Final answer:
Option (a), After the 'period of Warring States,' Zheng of Qin emerged as a powerful leader whose actions unified China and resulted in political stability and economic growth, marking the beginning of the Qin Dynasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the 'period of Warring States,' the state of Qin emerged triumphant and its leader, Zheng, assumed a position of considerable power. His actions led to the unification of China, bringing about political stability and laying the foundation for economic prosperity. Zheng's leadership marked the end of the Warring States period and the beginning of the Qin Dynasty, which implemented numerous reforms that centralized the administration and standardized various aspects of society and government, including the writing system, currency, and measurements.
This reformation and unification led to improved governance and were vital for China's development. However, Zheng's era, particularly through the legalist policies for which the Qin is known, also had an aspect of authoritarian rule, often leading to strict and sometimes harsh enforcement of laws.