By the next dynasty, the Zhou dynasty (1027-221 BCE), the people had discovered better farming methods. This enabled them to grow more crops. With more food, the population grew and the economy expanded. As such, more occupations were created. Now, the working class was further divided into four smaller classes that were ranked — scholars, farmers, craftsmen and traders. The ruling class “4 Fig 5.6 The social system during the Zhou ynasty (1027-221 BCE) The working. class The scholars, respected for their knowledge, were ranked the highest of these new classes. The traders were looked down upon and ranked the lowest. This is because they did not produce anything and were thought to make their living from the hard work of others. Y Fig 5.7 Alate Shang o: early Western Zhou wine beaker During the next dynasty, the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE), the power of the feudal lords was reduced. As discussed in Chapter 4, Qin Shihuang took away the lands and armies of the feudal lords after he unified ancient China. The lands were then divided into provinces and looked after by officials whom Qin Shihuang had appointed. These officials did not own the land they looked after. During the Han dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE), another development took place. Becoming an official now depended on whether one passed the Imperial Civil Service Examinations. This means that the appointment of civil servants no longer depended on class or family background. Instead, anyone who was capable and intelligent could be a civil servant as long as he passed the examinations. Thus, whatever occupation or level in society a person reaches is held to be what he deserves. This is called meritocracy. Chapter 5 Organsatin ot Society 71