The First Emperor Is Dead; Zhao Shall Rise

210 BC

The First Emperor died at the Palace of Sand Hill.

Zhao Gao conspired with Hu Hai to forge an imperial edict ordering Fusu and Meng Tian to die. They returned to the capital, Xianyang, and Hu Hai ascended the throne beside the First Emperor's coffin, proclaiming himself the Second Emperor of Qin!

Though the Qin Empire had been unified for more than a decade,

the First Emperor's death stirred the remnants of the Six States into action.

After Hu Hai succeeded to the throne, he ruled incompetently, while Zhao Gao held sway at court.

Three years later, a string of disasters, combined with the emperor's incompetence and the powerful ministers' grip on the court, drove people across the land to raise banners in rebellion.

Liaoyang City

The main city of Liaodong Commandery, on the farthest edge of the Qin Empire

In a small courtyard,

a young man sat by the doorway, gazing at the sky. "The imperial star has fallen, and the world is changing. It's time to make a move."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.