"Hanfeizi"and The Political Construction Of Qin And Han Dynasties

"Hanfeizi"set up a complete legalism ideological system by integrating the three thoughts in the early Warring States period:legalism,power and tactics,which were all regarded as the important means of monarchs"ruling.Since the Legalist thoughts of"Hanfeizi"had provided the theoretical basis for the establishment of the united centralized feudal empire,it played an irreplaceable role in the construction of the political culture of Qin and Han Dynasty.Just as"Hanfeizi"emphasized the human resource management,the monarchs of Qin dynasty paid attention to employ the talented retainers and appoint officials.The Legalist thoughts became to predominate in all ruling ideologies in Qin from ShangYang’s innovation onward.When Qinshihuang unified the Six States,the first feudal monarchy centralized empire in Chinese history was established based on the theory of Legalism of"Hanfeizi".The ruling ideology of Qin Dynasty had begun to comprehensively legalistic.After Qin shihuang died,Huhai,the second emperor of Qin,changed Qinshihuang"s policy to develop more cruel regulations,and decentralize to ZhaoGao,which caused transfer of"power"and lead such a powerful empire into decline.Han Dynasty,which was founded after Qins destruction,still had a highly legalistic regime.At the early Han,Legalism ideology of"Hanfeizi"was palliated with Huanglao ideology,and then glossed over with Confucianism since Hanwudi Emperor was enthroned.Confucianism of Han had been renovated by DongZhongshu and absorbed the concept on monarch and minister of the Legalism to establish the thoughts of"Three Main-stays"which was chiefly"Monarch Guides Minister"originated from the thoughts"Minister Obeys Monarch""Son Obeys Father""Wife Obeys Husband"in Legalism of"Hanfeizi".As Hanwudi’s ruling tool,the tactics of Confucianism was much different to Confucianism before Qin Dynasty.The means and thoughts of exalting despotism and realization to centralizing power of the ideology in"Hanjizi"penetrated the whole history of Han Dynasty.The continuous strengthening rule of the imperial power led the sovereignty to an unprecedented height.Such a political model of"Confucianism in form and legalism in substance"influenced the construction of political culture during all the dynasties after Qin and Han.