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Qin Xiaogong

Ruler of Qin who called for able men on his accession and backed Shang Yang's reforms, moving the capital to Xianyang and grouping villages into counties

Also known as Ying Quliang

Duke Xiao of Qin, named Quliang, was the son of Duke Xian and, according to the 'Basic Annals of Qin' in the *Records of the Grand Historian* (*Shiji*), was twenty-one when he succeeded his father. He began by relieving orphans and widows and issuing a call promising high office and land to any guest or minister who could make Qin strong. Wey Yang, later known as Shang Yang, came from Wei and in 359 BC persuaded him to reform the law, putting farming first and rewarding valor in war. The annals record that in 350 BC Qin built Xianyang and moved its capital there, merged small villages into forty-one counties, and two years later began levying a military tax. In 340 BC Wey Yang defeated Wei, captured its prince Ang and was enfeoffed at Shang. Duke Xiao died in 338 BC, and his son King Huiwen soon had Shang Yang torn apart by chariots. Jia Yi's *Faults of Qin* (*Guo Qin lun*) opens with Duke Xiao.

Life and times

  1. c. 381 BCEBornZhou
  2. 356 BCEShang Yang's Legalist ReformsTook partShang Yang reorganized Qin through counties, military-rank rewards, and agrarian incentives, enabling direct taxation, conscription, and mass mobilization.
    1. Duke Xiao Summons Talent361 BCEDuke Xiao's call for talent brought Shang Yang to Qin, where he set up a log at the market's south gate in the capital, Yueyang, to show the law would be kept.
    2. Shang Yang Moves the TreeShang Yang earned public trust by rewarding a tree-moving feat, launching sweeping legalist reforms across Qin.
    3. Qin Moves Capital to Xianyang350 BCEAround 350 BCE, Qin moved its capital from Liyang to Xianyang during the reign of Duke Xiao, making Xianyang the capital of Qin in the Warring States period.
  3. 338 BCEDied

Works

  1. Literature · Prose1
    1. Edict Seeking Worthy MenZhouDuke Xiao of Qin's 361 BCE call for able men to restore Qin, which drew Shang Yang to his court

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Qin Xiaogong
    Son
    King Huiwen of Qin

Connections

  1. Rulers and officials1
    1. Shang YangReforming minister · c. 390 BCE–338 BCE