Dividing the Family Estate
Updated 2026-08-10
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
An old institution, sharpened by Shang Yang's reform with the rule that a family keeping two or more adult sons under one roof paid double tax, which forced adult sons to establish separate households. As an organizational model it means breaking up large units that have become independent kingdoms, so the top level deals directly with the smallest units and cuts out the middle layer that skimmed resources and resisted direction.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Spot the monopoly unit: find the large team that has become an independent kingdom. - Force the split: use rules to divide it into small, agile teams. - Cut the middle layer: let leadership deal directly with the smallest units.
Anchor fast decisions
A large intermediate unit holds the power to hide resources and resist directives, because the center sees only the unit's own report. Splitting it into many small households removes the organizational base for evasion, widens the taxable base, and puts the center in direct contact with each unit.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zdic.nethttps://zdic.net/hans/%E5%88%86%E5%AE%B6%E6%9E%90%E4%BA%A7verified
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