Editing Qin dynasty (section)

== Unification and expansion, 230–210 BC ==
{{Further|Qin's wars of unification}}
During the Warring States period, the [[Seven Warring States|seven major states]] vying for dominance were Qin, [[Yan (state)|Yan]], [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]], [[Qi (state)|Qi]], [[Chu (state)|Chu]], [[Han (Warring States)|Han]], and [[Wei (state)|Wei]]. The rulers of these states styled themselves as kings, as opposed to the titles of lower nobility they had previously held. However, none elevated himself to believe that he had the [[Mandate of Heaven]] as claimed by the kings of Zhou, nor that he had the right to offer sacrifices.{{sfn|Morton|1995|p=25}}

During the century that preceded the wars of unification, the Qin suffered several setbacks. Shang Yang was executed in 338&nbsp;BC by [[King Huiwen of Qin|King Huiwen]] due to a personal grudge harboured from his youth. There was also internal strife over the Qin succession in 307&nbsp;BC, which decentralised Qin authority somewhat. Qin was defeated by an alliance of the other states in 295&nbsp;BC; this was soon followed by another defeat inflicted by Zhao, made possible by a majority of the Qin army already being occupied with defending against attacks by Qi. However, the aggressive {{ill|Fan Sui|zh|范雎}} became prime minister in 266&nbsp;BC; after issues with the succession were resolved, Fan pursued an expansionist policy that had its origins in [[Jin (Chinese state)|Jin]] and Qi, in which they endeavoured to conquer the other states.{{sfn|Lewis|2007|pp=38–39}}

[[File:CMOC Treasures of Ancient China exhibit - stone slab with twelve small seal characters (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Stone slab bearing an inscription stating that it is an auspicious moment for Qin Shi Huang to ascend to the throne, that the country is united, and that no one will be dying on the roads.{{efn-num|The inscription reads: {{lang|lzh|{{nwr|海内皆臣、}}{{nwr|歲登成熟、}}{{nwr|道毋飢人}}}}.}}]]
The Qin first attacked the Han directly to their east, and took their capital city of Xinzheng in 230&nbsp;BC. They then struck the state of Zhao to their north, who surrendered in 228&nbsp;BC, followed by the northernmost state of Yan in 226. Next, Qin launched assaults to the east and south; they took the Wei capital of Daliang (modern [[Kaifeng]]) in 225, and forced Chu to surrender in 223. They then deposed the Zhou dynasty's remnants at [[Luoyang]]; finally, they conquered Qi, taking their capital at [[Ancient Linzi|Linzi]] in 221&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Lewis|2007|p=10}}

With the completion of Qin's conquests in 221&nbsp;BC, [[King Zheng]]{{snd}}who had acceded to the throne of Qin at age nine{{sfn|Bo|2008|pp=134–135}}{{snd}}became the effective ruler of China.{{sfn|Loewe|2007}} The subjugation of the six states was done by King Zheng who had used efficient persuasion and exemplary strategy. He solidified his position as sole ruler with the abdication of his prime minister, [[Lü Buwei]]. The states made by the emperor were assigned to officials dedicated to the task rather than place the burden on people from the royal family.{{sfn|Loewe|2007}} He then combined the titles of the earlier [[Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors]] into the new name "Shi Huangdi", meaning 'First Emperor'. The newly declared emperor ordered all weapons not in the possession of the Qin to be confiscated and melted down. The resulting metal was sufficient to build twelve large ornamental statues at the Qin's newly declared capital at [[Xianyang]].{{sfn|Morton|1995|p=47}}

=== Southward expansion, 214–206 BC ===
{{Main|Qin campaign against the Baiyue}}
In 214&nbsp;BC, Qin Shi Huang secured his boundaries to the north with a fraction (roughly 100,000 men) of his large army, and sent the majority (500,000 men) of his army to [[Qin campaign against the Baiyue|conquer the territory]] to their south, which was inhabited by the [[Baiyue]] peoples. Prior to Qin's campaigns unifying the former Zhou territories, the Baiyue had gained possession of much of [[Sichuan]] to their southwest. The Qin army was unfamiliar with the jungle terrain, and it was defeated by the southern tribes' guerrilla warfare tactics with over 100,000 men lost. However, in the defeat Qin was successful in building a canal to the south, which they used heavily for supplying and reinforcing their troops during their second attack to the south. Building on these gains, the Qin armies conquered the coastal lands surrounding [[Guangzhou]], and took the provinces of [[Fuzhou]] and [[Guilin]]. They may have struck as far south as [[Hanoi]]. After these victories in the south, Qin Shi Huang moved over 100,000 prisoners and exiles to colonise the newly conquered area. In terms of extending the boundaries of his empire, Qin Shi Huang was extremely successful in the south.{{sfn|Morton|1995|p=47}}

=== Campaign against the Xiongnu, 215 BC ===
{{Main|Qin's campaign against the Xiongnu}}
The Qin collectively referred to the peoples living on their northern border as the [[Five Barbarians]]; while sporadically subject to imperial rule, they remained free from it for the majority of the Qin's existence.{{sfn|Lewis|2007|p=129}} Prohibited from engaging in trade with local Qin peasantry, the [[Xiongnu]] inhabiting the [[Ordos Desert]] to the Qin's north-west frequently raided them instead. In retaliation, [[Qin's campaign against the Xiongnu|a military campaign]] was led by the Qin general Meng Tian. The region was conquered in 215&nbsp;BC, and agriculture was established; however, the local peasants were discontented and later revolted.{{sfn|Lewis|2007|p=5}}