Shu Zhanggai
PoliticsIn 385 BC, a coup was launched, killing Chu's son and his mother, and installing Prince Shixi, who was in exile in Wei, as king, Duke Xian of Qin.
Dynasties of ChinaWarring States periodQin State
Duke XianYing Shixi
Reign 384–362 BCE
After many years of exile in Wei, he returned to the country and ascended the throne. He abolished human sacrifice, moved the capital to Yueyang, and established households with each other, which was the beginning of Qin's reform and development.
IBiography
- Reign
- 22 years
- Order of accession
- Ruler #1 · Qin State
- Life dates
- ?–362 BCE
- Titles
- Posthumous title: Duke Xian
Ying Shixi (also known as Lian) is the son of Qin Linggong. He was young when Duke Ling died, and the throne was taken over by his uncle Jian Gong. He lived in exile in Wei for many years and witnessed the prosperity of Wei after the reform. In 385 BC, Shu Zhanggai of the State of Qin launched a coup, killed his young son and his mother, and welcomed him back from Hexi to the throne.
After Duke Xian came to the throne, he abolished the old custom of human sacrifice, moved the capital to Yueyang to compete eastward for Hexi, implemented the "household registration system", established counties and cities, and Qin began to get rid of its backwardness. In his later years, he defeated the Wei army twice in Shimen and Shaoliang. The Emperor of Zhou sent envoys to congratulate him. Duke Xian died in 362 BC, and his son Duke Xiao succeeded to the throne. He appointed Shang Yang and pushed the reform further.
IITimeline
Before accession
PoliticsThe chief concubine welcomes him
Shu Zhanggai of the State of Qin launched a coup and brought back Prince Shi Xi, who was exiled in the State of Wei, from Hexi. He killed his young son and his mother, and threw them into the abyss. Shi Xi ascended the throne as Duke Xian.
During the reign · 384–362 BCE
SocietyStop following death
In the first year of his accession to the throne, Duke Xian issued an order to "stop following death" and abolished the old custom of burying living people. Human sacrifice has been popular in Qin since Duke Wu. When Qin Mugong died, 177 people were buried there.
PoliticsMoved the capital to Yueyang
Duke Xian moved the capital from Yong to Yueyang, close to the Hexi front line where he was competing with Wei, to show his determination to advance eastward and regain the lost territory.
Lasting legacyThe Yueyang City ruins are located in Yanliang District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province today. Archeology has discovered the remains of many city sites and palace buildings.
PoliticsChu County Pu, Lantian
Duke Xian established counties in Pu, Lantian, Shanmingshi and other places, and the monarch directly sent officials to govern them. This was an early record of the Qin State's implementation of the county system.
Lasting legacyThe name of Lantian is still used today, and it is now Lantian County, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province.
EconomyFirst time entering the market
Duke Xian ordered the "Initial Market" and set up a market in the capital. The government managed commercial transactions and collected city taxes. Qin's commodity economy began to develop.
SocietyHousehold registration is close to each other
Duke Xian promoted the "household registration system of five households", which organized households into five households to facilitate the collection of military service and taxation and public security management. This laid the foundation for Shang Yang's Shiwu continuous sitting method.
MilitaryBattle of Stonegate
The Qin army defeated the three Jin coalition forces at Shimen and beheaded 60,000 people. King Zhou sent someone to send him a dress embroidered with fur patterns to congratulate him, and Qin began to win prestige among the princes of the Central Plains.
MilitaryBattle of Shaoliang
The Qin army defeated the Wei army in Shaoliang and captured Wei's Prime Minister, Duke Shucuo. Duke Xian died in the same year, and Crown Prince Quliang succeeded to the throne as Duke Xiao of Qin.
IIIPeople of this reign
Gong Shucuo
PoliticsHe was captured by the Qin army in the Battle of Shaoliang and later released. Before his death, he recommended Gongsun Yang, a retainer of Wei Huiwang, and said that if he was not in use, he should be killed. Wei Huiwang did not accept either of them, so Gongsun Yang went west to Qin.