Editing Qin dynasty (section)

=== Economy ===
The Qin conception of [[political economy]] reflected the ideas of Shang Yang and [[Li Kui (legalist)|Li Kui]]: labour was identified as the realm's primary resource, and commerce was understood in general to be "inherently sterile".{{sfn|von Glahn|2022|p=182}} The merchant class that had emerged during the Warring States period was considered a direct threat to the state, due to merchants' incentives to pursue individual profits and self-aggrandisement. After unification, the imperial state targeted their wealth and political power; a 214&nbsp;BC law allowed for merchants to be impressed into the military and deported for service on the realm's frontiers. Reinforced by its distinct legal status, the merchant profession became increasingly hereditary in nature.{{sfn|von Glahn|2022|pp=175, 182–183}}

[[File:026 S-83 Qin Ban Liang, 221-208 BC, 30mm.jpg|thumb|Qin-era ''banliang'' coin, with the obverse marked {{zhc|c=半两|p=bànliǎng}}]]
During the 330s&nbsp;BC, the state of Qin began minting ''[[banliang]]'' coins, which were round, made mostly of [[bronze]], and marked to indicate a nominal weight of around {{cvt|8|g|frac=16}}{{snd}}though the actual weight varied in reality. After unification, ''banliang'' were given official status across the empire, replacing previous regional currencies like [[spade money]] and [[knife money]] to become the first standardised currency used throughout all of China.{{sfn|Kakinuma|2022|pp=132–133}} Unlike the Han, who initially continued the use of ''banliang'', the Qin did not allow additional coins to be minted by the private sector, and considered those that were to be counterfeit.{{sfn|Kakinuma|2022|p=133}}