The Transformation of Qin Law
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Specialist readers will note the book's textual research on the timing of "changing fa into lü" and its sociological interpretation of institutions such as the "five-family and ten-family mutual responsibility system" and "military merit ranks." Huang Zhongye particularly points out that the standardization practices of Qin law (such as the "Cheng He" and "Xiao lü") actually constituted ancient China's earliest attempt at "management by numbers," offering a new path to understanding the efficiency of the Qin system. Notably, the author does not evade the cruelty of Qin law but offers an ecological protection perspective on provisions such as "tattooing those who throw ashes on the road," a balanced discussion that reflects the historian's caution.
Readers are advised to read this alongside the Shuihudi Qin bamboo text "Legal Questions and Answers"; the book's analysis of the status system of "lì chén qiè" is particularly illuminating, revealing how law shaped social mobility in early society. Although some legal terminology may pose a barrier to general readers, the author brings abstract provisions to life through case interpretations (such as the "cattle theft case" and "land dispute lawsuit"). As part of New Star Press's "Xinzhi" series, the book is elegantly bound with detailed annotations, suitable for keeping on the desk and rereading.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Researchers and enthusiasts of Warring States and Qin-Han history
- Readers interested in the evolution of ancient Chinese legal systems
- Thinkers who enjoy understanding historical processes through institutional perspectives
- University teachers and students needing reference materials on Qin legal history
Not a good fit for
- Casual readers seeking popular, narrative-style historical stories
- Ideological discussants expecting a全面 critique or wholesale affirmation of Qin law
Reading tips
- Read the appendix "Classified Table of Qin Laws" first to build a framework
- Read in dialogue with the Book of Lord Shang and the "Biography of Lord Shang" in the Records of the Grand Historian
- Focus on the argumentative logic of Chapter 3, "The Legal System and State Governance"
About the publisher
New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 前言
- 第一章 商鞅变法与秦国新型法律制度的初步建立
- 战国形势与变法运动的兴起
- 秦国社会与秦献公的改革
- 秦孝公的《求贤令》与商鞅由魏入秦
- 商鞅的变法理论与立法原则
- 商鞅起草新法与新法的公布
- 商鞅新法的基本内容
- 商鞅的“改法为律”
- 秦国新型法律制度体系的初步建立
- 商鞅推行新法的几项重要措施
- 商鞅新法的实施及其成效
- 第二章 战国法治理论与秦国法制建设
- 《商君书》的法治理论与秦国的法制建设
- 韩非的法治理论与秦国的法制建设
- 第三章 云梦秦律的发现及秦国法制建设的三个时期
- 云梦秦律的发现及其年代
- 云梦秦律的基本内容
- 云梦秦律发现的重大意义
- 秦国法制建设的三个时期
- 第四章 秦国的刑法建设及其实施
- 刑法在秦律中居于主体地位
- 《盗律》《贼律》在刑法中居于首要地位
- 犯罪
- 依法论罪与以罪定刑
- 轻罪重刑与刑称其罪
- 秦律的刑罚因犯罪人的身份而异
- 秦律中的犯罪种类
- 秦律的判刑原则
- 秦律的刑罚体系
- 第五章 秦国刑事诉讼法的建设及其实施
- 有罪推定与无罪推定原则
- 侦查和审判中对证据的注重
- 刑事案件的起诉
- 对罪犯的追捕和拘留
- 侦查过程中的调查和核实
- 审判与判决
- 第六章 秦国行政立法与政务部门行政管理法规
- 行政机构的组织法规
- 对行政官员的管理法规
- 政务部门行政管理法规
- 第七章 秦国经济立法与经济部门行政管理法规
- 秦国经济部门的管理机构及其官员
- 经济部门行政管理法规
- 第八章 秦国军事法规建设及其实施
- 军队编制与什伍连坐
- 军事训练
- 军营管理
- 旗章号令
- 军事指挥
- 降敌处理
- 战场纪律
- 军功授爵
- 军事刑罚
- 军事行政
- 第九章 秦律中的民事法律规范
- 名籍和户籍
- 身份和权利
- 婚姻和家庭
- 所有权
- 债权
- 第十章 秦国法制建设的重大成就
- 改法为律及例、比、释律使刑法细密而准确
- 刑称罪的判刑原则是对于轻罪重罚主义的否定
- 诉讼中对于证据的注重体现着无罪推定的原则
- 程序完备化与文书规范化标志着诉讼法的成熟
- 行政管理法规包含了各个方面立法的诸多内容
- 政刑二法对官员与权贵的规范使秦法令行禁止
- 秦国各项法律制度的实施全面实现了以法治国
- 秦律与中国奴隶制时代的法律有着重大的区别
- 秦律为历代封建法典之宗并且独具时代的特点
- 秦国的法制建设促进了中央集权制国家的建立
- 第十一章 秦国法制建设的历史经验
- 秦国法制建设的成就即法制建设的成功经验
- 大变革时代为法制建设提供了宽阔的历史舞台
- 法家学派的法治理论始终指导着秦国法制建设
- 立法的手段是解决执法和普法问题的关键所在
- 变法改制与立法建制同步进行以立法建制为主
- 法典建设与法规建设同步进行以法规建设为主
- 行政管理法规的制定和实行解决了执法的问题
- 秦法厚赏重罚原则是实现令行禁止的重要手段
- 改变官场风气和社会风气与法制建设相辅而行
- 专任法治的基本国策终于在秦国建成法治社会
FAQ
How does this book differ from similar works such as A General Survey of Qin Law?
Do I need prior legal knowledge?
How does the book evaluate Shang Yang's historical role?
Related on WeRead
Comments
Find this book
This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
Huang Zhongye is an author who writes on Chinese history; public information about him is limited, and details such as his place of origin, education, and dates of birth and death remain unclear. Five of his works are held in the collection, covering historical narratives of the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, including The Transformation of Qin Law, The Biography of Qin Shi Huang, The Biography of Liu Bang, Founder of the Han, The Glorious Tang Dynasty, and Understanding the Wisdom and Vision of Emperors (3 volumes). Judging by his subjects, he focuses on imperial biographies and institutional change, often using specific figures and events as threads to trace the rise and fall of dynasties and the gains and losses of politics, balancing readability with a clear presentation of historical context. His works are generally classified as history readings and general biography, aimed at ordinary readers who wish to learn about ancient Chinese politics and imperial governance in an accessible way, giving him a distinct place in popular history writing.
