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In 338 BCE, Duke Xiao of Qin fell gravely ill and died. His son ascended the throne as King Huiwen of Qin.
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During the Warring States period, after Shang Yang’s sweeping reforms, Qin transformed from a marginal western state into the most powerful military and administrative machine in China. Its centralized governance, merit-based army, and booming economy made it a looming threat to the six eastern states – Han, Zhao, Wei, Qi, Chu, and Yan.