The correct answer is C) it prescribed harsh penalties for minor crimes.
Legalism influenced Chinese society during its dynastic era in that it prescribed harsh penalties for minor crimes.
During times of war in ancient dynasties China, the emperor had to be more strict with the enforcement of laws and established new penalties for minor crimes in order to control the situation and give stability to society. In that time, the law was enforced strictly because the government considered that people did not have the capacity of being accountable for themselves, that is why a strong state control was needed and obedience to the law.