Following the life of Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, across one hundred volumes, this book offers a sweeping portrait of the Qin dynasty's rise, its unification of the Six States, and its eventual fall. The story begins with Ying Zheng's difficult childhood in Handan, Zhao. After a tortuous journey back to Qin, he grows up in the Qin palace and learns the art of politics under Lü Buwei.
As he grows older, Ying Zheng puts down the Rebellion of Lao Ai and eliminates Lü Buwei's influence. Once he takes personal control of the government, he welcomes talented people from across the realm and devises a strategy for unification. He personally directs the wars that complete the unification. After declaring himself emperor, he establishes the imperial system, strengthens central authority, standardizes weights and measures, builds the Great Wall and the Lingqu Canal, and promotes economic and cultural exchange.
Yet Ying Zheng's rule is also deeply controversial. The extreme measures of burning books and burying scholars alive stir resentment among the people. His tours of the realm and the Fengshan sacrifices at Mount Tai may proclaim the sacred authority of the throne, but they also sow the seeds of the Qin dynasty's downfall. During the Coup at the Dune Platform, Zhao Gao and Li Si falsify the imperial edict. After Hu Hai succeeds to the throne, disorder grips the court and hastens the dynasty's collapse.
Through meticulous historical storytelling and vivid character portraits, this book reveals Ying Zheng's complex character and the diverse facets of Qin society. It not only recreates the Qin dynasty's splendor and decline, but also offers profound reflections on power struggles, political wisdom, human nature, and cultural clashes. As readers follow in Ying Zheng's footsteps and witness the shifting fortunes of the Qin, they can also glean valuable lessons about leadership, governance, and cultural heritage, while experiencing the allure of an era filled with heroes and momentous events.
