The Qin Dynasty, which is considered the first dynasty of Imperial China, comes about not long after Li Si has the corrupt emperor Han Fei beheaded. The Qin Dynasty itself lasts only fifteen years, but it sets the stage for what will eventually lead to the formation of the Celestial Masters, the first recorded group of organized Daoists. Zhang Daoling, the founder of the Celestial Masters, makes two major adjustments to the Qin system which is still in use at this time; namely, he extends the influence of the Dao and removes central power from aristocracy. Prior to the formation of the Celestial Masters, Daoist practices involving the Yin Yang were widespread in courts but Daoism was rarely, if ever, practiced religiously by the common people.
