Qin Sifu

A sefu was an official title in the State of Qin during the Warring States period. According to bamboo records, the heads of local administrative offices at the county level and below could all be called sefu. They were the top officials in their jurisdictions, each drawing a salary. One day, a man from the State of Chu was mistaken for a spy and sent out of Chu to the State of Qin. By a twist of fate, he became a sefu. As Qin waged war against the other feudal states, this sefu sought to advance his career and climb the ranks. When Qin conquered the six states and united the realm, this sefu set his sights on becoming Qin's chancellor. Many years later, the realm was united and the four seas were at peace. In the great hall of Xianyang, Qin, Ying Zheng was at his wits' end over the remnants of the six states. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the man beside him, Qin's youngest chancellor and the person he trusted most. “Chancellor, I hear that for many years, the remnants of the six states have all secretly revered one man. Have you heard of him? Alas, no matter how they are interrogated, it seems none of them has ever even seen this man!” Ying Zheng let out a deeply troubled sigh. At least now Qin enjoyed peace throughout the realm, with a prosperous nation and contented people. As long as that mysterious thief did not show himself, the remnants of the six states would never unite as one. Yet the thought that the remnants of the six states held this mysterious man in such high regard left Ying Zheng feeling deeply aggrieved. Qin had clearly united the realm. He, the First Emperor, possessed the empire, so why did it feel as though there was another emperor in secret, one just like him? People could hear of him but never see him, and he had the power to unite the remnants of the six states. Did that mean that if he wanted peace in Qin, the realm would be at peace, but if he wanted chaos, Qin would descend into disorder?