Unlike previous eras, Chinese civilization did not regress into chaos for long. In this manner, the bureaucracy became a tool of centralization for China and placed the entire empire under the leadership of the Qin emperor.ДЄs soon as the emperor died, the people revolted and slaughtered many of the remaining Qin officials. Additionally, the practice of Legalism reinforced the bonds of obligation between bureaucrat and superior. By assigning bureaucrats to regions, the Qin bypassed the powerful aristocracy and governed through those whose position depended on loyal obedience to the state. Aristocrats also tend to make decisions based on what is best for their location, thus becoming a decentralizing force. Land owning aristocrats, on the other hand, have large estates and personal fortunes to fall back on they have a vested interest in influencing the government in their personal favor. Generally speaking, the bureaucrat's high status and wealth is based on his obedience to his superior. Members of the bureaucracy only had positions and power as granted by the emperor. Bureaucrats are employees of the state whose position in society, unlike nobles or aristocrats, does not rest on an independent source of wealth.

One of the most important things the Qin did was create a bureaucracy.

A bureaucracy is an hierarchical chain of authority that allows a central leader to project power across a large area divided into many administrative regions.

Asian feudalism chart