The Rise and Fall of Ministers in Pre-Imperial China: A Case Study of Li Si and Zhang Yi

<p dir="ltr">Winner of the Navari Center for Digital Scholarship, University of Notre Dame Library Research Award, 2025. This thesis explores how political figures rose and fell in pre-imperial China through a comparative case study of Li Si and Zhang Yi. Using digital humanities tools—including Gephi for social network analysis, ArcGIS for mapping geographic trajectories, and TimelineJS for chronological visualization—the author investigates how these ministers leveraged social networks, geographic mobility, and trust-based relationships to rise in power during the Warring States and Qin periods. While Li Si cultivated influence through direct ties to the emperor and marital alliances, Zhang Yi relied on strategic diplomacy and inter-state mobility. Both ultimately fell from power due to shifting imperial favor and succession politics. The study provides a multidimensional lens on political dynamics in Early China, showcasing how digital methods can enhance historical analysis.</p>