ploughing and female weaving, encouraged reclamation, and promoted the development of small-scale peasant economy in Qin State.
He generally carried out the county system, enacted laws, established the unified measurement system, and established a centralized monarchy. He banned private fighting, rewarded meritorious military service, and formulated a system of 20 ranks, which was conducive to strengthening the combat effectiveness of the army. He cracked down on the old aristocrats who opposed the political reform, and "burned poetry and books to understand the law", which enabled the political reform to be implemented. Because of all this, Qin became rich and strong rapidly, which laid the foundation for the unification of China.
However, in Shang Yang's political reform, he despised enlightenment and advocated heavy punishment for minor crimes, which aggravated the exploitation and oppression suffered by the broad masses of people to a certain extent and brought great pain to the broad masses of people to a certain extent. It has not completely drawn a line with the old system, culture and customs. The idea of "using expert knives and saws, using armored soldiers for external use", superstitious about violence and neglecting enlightenment, also has its obvious historical limitations.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Shang Yang Reform