I Make Clay Figures in the Qin Dynasty

In the final years of the Warring States period, rival powers rose up and the Zhou dynasty’s dominion teetered on the brink of collapse. The seven former states were all caught up in the conflict, each devouring its neighbors and scheming to annex the rest. The land was ravaged, and the people could barely survive. China desperately needed a unified dynasty to end the chaos and give its people a better life. Then one man appeared and broke the deadlock. Under his leadership, he swiftly unified this chaotic world. This unification differed from that of earlier dynasties: China left behind the feudal era and entered an age of centralised rule under a unified empire. During his reign, he governed with diligence, standardised the width of chariot axles and the written script, and built the Great Wall, which still stands today. Yet he was also extravagantly indulgent and immoral, and the construction of the Epang Palace and his enormous mausoleum steadily drained the nation’s strength. In the end, posterity will judge his merits and failings. This book takes you into a turbulent and fascinating era of thrilling adventures, seen through the eyes of a craftsman who makes terracotta warriors. In the flood of history, each person’s fate is indelibly marked. What will happen? Come along with me and find out.