65.
Tsin:*
The Zhou dynasty gradually lost its ability to maintain strong central government throughout the Spring and Autumn Period. In its final 2 centuries (the Warring States period) the Zhou court had little control over its constituent states, who were often at war with each other. This anarchy continued until the Qin state consolidated power and formed the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC.
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Qin originated in a re-conquest of western lands previously lost to the Rong. They saw the Zhou rulers Wen & Wu as their predecessors and themselves as inheritors of their legacy; their location on the western edge of Chinese civilization allowed expansion & development unavailable to its rivals in the North China Plain.
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Following extensive "Legalist" reform in the 3rd century BC, Qin emerged as the dominant power of the Seven Warring States. It unified China in 221 BC under Shi Huangdi; this empire was short-lived but greatly influential in later Chinese history. The first emperor eliminated any noble titles which did not conform to his legalist system of government based on merit rather than the privilege of birth. He forced all the vassal leaders to attend the capital; he then seized their states and turned them into administrative districts classified as either commanderies or counties depending on their size. Officials who ran the new districts were selected on merit rather than by family connections.
66.
Dschang Yi:*
King Hui of Qin in 329 BC accepted Zhang Yi as a high minister; in 328 BC he led a successful campaign against Wei, his native state, whereby Qin acquired Wei lands. At that time, Su Qin's vertical alliance tactic still influenced China, and formed a sort of unity between the 6 states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan and Qi. Zhang suggested to King Hui that he befriend Wei and Yan in order to break their alliance; Hui adopted this strategy and made Zhang Yi prime minister.
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In 314 BC, civil war broke out in Yan; the state of Qi attacked & murdered the Yan king. The leader of the vertical alliance Chu, allied with Qi, an alliance which threatened Qin’s unification plans. Zhang Yi was sent on a diplomatic mission to it weaken it. Talks resulted in a deal for Chu to break its alliance with Qi in return for the restoration of lands Qin had taken earlier. After Chou broke its alliance & attempted to re-claim their lands, Qin treacherously refused. Chu attacked Qin (unilaterally) and was subsequently defeated, losing further lands. Zhang Yi repeated similar negotiations with the states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan and Qi, thereby destroying the unity between these states (the vertical alliances), paving the way for unification of China under Qin.
67.
Wang Hu:*
According to legend Su Qin was a disciple of Guiguzi, the founder of the School of Diplomacy. He was the chief advocate of the Vertical Alliance. At his most brilliant Su Qin persuaded the leaders of the six kingdoms of Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao & Wei to unite against the Qin. He employed powerful rhetoric to drive home his point. Afterwards he wore robes decorated with the insignia of all 6 states. The allies of the Vertical Alliance advanced on the State of Qin but were easily defeated due to internal discord between the former enemies.