Written by Lim S K Illustrated by Ren Changhong Translated by Wu Jingyu & Li En

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1 Written by Lim S K Illustrated by Ren Changhong Translated by Wu Jingyu & Li En

2 Foreword The discovery of over 7,000 life-size terracotta soldiers in Mount Li, Shaanxi, in 1974 is one of the most momentous archaeological finds of the 20th century. These soldiers were guarding the grave of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shihuang, who ruled a unified China from 221 to 210 BC. Historians generally agree that no Chinese ruler has aroused more controversy than the enigmatic Builder of the Great Wall and the Burner of Books. The impact of Qin Shihuang s short-lived dynasty on the history of ancient China was profound. It laid the foundation of a political system that lasted in China for two millennia. Born in 258 BC, Qin Shihuang lost his father, the king of the state of Zhao, when he was 13 years old. As a youth, he had to suppress armed uprisings and, at the same time, introduce a comprehensive programme of reforms to strengthen his rule. As a result, the initial foundations were laid for his ultimate task of creating a unified China. After five centuries of disunity and strife in the land, Qin Shihuang had succeeded in what no ruler before him had been able to accomplish China was united under one ruler and the Qin Dynasty was proclaimed in 221 BC. It must be noted that the First Emperor recognised the importance of utilising the best talents to achieve his ambitions. Li Si, for example, was not a native of Qin but was made the chief adviser. Indeed, Qin Shihuang himself was very much involved in the day-to-day administration of his empire. He read piles of reports and documents to keep abreast of state affairs. Although the First Emperor lived only 11 more years after the founding of the Qin Dynasty, a total transformation of the land took place under his rule. He created a centralised government and standardised ancient China s laws, currency, roads, weights and measures, axle lengths, and written language. Obsessed by his desire to be the emperor par excellence, Qin Shihuang ordered the construction of many large-scale projects, such as the Great Wall and his own mausoleum at Mount Li. These grand schemes to enhance his reputation cost the country dearly. Thousands died and rebellions became rife. Hence, despite his significant achievements, Qin 4

3 Shihuang was remembered more for his atrocities. The story of Qin Shihuang has been widely written and even films have been produced. Why add to the archive? This is because the rise and fall of the First Emperor and the collapse of the Qin Dynasty is now documented in a unique form a comic book a medium which is widely accessible and commercially available. It is safe to claim that comic books are not just for kids anymore. In fact, it has developed into a genre for presenting the weightier matters of history. Asiapac has successfully retold the story of the Qin Dynasty through an integration of words and pictures into a flexible, powerful literary form capable of a wide range of narrative effects. It is a worthy example of fact-based comic books that are now gaining popularity in the literary world. Indeed, for Asiapac, this comic book is an invaluable addition to its highly-acclaimed range of comic books based on serious themes, historical personalities and events. Dr Goh Chor Boon Humanities and Social Studies Education National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University Singapore 5

Characters Duke Xiang of Qin (reigned 777-766 BC) The first Qin

659-621 BC) Among the Five Hegemons of the Spring & Autumn

proposed by Shang Yang, making Qin the strongest of the Seven

Qin ruler to use the title King King Zhaoxiang of Qin (reigned

throne through the shrewdness of Lü Buwei.

The Second Emperor of Qin (reigned 209-207BC) One of Qin

Qin Shihuang (reigned 246-210 BC) Conquered and unified the six

4 Characters Duke Xiang of Qin (reigned BC) The first Qin ruler to be bestowed the title of duke Duke Mu of Qin (reigned BC) Among the Five Hegemons of the Spring & Autumn Period Duke Xiao of Qin (reigned BC) Adopted reforms proposed by Shang Yang, making Qin the strongest of the Seven States King Huiwen of Qin (reigned BC) Became the first Qin ruler to use the title King King Zhaoxiang of Qin (reigned BC) Ruled Qin for over 50 years, longer than any other ruler of the state. King Zhuangxiang of Qin (reigned BC) Ascended the throne through the shrewdness of Lü Buwei. His son Ying Zheng became Emperor Qin Shihuang. The Second Emperor of Qin (reigned BC) One of Qin Shihuang s younger sons, he ascended the throne through the manipulation of Zhao Gao. His incompetence led to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. Qin Shihuang (reigned BC) Conquered and unified the six remaining states under the Qin Dynasty and was the first monarch to use the title emperor. His reign was controversial due to some cruel practices but he is credited with being the founding father of a unified China.

that laid the foundation for Qin s rise to its former glory.

Duke Mu famously redeemed his freedom for five pieces of sheepskin. Zhang Yi (?

Adviser to King Huiwen and successfully broke the Six-State Alliance. Fan Ju (?

His befriend the faraway states while attacking nearby ones stratagem proved

-235 BC) A rich and shrewd businessman who was responsible for putting King

Li Si (280-208 BC) Served as Qin Dynasty s first prime mininster and was

5 Shang Yang (c BC) Under Duke Xiao s patronage, he implemented a series of reforms that laid the foundation for Qin s rise to its former glory. Baili Xi (dates unknown) Duke Mu s influential ministers. Duke Mu famously redeemed his freedom for five pieces of sheepskin. Zhang Yi (?-309) Qin s first prime minister since the position was created. Adviser to King Huiwen and successfully broke the Six-State Alliance. Fan Ju (?-255 BC) King Zhaoxiang s adviser. His befriend the faraway states while attacking nearby ones stratagem proved successful. Lü Buwei (?-235 BC) A rich and shrewd businessman who was responsible for putting King Zhuangxiang on the throne. Li Si ( BC) Served as Qin Dynasty s first prime mininster and was responsible for unifying the Chinese script. Wang Jian Bai Qi (?-257 BC) (dates unknown) One of Qin s most famous generals He and his son Wang Ben and mastermind of the victorious vanquished the six remaining states except Battle of Changping against Zhao. Han. Meng Tian (dates unknown) General under Qin Shihuang famous for his exploits against the Huns.

immortals and the elixir of eternal life. Chen Sheng (?

will and put Huhai (The Second Emperor) on the throne.

Liu Bang (256-195 BC) Started out as a minor district official.

6 Jing Ke (?-227 BC) Attempted to assassinate Qin Shihuang on behalf of Prince Dan of Yan. Zhang Liang (?-186 BC) Born of aristocratic family in the state of Han. He had plotted to kill Qin Shihuang. Xu Fu (dates unknown) An alchemist whom Qin Shihuang sent to look for the immortals and the elixir of eternal life. Chen Sheng (?-208 BC) Along with Wu Guang, he was one of the leaders of the Daze Village Uprising. He paid with his life but the uprising sparked a tide of revolt that ended the Qin rule. Zhao Gao (?-207 BC) Collaborated with prime minister Li Si to tamper Qin Shihuang s will and put Huhai (The Second Emperor) on the throne. He later schemed to have Li Si framed and executed so that he could be the prime minister. His incompetence led to the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. Liu Bang ( BC) Started out as a minor district official. He led a successful revolt against the Qin Dynasty and defeated Xiang Yu in the struggle to take over the throne. Established the Han Dynasty as Emperor Gaozu. Xiang Yu ( BC) Led a revolt under the banner of Chu and, after defeating the Qin Dynasty imperial army in the Battle of Julu, declared himself Overlord of Western Chu. He later fought against former ally Liu Bang in a battle for the vacant throne and committed suicide after enduring a crushing defeat.

7 Contents 1 Origins of Qin 1 2 Qin Rises in the West 11 3 Forging Ahead Through Reform 27 4 Alliances and Counter-Alliances 41 5 Ying Zheng Ascends the Throne 57 6 Conquering the Six States 71 7 Establishment of the Qin Dynasty 89 8 Death of the First Emperor Reign of Chaos The Downfall of Qin 139 Appendix 1: Eighth Wonder of the World - The Terracotta Army 151 Appendix 2: List of Qin rulers 156 Appendix 3: List of important events during Qin rule 157 Appendix 4: Petition Against Driving Away Outsiders 159 Appendix 5: Glossary of Characters 160

8 The Qin Dynasty is practically synonymous with Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of China. However, the Qin Dynasty took root way before he appeared on the scene. This narrative introduces to you the numerous personalities who helped build up Qin, and reveals how the Qin Dynasty was born of the efforts of many generations. Our story begins with the Spring and Autumn Period, when tribes were caught up in an endless cycle of wars in a bid for supremacy. In the end, the largest tribe conquered others and became the supreme ruler of the land...

Chapter 1 Origins of Qin Zhuan Xu, the grandson of the Yellow Emperor, had a descendant named Nü Xiu. She became pregnant when she swallowed a swallow s egg, giving birth to a child named Da Ye.

Shun bestowed land to Da Fei and gave him the surname Ying. Da Fei had two sons Da Lian and Ruo Mu.

9 Chapter 1 Origins of Qin Zhuan Xu, the grandson of the Yellow Emperor, had a descendant named Nü Xiu. She became pregnant when she swallowed a swallow s egg, giving birth to a child named Da Ye. Da Ye s son, Da Fei, made many important contributions such as helping the legendary ruler Shun to train birds and animals, and assisting Yu the Great to control the waters of the Yellow River. Shun bestowed land to Da Fei and gave him the surname Ying. Da Fei had two sons Da Lian and Ruo Mu. The ancestor of the Chinese people Huangdi First Ancestor of the Qin People Da Fei The surname of the Qin people was Ying and the first ancestor with this surname was Da Fei. Da Fei was better known in history as Bo Yi. It was believed that Emperor Shun initially had the intention of passing the throne to Bo Yi. However, Bo Yi gave up the throne to Qi, the son of Yu, and retreated to Mount Ji. Another saying was that Bo Yi and Qi got into a fight over the throne and the former was killed by the latter. According to traditional accounts, Bo Yi was knowledgeable and even learned to communicate with birds. He was said to have invented the technique of digging wells and the Chinese later worshipped him as the God of Wells. It was believed that the famous Chinese ancient book Classic of the Mountains and Seas (a book full of legends on the geography of China) was authored by Bo Yi. When Bo Yi followed Yu to control the waters, he recorded the surrounding landscape, plants, animals, strange encounters and beliefs that he had seen and experienced. These records were later incorporated into the book. 1

10 King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty ( BC) was cruel and despotic. Zhong Yu, a descendant of Da Lian, had a son named Fei Lian and a grandson named E Lai. The latter two served the king. Ji Fa, son of Duke Xibo*, launched a military expedition against the palace. The two armies were pitted against each other. As King Zhou had lost popular support, his troops turned against him. Only Fei Lian and his son E Lai continued to fight for him till they had lost all their soldiers. E Lai Fei Lian * Duke Xibo, who later became King Wen of Zhou, was the leader of the Zhou state at the end of the Shang Dynasty. He was known for his benevolence, and was well-liked by the people. 2

11 After the enemy took the capital, King Zhou and his concubines burnt themselves to death. E Lai was killed in battle. Fei Lian, my master is reluctant to kill a loyal and brave man like you. Why don t you surrender? Ji Fa gathered a mob against the monarch, violating the moral code of obedience to the monarch. Your Majesty, since I can t defeat the rebels, I can only offer my life to you. 3

12 A new power arose, marking the reign of the Zhou Dynasty. Ji Fa became King Wu of Zhou. Fei Lian s youngest son, Ji Sheng, became a slave and eked out a living by breeding horses for the people of Zhou. As a benevolent ruler, I am not going to kill the followers of Shang. I will treat them with respect and use those with talent. Zao Fu, a descendant of Ji Sheng, earned the trust of King Mu of Zhou with his hard work and loyalty. He was appointed an imperial guard and driver of the imperial carriage. Several generations later, Ji Sheng s descendants became expert horse breeders for the royal family. One day, King Mu was on an inspection tour in the western territories... The Duke of Xu has revolted with other states and has taken the east gate of the capital. They re advancing towards the palace. 4

13 With his superb driving skills, Zao Fu managed to drive thousands of miles in a short time. King Mu was able to hurry back to the city to suppress the rebellion and restore peace. King Mu of Zhou Zao Fu, you ve done well. I confer on you the city of Zhao. From now on, your surname will be changed to Zhao. Feizi, a descendant of E Lai, went to serve under Zao Fu and also changed his surname to Zhao. Zao Fu put him in charge of breeding horses. Feizi, an expert horse breeder, raised a large number of fine horses and won the appreciation of the King Xiao of Zhou. I ve heard of your reputation as a good horse breeder. It s well deserved. Thank you, Your Majesty. The stable, however, is too small as the number of horses has increased. 5

14 All the land has been granted to the dukes and princes. Where can I find land for a larger stable? Feizi is from a family of brave warriors. Let him raise horses and guard the border! Your Majesty, in the west is a place called Qin. Nobody wants it as it is often invaded by the Xirong* people. Why not turn it into pastureland? That s a good idea! Feizi was granted the land of Qin and resumed his former surname Ying. He thus began his life in the west and developed the land. The Ying family gradually established a firm foothold in western China. While accepting the bestowal of land, they also undertook the responsibility of guarding the western frontier. At alater time, King Xuan ofzhou appointed Qin Zhong, asenior official( da fu) and a leader of the Qin people, to fight against the Xirong. When he died in battle, his five sons continued to fight the Xirong until the latter was defeated. As a reward, King Xuan bestowed the title of da fu on Qin Zhong s eldest son Zhuang and gave him the land at Quanqiu. * Consisting of local minority tribes. 6

Document A: Textbook. Source: Farah & Karls, World History: The Human Experience, (New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2001).

Document A: Textbook. Source: Farah & Karls, World History: The Human Experience, (New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2001). Document A: Textbook Qin Shi Huang imposed a new order on China. He ended the power of the local lords by taking land from many of them and imposing a tax on landowners. He appointed educated men instead