I am Zhao Zheng, also known as Ying Zheng. Later generations respect me as Qin Shihuang.
I was born in Handan, Zhao State, in the first month of 259 BC. At that time, his father Yiren (later renamed Zi Chu) was held as a hostage in Zhao. There were frequent wars between Qin and Zhao, and his father was humiliated. In 257 BC, Qin attacked Zhao again, and my father escaped alone with the help of Lu Buwei. Zhao wanted to kill me and my mother, Zhao Ji, to vent their anger. Thanks to the help of my mother's family, we hid everywhere and struggled to survive in Zhao State. It wasn't until 250 BC that Lu Buwei paid a lot of money to buy off Mrs. Huayang, and my father, son Chu, became the prince. My mother and I were sent back to Qin. From then on, I changed my surname back to Ying.
I rose from the dust and was taught since I was a child that it is my mission to unify the world. My childhood was filled with power struggles and political calculations. The years I spent as a hostage in the Zhao Kingdom were difficult. I appreciated the foreign customs and fully understood the helplessness and bitterness of the hostages. However, I also sharpened my will and strengthened my determination to unify the six countries.
Returning to the State of Qin, I went through a carefully planned political struggle and won the power of the State of Qin. I am not just a conqueror, I am a dreamer and a reformer. I reformed the laws, unified weights and measures, and established a centralized system. I led thousands of troops and horses across mountains and rivers, conquered all countries, and achieved the unification of the six countries. After the establishment of the Qin Dynasty, I proclaimed myself the First Emperor and wanted to create an empire that would last forever. I ordered the Great Wall to be built to defend against enemies, the Afang Palace to be built to show its splendor, and the terracotta warriors and horses to be cast to protect the mausoleum.
However, the seat of power is not secure. I faced countless uprisings and rebellions and never backed down. I won the battle of Julu and consolidated my rule. But the act of burning books and harassing Confucians, although it was an attempt to unify my thoughts, also left a stain on my reputation. . .
Reader comments
"The Path of the First Emperor and the Rise and Fall of Empires" is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It uses a unique first-person narration of Qin Shihuang to vividly outline Ying Zheng's magnificent life, and delicately presents his great talents and inner struggles. The book's description of the rise and fall of the Qin Empire is gripping, the plot has ups and downs, and the details show the author's in-depth study of history. The text is full of appeal, as if it takes readers through time and space, and experiences the changing years of the Qin Dynasty, making people immersed in it and unable to extricate themselves.
"The Road of the First Emperor and the Rise and Fall of the Empire" tells the legendary life of Qin Shihuang Yingzheng from the first-person perspective, showing his complex image and lofty ambitions, allowing readers to feel his firmness in facing challenges and the wisdom of his decision-making. However, the novel may have the problem of subjective over-interpretation of historical figures and events, and as a serialized work, the coherence and completeness of the plot need to be further observed. Overall, it is a historical novel worth reading.
——Nan Lifuzi (2024-12-12 Thursday 17:31)
"The Path of the First Emperor and the Rise and Fall of Empires" is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It uses a unique first-person narration of Qin Shihuang to vividly outline Ying Zheng's magnificent life, and delicately presents his great talents and inner struggles. The book's description of the rise and fall of the Qin Empire is gripping, the plot has ups and downs, and the details show the author's in-depth study of history. The text is full of appeal, as if it takes readers through time and space, and experiences the changing years of the Qin Dynasty, making people immersed in it and unable to extricate themselves. "The Road of the First Emperor and the Rise and Fall of the Empire" tells the legendary life of Qin Shihuang Yingzheng from the first-person perspective, showing his complex image and lofty ambitions, allowing readers to feel his firmness in facing challenges and the wisdom of his decision-making. However, the novel may have the problem of subjective over-interpretation of historical figures and events, and as a serialized work, the coherence and completeness of the plot need to be further observed. Overall, it is a historical novel worth reading. ——Nan Lifuzi (2024-12-12 Thursday 17:31)