Adeline Yen Mah's Blog, page 3

When the First Emperor was 49 years old , he set off on a tour of his empire. Accompanying him were his Prime Minister Li Si, his younger son Prince Hu Hai and the princeʼs tutor, a eunuch named Zhao Gao.

It was widely rumored that the boy was Luʼs son rather than the son of royalty. When the King of Qin died, the 13-year-old ascended the throne. He worked day and night to prove that far from being the unworthy son of a mere merchant, he was the greatest king who ever lived.

It was widely rumored that the boy was Luʼs son rather than the son of royalty. When the King of Qin died, the 13-year-old ascended the throne. He worked day and night to prove that far from being the unworthy son of a mere merchant, he was the greatest king who ever lived.

Why was the First Emperor so driven? Some historians believe it was because of his family background. His mother had been the concubine of a rich merchant named Lu before she married the King of Qin.

In the end , 460 scholars chose to die rather than betray their be- loved books. But many more brought their books to the First Emperor out of fear, and the fires burned day and night.

In the end , 460 scholars chose to die rather than betray their be- loved books. But many more brought their books to the First Emperor out of fear, and the fires burned day and night.

Three years before he died the Emperor decided that the history of China was to begin with his reign. He ordered all books written before him to be burned. Any scholar who dared to object was buried alive

Three years before he died the Emperor decided that the history of China was to begin with his reign. He ordered all books written before him to be burned. Any scholar who dared to object was buried alive

He ordered everyone to use the same coins , weights and measures, and a common written language. Hard-working and disciplined, he read 55 kilograms (120 pounds) of reports written on bamboo slips every day.

He ordered everyone to use the same coins , weights and measures, and a common written language. Hard-working and disciplined, he read 55 kilograms (120 pounds) of reports written on bamboo slips every day.