For rulers trying to survive the competition among states, Legalism is more practical and can be implemented more easily than other schools of thought during the Warring State period.1 .
For my state, I would employ Han FeiZi's form of Legalism. His ideas are centered on a combination of "Fa 法" (Law), "Shu 术" (Method) and "Shi 势" (Power). Before Han Feizi, legalist philosophers such as Shang Yang only stressed on "Fa 法", Shen Buhai only stressed on "Shu 术", while Shen Daoqiang only stressed on "Shi 势".2 Han Feizi believed that "Fa 法", "Shu 术" and "Shi 势" should all be implemented together. If only "Shu 术" is taken into practice and "Fa 法" is neglected, people have no reason to follow the law. If "Fa 法" is being implemented then this can bring the state wealth and power but without "Shu 术" the regime will not be able to maintain its ruling and without "Shi 势", a ruler will not be able to exercise order or rule efficiently. Therefore it is important to implement all three ideas together to bring peace and stability to the kingdom. .
"Fa 法" (Law).
In Legalism, law is used as a standard for judgment on whether a certain behavior is appropriate, inappropriate, right or wrong. Thus, all human behavior has to be confined within the boundaries set forth by the law. A Legalist type of law does not recognize the people's needs but instead, everyone's needs and interests will be based according to the standard of law. Legalism also stresses the importance publicizing laws so people can know and follow them. This will bring order and justice to the state. In a Legalist state everyone is equal before the law and the system of "rewards and punishments" does not care about social status, family background but instead deals out punishments and rewards accordingly.