Shi Huangdi, the First Emperor of Qin, undertook a series of radical and transformative measures to unite and centralize China after centuries of fragmentation during the Warring States period. Firstly, he standardized weights, measures, and the writing system, facilitating communication and commerce across his vast empire. Secondly, he abolished the old feudal states and divided China into administrative units directly controlled by the central government, reducing the power of the former feudal lords. Additionally, Shi Huangdi ordered the construction of a massive network of roads and the Great Wall of China, both serving to consolidate his control and protect the empire from northern invasions. His legal reforms, including adopting Legalism as the state philosophy, emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments, which helped to enforce central authority and maintain social order. Despite his authoritarian rule, these policies were crucial in laying the foundations for a unified Chinese state.
