| name | qin-standardization-system |
| description | Use when implementing uniform standards across a newly unified empire. Covers weights and measures (衡石丈尺), writing system (书同文字), transportation (车同轨), Five Elements cosmology, and symbolic renaming of rivers and populace. |
Qin Standardization System
A comprehensive procedure for implementing uniform standards across a unified multi-state empire.
Overview
To ensure effective governance of newly unified territories, establish uniform standards for measurements, writing, and infrastructure.
Steps
-
Standardize weights and measures:
- Unify all measuring instruments (衡石丈尺)
- Ensure consistent commercial and administrative transactions
-
Standardize writing system:
- Implement uniform script (书同文字)
- Eliminate regional writing variations
-
Standardize transportation:
- Establish uniform axle widths (车同轨)
- Build roads to standard specifications
-
Implement Five Elements theory:
- Determine dynasty's elemental virtue (Qin = Water)
- Adjust calendar to begin in tenth month
- Adopt black as imperial color
- Use six as the sacred number:
- Official caps: 6 inches
- Carriage width: 6 feet
- Step length: 6 feet
- Horses per carriage: 6
-
Rename rivers: Rename Yellow River to 'Virtue River' (德水)
-
Rename populace: Call common people '黔首' (black-headed ones)
Expected Outcomes
- Unified commercial practices
- Consistent administrative documentation
- Efficient transportation network
- Coherent ideological framework
Validation
- Verify that all measuring instruments (衡石丈尺) are unified and consistent across administrative regions
- Confirm that the uniform script (书同文字) and axle width (车同轨) standards are implemented in all territories
- Check that Five Elements cosmological elements (calendar start, imperial color, sacred number) are consistently applied across official practices
