So in the Legalist viewpoint, maintaining political power was the main issue. People were to be used towards this end.
Cultural activities, education, and traditions were to be tightly controlled for the sake of the ruler.
And merchants were not allowed to accumulate too much wealth, so they could not compete with the ruler.
In Legalist thinking, harsh penalties were applied against the people for disobeying any of the rules, so as to keep them afraid of the government and therefore obedient.