On the First Emperor’s final eastern tour, the procession was vast and somber. Inside the imperial carriage, the First Emperor’s illness grew worse. His hopes of immortality had faded, and he was consumed by anxiety over what would happen after his death.
At the Shaqiu platform, the First Emperor died while unconscious. Zhao Gao immediately sealed off the news. Only Li Si, Hu Hai, and a few close eunuchs knew.
