After King Ping ofZhou moved its capitaleastward, the QinState swiftly emergedand established a stronghold inShaanxi. In 221 B.C., EmperorQinshihuang unified six states,founding the first centralizedauthoritarian empire in Chinesehistory, a model of governancethat would resonate throughthe ages and exert profoundinfluence.
The enterprising and unifyingspirit of the Qin people is evidentin the intricately crafted Tiger-Shaped Tally of Du County, asymbol of Qin’s efficient nationalmobilization, the monumentalBronze Dragons, symbolizingsweeping conquests andterritorial unification, and theOval Measure with Inscriptionsof Two Decrees, inscribed withimperial edicts from successiveemperors that showcase theQin Dynasty’s administrativemaneuvering.
The Eastern empire’smonumental unification wasachieved through generations ofperseverance, and its influencesoon spanned vast distances,resonating with historical glory.