Andrew Seth Meyer is a Professor of History at Brooklyn College whose work focuses on ancient and medieval China. In this episode, he discusses his book To Rule All Under Heaven, which explores the Warring States period, an era of constant warfare, political intrigue, and philosophical change that reshaped China. As conflict intensified, states moved away from hereditary rule and built more centralized governments, choosing officials based on ability rather than birth. Thinkers like Confucius supported this shift by promoting merit and moral leadership. At the same time, growing trade and wealth helped states strengthen their armies. This set the stage for the rise of Ying Zheng, or Qin Shi Huang, who conquered the rival kingdoms and unified China, creating a centralized system that lasted long after his short-lived dynasty. — BUY THE BOOK HERE — To Rule All Under Heaven: A History of Classical China, from Confucius to the First Emperor by Andrew Seth Meyer https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0197667481 — SUPPORT US VIA OUR PATREON— https://www.patreon.com/join/whencyclopedia — BUY OUR MERCH — https://www.worldhistory.store​/​ — ATTRIBUTIONS — You can find all attribution and credits for images, animations, graphics and music here - The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on: https://www.ancientlyre.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2vFEg8DmOJ5YCRm4A5v?si=emacIH9CRieFNGXRUyJ9 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1X6F7lGMEadnNETSzTv8A World History Encyclopedia www.worldhistory.org #china #military #worldhistory #WHE #historyfacts