Food

Farmers grew rice in the wet south and wheat and millet in the dry north. They raised pigs, chickens, cows, and even dogs for food. Today that might sound strange, but in ancient times it was culturally acceptable. Dogs were raised like farm animals, not pets, and every part was used so nothing was wasted.

People drank tea, which became China’s most famous drink. The legend of tea says that an emperor was boiling water one day under a tea tree. A gentle breeze blew, and a few tea leaves drifted down into his pot. The water turned golden, and the smell was so sweet that the emperor took a sip — and loved it! He felt fresh and alert, and from then on, tea became a favorite drink across China.

The Qin also made round bronze coins with square holes in the center. People carried them on strings tied to their belts, making it easy to pay and trade in markets and villages.