| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦始皇帝者，秦庄襄王子也。庄襄王为秦质子于赵，见吕不韦姬，悦而取之，生始皇。以秦昭王四十八年正月生于邯郸。及生，名为政，姓赵氏。年十三岁，庄襄王死，政代立为秦王。当是之时，秦地已并巴、蜀、汉中，越宛有郢，置南郡矣；北收上郡以东，有河东、太原、上党郡；东至荥阳，灭二周，置三川郡。吕不韦为相，封十万户，号曰文信侯。招致宾客游士，欲以并天下。李斯为舍人。蒙骜、王齮、麃公等为将军。王年少，初即位，委国事大臣。 |
| | Qin Shi Huangdi was a son of Qin Zhuangxiangwang. Zhuangxiangwang had been a hostage in Zhao, where he saw the concubine of Lu Buwei and was pleased with her; he took her as his wife and she gave birth to Shi Huang. He was born in Handan in the first month of the forty-eighth year of King Zhaoxiang of Qin's reign. After his birth, he was named Zheng and belonged to the Zhao clan. At thirteen years old, Zhuangxiangwang died, and Zheng succeeded him as King of Qin. At that time, the territory of Qin had already incorporated Ba, Shu, and Hanzhong, passed through Wan to reach Ying, and established Nanjun. To the north, it had collected Shangjun and areas east of it, including Hedong, Taiyuan, and Shangdang Jun. To the east, it reached Yingyang, where the two Zhou states were destroyed and Sanchuan Jun was established. Lu Buwei served as prime minister, was granted ten thousand households, and was given the title Wenxin Hou. He recruited guests and traveling scholars in an attempt to unify all under heaven. Li Si was a retainer. Meng Ao, Wang Yi, and Biao Gong were generals. The king was young when he first ascended the throne and entrusted state affairs to high-ranking ministers.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
晋阳反，元年，将军蒙骜击定之。二年，麃公将卒攻卷，斩首三万。三年，蒙骜攻韩，取十三城。王齮死。十月，将军蒙骜攻魏氏畅、有诡。岁大饥。四年，拔畅、有诡。三月，军罢。秦质子归自赵，赵太子出归国。十月庚寅，蝗虫从东方来，蔽天。天下疫。百姓内粟千石，拜爵一级。五年，将军骜攻魏，定酸枣、燕、虚、长平、雍丘、山阳城，皆拔之，取二十城。初置东郡。冬雷。六年，韩、魏、赵、卫、楚共击秦，取寿陵。秦出兵，五国兵罢。拔卫，迫东郡，其君角率其支属徙居野王，阻其山以保魏之河内。七年，彗星先出东方，见北方，五月见西方。将军骜死。以攻龙、孤、庆都，还兵攻汲。彗星复见西方十六日。夏太后死。八年，王弟长安君成蟜将军击赵，反，死屯留，军吏皆斩死，迁其民于临洮。将军壁死，卒屯留、蒲鹤反，戮其尸。河鱼大上，轻车重马东就食。 |
| | A rebellion broke out in Jinyang; in the first year, General Meng Ao suppressed it. In the second year, Biao Gong led troops to attack Juan and beheaded thirty thousand rebels. In the third year, Meng Ao attacked the state of Han and captured thirteen cities. Wang Yi died. In the tenth month, General Meng Ao attacked Chang and Yougui of the Wei state. There was a great famine that year. In the fourth year, Chang and Yougui were captured. In March, the military campaign was concluded. The Qin hostage returned from Zhao, and the Zhao crown prince departed back to his country. On the Gengyin day of the tenth month (October 23, 247 BC), locusts came from the east and darkened the sky. A plague spread throughout the land. Common people who contributed one thousand dan of grain to the state were granted a rank in the nobility system. In the fifth year, General Ao attacked Wei and captured Suanzao, Yan, Xu, Changping, Yongqiu, and Shanyang Cheng; all were taken, totaling twenty cities. The Dongjun was first established. Thunder occurred in winter. In the sixth year, Han, Wei, Zhao, Wei, and Chu jointly attacked Qin and captured Shouling. Qin sent out troops; the armies of the five states withdrew. Wei was captured, and Dongjun came under pressure; its ruler Jiao led his collateral relatives to move and settle in Yewang, using the mountains as a barrier to protect Henei of Wei. In the seventh year, a comet first appeared in the east, then was seen in the north; it was visible in the west in May. General Ao died. They attacked Long, Gu, and Qingdu, then turned their troops to attack Ji. The comet was again seen in the west for sixteen days. Summer Empress Dowager died. In the eighth year, King Wang's younger brother Chang'an Jun Chengjiao, as a general, attacked Zhao but rebelled. He died in Tunliu; all military officers were executed, and their people were relocated to Lintao. General Bi died; the soldiers stationed in Tunliu and Puhe rebelled, and his corpse was dismembered as punishment. Large numbers of river fish surfaced; light chariots and heavily laden horses moved eastward in search of food.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
嫪毐封为长信侯。予之山阳地，令毐居之。宫室车马衣服苑囿驰猎恣毐。事无小大皆决于毐。又以河西太原郡更为毐国。九年，彗星见，或竟天。攻魏垣、蒲阳。四月，上宿雍。己酉，王冠，带剑。长信侯毐作乱而觉，矫王御玺及太后玺以发县卒及卫卒、官骑、戎翟君公、舍人，将欲攻蕲年宫为乱。王知之，令相国昌平君、昌文君发卒攻毐。战咸阳，斩首数百，皆拜爵，及宦者皆在战中，亦拜爵一级。毐等败走。即令国中：有生得毐，赐钱百万；杀之，五十万。尽得毐等。卫尉竭、内史肆、佐弋竭、中大夫令齐等二十人皆枭首。车裂以徇，灭其宗。及其舍人，轻者为鬼薪。及夺爵迁蜀四千馀家，家房陵。（四）［是］月寒冻，有死者。杨端和攻衍氏。彗星见西方，又见北方，从斗以南八十日。十年，相国吕不韦坐嫪毐免。桓齮为将军。齐、赵来置酒。齐人茅焦说秦王曰：“秦方以天下为事，而大王有迁母太后之名，恐诸侯闻之，由此倍秦也。”秦王乃迎太后于雍而入咸阳，复居甘泉宫。 |
| | Lao Ai was granted the title Changxin Hou. He was given territory in Shanyang and ordered to reside there. Palaces, carriages, horses, clothing, parks, hunting grounds were all freely provided for Lao Ai's use. No matter how small or large the affairs were, they were decided by Lao Ai. The Jun of Hexi and Taiyuan was also changed to become a fief for Lao Ai. In the ninth year, a comet appeared, stretching across the entire sky in some places. They attacked Yuan and Puyang of Wei. In April, the king stayed overnight in Yong. On the Jiyou day (April 18, 246 BC), the king was crowned and wore a sword. Changxin Hou Lao Ai instigated a rebellion and was discovered. He forged the king's imperial seal and the Empress Dowager's seal to mobilize county troops, palace guards, official cavalry, Rong 翟 jun Gong, and retainers, intending to attack Qiniangong in an uprising. The king learned of this and ordered Chancellor Changping Jun and Changwen Jun to mobilize troops to attack Lao Ai. The battle took place in Xianyang, where hundreds were beheaded; all who participated were granted noble ranks. Eunuchs involved in the fighting also received a rank each. Lao Ai and his followers were defeated and fled. The king immediately issued an order to the country: anyone who captured Lao Ai alive would be granted 100,000 coins; those who killed him would receive 50,000. Lao Ai and all his followers were eventually captured. Weiyi Jie, Neishi Si, Zuoyi Jie, Zhongdasha Lingqi and twenty others were all decapitated and their heads displayed publicly. Lao Ai was subjected to the punishment of being torn apart by chariots as a public warning, and his clan was exterminated. As for his retainers, those who were less severely punished became "guixin," meaning they had to gather firewood for ancestral sacrifices as punishment labor. More than four thousand families were stripped of their noble ranks and exiled to Shu, where they settled in Jialiang. (4) [This] month was extremely cold; some people died from the freezing weather. Yang Duanhe attacked Yanshi. A comet appeared in the west, then again in the north, visible from Dou to the south for eighty days. In the tenth year, Chancellor Lu Buwei was dismissed due to his association with Lao Ai. Huan Yi became a general. Qi and Zhao came to offer banquets. A man from Qi named Mao Jiao advised King Qin, saying: "Qin is now preoccupied with unifying the world, yet Your Majesty has acquired a reputation for moving your mother, the Empress Dowager. I fear that if the feudal lords hear of this, they may turn against Qin." King Qin then welcomed the Empress Dowanger from Yong back to Xianyang and had her reside once again in Ganhuan Palace.
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大索，逐客，李斯上书说，乃止逐客令。李斯因说秦王，请先取韩以恐他国，于是使斯下韩。韩王患之。与韩非谋弱秦。大梁人尉缭来，说秦王曰：“以秦之强，诸侯譬如郡县之君，臣但恐诸侯合从，翕而出不意，此乃智伯、夫差、泯王之所以亡也。愿大王毋爱财物，赂其豪臣，以乱其谋，不过亡三十万金，则诸侯可尽。”秦王从其计，见尉缭亢礼，衣服食饮与缭同。缭曰：“秦王为人，蜂准，长目，挚鸟膺，豺声，少恩而虎狼心，居约易出人下，得志亦轻食人。我布衣，然见我常身自下我。诚使秦王得志于天下，天下皆为虏矣。不可与久游。”乃亡去。秦王觉，固止，以为秦国尉，卒用其计策。而李斯用事。 |
| | A large-scale search was conducted, and guests were expelled; however, Li Si submitted a memorial to advise against this, and the order expelling guests was thus halted. Li Si then advised King Qin that they should first attack Han to intimidate other states, and so the king sent Li Si to Han. The King of Han was worried about this. He plotted with Han Feizi to weaken Qin. A man from Daliang named Weiliao came and advised King Qin, saying: "Given the strength of Qin, the feudal lords are like magistrates in commanderies and counties. I am only afraid that they will form a coalition and launch an unexpected attack; this is precisely why Zhibo, Fuchai, and King Min lost their states." "I hope Your Majesty will not be stingy with wealth, but bribe their powerful ministers to disrupt their plans. For no more than thirty thousand gold pieces, all the feudal lords can be subdued." King Qin followed his strategy and received Weiliao with great courtesy, sharing clothes, food, and drink with him. Weiliao said: "King Qin is a man with a sharp nose, long eyes, the chest of a bird of prey, and the voice of a jackal. He has little mercy and a tiger-like or wolf-like heart. When in hardship, he easily submits to others; when successful, he readily devours people." "I am merely a commoner, yet whenever I see him, he personally treats me with humility." "If King Qin achieves his ambitions over all under heaven, the whole world will become his captives." "Therefore, I cannot stay in close association with him for long." He then left and went into hiding. King Qin realized this, insisted on keeping him, appointed him as a military officer of the state of Qin, and ultimately employed his strategies. Meanwhile, Li Si took charge of affairs.
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十一年，王翦、桓齮、杨端和攻邺，取九城。王翦攻阏与、橑杨，皆并为一军。翦将十八日，军归斗食以下，什推二人从军取邺安阳，桓齮将。十二年，文信侯不韦死，窃葬。其舍人临者，晋人也逐出之；秦人六百石以上夺爵，迁；五百石以下不临，迁，勿夺爵。自今以来，操国事不道如嫪毐、不韦者籍其门，视此。秋，复嫪毐舍人迁蜀者。当是之时，天下大旱，六月至八月乃雨。 |
| | In the eleventh year, Wang Jian, Huan Yi, and Yang Duanhe attacked Ye and captured nine cities. Wang Jian attacked Eyu and Laoyang, which were all incorporated into a single army. Wang Jian led the campaign for eighteen days; troops below the rank of doushi returned, and two out of every ten were selected to follow the army in capturing Ye and Anyang, under the command of Huan Yi. In the twelfth year, Wenxin Hou Lu Buwei died and was secretly buried. Those retainers of his who attended the funeral were from Jin; they were expelled. All Qin officials above the rank of six hundred dan had their noble ranks stripped and were exiled; those below five hundred dan who did not attend the funeral were also exiled, but without having their noble titles revoked. From now on, those who govern state affairs in an unrighteous manner like Lao Ai and Lu Buwei will have their families registered for punishment, as is the case here. In autumn, those retainers of Lao Ai who had been exiled to Shu were returned. At that time, there was a severe drought throughout the land; rain finally fell from June until August.
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十三年，桓齮攻赵平阳，杀赵将扈辄，斩首十万。王之河南。正月，彗星见东方。十月，桓齮攻赵。十四年，攻赵军于平阳，取宜安，破之，杀其将军。桓齮定平阳、武城。韩非使秦，秦用李斯谋，留非，非死云阳。韩王请为臣。 |
| | In the thirteenth year, Huan Yi attacked Pingyang of Zhao, killed Zhao's general Hu Zhe, and beheaded ten thousand. The king went to Henan. In the first month, a comet appeared in the east. In October, Huan Yi attacked Zhao. In the fourteenth year, they fought Zhao's army at Pingyang, captured Yian, defeated them, and killed their general. Huan Yi pacified Pingyang and Wucheng. łoż Han Feizi was sent to Qin, but Han Fei was detained by Qin using Li Si's plan and died in Yunyang. The King of Han requested to become a subject of Qin.
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十五年，大兴兵，一军至邺，一军至太原，取狼孟。地动。十六年九月，发卒受地韩南阳假守腾。初令男子书年。魏献地于秦。秦置丽邑。十七年，内史腾攻韩，得韩王安，尽纳其地，以其地为郡，命曰颍川。地动。华阳太后卒。民大饥。 |
| | In the fifteenth year, a large army was mobilized; one force went to Ye and another to Taiyuan, capturing Langmeng. An earthquake occurred. In the ninth month of the sixteenth year, conscripts were dispatched to receive the territory of Nanyang in Han from Jian Shou Teng. For the first time, an order was issued requiring men to record their ages in writing. Wei submitted territory to Qin. Qin established the Li Yi commandery. In the seventeenth year, Neishi Teng attacked Han, captured King An of Han, and incorporated all its territory. He established this area as a commandery named Yingchuan. An earthquake occurred. The Huayang Taihou passed away. There was a great famine among the people.
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十八年，大兴兵攻赵，王翦将上地，下井陉，端和将河内，羌瘣伐赵，端和围邯郸城。十九年，王翦、羌瘣尽定取赵地东阳，得赵王。引兵欲攻燕，屯中山。秦王之邯郸，诸尝与王生赵时母家有仇怨，皆坑之。秦王还，从太原、上郡归。始皇帝母太后崩。赵公子嘉率其宗数百人之代，自立为代王，东与燕合兵，军上谷。大饥。 |
| | In the eighteenth year, a large army was raised to attack Zhao. Wang Jian led troops from Shangdi and captured Jingxing; Duan He led forces from Hedong, while Qiang Kui attacked Zhao, with Duan He surrounding Handan city. In the nineteenth year, Wang Jian and Qiang Kui completely pacified and captured Dongyang of Zhao's territory, capturing the King of Zhao. They led their troops to attack Yan but stationed in Zhongshan. The King of Qin went to Handan, and all those who had grudges with the king's maternal family from when he was born in Zhao were buried alive. The King of Qin returned, passing through Taiyuan and Shangjun Commandery back to his capital. The mother of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the Taihou, passed away. Zhao Gongzi Jia led hundreds of his clan members to Dai, declared himself King of Dai, and joined forces with Yan in the east, stationing troops at Shanggu. There was a great famine.
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二十年，燕太子丹患秦兵至国，恐，使荆轲刺秦王。秦王觉之，体解轲以徇，而使王翦、辛胜攻燕。燕、代发兵击秦军，秦军破燕易水之西。二十一年，王贲攻（蓟）［荆］。乃益发卒诣王翦军，遂破燕太子军，取燕蓟城，得太子丹之首。燕王东收辽东而王之。王翦谢病老归。新郑反。昌平君徙于郢。大雨雪，深二尺五寸。 |
| | In the twentieth year, Crown Prince Dan of Yan feared that Qin troops would reach his country and became terrified; he sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin. The King of Qin discovered this, dismembered Jing Ke and displayed his body publicly, then dispatched Wang Jian and Xin Sheng to attack Yan. Yan and Dai mobilized troops to strike the Qin army; the Qin forces defeated them west of Yishui in Yan. In the twenty-first year, Wang Ben attacked (Ji)[Jing]. More conscripts were then dispatched to join General Wang Jian's forces, and they eventually defeated the army of Crown Prince Dan of Yan, captured the city of Ji in Yan, and obtained the head of Crown Prince Dan. The King of Yan fled eastward to collect control over Liaodong and declared himself king there. Wang Jian resigned from his post due to illness and returned in old age. Xinzheng rebelled. Changping Jun was relocated to Ying. Heavy snow fell, reaching a depth of two chi and five cun.
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二十二年，王贲攻魏，引河沟灌大梁，大梁城坏，其王请降，尽取其地。 |
| | In the twenty-second year, Wang Ben attacked Wei, diverted river channels to flood Daliang; the city walls of Daliang collapsed. Its king requested surrender, and all its territory was captured.
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二十三年，秦王复召王翦，强起之，使将击荆。取陈以南至平舆，虏荆王。秦王游至郢陈。荆将项燕立昌平君为荆王，反秦于淮南。二十四年，王翦、蒙武攻荆，破荆军，昌平君死，项燕遂自杀。 |
| | In the twenty-third year, King of Qin again summoned Wang Jian, strongly urging him to return, and ordered him to lead troops against Jing. They captured Chen and the area south to Pingyu, taking King Jing captive. The King of Qin toured as far as Yingchen. Jing's general Xiang Yan declared Changping Jun the King of Jing, and rebelled against Qin in Huainan. In the twenty-fourth year, Wang Jian and Meng Wu attacked Jing, defeated their army; Changping Jun died, and Xiang Yan then committed suicide.
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二十五年，大兴兵，使王贲将，攻燕辽东，得燕王喜。还攻代，虏代王嘉。王翦遂定荆江南地；降越君，置会稽郡。五月，天下大酺。 |
| | In the twenty-fifth year, a large army was mustered; Wang Ben was appointed as general and ordered to attack Liaodong of Yan, capturing King Xi of Yan. He then returned to attack Dai and captured its king Jia. Wang Jian thus pacified the southern regions of Jing's territory across the Yangtze River; He subdued the ruler of Yue and established Kuaiji Commandery. In May, a grand public feast was held throughout the empire.
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二十六年，齐王建与其相后胜发兵守其西界，不通秦。秦使将军王贲从燕南攻齐，得齐王建。 |
| | In the twenty-sixth year, King Jian of Qi and his prime minister Hou Sheng mobilized troops to defend their western border, refusing to communicate with Qin. Qin dispatched General Wang Ben to attack Qi from the south of Yan and captured King Jian of Qi.
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秦王初并天下，令丞相、御史曰：“异日韩王纳地效玺，请为藩臣，已而倍约，与赵、魏合从畔秦，故兴兵诛之，虏其王。寡人以为善，庶几息兵革。赵王使其相李牧来约盟，故归其质子。已而倍盟，反我太原，故兴兵诛之，得其王。赵公子嘉乃自立为代王，故举兵击灭之。魏王始约服入秦，已而与韩、赵谋袭秦，秦兵吏诛，遂破之。荆王献青阳以西，已而畔约，击我南郡，故发兵诛，得其王，遂定其荆地。燕王昏乱，其太子丹乃阴令荆轲为贼，兵吏诛，灭其国。齐王用后胜计，绝秦使，欲为乱，兵吏诛，虏其王，平齐地。寡人以眇眇之身，兴兵诛暴乱，赖宗庙之灵，六王咸伏其辜，天下大定。今名号不更，无以称成功，传后世。其议帝号。”丞相绾、御史大夫劫、廷尉斯等皆曰：“昔者五帝地方千里，其外侯服夷服诸侯或朝或否，天子不能制。今陛下兴义兵，诛残贼，平定天下，海内为郡县，法令由一统，自上古以来未尝有，五帝所不及。臣等谨与博士议曰：‘古有天皇，有地皇，有泰皇，泰皇最贵。’臣等昧死上尊号，王为‘泰皇’。命为‘制’，令为‘诏’，天子自称曰‘朕’。”王曰：“去‘泰’，著‘皇’，采上古‘帝’位号，号曰‘皇帝’。他如议。”制曰：“可。”追尊庄襄王为太上皇。制曰：“朕闻太古有号毋谥，中古有号，死而以行为谧。如此，则子议父，臣议君也，甚无谓，朕弗取焉。自今已来，除谥法。朕为始皇帝。后世以计数，二世三世至于万世，传之无穷。” |
| | When the King of Qin first unified the empire, he issued an order to the prime ministers and imperial censors: "In the past, the King of Han submitted his territory and seal, requesting to be a vassal subject. Yet later he violated the agreement, forming an alliance with Zhao and Wei against Qin; therefore, we raised arms to punish him and captured their king. I thought this was good, hoping it might bring peace to warfare. The King of Zhao sent his prime minister Li Mu to negotiate an alliance, so I returned their hostage prince. Yet later they violated the alliance and rebelled in Taiyuan of my territory; therefore, we raised troops to punish them and captured their king. Zhao Gongzi Jia declared himself King of Dai on his own initiative, so I launched a campaign to attack and annihilate him. The King of Wei initially agreed to submit and entered Qin, but later conspired with Han and Zhao to attack Qin; our troops and officials punished them and eventually defeated them. The King of Jing offered the area west of Qingyang, but later violated the agreement and attacked our Nanjun Commandery; therefore, I dispatched troops to punish them, captured their king, and thus pacified their territory in Jing. The King of Yan was corrupt and disorderly; his crown prince Dan secretly ordered Jing Ke to commit an assassination. Our troops and officials punished the attackers, and destroyed their state. The King of Qi followed the plan of Hou Sheng, cut off Qin envoys, and intended to rebel; our troops and officials suppressed them, captured their king, and pacified the territory of Qi. With my humble self, I raised troops to punish violence and disorder; relying on the divine protection of our ancestral temple, all six kings have been made to bear their guilt, and now the empire is at peace. Now that titles remain unchanged, there will be no way to honor my achievements or pass them on to future generations. Let us deliberate on the imperial title." The prime minister Wan, the imperial censor Jie, and the Minister of Justice Si all said: "In former times, the Five Emperors ruled a thousand li in each direction; beyond that were marquisates and barbarian territories where feudal lords sometimes paid homage or not, and even the Son of Heaven could not control them. Now, Your Majesty has raised righteous troops to punish the cruel and wicked, pacified the empire, established commanderies and counties throughout the realm, and unified laws under a single system. Since ancient times, there has never been such an achievement; even the Five Emperors could not match it. We, your humble subjects, have carefully discussed with the scholars and say: "In ancient times there was Tianhuang, Dihuang, and Taihuang; among them, Taihuang is the most exalted." We dare to respectfully present a title of honor for Your Majesty: "Taihuang". Commands shall be called 'Zhi', orders shall be called 'Zhao,' and the Son of Heaven shall refer to himself as 'Zhen'." The king said: "Drop the word 'Tai,' and use 'Huang.' Adopt the ancient title of 'Di,' and call it 'Huangdi.'" Other matters shall follow your deliberations." The decree said: "Approved." Posthumously honored King Zhuangxiangwang as Taishang Huang. The decree said: "I have heard that in the most ancient times, rulers had titles but no posthumous names; in the middle ages, they had titles and after death were given posthumous epithets based on their conduct. If so, then sons would judge fathers, and ministers would judge sovereigns; this is meaningless, and I do not accept it. From now on, the system of posthumous names shall be abolished. I am the First Emperor. Posterity shall count by generations: Second Emperor, Third Emperor, up to the Ten Thousandth Emperor, passing it on endlessly."
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始皇推终始五德之传，以为周得火德，秦代周德，从所不胜。方今水德之始，改年始，朝贺皆自十月朔。衣服旄旌节旗皆上黑。数以六为纪，符、法冠皆六寸，而舆六尺，六尺为步，乘六马。更名河曰德水，以为水德之始。刚毅戾深，事皆决于法，刻削毋仁恩和义，然后合五德之数。于是急法，久者不赦。 |
| | The First Emperor traced the cycle of the Five Elements from beginning to end and believed that Zhou had acquired the Fire virtue, while Qin succeeded the Zhou virtue by following what it could not overcome. Now is the beginning of the Water virtue; the calendar year shall be changed, and court congratulations will begin on the first day of October. Clothing, banners, flags, and insignia should all be black. Numbers shall use six as the standard; talismans and official hats should all measure six cun, carriages six chi in length, a step measured by six chi, and six horses for each carriage. The river was renamed De Shui, considered the beginning of the virtue of water. He was firm and resolute, decisive in all matters according to law, strict without mercy or benevolence, only then aligning with the numbers of the Five Virtues. Thus, laws were enforced strictly, and long-term offenders were not pardoned.
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丞相绾等言：“诸侯初破，燕、齐、荆地远，不为置王，毋以填之。请立诸子，唯上幸许。”始皇下其议于群臣，群臣皆以为便。廷尉李斯议曰：“周文武所封子弟同姓甚众，然后属疏远，相攻击如仇雠，诸侯更相诛伐，周天子弗能禁止。今海内赖陛下神灵一统，皆为郡县，诸子功臣以公赋税重赏赐之，甚足易制。天下无异意，则安宁之术也。置诸侯不便。”始皇曰：“天下共苦战鬬不休，以有侯王。赖宗庙，天下初定，又复立国，是树兵也，而求其宁息，岂不难哉！廷尉议是。” |
| | The prime minister Wan and others said: "Now that the feudal lords have just been defeated, Yan, Qi, and Jing are far away; if we do not appoint kings there, we will have no one to garrison them. We request that Your Majesty establish your sons as kings in these regions; may it please the Son of Heaven to grant permission." The First Emperor submitted this proposal for discussion among his ministers, and all the officials considered it advantageous. The Minister of Justice Li Si argued: "The descendants and relatives of King Wen and King Wu of Zhou were numerous, but as their relations became distant, they attacked each other like enemies. Feudal lords successively waged wars against one another, yet the Son of Heaven of Zhou could not stop them. Now, under Your Majesty's divine guidance, the empire has been unified and is divided into commanderies and counties. The sons of the emperor and meritorious officials may be generously rewarded with public taxes; this would be more than sufficient for control. If there is no dissent in the empire, it will be a strategy to ensure peace and stability. Therefore, establishing feudal lords would not be beneficial." The First Emperor said: "The people of the empire have all suffered from ceaseless warfare because there were feudal kings and lords. Thanks to the divine protection of our ancestors, the empire is now at peace; if we were again to establish states, it would be like planting the seeds for war. To seek tranquility under such circumstances would surely be difficult! The Minister of Justice's argument was correct."
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分天下以为三十六郡，郡置守、尉、监。更名民曰“黔首”。大酺。收天下兵，聚之咸阳，销以为钟鐻，金人十二，重各千石，置廷宫中。一法度衡石丈尺。车同轨。书同文字。地东至海暨朝鲜，西至临洮、羌中，南至北向户，北据河为塞，并阴山至辽东。徙天下豪富于咸阳十二万户。诸庙及章台、上林皆在渭南。秦每破诸侯，写放其宫室，作之咸阳北阪上，南临渭，自雍门以东至泾、渭，殿屋复道周阁相属。所得诸侯美人钟鼓，以充入之。 |
| | Divide the empire into thirty-six commanderies, each with a governor, military commander, and inspector. The people were renamed "Qianshou." A grand public feast was held. All weapons from across the empire were collected and brought to Xianyang, melted down to cast bells and other instruments; twelve bronze statues of men were made, each weighing a thousand dan, placed in the palace courtyards. Unify standards for measurements such as weights, stones, length, and volume. Standardize the width of cart axles to ensure uniformity in roads. Unify written characters into a standardized script. The territory extended east to the sea and Chaoxian, west tolintao and Qiangzhong, south to Beixianghu, and north along the Yellow River as a frontier defense, connecting Yinhshan all the way to Liaodong. A total of 120,000 households of wealthy and influential families from across the empire were relocated to Xianyang. All ancestral temples as well as Zhangtai and Shanglin Park were located south of the Wei River. Whenever the Qin defeated a feudal state, they would have replicas of its palaces built on the northern slope of Xianyang, facing south toward the Wei River. From Yongmen to the east all the way to Jing and Wei rivers, palace halls, covered walkways, and surrounding pavilions were connected in succession. Beautiful women and musical instruments captured from the defeated feudal states were brought there to fill them.
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二十七年，始皇巡陇西、北地，出鸡头山，过回中。焉作信宫渭南，已更命信宫为极庙，象天极。自极庙道通郦山，作甘泉前殿。筑甬道，自咸阳属之。是岁，赐爵一级。治驰道。 |
| | In the twenty-seventh year, the First Emperor toured Longxi and Beidi, passed through Jitou Mountain, and went past Huizhong. He built the Xingong Palace in the southern Wei River area; later it was renamed Jitemple, symbolizing the celestial pole. From Jitemple a road was built to Lishan Mountain, where the Qian Hall of Ganhquan was constructed. A covered passage was built connecting Xianyang to it. In this year, a first-rank noble title was bestowed as a grant. Construct express roads.
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二十八年，始皇东行郡县，上邹峄山。立石，与鲁诸儒生议，刻石颂秦德，议封禅望祭山川之事。乃遂上泰山，立石，封，祠祀。下，风雨暴至，休于树下，因封其树为五大夫。禅梁父。刻所立石，其辞曰： |
| | In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor traveled east through commanderies and districts, ascending Zouyi Mountain. Stone tablets were erected; discussions took place with Confucian scholars from Lu, and stone inscriptions were carved to extol the virtue of Qin. Discussions also occurred regarding the ceremonies for sacrifices at Mount Tai and offerings to mountains and rivers. He then ascended Mount Tai, erected stone tablets, performed the ritual of feng (capping), and offered sacrifices at a shrine. On his way down, heavy rain and wind suddenly arrived; he took shelter under a tree and thus bestowed the title of Wudaifu upon it. He performed the chán ceremony at Liangfu Mountain. The stone tablets that were erected were inscribed with the following words:
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皇帝临位，作制明法，臣下修饬。二十有六年，初并天下，罔不宾服。亲巡远方黎民，登兹泰山，周览东极。从臣思迹，本原事业，祗诵功德。治道运行，诸产得宜，皆有法式。大义休明，垂于后世，顺承勿革。皇帝躬圣，既平天下，不懈于治。夙兴夜寐，建设长利，专隆教诲。训经宣达，远近毕理，咸承圣志。贵贱分明，男女礼顺，慎遵职事。昭隔内外，靡不清净，施于后嗣。化及无穷，遵奉遗诏，永承重戒。 |
| | The Emperor ascended the throne, established regulations and clarified laws; his ministers and subordinates maintained discipline. In the twenty-sixth year, having first unified the empire, all regions submitted without exception. He personally toured distant lands and common people, ascended this Mount Tai, and surveyed the easternmost reaches. His attendants reflected on his achievements, traced back to the origins of his endeavors, and reverently recited his virtues and accomplishments. Roads were built for travel; all forms of production were properly managed according to established laws and standards. Great principles and clarity in governance will be passed down to future generations, to be followed without alteration. The Emperor was personally virtuous; having pacified the empire, he did not relax his efforts in governance. He rose early and slept late, devoted to establishing lasting benefits, emphasizing education and moral instruction. Teachings were disseminated widely; both distant and nearby regions were well governed, all following the Emperor's sacred will. Rank and status were clearly defined; men and women observed proper rites in order, carefully adhering to their duties. The distinction between the inner court and outer officials was clear; all were pure and orderly, benefiting future generations. Its influence would last endlessly; future generations should follow this decree, forever upholding its solemn warnings.
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于是乃并勃海以东，过黄、腄，穷成山，登之罘，立石颂秦德焉而去。 |
| | At that time, he proceeded eastward across Bohai, passed through Huang and Zhui, reached the end of Chengshan Mountain, ascended Zhaifu, erected stone inscriptions to extol Qin's virtue, and then departed.
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南登琅邪，大乐之，留三月。乃徙黔首三万户琅邪台下，复十二岁。作琅邪台，立石刻，颂秦德，明得意。曰： |
| | He then traveled southward to Langya, greatly enjoyed the place, and stayed there for three months. He relocated 30,000 Qianshou households to beneath Langya Terrace, exempting them from taxes and labor duties for twelve years. He built the Langya Terrace and erected stone inscriptions to praise Qin's virtue, clearly proclaiming his achievements and triumphs. The inscription read:
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维二十八年，皇帝作始。端平法度，万物之纪。以明人事，合同父子。圣智仁义，显白道理。东抚东土，以省卒士。事已大毕，乃临于海。皇帝之功，劝劳本事。上农除末，黔首是富。普天之下，抟心揖志。器械一量，同书文字。日月所照，舟舆所载。皆终其命，莫不得意。应时动事，是维皇帝。匡饬异俗，陵水经地。忧恤黔首，朝夕不懈。除疑定法，咸知所辟。方伯分职，诸治经易。举错必当，莫不如画。皇帝之明，临察四方。尊卑贵贱，不逾次行。琅邪不容，皆务贞良。细大尽力，莫敢怠荒。远迩辟隐，专务肃庄。端直敦忠，事业有常。皇帝之德，存定四极。诛乱除害，兴利致福。节事以时，诸产繁殖。黔首安宁，不用兵革。六亲相保，终无寇贼。驩欣奉教，尽知法式。六合之内，皇帝之土。西涉流沙，南尽北户。东有东海，北过大夏。人迹所至，无不臣者。功盖五帝，泽及牛马。莫不受德，各安其宇。 |
| | In the twenty-eighth year of reign, the Emperor began his rule. He established just laws and regulations as the foundation for all things. To clarify human affairs, harmonizing father and son relationships. With sage wisdom, benevolence, and righteousness, he made the principles of morality clear and evident. He traveled east to pacify the eastern lands, inspecting his soldiers. Having completed great endeavors, he then arrived at the sea. The Emperor's achievements inspired diligence and dedication to one's duties. He promoted agriculture, suppressed commerce, thus enriching the common people. Under the entire sky, all hearts were united in purpose and aspiration. Measuring tools were standardized; written characters were unified. Wherever the sun and moon shone, wherever boats and carriages traveled, All fulfilled their destinies, none failing to achieve success. Responding to the times and managing affairs—this was the virtue of the Emperor. He corrected aberrant customs, tamed rivers, and traversed the land. He was concerned for the common people, never relaxing his efforts day or night. He removed doubts and established laws so that all knew what to avoid. Regional officials were assigned their duties, making governance orderly and efficient. Every action was appropriate, all as perfectly planned. The Emperor's wisdom oversaw the four directions. Rank and status, high or low, were never transgressed in order. Langya could not contain them all; everyone was devoted to virtue and integrity. Whether in small or great matters, all exerted their utmost effort, none daring to be negligent or idle. Distant and nearby regions alike were brought into the open; all affairs were handled with seriousness and decorum. Uprightness, sincerity, and loyalty ensured that endeavors followed a steady course. The Emperor's virtue preserved stability at the four corners of the world. He punished disorder and eliminated harm, promoting benefits and bringing blessings. Regulating affairs according to the seasons ensured the flourishing of all forms of production. The common people lived in peace, without need for weapons or warfare. Families protected one another; bandits and thieves never arose. Joyfully following instruction, all understood the laws and standards. Within the six directions of the world, it was all the Emperor's land. To the west he crossed the shifting sands; to the south he reached Beihu. To the east lay the East Sea, and to the north extended beyond Daxia. Wherever human footprints reached, none failed to submit as subjects. His achievements surpassed those of the Five Emperors; his benevolence extended even to oxen and horses. None failed to receive virtue's grace, each finding peace in their own domain.
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维秦王兼有天下，立名为皇帝，乃抚东土，至于琅邪。列侯武城侯王离、列侯通武侯王贲、伦侯建成侯赵亥、伦侯昌武侯成、伦侯武信侯冯毋择、丞相隗林、丞相王绾、卿李斯、卿王戊、五大夫赵婴、五大夫杨樛从，与议于海上。曰：“古之帝者，地不过千里，诸侯各守其封域，或朝或否，相侵暴乱，残伐不止，犹刻金石，以自为纪。古之五帝三王，知教不同，法度不明，假威鬼神，以欺远方，实不称名，故不久长。其身未殁，诸侯倍叛，法令不行。今皇帝并一海内，以为郡县，天下和平。昭明宗庙，体道行德，尊号大成。群臣相与诵皇帝功德，刻于金石，以为表经。” |
| | When the King of Qin unified the empire and took the title Emperor, he traveled eastward to pacify the land as far as Langya. The Marquis of Wucheng Hou Wang Li, the Marquis of Tongwu Hou Wang Ben, Lunhou Jiancheng Hou Zhao Hai, Lunhou Changwu Hou Cheng, Lunhou Wuxin Hou Feng Wuze, Chancellor Kuilin, Chancellor Wang Wan, Minister Li Si, Minister Wang Wu, Dadafu Zhao Ying, and Dadafu Yang Jiu all accompanied him and participated in discussions by the sea. They said: "In ancient times, emperors ruled no more than a thousand li of land; feudal lords each guarded their own fiefs, some paying homage and others not. They invaded one another, causing endless chaos and destruction. Yet they still carved inscriptions on gold and stone to record their achievements for posterity. The Five Emperors and Three Kings of ancient times had different teachings, unclear laws and regulations. They falsely claimed divine authority to deceive distant regions; their actual achievements did not match their titles, so they could not endure for long. Before their deaths, feudal lords had already rebelled against them and the laws were no longer enforced. Now the Emperor has unified all under heaven into commanderies and districts; peace prevails throughout the empire. He clearly honored ancestral temples, embodied the Way through virtue, and his title of honor was fully realized. The ministers together recited the Emperor's virtues and achievements, carving them on gold and stone as a lasting record."
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既已，齐人徐市等上书，言海中有三神山，名曰蓬莱、方丈、瀛洲，仙人居之。请得斋戒，与童男女求之。于是遣徐市发童男女数千人，入海求仙人。 |
| | After this, Qi native Xu Shi and others submitted a memorial stating that there were three divine mountains in the sea named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, where immortals resided. They requested to be allowed to purify themselves with rituals and take along young boys and girls in search of them. Thus, the Emperor sent Xu Shi, who mobilized thousands of young boys and girls to go into the sea in search of immortals.
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始皇还，过彭城，斋戒祷祠，欲出周鼎泗水。使千人没水求之，弗得。乃西南渡淮水，之衡山、南郡。浮江，至湘山祠。逢大风，几不得渡。上问博士曰：“湘君神？”博士对曰：“闻之，尧女，舜之妻，而葬此。”于是始皇大怒，使刑徒三千人皆伐湘山树，赭其山。上自南郡由武关归。 |
| | After returning, the First Emperor passed through Pengcheng, observed rituals and made offerings at shrines in hopes of retrieving the Zhou Dynasty's ritual tripod from Si River. He sent a thousand men to dive into the water in search of it, but they failed to find it. Thus he crossed the Huai River southwestward and went to Hengshan and Nanjun. He traveled by boat along the Yangtze River, arriving at Xiangshan Temple. They encountered a violent storm and nearly failed to cross. The Emperor asked the scholars, "Is Xiangjun a deity?" The scholars replied: "We have heard that she was Yao's daughter and Shun's wife, who was buried here." Thus the First Emperor became greatly enraged and ordered 3,000 convicts to cut down all trees on Xiangshan Mountain, leaving it bare. The Emperor himself returned from Nanjun via Wuguan Pass.
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二十九年，始皇东游。至阳武博狼沙中，为盗所惊。求弗得，乃令天下大索十日。 |
| | In the twenty-ninth year, the First Emperor toured eastward. liğinde The Emperor arrived at Bolang Sha in Yangwu and was startled by bandits. When they failed to find them, he ordered a nationwide search for ten days.
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登之罘，刻石。其辞曰： |
| | He ascended Zhiwu Mountain and had an inscription carved on stone. The inscription read:
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维二十九年，时在中春，阳和方起。皇帝东游，巡登之罘，临照于海。从臣嘉观，原念休烈，追诵本始。大圣作治，建定法度，显箸纲纪。外教诸侯，光施文惠，明以义理。六国回辟，贪戾无厌，虐杀不已。皇帝哀众，遂发讨师，奋扬武德。义诛信行，威燀旁达，莫不宾服。烹灭强暴，振救黔首，周定四极。普施明法，经纬天下，永为仪则。大矣哉！宇县之中，承顺圣意。群臣诵功，请刻于石，表垂于常式。 |
| | In the twenty-ninth year (July 18, 223 BC), it was mid-spring, and the warm energy of spring was just beginning. The Emperor toured eastward, made an inspection tour to Zhiwu Mountain, and stood overlooking the sea. His attendants marveled at the view, wishing to remember his great achievements and recite the origins of his reign. The great sage established governance, set up laws and regulations, and clearly defined the principles of order. He instructed the feudal lords from afar, spreading culture and benevolence widely, clarifying things with righteousness and reason. The Six States turned away in defiance, greedy and cruel without satisfaction, ceaselessly committing violent killings. Compassionate for the people, the Emperor then raised an expeditionary force to demonstrate martial virtue with vigor. Righteous punishment was carried out with faith and action; his authority radiated widely, and none failed to submit in awe. He eradicated the strong and violent, rescued the common people, and stabilized all directions of the world. He universally applied clear laws, governed the realm with order, and established eternal standards for conduct. How great it is! Within the vast domain, all things followed in accordance with the Emperor's sacred will. The ministers praised his achievements and requested that they be inscribed on stone to serve as a permanent model for posterity.
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其东观曰：二十九年，皇帝春游，览省远方。逮于海隅，遂登之罘，昭临朝阳。观望广丽，从臣咸念，原道至明。圣法初兴，清理疆内，外诛暴强。武威旁畅，振动四极，禽灭六王。阐并天下，甾害绝息，永偃戎兵。皇帝明德，经理宇内，视听不怠。作立大义，昭设备器，咸有章旗。职臣遵分，各知所行，事无嫌疑。黔首改化，远迩同度，临古绝尤。常职既定，后嗣循业，长承圣治。群臣嘉德，祗诵圣烈，请刻之罘。 |
| | On the eastern side, it reads: In the twenty-ninth year, during his spring tour, the Emperor visited and inspected distant regions. He reached the sea's edge, ascended Zhiwu Mountain, standing in clear view of the morning sun. Observing the vast and magnificent scenery, all his attendants reflected together, wishing for a path to ultimate clarity. The sacred laws were newly established; he cleared order within the borders and exterminated violent tyrants from outside. Martial might spread widely, shaking all directions of the world, subduing and eliminating the six kings. He unified the realm under one rule; calamities ceased entirely, and warfare was forever laid to rest. The Emperor's virtuous conduct was clear; he governed within the world with diligence in sight and hearing. He established great principles, clearly provided for all instruments of state, and ensured that everything had its proper order and insignia. Officials adhered to their duties, each knowing what they should do, ensuring no affairs were doubtful or ambiguous. The common people changed and transformed; near and far followed the same standards, surpassing past generations without fault. With official duties now established, future descendants would follow this legacy, perpetually inheriting the Emperor's sacred rule. The ministers praised his virtue and respectfully recited his great achievements, requesting that they be inscribed at Zhiwu Mountain.
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旋，遂之琅邪，道上党入。 |
| | Afterward, he proceeded to Langya via Shangdang.
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三十年，无事。 |
| | In the thirtieth year (July 7, 218 BC), there were no major events.
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三十一年十二月，更名腊曰“嘉平”。赐黔首里六石米，二羊。始皇为微行咸阳，与武士四人俱，夜出逢盗兰池，见窘，武士击杀盗，关中大索二十日。米石千六百。 |
| | On the twelfth month of the thirty-first year (January 30, 217 BC), the name of the winter solstice festival was changed to "Jiaping." The Emperor bestowed six shi of rice and two sheep upon each village's common people. The First Emperor made a secret visit to Xianyang, traveling with four warriors. At night he went out and encountered bandits at Lanchi, where they were cornered. The warriors killed the bandits, prompting a twenty-day large-scale search throughout Guanzhong. The price of rice was 1,600 coins per shi.
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三十二年，始皇之碣石，使燕人卢生求羡门、高誓。刻碣石门。坏城郭，决通堤防。其辞曰： |
| | In the thirty-second year (July 23, 215 BC), the First Emperor went to Jieshi and sent Yan native Lu Sheng in search of Xianmen and Gaoshi. He had an inscription carved at the gate of Jieshi Mountain. They destroyed city walls and breached dikes to clear flood defenses. The inscription read:
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遂兴师旅，诛戮无道，为逆灭息。武殄暴逆，文复无罪，庶心咸服。惠论功劳，赏及牛马，恩肥土域。皇帝奋威，德并诸侯，初一泰平。堕坏城郭，决通川防，夷去险阻。地势既定，黎庶无繇，天下咸抚。男乐其畴，女修其业，事各有序。惠被诸产，久并来田，莫不安所。群臣诵烈，请刻此石，垂著仪矩。 |
| | He raised armies, punished the lawless, and extinguished rebellion. With military might he eliminated violent rebels; with virtue he restored innocence, and all hearts submitted in awe. He showed benevolence by rewarding merits, bestowing rewards even on oxen and horses, spreading grace across the land. The Emperor displayed his might; virtue united all feudal lords, bringing initial peace to the realm. He destroyed city walls, breached river defenses, and leveled dangerous obstacles. With the terrain now stable, the common people had no burdens; peace was extended throughout the world. Men found joy in their fields, women pursued their occupations, and all affairs were well-ordered. Benevolence extended to all produce; lands from distant regions were united under one rule, with none failing to find peace in their place. The ministers praised his great achievements and requested that they be carved on this stone as a lasting model for conduct.
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因使韩终、侯公、石生求仙人不死之药。始皇巡北边，从上郡入。燕人卢生使入海还，以鬼神事，因奏录图书，曰“亡秦者胡也”。始皇乃使将军蒙恬发兵三十万人北击胡，略取河南地。 |
| | He then sent Han Zhong, Hou Gong, Shi Sheng to seek immortals and the elixir of eternal life. The First Emperor toured the northern frontier, entering from Shangjun Commandery. A Yan native named Lu Sheng, after being sent to the sea and returning with matters concerning ghosts and gods, submitted a report on recorded books and maps, stating: "The one who will destroy Qin is Hu." Upon hearing this, the First Emperor ordered General Meng Tian to mobilize 300,000 troops to attack Hu in the north and seize the area south of the Yellow River.
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三十三年，发诸尝逋亡人、赘婿、贾人略取陆梁地，为桂林、象郡、南海，以适遣戍。西北斥逐匈奴。自榆中并河以东，属之阴山，以为（三）［四］十四县，城河上为塞。又使蒙恬渡河取斑阙、（陶）［阳］山、北假中，筑亭障以逐戎人。徙谪，实之初县。禁不得祠。明星出西方。三十四年，适治狱吏不直者，筑长城及南越地。 |
| | In the thirty-third year (July 14, 214 BC), convicts who had previously fled from service, in-laws, and merchants were mobilized to seize the Lu Liang region, establishing Guilin, Xiang Jun, and Nanhai Commanderies for garrison deployment. To the northwest, they drove out the Xiongnu. From Yuzhong along the Yellow River eastward to Yinshan Mountain, they established fourteen counties and built fortifications along the river as a defensive barrier. They also sent Meng Tian across the Yellow River to capture Banque, Yangshan, and Beijiazhong, building watchtowers and barriers to drive out the Rong people. Convicts were relocated and settled in these newly established counties. Worship was prohibited. A bright star appeared in the west. In the thirty-fourth year (July 5, 213 BC), convicts and corrupt officials involved in unjust legal cases were deployed to build the Great Wall and fortify areas south of the Yangtze.
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始皇置酒咸阳宫，博士七十人前为寿。仆射周青臣进颂曰：“他时秦地不过千里，赖陛下神灵明圣，平定海内，放逐蛮夷，日月所照，莫不宾服。以诸侯为郡县，人人自安乐，无战争之患，传之万世。自上古不及陛下威德。”始皇悦。博士齐人淳于越进曰：“臣闻殷周之王千馀岁，封子弟功臣，自为枝辅。今陛下有海内，而子弟为匹夫，卒有田常、六卿之臣，无辅拂，何以相救哉？事不师古而能长久者，非所闻也。今青臣又面谀以重陛下之过，非忠臣。”始皇下其议。丞相李斯曰：“五帝不相复，三代不相袭，各以治，非其相反，时变异也。今陛下创大业，建万世之功，固非愚儒所知。且越言乃三代之事，何足法也？异时诸侯并争，厚招游学。今天下已定，法令出一，百姓当家则力农工，士则学习法令辟禁。今诸生不师今而学古，以非当世，惑乱黔首。丞相臣斯昧死言：古者天下散乱，莫之能一，是以诸侯并作，语皆道古以害今，饰虚言以乱实，人善其所私学，以非上之所建立。今皇帝并有天下，别黑白而定一尊。私学而相与非法教，人闻令下，则各以其学议之，入则心非，出则巷议，夸主以为名，异取以为高，率群下以造谤。如此弗禁，则主势降乎上，党与成乎下。禁之便。臣请史官非秦记皆烧之。非博士官所职，天下敢有藏诗、书、百家语者，悉诣守、尉杂烧之。有敢偶语诗书者弃市。以古非今者族。吏见知不举者与同罪。令下三十日不烧，黥为城旦。所不去者，医药卜筮种树之书。若欲有学法令，以吏为师。”制曰：“可。” |
| | The First Emperor held a banquet at Xianyang Palace, where seventy scholars presented longevity offerings before him. The Minister of Works Zhou Qingchen offered praise, saying: "In the past, Qin's territory was no more than a thousand li. Thanks to Your Majesty's divine wisdom and sacred virtue, you have pacified the realm, driven out the southern and northern barbarians, and under whose rule even where the sun and moon shine, none fail to submit in awe." You have replaced feudal lords with commanderies and counties; all people find peace and happiness, free from the troubles of war, to be passed on for ten thousand generations. The might and virtue of Your Majesty surpass even those of ancient times." The First Emperor was pleased. A scholar from Qi named Chunyu Yue then spoke up, saying: "I have heard that the kings of Yin and Zhou ruled for over a thousand years by enfeoffing their sons, brothers, and meritorious ministers as branches to support the central authority. Now, although Your Majesty rules over all under heaven, your sons and brothers are commoners. Should there suddenly arise ministers like Tian Chang or the Six Ministers of Jin without any support or opposition, how could one possibly rescue the situation?" I have never heard of a case where affairs not following ancient precedents can endure for long. Now Qingchen is flattery in person, further adding to Your Majesty's faults; he is no loyal minister." The First Emperor referred the matter for discussion. Chancellor Li Si said: "The Five Emperors did not repeat each other's ways, and the Three Dynasties did not follow one another. Each governed according to their own methods; this was not because they were opposed, but due to changing times. Now that Your Majesty has initiated great undertakings and established achievements for ten thousand generations, it is naturally beyond the understanding of ignorant Confucian scholars. Moreover, what Chunyu Yue said refers to matters from the Three Dynasties; how could such things be worth following? In former times, when feudal lords competed for power, they lavishly recruited traveling scholars. Now that the realm is unified and laws emanate from one source, commoners should focus on farming and craftsmanship, while scholars must study laws and prohibitions. Nowadays, many scholars do not follow the present but instead learn from antiquity to criticize current affairs, confusing and misleading the common people. Minister Li Si respectfully stated: "In ancient times, the realm was fragmented and no one could unify it, so feudal lords arose in competition. They all spoke of antiquity to harm the present, adorned false words to confuse reality, favored their own private schools of thought, and criticized what Your Majesty has established." Now that His Majesty unifies all under heaven, distinctions between right and wrong are made clear, and one supreme authority is established. Private schools, however, teach doctrines contrary to the law. When people hear imperial decrees issued, they each use their own teachings to criticize them; privately they harbor doubts and publicly discuss in alleyways, boasting of loyalty for reputation, seeking novelty as a mark of superiority, and inciting subordinates to spread slander. If such behavior is not prohibited, the authority of the sovereign will weaken above, while factions will form below. It would be beneficial to prohibit this. I request that all historical records not written by the state of Qin be burned. Unless they are under the charge of official scholars, anyone in all the realm who dares to possess copies of poetry, historical texts, or writings from the Hundred Schools must deliver them for burning by magistrates and military officers. Anyone daring to discuss poetry or history in pairs shall be executed publicly. Those who criticize the present by citing antiquity shall have their entire clans exterminated. Officials who know of such acts but fail to report them will share the same punishment. If within thirty days after this decree is issued, books are not burned, those responsible shall be branded and conscripted for labor at dawn in city construction. The only books that will not be burned are those on medicine, divination, and agriculture. If anyone wishes to study laws and decrees, let the officials serve as their teachers." The imperial edict stated: "Approved."
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三十五年，除道，道九原抵云阳，堑山堙谷，直通之。于是始皇以为咸阳人多，先王之宫廷小，吾闻周文王都丰，武王都镐，丰镐之闲，帝王之都也。乃营作朝宫渭南上林苑中。先作前殿阿房，东西五百步，南北五十丈，上可以坐万人，下可以建五丈旗。周驰为阁道，自殿下直抵南山。表南山之颠以为阙。为复道，自阿房渡渭，属之咸阳，以象天极阁道绝汉抵营室也。阿房宫未成；成，欲更择令名名之。作宫阿房，故天下谓之阿房宫。隐宫徒刑者七十馀万人，乃分作阿房宫，或作丽山。发北山石椁，乃写蜀、荆地材皆至。关中计宫三百，关外四百馀。于是立石东海上朐界中，以为秦东门。因徙三万家丽邑，五万家云阳，皆复不事十岁。 |
| | In the thirty-fifth year, a road was constructed from Jiuyuan to Yunyang. Mountains were cut through and valleys filled in order to create a direct passage. At this time, Emperor Qin Shi Huang considered the population of Xianyang to be large and the palaces of previous kings too small. He had heard that King Wen of Zhou established his capital at Feng, and King Wu of Zhou at Hao; he believed the area between Feng and Hao was a suitable site for an imperial capital. Therefore, he began construction of the court palace within the Shanglin Garden to the south of the Wei River. First, they built the Qian Dian Afang Hall, which was 500 bu wide from east to west and fifty zhang long from north to south. It could accommodate ten thousand people on top and hold a five-zhang flag at its base. Circumferential roads were built as elevated corridors, extending directly from beneath the hall to Mount Nanshan. The peaks of Mount Nanshan were marked as gate towers. An elevated corridor was constructed, crossing the Wei River from Afang and connecting to Xianyang, symbolizing the celestial axis' elevated path that spans across the Milky Way to reach the Yingshi constellation. The Afang Palace was not yet completed; once it is finished, the emperor wished to choose a more auspicious name for it. Since construction of the palace began at Afang, people throughout the empire referred to it as the Afang Palace. More than 700,000 convicts and laborers were mobilized; some worked on the Afang Palace while others labored at Lishan. Stone slabs from Beishan Mountain were transported, and materials from Shu and Jing regions were also brought in for construction. In Guanzhong there were a total of three hundred palaces; outside the pass, over four hundred more. Thus, stone pillars were erected in Qushui at the eastern sea to mark it as Qin's eastern gate. As a result, thirty thousand households were relocated to Liyi and fifty thousand to Yunyang; all of them were exempt from taxes for ten years.
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卢生说始皇曰：“臣等求芝奇药仙者常弗遇，类物有害之者。方中，人主时为微行以辟恶鬼，恶鬼辟，真人至。人主所居而人臣知之，则害于神。真人者，入水不濡，入火不爇，陵云气，与天地久长。今上治天下，未能恬倓。愿上所居宫毋令人知，然后不死之药殆可得也。”于是始皇曰：“吾慕真人，自谓‘真人’，不称‘朕’。”乃令咸阳之旁二百里内宫观二百七十复道甬道相连，帷帐钟鼓美人充之，各案署不移徙。行所幸，有言其处者，罪死。始皇帝幸梁山宫，从山上见丞相车骑众，弗善也。中人或告丞相，丞相后损车骑。始皇怒曰：“此中人泄吾语。”案问莫服。当是时，诏捕诸时在旁者，皆杀之。自是后莫知行之所在。听事，群臣受决事，悉于咸阳宫。 |
| | Lu Sheng advised Emperor Qin Shi Huang, saying: "We have often failed to find the rare herbs and elixirs of immortals we seek; it seems that harmful forces are obstructing us. "In alchemical texts, it is said that when a sovereign occasionally travels incognito to ward off evil spirits, the evil spirits will be driven away and true immortals will arrive. "If the sovereign's residence is known by his ministers, it harms the divine." "True immortals can enter water without getting wet and walk through fire unburned; they ride on clouds, living in harmony with heaven and earth for eternity." "Now that Your Majesty rules the realm, you have not yet achieved tranquility and peace. "I hope that no one knows where Your Majesty resides; only then may the elixir of immortality be attainable." Thus, Emperor Qin Shi Huang said: "I admire true immortals. From now on I shall call myself 'True Person,' and no longer use the title 'Zhen.'" He then ordered that within two hundred li around Xianyang, 270 palaces and pavilions be connected by elevated corridors and covered passageways. Each was filled with curtains, bells, drums, and beautiful women; they were assigned to their posts permanently without relocation. Anyone who revealed the location where the emperor had stayed would be put to death. Emperor Qin Shi Huang once visited Liangshan Palace, and from atop the mountain he saw a large retinue accompanying the prime minister's carriage; this did not please him. Some palace attendants informed the prime minister, and thereafter the prime minister reduced his retinue. Emperor Qin Shi Huang became angry and said: "One of these palace attendants has revealed my words." After investigation, no one confessed. At that time, the emperor issued an order to arrest all those present at the scene and had them executed. From then on, no one knew where the emperor would travel or reside. Official business was conducted and all court officials received their decisions at Xianyang Palace.
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侯生卢生相与谋曰：“始皇为人，天性刚戾自用，起诸侯，并天下，意得欲从，以为自古莫及己。专任狱吏，狱吏得亲幸。博士虽七十人，特备员弗用。丞相诸大臣皆受成事，倚辨于上。上乐以刑杀为威，天下畏罪持禄，莫敢尽忠。上不闻过而日骄，下慑伏谩欺以取容。秦法，不得兼方不验，辄死。然候星气者至三百人，皆良士，畏忌讳谀，不敢端言其过。天下之事无小大皆决于上，上至以衡石量书，日夜有呈，不中呈不得休息。贪于权势至如此，未可为求仙药。”于是乃亡去。始皇闻亡，乃大怒曰：“吾前收天下书不中用者尽去之。悉召文学方术士甚众，欲以兴太平，方士欲练以求奇药。今闻韩众去不报，徐市等费以巨万计，终不得药，徒奸利相告日闻。卢生等吾尊赐之甚厚，今乃诽谤我，以重吾不德也。诸生在咸阳者，吾使人廉问，或为訞言以乱黔首。”于是使御史悉案问诸生，诸生传相告引，乃自除犯禁者四百六十馀人，皆坑之咸阳，使天下知之，以惩后。益发谪徙边。始皇长子扶苏谏曰：“天下初定，远方黔首未集，诸生皆诵法孔子，今上皆重法绳之，臣恐天下不安。唯上察之。”始皇怒，使扶苏北监蒙恬于上郡。 |
| | Hou Sheng and Lu Sheng conspired together, saying: "Emperor Qin Shi Huang is by nature rigid, harsh, and self-willed. He rose from among the feudal lords to unify all under heaven; now he feels triumphant and indulges his desires, believing no one since ancient times can rival him. "He entrusts authority solely to prison officials, who thus gain his favor and intimacy. "Although there are seventy official scholars, they serve only as placeholders and are not actually used." "The prime minister and other high ministers merely accept decisions already made; all matters depend on the emperor's judgment. "He takes pleasure in using punishment and executions to establish authority, so people throughout the realm fear crime but cling to their positions; none dare offer complete loyalty." "The emperor hears no criticism and grows increasingly arrogant, while ministers below cower in fear, flattering and deceiving to gain favor. "Under Qin law, if alchemists fail to produce verified results from their combined methods, they are immediately executed." "Yet there were as many as three hundred astrologers and diviners, all of whom were capable men; they feared reprisals and flattered the emperor out of caution, never daring to openly criticize his faults." "All affairs in the realm, great or small, are decided by the emperor. He personally weighed official documents with a balance and stones to measure their volume; day and night he received reports, and if they did not meet his expectations, he could not rest." "His greed for power is so extreme. For such a man, we cannot seek elixirs of immortality." Thus, they fled and left. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang heard of their escape, he became furious and said: "Previously I had collected all books in the realm that were not useful and burned them. "I summoned a great number of scholars, literary men, and alchemists in hopes of achieving peace and prosperity; these alchemists wished to refine elixirs to find miraculous medicines. "Now I have heard that Han Zhong fled without reporting, Xu Shi and others spent tens of thousands in resources yet still failed to obtain the elixir; instead, daily reports reveal deceitful pursuits for profit. "Lu Sheng and others were highly honored with generous rewards by me, yet now they slander me to worsen my reputation for virtue." "Scholars in Xianyang—I have sent men to investigate, and some are found spreading false words that confuse the common people." Thus, he ordered the imperial censors to thoroughly investigate all scholars. The scholars passed accusations among themselves, and in the end, 460 or more were found guilty of violating laws; they were all buried alive in Xianyang so that all under heaven would know, as a warning for those who followed. More convicts were sent to the frontier regions as exiles. Qin Shi Huang's eldest son, Fu Su, advised: "The realm has just been pacified; the common people in distant regions have not yet settled. These scholars all recite Confucian teachings. Now Your Majesty punishes them severely according to law. I fear this will cause unrest throughout the land. "I beg Your Majesty to consider this carefully." Emperor Qin Shi Huang was furious and sent Fu Su northward to supervise Meng Tian in Shangjun Commandery.
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三十六年，荧惑守心。有坠星下东郡，至地为石，黔首或刻其石曰“始皇帝死而地分”。始皇闻之，遣御史逐问，莫服，尽取石旁居人诛之，因燔销其石。始皇不乐，使博士为仙真人诗，及行所游天下，传令乐人歌弦之。秋，使者从关东夜过华阴平舒道，有人持璧遮使者曰：“为吾遗滈池君。”因言曰：“今年祖龙死。”使者问其故，因忽不见，置其璧去。使者奉璧具以闻。始皇默然良久，曰：“山鬼固不过知一岁事也。”退言曰：“祖龙者，人之先也。”使御府视璧，乃二十八年行渡江所沈璧也。于是始皇卜之，卦得游徙吉。迁北河榆中三万家。拜爵一级。 |
| | In the thirty-sixth year, Mars remained stationary over the constellation Shen (Heart). A falling star fell in Dongjun Commandery, and upon hitting the ground became a stone. Some common people carved on it: "When Emperor Qin Shi Huang dies, the land will be divided." Emperor Qin Shi Huang heard about this and sent imperial censors to investigate. No one confessed, so he executed all the residents living near the stone and burned it to destroy evidence. Emperor Qin Shi Huang grew unhappy, so he ordered the official scholars to compose poems praising immortal sages. As he traveled throughout the realm, he had musicians accompany him by singing and playing these songs. In autumn, an imperial envoy traveling at night from east of the Guan Mountains along the Huayin Pingshu Road was stopped by a man holding a jade disc. The man said: "Give this to Haochi Jun for me." He then added, saying: "This year the ancestor dragon will die." The envoy asked him why this was so, but suddenly the man vanished and left only the jade disc behind. The envoy presented the jade disc to the emperor and reported everything in detail. Emperor Qin Shi Huang remained silent for a long time, then said: "Mountain spirits can only know what will happen within one year." Later he remarked: "The ancestor dragon refers to the progenitor of mankind." When the imperial treasury examined the jade disc, they discovered it was the same one that had been submerged in a river during the twenty-eighth year. Thus, Emperor Qin Shi Huang consulted diviners and received an auspicious omen for traveling and relocating. He relocated 30,000 households to Yuzhong in the Behe region. They were each granted a rank increase of one level.
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三十七年十月癸丑，始皇出游。左丞相斯从，右丞相去疾守。少子胡亥爱慕请从，上许之。十一月，行至云梦，望祀虞舜于九疑山。浮江下，观籍柯，渡海渚。过丹阳，至钱唐。临浙江，水波恶，乃西百二十里从狭中渡。上会稽，祭大禹，望于南海，而立石刻颂秦德。其文曰： |
| | On the Gouchou day of the tenth month in the thirty-seventh year, Emperor Qin Shi Huang embarked on an imperial tour. The Left Chancellor Li Si accompanied him, while the Right Chancellor Qu Ji remained to govern in his place. His youngest son, Hu Hai, expressed deep affection and requested to accompany the emperor; this was granted by His Majesty. In November, he traveled as far as Yunmeng, where he performed a distant sacrifice to Yu Shun at Jiuyi Mountain. He sailed down the Yangtze River, visited Jike, and crossed Haizhu Island. He passed through Danyang and arrived at Qiantang. Approaching the Zhejiang River, he found the waters turbulent; thus, he turned westward 120 li and crossed through a narrow passage. He ascended Kuaiji Mountain to worship Dayu, gazed toward the South China Sea, and erected stone inscriptions praising Qin's virtue. The inscription read:
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皇帝休烈，平一宇内，德惠修长。三十有七年，亲巡天下，周览远方。遂登会稽，宣省习俗，黔首斋庄。群臣诵功，本原事迹，追首高明。秦圣临国，始定刑名，显陈旧章。初平法式，审别职任，以立恒常。六王专倍，贪戾傲猛，率众自强。暴虐恣行，负力而骄，数动甲兵。阴通闲使，以事合从，行为辟方。内饰诈谋，外来侵边，遂起祸殃。义威诛之，殄熄暴悖，乱贼灭亡。圣德广密，六合之中，被泽无疆。皇帝并宇，兼听万事，远近毕清。运理群物，考验事实，各载其名。贵贱并通，善否陈前，靡有隐情。饰省宣义，有子而嫁，倍死不贞。防隔内外，禁止淫泆，男女洁诚。夫为寄豭，杀之无罪，男秉义程。妻为逃嫁，子不得母，咸化廉清。大治濯俗，天下承风，蒙被休经。皆遵度轨，和安敦勉，莫不顺令。黔首修洁，人乐同则，嘉保太平。后敬奉法，常治无极，舆舟不倾。从臣诵烈，请刻此石，光垂休铭。 |
| | The emperor's great achievements bring peace and unity to the realm; his virtue and grace are enduring. In the thirty-seventh year, he personally toured the empire, surveying distant lands. He then ascended Kuaiji Mountain, proclaimed his decrees to understand local customs, and the common people observed solemn rites in reverence. Ministers praised His Majesty's achievements, traced back the origins of his deeds, and honored the lofty wisdom of his ancestors. The holy Qin dynasty governs the realm; laws and punishments were first established, clearly displaying ancient regulations. Initially establishing legal standards, carefully distinguishing official duties to establish enduring order. The six kings were arrogant and defiant; greedy and cruel, they led their people in self-aggrandizement. They acted with cruelty and arrogance, relying on strength to grow proud, frequently waging war. Secretly dispatching envoys, they formed alliances against Qin, acting in defiance of the law. Internally, they plotted deceit; externally, they invaded borders, thus bringing disaster upon themselves. Righteous might punished them, extinguishing violence and madness; rebels were destroyed. The holy virtue is vast and profound; within the six directions of the world, its grace extends boundlessly. The emperor unifies the realm, hears all matters, and both near and far are fully enlightened. He governs all things with wisdom, examines facts, and records each one by name. High and low are equally known; good or bad is laid bare before him, no secrets hidden. Those who adorn themselves with false virtue, having a son yet remarrying, betray death and remain unfaithful. Preventing internal and external corruption, prohibiting licentiousness, ensuring men and women maintain purity and sincerity. A man who is a mere pig for hire, killing him incurs no guilt; males uphold the code of righteousness. Wives who elope and remarry, their children lose their mothers—this all transforms into integrity and purity. Great governance purifies customs; the empire follows its example, embracing this blessed doctrine. All abide by laws and standards, harmonious and peaceful, diligently obedient to commands. The common people cultivate virtue; all rejoice in shared principles, rejoicing in the preservation of peace and prosperity. Posterity reveres and upholds the law; perpetual governance without end, the imperial vessel remains upright. Ministers recite His Majesty's great deeds, requesting these words be inscribed on stone, to shine forth as a lasting monument.
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还过吴，从江乘渡。并海上，北至琅邪。方士徐市等入海求神药，数岁不得，费多，恐谴，乃诈曰：“蓬莱药可得，然常为大鲛鱼所苦，故不得至，愿请善射与俱，见则以连弩射之。”始皇梦与海神战，如人状。问占梦，博士曰：“水神不可见，以大鱼蛟龙为候。今上祷祠备谨，而有此恶神，当除去，而善神可致。”乃令入海者赍捕巨鱼具，而自以连弩候大鱼出射之。自琅邪北至荣成山，弗见。至之罘，见巨鱼，射杀一鱼。遂并海西。 |
| | Returning past Wu, he crossed the river from Jiangcheng. He traveled along the eastern coast and went north to Langya. The alchemist Xu Shi and others went to sea in search of elixirs, but after several years they found nothing. Their expenses were great, and fearing punishment, they fabricated a story: "The elixir at Penglai can be obtained, yet we are often hindered by large sharks, which is why we have not reached it. We wish to request skilled archers to accompany us; when the sharks appear, we will shoot them with repeating crossbows." Qin Shi Huang dreamed of fighting a sea deity that appeared human-like. When he inquired about the dream, scholars interpreted it by saying: "Water deities cannot be seen directly; their presence is indicated by large fish and dragons." "Now, although the emperor has offered prayers with utmost reverence, this malevolent deity appears. It should be driven away so that benevolent deities may come." He then ordered those going to sea to carry equipment for capturing large fish, and personally waited with a repeating crossbow to shoot any big fish that appeared. From Langya northward to Rongcheng Mountain, none were seen. When they reached Zhifu, a large fish was sighted and one was shot and killed. He then proceeded westward along the coast.
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至平原津而病。始皇恶言死，群臣莫敢言死事。上病益甚，乃为玺书赐公子扶苏曰：“与丧会咸阳而葬。”书已封，在中车府令赵高行符玺事所，未授使者。七月丙寅，始皇崩于沙丘平台。丞相斯为上崩在外，恐诸公子及天下有变，乃秘之，不发丧。棺载轀凉车中，故幸宦者参乘，所至上食。百官奏事如故，宦者辄从轀凉车中可其奏事。独子胡亥、赵高及所幸宦者五六人知上死。赵高故尝教胡亥书及狱律令法事，胡亥私幸之。高乃与公子胡亥、丞相斯阴谋破去始皇所封书赐公子扶苏者，而更诈为丞相斯受始皇遗诏沙丘，立子胡亥为太子。更为书赐公子扶苏、蒙恬，数以罪，（其）赐死。语具在李斯传中。行，遂从井陉抵九原。会暑，上轀车臭，乃诏从官令车载一石鲍鱼，以乱其臭。 |
| | When he arrived at Pingyuan Jin, he fell ill. Qin Shi Huang detested the mention of death, and none among his ministers dared to speak about it. As His Majesty's illness worsened, he composed a sealed letter with his personal seal and bestowed it upon Gongzi Fusu, saying: "Join the funeral procession in Xianyang for burial." The letter had already been sealed and was kept at Zhongchufu Ling Zhao Gao, who handled the emperor's seal and insignia; it had not yet been given to an envoy. On the Bingyin day of the seventh month (August 11, 210 BC), Qin Shi Huang died at the Pingtai in Shachou. The prime minister Li Si, fearing that the emperor's death abroad might cause unrest among the imperial princes or the people, kept it secret and did not announce his passing. The coffin was placed inside a cool carriage; thus, the favored eunuch served as an attendant driver and continued to present food at each stop. Officials submitted reports as usual, while the eunuch would immediately relay their matters from within the cool carriage for approval. Only the emperor's son Hu Hai, Zhao Gao, and five or six favored eunuchs knew of his death. Zhao Gao had previously taught Hu Hai writing as well as legal codes and procedures, and Hu Hai privately favored him. Zhao Gao then conspired with Gongzi Hu Hai and the prime minister Li Si to destroy the sealed letter from Qin Shi Huang that had been given to Gongzi Fusu. Instead, they forged a document falsely claiming it was an imperial decree left by Qin Shi Huang at Shachou, appointing Hu Hai as crown prince. They also forged another letter to be given to Gongzi Fusu and Meng Tian, listing numerous accusations against them, ordering their deaths. The details are recorded in the biography of Li Si. They proceeded, traveling from Jingxing to Jiuyuan. lando As the summer heat set in and the smell from the sealed carriage became unbearable, an imperial decree was issued to the attendants ordering them to load a cart with one dan of preserved fish to mask the odor.
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行从直道至咸阳，发丧。太子胡亥袭位，为二世皇帝。九月，葬始皇郦山。始皇初即位，穿治郦山，及并天下，天下徒送诣七十馀万人，穿三泉，下铜而致椁，宫观百官奇器珍怪徙臧满之。令匠作机弩矢，有所穿近者辄射之。以水银为百川江河大海，机相灌输，上具天文，下具地理。以人鱼膏为烛，度不灭者久之。二世曰：“先帝后宫非有子者，出焉不宜。”皆令从死，死者甚众。葬既已下，或言工匠为机，臧皆知之，臧重即泄。大事毕，已臧，闭中羡，下外羡门，尽闭工匠臧者，无复出者。树草木以象山。 |
| | They traveled along the straight road to Xianyang and then announced the emperor's passing. The crown prince Hu Hai succeeded to the throne, becoming Emperor Er Shi. In September, Qin Shi Huang was buried at Lishan Mountain. When Qin Shi Huang first ascended the throne, he began construction of his tomb at Lishan. After unifying the empire, over 700,000 people were conscripted from across the land to transport materials and labor there. They dug down through three layers of springs, poured molten copper into the underground structure to secure the outer coffin, and filled it with palaces, halls, rare artifacts, and treasures moved from all over the empire. They ordered craftsmen to install mechanical crossbows and arrows; anyone who approached too closely would be shot immediately. Mercury was used to represent the hundred rivers, great rivers, and vast seas; mechanisms were installed to circulate it. The ceiling depicted celestial phenomena, while the floor illustrated geography. They used the fat of man-fish as candle wax, which was said to burn for a long time without extinguishing. Emperor Er Shi said: "Those in the late emperor's harem who had no children should not be allowed to leave." All were ordered to commit suicide, and many perished. After the burial was completed, some claimed that craftsmen had set up mechanisms; all secrets of the tomb were known to them. If they revealed these secrets, the value of the treasures would be greatly diminished. Once all major tasks were completed and the treasures placed, the middle chamber was sealed, then the outer gate was closed. All craftsmen and those who had stored items inside were locked in—none allowed to escape. Trees and vegetation were planted around the tomb to resemble a mountain.
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二世皇帝元年，年二十一。赵高为郎中令，任用事。二世下诏，增始皇寝庙牺牲及山川百祀之礼。令群臣议尊始皇庙。群臣皆顿首言曰：“古者天子七庙，诸侯五，大夫三，虽万世世不轶毁。今始皇为极庙，四海之内皆献贡职，增牺牲，礼咸备，毋以加。先王庙或在西雍，或在咸阳。天子仪当独奉酌祠始皇庙。自襄公已下轶毁。所置凡七庙。群臣以礼进祠，以尊始皇庙为帝者祖庙。皇帝复自称‘朕’。” |
| | The first year of Emperor Er Shi's reign, when he was twenty-one years old. Zhao Gao served as Langzhongling and held the power to make decisions. Emperor Er Shi issued an edict, increasing sacrifices for Qin Shi Huang's ancestral temple and the hundred rites honoring mountains and rivers. He ordered his ministers to deliberate on how best to honor the temple of Qin Shi Huang with greater reverence. The ministers all kowtowed and said: "In ancient times, emperors had seven ancestral temples, feudal lords five, and high officials three. Even after countless generations, none would be removed or destroyed. "Now that Qin Shi Huang has been honored with the highest temple, all within the four seas contribute tribute and fulfill their duties. Sacrifices have increased, and all rites are fully prepared—there is nothing more to add." The ancestral temples of previous kings were either in Xiyong or in Xianyang. According to imperial protocol, the emperor should personally offer wine and perform sacrifices exclusively at Qin Shi Huang's temple. Temples of kings from Duke Xiang Gong onward were removed or destroyed. In total, seven ancestral temples were established. The ministers performed rites in accordance with protocol to honor the temple, elevating Qin Shi Huang's as the imperial ancestor temple for future emperors. The emperor once again referred to himself as "Zhen."
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二世与赵高谋曰：“朕年少，初即位，黔首未集附。先帝巡行郡县，以示强，威服海内。今晏然不巡行，即见弱，毋以臣畜天下。”春，二世东行郡县，李斯从。到碣石，并海，南至会稽，而尽刻始皇所立刻石，石旁著大臣从者名，以章先帝成功盛德焉： |
| | Emperor Er Shi and Zhao Gao plotted together, saying: "I am young and newly enthroned; the common people have not yet gathered in loyalty. "The late emperor toured the commanderies and counties to display his strength, subduing all within the seas through awe." "Now that I remain idle without touring, it appears weak; how can I command the loyalty of the people?" In spring, Emperor Er Shi traveled eastward through the commanderies and counties, with Li Si accompanying him. He traveled to Jieshi, followed the coast, and went south as far as Kuaiji. At each location where Qin Shi Huang had previously inscribed stone tablets, he added new carvings with the names of ministers who accompanied him beside the stones, in order to highlight the late emperor's great achievements and virtuous deeds:
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皇帝曰：“金石刻尽始皇帝所为也。今袭号而金石刻辞不称始皇帝，其于久远也如后嗣为之者，不称成功盛德。”丞相臣斯、臣去疾、御史大夫臣德昧死言：“臣请具刻诏书刻石，因明白矣。臣昧死请。”制曰：“可。” |
| | The emperor said: "All stone inscriptions are works of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Now that I have inherited the title, if these stone inscriptions do not mention Emperor Qin Shi Huang by name, in the distant future they may be mistaken for works of later generations and fail to reflect his great achievements and virtue." The prime minister, Minister Li Si and Minister Qu Ji, along with the Grand Censor-in-Chief, Minister De, respectfully submitted: "We request that Your Majesty's decree be fully inscribed on stone tablets; this will make everything clear. We humbly implore Your Majesty to grant our request." The emperor decreed: "Approved."
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遂至辽东而还。 |
| | They then proceeded to Liaodong and returned.
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于是二世乃遵用赵高，申法令。乃阴与赵高谋曰：“大臣不服，官吏尚强，及诸公子必与我争，为之柰何？”高曰：“臣固愿言而未敢也。先帝之大臣，皆天下累世名贵人也，积功劳世以相传久矣。今高素小贱，陛下幸称举，令在上位，管中事。大臣鞅鞅，特以貌从臣，其心实不服。今上出，不因此时案郡县守尉有罪者诛之，上以振威天下，下以除去上生平所不可者。今时不师文而决于武力，愿陛下遂从时毋疑，即群臣不及谋。明主收举馀民，贱者贵之，贫者富之，远者近之，则上下集而国安矣。”二世曰：“善。”乃行诛大臣及诸公子，以罪过连逮少近官三郎，无得立者，而六公子戮死于杜。公子将闾昆弟三人囚于内宫，议其罪独后。二世使使令将闾曰：“公子不臣，罪当死，吏致法焉。”将闾曰：“阙廷之礼，吾未尝敢不从宾赞也；廊庙之位，吾未尝敢失节也；受命应对，吾未尝敢失辞也。何谓不臣？愿闻罪而死。”使者曰：“臣不得与谋，奉书从事。”将闾乃仰天大呼天者三，曰：“天乎！吾无罪！”昆弟三人皆流涕拔剑自杀。宗室振恐。群臣谏者以为诽谤，大吏持禄取容，黔首振恐。 |
| | Thus, Emperor Er Shi followed Zhao Gao's advice and reinforced the laws and decrees. He secretly plotted with Zhao Gao, saying: "The high ministers are not obedient; the officials remain powerful. Moreover, the imperial princes will surely contend against me—how can we deal with this?" Zhao Gao replied: "I have long wished to speak but dared not. "The late emperor's ministers are all renowned and noble men of generations past, whose accumulated achievements have been passed down for a long time. "Now I am lowly by nature; it is only through Your Majesty's favor that I have been elevated to a high position and entrusted with important affairs. "The ministers are proud and arrogant, merely outwardly obeying me while in their hearts they remain discontented." "Now that the emperor is on tour, we should not miss this opportunity to investigate and execute corrupt commandery and county officials. This will demonstrate imperial authority to all under heaven and eliminate those who have long been a thorn in Your Majesty's side." "Now is not the time to rely on words but to decide matters through force. I hope Your Majesty will follow this course without hesitation, and then no minister will dare to plot against you." "A wise ruler gathers the people, elevates the lowly to nobility, enriches the poor, and brings distant ones near—thus unity is achieved between high and low, and the nation finds peace." Emperor Er Shi said: "Well spoken." He then carried out the executions of high ministers and imperial princes, citing their crimes to arrest junior officials and three palace attendants who had been close to him. No one was allowed to remain in office; six imperial princes were executed at Du. Gongzi Jianglv and his two brothers were imprisoned within the palace, their punishment deliberated last of all. Emperor Er Shi sent an envoy to order Jianglv: "You have committed treason, and your crime deserves death. Officials will now carry out the law." Jianglv replied: "I have never failed to follow the proper court etiquette in the imperial palace; In the ancestral temple, I have never neglected my duties or compromised propriety; When receiving commands and responding to them, I have never failed in my words." What is meant by 'treason'? "I would be content to hear the charge against me and then die." The envoy said: "I am not involved in deliberations, but must carry out my orders as written." Jianglv then looked up to the heavens and cried out three times: "Heaven! Heaven!" I am innocent!" Jianglv's two brothers, hearing this, all wept and drew their swords to commit suicide. The imperial clan was greatly frightened. Ministers who dared to advise were accused of slander, high officials clung to their positions for self-preservation, and the common people trembled in fear.
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四月，二世还至咸阳，曰：“先帝为咸阳朝廷小，故营阿房宫为室堂。未就，会上崩，罢其作者，复土郦山。郦山事大毕，今释阿房宫弗就，则是章先帝举事过也。”复作阿房宫。外抚四夷，如始皇计。尽徵其材士五万人为屯卫咸阳，令教射狗马禽兽。当食者多，度不足，下调郡县转输菽粟刍稿，皆令自赍粮食，咸阳三百里内不得食其谷。用法益刻深。 |
| | In the fourth month, Emperor Er Shi returned to Xianyang and said: "The previous emperor found the Xianyang court too small, so he began construction of Afang Palace as a grand hall. It was not yet completed when the emperor died; work was halted and the laborers were sent back to Lishan Mountain for burial preparations. "The funerary works at Lishan have been fully completed; if we now abandon the construction of Afang Palace, it would appear that the late emperor's projects were excessive." Construction of Afang Palace was resumed. Externally, he pacified the four barbarian groups as had been planned by Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He conscripted fifty thousand elite soldiers to serve as garrisons in Xianyang, ordering them to train in archery and the hunting of dogs, horses, and wild animals. With so many people to feed, the supply was insufficient. The imperial court ordered commanderies and counties to transport beans, grains, straw, and fodder, requiring everyone to bring their own provisions. Within three hundred li of Xianyang, no one could eat locally grown grain. The application of the law became even harsher.
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七月，戍卒陈胜等反故荆地，为“张楚”。胜自立为楚王，居陈，遣诸将徇地。山东郡县少年苦秦吏，皆杀其守尉令丞反，以应陈涉，相立为侯王，合从西乡，名为伐秦，不可胜数也。谒者使东方来，以反者闻二世。二世怒，下吏。后使者至，上问，对曰：“群盗，郡守尉方逐捕，今尽得，不足忧。”上悦。武臣自立为赵王，魏咎为魏王，田儋为齐王。沛公起沛。项梁举兵会稽郡。 |
| | In the seventh month, conscripted soldiers such as Chen Sheng rebelled in the former Jing region and declared themselves "Changchu." Chen Sheng proclaimed himself King of Chu, based at Chen, and dispatched his generals to seize territory. The young men of the Shandong commanderies and counties, suffering under Qin officials, all killed their local commanders, magistrates, and assistants in rebellion to support Chen She. They declared themselves marquises or kings, forming a coalition marching westward, claiming to attack the Qin dynasty—too numerous to count. An imperial envoy returning from the east reported the rebels to Emperor Er Shi. Emperor Er Shi was furious and had him handed over to the authorities for punishment. Later envoys arrived, and when asked by the emperor, they replied: "These are merely bandits; local commanders and magistrates are already pursuing them. They have all been captured now—there is no need to worry." The emperor was pleased. Wu Chen declared himself King of Zhao, Wei Jiu became King of Wei, and Tian Dan became King of Qi. Pang Gong rose in Pei. Xiang Liang raised an army in Kuaiji Commandery.
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二年冬，陈涉所遣周章等将西至戏，兵数十万。二世大惊，与群臣谋曰：“柰何？”少府章邯曰：“盗已至，众强，今发近县不及矣。郦山徒多，请赦之，授兵以击之。”二世乃大赦天下，使章邯将，击破周章军而走，遂杀章曹阳。二世益遣长史司马欣、董翳佐章邯击盗，杀陈胜城父，破项梁定陶，灭魏咎临济。楚地盗名将已死，章邯乃北渡河，击赵王歇等于钜鹿。 |
| | In the winter of the second year, Zhou Zhang, sent by Chen She, led his troops westward to Xi, with an army numbering hundreds of thousands. Emperor Er Shi was greatly alarmed and discussed with his ministers: "What should we do?" Shao Fu Zhang Han said: "The rebels have already arrived, and their numbers are great. It is too late to raise troops from the nearby counties now." "There are many convicts at Lishan; I request that they be pardoned and armed to fight against them." Emperor Er Shi then issued a general pardon throughout the empire, appointing Zhang Han as commander. He defeated Zhou Zhang's forces and drove them back, killing General Zhang Caoyang in the process. Emperor Er Shi further dispatched the chief clerk Sima Xin and Dong Yi to assist Zhang Han in fighting the rebels. They killed Chen Sheng at Chengfu, defeated Xiang Liang at Dingtao, and destroyed Wei Jiu's forces at Linji. With the famous rebel generals of Chu now dead, Zhang Han then crossed the Yellow River to attack King Xie of Zhao and others at Julu.
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赵高说二世曰：“先帝临制天下久，故群臣不敢为非，进邪说。今陛下富于春秋，初即位，柰何与公卿廷决事？事即有误，示群臣短也。天子称朕，固不闻声。”于是二世常居禁中，与高决诸事。其后公卿希得朝见，盗贼益多，而关中卒发东击盗者毋已。右丞相去疾、左丞相斯、将军冯劫进谏曰：“关东群盗并起，秦发兵诛击，所杀亡甚众，然犹不止。盗多，皆以戌漕转作事苦，赋税大也。请且止阿房宫作者，减省四边戍转。”二世曰：“吾闻之韩子曰：‘尧舜采椽不刮，茅茨不翦，饭土塯，啜土形，虽监门之养，不觳于此。禹凿龙门，通大夏，决河亭水，放之海，身自持筑臿，胫毋毛，臣虏之劳不烈于此矣。’凡所为贵有天下者，得肆意极欲，主重明法，下不敢为非，以制御海内矣。夫虞、夏之主，贵为天子，亲处穷苦之实，以徇百姓，尚何于法？朕尊万乘，毋其实，吾欲造千乘之驾，万乘之属，充吾号名。且先帝起诸侯，兼天下，天下已定，外攘四夷以安边竟，作宫室以章得意，而君观先帝功业有绪。今朕即位二年之闲，群盗并起，君不能禁，又欲罢先帝之所为，是上毋以报先帝，次不为朕尽忠力，何以在位？”下去疾、斯、劫吏，案责他罪。去疾、劫曰：“将相不辱。”自杀。斯卒囚，就五刑。 |
| | Zhao Gao advised Emperor Er Shi: "The late emperor ruled the empire for a long time, so officials dared not act improperly or spread false doctrines. Now that Your Majesty is young and newly enthroned, why should you decide matters in court with the ministers?" If any mistake occurs, it will reveal your weakness to all the officials. "As an emperor, you should be called 'Zhen'; it is natural that no one hears your voice." Thus Emperor Er Shi often remained within the palace and made all decisions together with Zhao Gao. After this, ministers rarely had the opportunity to present themselves at court; bandits multiplied further, and imperial troops from Guanzhong continued to be dispatched eastward without pause. The Right Chancellor Qu Ji, the Left Chancellor Li Si, and General Feng Jie advised: "Rebels have risen together in Guandong. The Qin dynasty has sent troops to suppress them, killing many, yet they still do not cease." There are so many rebels because the people suffer from harsh conscription and heavy corvée labor, as well as high taxes. We request that construction of Afang Palace be halted for now and that the garrisons and transport duties on the borders be reduced." Emperor Er Shi replied: "I have heard from Master Han that 'Yao and Shun used unplaned wooden beams, uncropped straw for their roofs, ate from earthen bowls, and drank from rough clay cups. Even the food of a gatekeeper would not be worse than this.' "Yu the Great excavated Longmen, connected Daxia, dredged the He Ting River, and diverted its waters to the sea. He personally carried tools for digging, his legs so worn that no hair grew there—yet the labor of a slave could not be harder than this.'" The reason why those who rule the empire are honored is that they may indulge their desires without restraint. The sovereign upholds strict laws, and subjects dare not act improperly, thus maintaining control over all under heaven. "Yao, Shun, and Yu, though emperors of great virtue, personally endured hardship to set an example for the people. What need was there then for laws?" "I hold the title of Son of Heaven, yet I lack its reality. I wish to build a thousand-carriage procession and ten-thousand-carriage retinue to match my imperial name." "Moreover, the late emperor rose from among feudal lords to unify all under heaven. Now that the empire is at peace, he drove back the four barbarian tribes to secure our borders and built palaces to display his triumphs. You should see how well-ordered were the achievements of the previous emperor." "Now, within two years of my reign, rebels have risen in great numbers. You could not suppress them and now wish to abandon what the late emperor began. This is first a failure to honor his legacy, secondly a lack of loyalty and effort toward me—how can you remain in office?" The three were then handed over to the officials for punishment, their other crimes investigated. Qu Ji and Feng Jie said: "Ministers of state do not suffer humiliation." And so committed suicide. Li Si was imprisoned and subjected to the five punishments.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
三年，章邯等将其卒围钜鹿，楚上将军项羽将楚卒往救钜鹿。冬，赵高为丞相，竟案李斯杀之。夏，章邯等战数却，二世使人让邯，邯恐，使长史欣请事。赵高弗见，又弗信。欣恐，亡去，高使人捕追不及。欣见邯曰：“赵高用事于中，将军有功亦诛，无功亦诛。”项羽急击秦军，虏王离，邯等遂以兵降诸侯。八月己亥，赵高欲为乱，恐群臣不听，乃先设验，持鹿献于二世，曰：“马也。”二世笑曰：“丞相误邪？谓鹿为马。”问左右，左右或默，或言马以阿顺赵高。或言鹿（者），高因阴中诸言鹿者以法。后群臣皆畏高。 |
| | In the third year, Zhang Han led his troops in a siege of Julu, and Xiang Yu, supreme general of Chu, led the forces of Chu to rescue Julu. In winter, Zhao Gao became chancellor and finally had Li Si investigated and executed. In summer, Zhang Han's forces suffered repeated defeats, so Emperor Er Shi sent someone to reprimand him. Fearing punishment, Zhang Han dispatched his chief clerk Sima Xin to inquire about the emperor's will. Zhao Gao refused to see him and did not believe his report. Sima Xin was frightened, fled, but Zhao Gao sent men in pursuit who failed to catch him. Sima Xin told Zhang Han: "Zhao Gao holds power in the palace; if you have merit, he will kill you. If you lack success, he will still kill you." Xiang Yu launched a fierce attack on the Qin forces and captured Wang Li. Zhang Han and others then surrendered their troops to the feudal lords. On the Jihai day of the eighth month, Zhao Gao wanted to incite rebellion but feared that the ministers would not obey. So he first tested their loyalty by presenting a deer to Emperor Er Shi and said: "This is a horse." Emperor Er Shi laughed and said, "Is the chancellor mistaken?" Calling a deer a horse. He asked those around him, and some remained silent while others said it was a horse to flatter Zhao Gao. Those who dared say "deer" were secretly targeted by Zhao Gao and punished under the law. After this, all ministers feared Zhao Gao.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
高前数言“关东盗毋能为也”，及项羽虏秦将王离等钜鹿下而前，章邯等军数却，上书请益助，燕、赵、齐、楚、韩、魏皆立为王，自关以东，大氐尽畔秦吏应诸侯，诸侯咸率其众西乡。沛公将数万人已屠武关，使人私于高，高恐二世怒，诛及其身，乃谢病不朝见。二世梦白虎啮其左骖马，杀之，心不乐，怪问占梦。卜曰：“泾水为祟。”二世乃斋于望夷宫，欲祠泾，沈四白马。使使责让高以盗贼事。高惧，乃阴与其婿咸阳令阎乐、其弟赵成谋曰：“上不听谏，今事急，欲归祸于吾宗。吾欲易置上，更立公子婴。子婴仁俭，百姓皆载其言。”使郎中令为内应，诈为有大贼，令乐召吏发卒，追劫乐母置高舍。遣乐将吏卒千馀人至望夷宫殿门，缚卫令仆射，曰：“贼入此，何不止？”卫令曰：“周庐设卒甚谨，安得贼敢入宫？”乐遂斩卫令，直将吏入，行射，郎宦者大惊，或走或格，格者辄死，死者数十人。郎中令与乐俱入，射上幄坐帏。二世怒，召左右，左右皆惶扰不鬬。旁有宦者一人，侍不敢去。二世入内，谓曰：“公何不蚤告我？乃至于此！”宦者曰：“臣不敢言，故得全。使臣蚤言，皆已诛，安得至今？”阎乐前即二世数曰：“足下骄恣，诛杀无道，天下共畔足下，足下其自为计。”二世曰：“丞相可得见否？”乐曰：“不可。”二世曰：“吾愿得一郡为王。”弗许。又曰：“愿为万户侯。”弗许。曰：“愿与妻子为黔首，比诸公子。”阎乐曰：“臣受命于丞相，为天下诛足下，足下虽多言，臣不敢报。”麾其兵进。二世自杀。 |
| | Zhao Gao had previously claimed many times, "The rebels in Guandong cannot accomplish anything," but when Xiang Yu captured the Qin general Wang Li and others at Julu and advanced forward, Zhang Han's forces were repeatedly driven back. Zhang Han sent a memorial requesting reinforcements. Yan, Zhao, Qi, Chu, Han, and Wei had all declared themselves kings. From Guan Pass eastward, most of the region had rebelled against Qin officials and joined the feudal lords; all these lords led their armies westward toward the capital. Pang Gong, leading tens of thousands of troops, had already captured Wuguan and sent envoys secretly to Zhao Gao. Fearing Emperor Er Shi's anger might bring punishment upon himself, Zhao Gao claimed illness and refused to attend court audiences. Emperor Er Shi dreamed that a white tiger bit his left side horse, and he killed it; afterward, he felt unhappy and consulted diviners about the dream. The divination said: "It is an omen from the Jing River." Emperor Er Shi then observed a purification ritual at Wangyi Palace, intending to offer sacrifices to the Jing River by casting four white horses into it. He sent envoys to reprimand Zhao Gao for his failure in dealing with the rebels. Zhao Gao was terrified and secretly conspired with his son-in-law Yan Le, the commandant of Xianyang, and his brother Zhao Cheng: "The emperor will not listen to advice. Now that matters are urgent, he wants to place blame on our family." "I want to depose the emperor and install Prince Ying as his replacement." "Prince Ying is kind and frugal, and the people all support him." He instructed the Minister of Palace Attendants to act as an inside supporter, falsely claiming there was a major bandit. He ordered Yan Le to summon officials and raise troops, then captured Yan Le's mother and placed her in Zhao Gao's residence. He sent Yan Le, leading over a thousand officials and soldiers, to the gate of Wangyi Palace. They bound the palace guards and asked the chief officer: "Bandits have entered here—why did you not stop them?" The chief officer replied: "The palace guards and sentries were very vigilant. How could bandits dare enter the palace?" Yan Le then beheaded the chief officer and led his men straight in, shooting as they went. The palace attendants were greatly alarmed; some fled while others resisted, but those who resisted were killed on the spot—dozens died. The Minister of Palace Attendants entered with Yan Le and shot at the emperor's canopy-draped seat. Emperor Er Shi was enraged, summoned his attendants, but they were all in a panic and refused to fight. Only one eunuch remained nearby, serving out of fear yet unable to leave. Emperor Er Shi went inside and said to him: "Why did you not warn me earlier?" So that I would be in this situation!" The eunuch replied: "I dared not speak, and so my life was spared. "If I had spoken earlier, we would all have been executed by now—how could I still be alive today?" Yan Le stepped forward and said to Emperor Er Shi: "Your Majesty has been arrogant and tyrannical, committing unjust killings. The whole world now rebels against you. You must make your own decision." Emperor Er Shi asked: "Might I see the chancellor?" Yan Le replied: "No." Emperor Er Shi said: "I wish to be made the king of one commandery." It was not permitted. He then said: "Then let me be a marquis of ten thousand households." It was not permitted. He said: "Then let me and my wife and children be commoners, like the other imperial sons." Yan Le said: "I have received orders from the chancellor to kill you for the sake of the empire. Although you say much, I dare not respond." He signaled his troops forward. Emperor Er Shi committed suicide.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
阎乐归报赵高，赵高乃悉召诸大臣公子，告以诛二世之状。曰：“秦故王国，始皇君天下，故称帝。今六国复自立，秦地益小，乃以空名为帝，不可。宜为王如故，便。”立二世之兄子公子婴为秦王。以黔首葬二世杜南宜春苑中。令子婴斋，当庙见，受王玺。斋五日，子婴与其子二人谋曰：“丞相高杀二世望夷宫，恐群臣诛之，乃详以义立我。我闻赵高乃与楚约，灭秦宗室而王关中。今使我斋见庙，此欲因庙中杀我。我称病不行，丞相必自来，来则杀之。”高使人请子婴数辈，子婴不行，高果自往，曰：“宗庙重事，王柰何不行？”子婴遂刺杀高于斋宫，三族高家以徇咸阳。子婴为秦王四十六日，楚将沛公破秦军入武关，遂至霸上，使人约降子婴。子婴即系颈以组，白马素车，奉天子玺符，降轵道旁。沛公遂入咸阳，封宫室府库，还军霸上。居月馀，诸侯兵至，项籍为从长，杀子婴及秦诸公子宗族。遂屠咸阳，烧其宫室，虏其子女，收其珍宝货财，诸侯共分之。灭秦之后，各分其地为三，名曰雍王、塞王、翟王，号曰三秦。项羽为西楚霸王，主命分天下王诸侯，秦竟灭矣。后五年，天下定于汉。 |
| | Yan Le returned and reported to Zhao Gao, who then summoned all the ministers and imperial sons, informing them of Emperor Er Shi's execution. He said: "Qin was originally a kingdom; the First Emperor ruled over all under heaven, hence he assumed the title of emperor. Now that the six states have once again declared themselves independent and Qin's territory has become even smaller, it is inappropriate to continue using an empty title of emperor. It would be better to revert to being a king as before." They then installed Gongzi Ying, the nephew of Emperor Er Shi, as King of Qin. Emperor Er Shi was buried in the Yichun Garden to the south of Du with the rites for a commoner. They ordered Gongzi Ying to observe a period of purification, and he was to appear at the ancestral temple and receive the king's seal. After five days of purification, Gongzi Ying and his two sons plotted: "The chancellor Zhao Gao killed Emperor Er Shi at Wangyi Palace. Fearing that the ministers would execute him, he pretended to place me on the throne out of righteousness. I have heard that Zhao Gao has made an agreement with Chu to exterminate the Qin imperial family and rule Guanzhong as a king. Now he is making me observe purification rites at the ancestral temple; this must be an attempt to kill me there." "I will claim illness and refuse to go. The chancellor will surely come himself, and when he does, we shall kill him." Zhao Gao sent several envoys to summon Gongzi Ying, but he refused to go. Zhao Gao then went in person and said: "The ancestral temple ceremony is a matter of great importance; how can you refuse to attend?" Gongzi Ying then assassinated Zhao Gao in the purification palace and publicly executed three generations of his family in Xianyang as a warning. Gongzi Ying had been King of Qin for only forty-six days when the Chu general Pei Gong defeated the Qin forces and entered Wuguan Pass, advancing to Baling. He then sent envoys to offer terms for Gongzi Ying's surrender. Gongzi Ying tied a ribbon around his neck, rode in a white horse and plain chariot, carried the imperial seal and symbols of authority, and surrendered by the roadside at Zhi. Pei Gong then entered Xianyang, sealed off the palaces, government offices, and treasuries, and withdrew his troops back to Baling. After more than a month, the armies of the feudal lords arrived. Xiang Ji, as supreme commander, killed Gongzi Ying and all the remaining members of the Qin imperial family. He then sacked Xianyang, burned its palaces, took captive the men and women of Qin, seized its treasures and wealth, which were divided among the feudal lords. After the fall of Qin, the territory was divided into three parts and given to three rulers: King Yong, King Sai, and King Zhai. These were collectively known as Sanqin (Three Qins). Xiang Yu became the Hegemon-King of Western Chu and assumed authority to divide the empire among the feudal lords, and thus Qin was finally extinguished. Five years later, the empire was unified under Han.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
太史公曰：秦之先伯翳，尝有勋于唐虞之际，受土赐姓。及殷夏之闲微散。至周之衰，秦兴，邑于西垂。自缪公以来，稍蚕食诸侯，竟成始皇。始皇自以为功过五帝，地广三王，而羞与之侔。善哉乎贾生推言之也！曰： |
| | Grand Historian said: The ancestors of Qin, Boyi, had once rendered meritorious service during the time of Tang and Yu, and were granted land and a surname as a reward. During the transition between Yin and Xia dynasties, they gradually declined and became obscure. By the time of Zhou's decline, Qin rose to prominence and established its fief in Xichui (the western frontier). Since Duke Mu, they gradually devoured the feudal states like silkworms eating mulberry leaves, eventually becoming the First Emperor. The First Emperor considered his achievements to surpass those of the Five Emperors and his territory to be broader than that of the Three Kings, and thus he was ashamed to rank equal with them. How well Jia Sheng put it in his analysis! He said:
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦并兼诸侯山东三十馀郡，缮津关，据险塞，修甲兵而守之。然陈涉以戍卒散乱之众数百，奋臂大呼，不用弓戟之兵，锄櫌白梃，望屋而食，横行天下。秦人阻险不守，关梁不阖，长戟不刺，强弩不射。楚师深入，战于鸿门，曾无藩篱之艰。于是山东大扰，诸侯并起，豪俊相立。秦使章邯将而东征，章邯因以三军之众要市于外，以谋其上。群臣之不信，可见于此矣。子婴立，遂不寤。藉使子婴有庸主之材，仅得中佐，山东虽乱，秦之地可全而有，宗庙之祀未当绝也。 |
| | "Qin annexed more than thirty commanderies in the region east of Mount Hangu, repaired river crossings and passes, occupied strategic fortresses, maintained military equipment, and defended them. Yet Chen She, with only a few hundred scattered conscripts and disorderly troops, raised his arm and cried out in defiance. He did not use bows or halberds but wielded hoes and sticks, eating from house to house as he marched across the land at will. The people of Qin failed to defend their natural barriers, did not close the passes and bridges, did not raise their long halberds for attack, nor did they fire their powerful crossbows. The Chu forces advanced deep into Qin territory and fought at Hongmen Pass without encountering even the slightest difficulty in crossing defenses. At that time, great turmoil erupted east of Mount Hangu; feudal lords rose up together and ambitious men declared themselves rulers. Qin sent Zhang Han to lead an eastern campaign, but Zhang Han used his entire army as leverage in negotiations with the enemy outside the capital and plotted against his sovereign. The lack of loyalty among Qin's ministers is clearly evident from this incident. When Gongzi Ying took the throne, he still failed to realize the truth. Had Gongzi Ying possessed even mediocre leadership and merely had competent advisors, Qin's territory could have been preserved intact despite the chaos in the east, and the ancestral sacrifices would not have come to an end.
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秦地被山带河以为固，四塞之国也。自缪公以来，至于秦王，二十馀君，常为诸侯雄。岂世世贤哉？其势居然也。且天下尝同心并力而攻秦矣。当此之世，贤智并列，良将行其师，贤相通其谋，然困于阻险而不能进，秦乃延入战而为之开关，百万之徒逃北而遂坏。岂勇力智慧不足哉？形不利，势不便也。秦小邑并大城，守险塞而军，高垒毋战，闭关据厄，荷戟而守之。诸侯起于匹夫，以利合，非有素王之行也。其交未亲，其下未附，名为亡秦，其实利之也。彼见秦阻之难犯也，必退师。安土息民，以待其敝，收弱扶罢，以令大国之君，不患不得意于海内。贵为天子，富有天下，而身为禽者，其救败非也。 |
| | The land of Qin was protected by mountains on one side and rivers on another, making it a naturally fortified country surrounded by four barriers. From Duke Mu to King Qin, over twenty rulers, they were consistently the dominant power among the feudal states. Were all of them truly wise generation after generation? It was simply the result of their advantageous position. Moreover, once all under heaven had united in purpose and strength to attack Qin. At that time, wise and capable men stood side by side; able generals led their armies, and virtuous ministers coordinated strategies. Yet they were hindered by Qin's natural barriers and could not advance. Qin then invited them to battle and opened its gates, causing hundreds of thousands of attackers to flee in defeat and ultimately collapse. Was it because their courage, strength, or wisdom were lacking? No—it was simply that the terrain and strategic situation worked against them. Qin combined small towns into large fortified cities, stationed troops at strategic passes and fortresses, built high walls without engaging in battle, closed the gates to control key positions, and defended with halberds. The feudal lords who rose from commoners united only for their own interests; they did not possess the moral authority of a true Son of Heaven. Their alliances were not close, and their subordinates had not yet pledged loyalty; though they claimed to have destroyed Qin, in reality, it was for their own benefit. They saw how difficult it was to breach Qin's defenses and naturally withdrew their troops. If they had allowed the people to rest in peace, waited for their enemies' strength to wane, strengthened the weak and supported the exhausted, then commanded the rulers of great states, there would have been no fear of failing to achieve dominance over all under heaven. To be as noble as an emperor and as wealthy as the world, yet end up captured like a bird in a cage—this was because their efforts to save themselves from defeat were misguided.
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秦王足己不问，遂过而不变。二世受之，因而不改，暴虐以重祸。子婴孤立无亲，危弱无辅。三主惑而终身不悟，亡，不亦宜乎？当此时也，世非无深虑知化之士也，然所以不敢尽忠拂过者，秦俗多忌讳之禁，忠言未卒于口而身为戮没矣。故使天下之士，倾耳而听，重足而立，钳口而不言。是以三主失道，忠臣不敢谏，智士不敢谋，天下已乱，奸不上闻，岂不哀哉！先王知雍蔽之伤国也，故置公卿大夫士，以饰法设刑，而天下治。其强也，禁暴诛乱而天下服。其弱也，五伯征而诸侯从。其削也，内守外附而社稷存。故秦之盛也，繁法严刑而天下振；及其衰也，百姓怨望而海内畔矣。故周五序得其道，而千馀岁不绝。秦本末并失，故不长久。由此观之，安危之统相去远矣。野谚曰“前事之不忘，后事之师也”。是以君子为国，观之上古，验之当世，参以人事，察盛衰之理，审权势之宜，去就有序，变化有时，故旷日长久而社稷安矣。 |
| | The kings of Qin trusted only themselves and did not seek counsel, so they persisted in their mistakes without change. Emperor Er Shi inherited this situation and made no changes; he grew increasingly tyrannical and deepened the calamity. Gongzi Ying was isolated without allies, weak and unsupported. Three rulers were deluded and never realized their mistakes until the end; thus, their downfall was entirely to be expected! At that time, the world was not lacking in wise and enlightened men who understood how to bring about change. Yet they dared not offer complete loyalty or correct their rulers' mistakes because Qin's customs were filled with prohibitions against criticism; before a loyal word could leave one's mouth, he would already be executed and his name erased. Thus, the scholars of all under heaven listened with bated breath, stood on tiptoe in fear, and clamped their mouths shut, unwilling to speak. This is why the three rulers lost their way: loyal ministers dared not advise, wise men dared not plan. When all under heaven was already in chaos, no one reported the treachery to the throne—how tragic! The ancient kings knew that being isolated from truth and obstructed by flattery would harm the state, so they appointed chancellors, ministers, officials, and scholars to uphold laws and establish punishments, thereby bringing order to all under heaven. When their power was strong, they suppressed violence and punished disorder, and the world submitted. When their strength waned, the Five Hegemons rose to dominance and the feudal lords followed them. When they were weakened further, they maintained internal stability and secured external alliances, thus preserving their state. Thus, when Qin was at its height, it imposed numerous laws and harsh punishments, and all under heaven trembled in awe; But by the time it declined, the common people resented and looked upon it with hopelessness, and rebellion spread throughout the empire. Therefore, Zhou followed five orderly systems in accordance with the Way, and its dynasty endured for over a thousand years without interruption. Qin lost both its fundamentals and its outward order, which is why it did not endure long. From this we can see that the difference between security and danger lies in how far one strays from the right path. A popular proverb says, "He who does not forget past events will find a teacher for future affairs." Therefore, a wise ruler governing the state should look to ancient times for guidance, verify with contemporary circumstances, consider human affairs, examine the principles of rise and decline, assess what is appropriate in terms of authority and power, act decisively when necessary, and adapt at the right time. In this way, he ensures long-term stability and peace for his state.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦孝公据淆函之固，拥雍州之地，君臣固守而窥周室，有席卷天下，包举宇内，囊括四海之意，并吞八荒之心。当是时，商君佐之，内立法度，务耕织，修守战之备，外连衡而鬬诸侯，于是秦人拱手而取西河之外。 |
| | King Xiao of Qin occupied the strong position of Xiaohan and controlled Yongzhou. His rulers and ministers firmly held their ground, watching for an opportunity to challenge the Zhou dynasty. They harbored ambitions to sweep across the world, encompass all within its borders, enclose the four seas in a bag, and swallow up the eight directions. At that time, Shang Jun assisted him by establishing laws and regulations internally, encouraging agriculture and weaving, and preparing for defense and war. Externally, he pursued a policy of horizontal alliances to contend with the feudal lords. Thus, the people of Qin easily captured territory beyond the Xihe River.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝公既没，惠王、武王蒙故业，因遗册，南兼汉中，西举巴、蜀，东割膏腴之地，收要害之郡。诸侯恐惧，会盟而谋弱秦，不爱珍器重宝肥美之地，以致天下之士，合从缔交，相与为一。当是时，齐有孟尝，赵有平原，楚有春申，魏有信陵。此四君者，皆明知而忠信，宽厚而爱人，尊贤重士，约从离衡，并韩、魏、燕、楚、齐、赵、宋、卫、中山之众。于是六国之士有宁越、徐尚、苏秦、杜赫之属为之谋，齐明、周最、陈轸、昭滑、楼缓、翟景、苏厉、乐毅之徒通其意，吴起、孙膑、带佗、儿良、王廖、田忌、廉颇、赵奢之朋制其兵。常以十倍之地，百万之众，叩关而攻秦。秦人开关延敌，九国之师逡巡遁逃而不敢进。秦无亡矢遗镞之费，而天下诸侯已困矣。于是从散约解，争割地而奉秦。秦有馀力而制其敝，追亡逐北，伏尸百万，流血漂卤。因利乘便，宰割天下，分裂河山，强国请服，弱国入朝。延及孝文王、庄襄王，享国日浅，国家无事。 |
| | After King Xiao's death, Kings Hui and Wu inherited his legacy and followed the established policies. They annexed Hanzhong to the south, captured Ba and Shu to the west, carved out fertile lands to the east, and seized key strategic commanderies. The feudal lords were alarmed and formed alliances to weaken Qin. They spared no precious treasures, valuable artifacts, or fertile lands in order to attract scholars from all under heaven, uniting them through vertical alliances into a single force. At that time, Qi had Mengchang, Zhao had Pingyuan, Chu had Chunshen, and Wei had Xinling. These four lords were all wise and trustworthy, broad-minded and compassionate. They respected the virtuous and valued scholars, forming vertical alliances to break horizontal ones, uniting the forces of Han, Wei, Yan, Chu, Qi, Zhao, Song, Wei, and Zhongshan. At that time, scholars from the six states such as Ningyue, Xushang, Su Qin, and Du He served as their strategists. Scholars like Qiming, Zhou Zui, Chen Zhen, Zhao Hua, Lou Huan, Di Jing, Su Li, and Yue Yi conveyed their intentions. Military leaders including Wu Qi, Sun Bin, Dai Tuo, Erliang, Wang Liao, Tian Ji,廉颇 (Lian Po), and Zhao She commanded their armies. They often attacked Qin with ten times the territory and a million troops, pounding at its gates in war. The people of Qin opened their gates to receive the enemy, yet the armies of nine states hesitated and fled without daring to advance. Qin suffered no loss of arrows or bolts, yet all the feudal lords were already exhausted. Thus, the vertical alliances collapsed and treaties dissolved; the states competed to offer land as tribute to Qin. Qin, with remaining strength, took advantage of their exhaustion and pursued the defeated forces, leaving hundreds of thousands of corpses lying on the battlefield and blood flowing so much it could float shields. Taking advantage of favorable circumstances, Qin carved up the world, divided rivers and mountains; powerful states requested submission while weak ones came to court. Extending into the reigns of King Xiaowenwang and Qin Zhuangxiang Wang, their time on the throne was brief, and there were no major events in the state.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
及至秦王，续六世之馀烈，振长策而御宇内，吞二周而亡诸侯，履至尊而制六合，执棰拊以鞭笞天下，威振四海。南取百越之地，以为桂林、象郡，百越之君俛首系颈，委命下吏。乃使蒙恬北筑长城而守藩篱，却匈奴七百馀里，胡人不敢南下而牧马，士不敢弯弓而报怨。于是废先王之道，焚百家之言，以愚黔首。堕名城，杀豪俊，收天下之兵聚之咸阳，销锋铸鐻，以为金人十二，以弱黔首之民。然后斩华为城，因河为津，据亿丈之城，临不测之溪以为固。良将劲弩守要害之处，信臣精卒陈利兵而谁何，天下以定。秦王之心，自以为关中之固，金城千里，子孙帝王万世之业也。 |
| | When it came to the First Emperor of Qin, he continued the legacy of six generations, raised his long whip to rule within the realm, swallowed the two Zhou dynasties and eliminated all feudal lords, ascended to supreme authority and controlled the entire world. He wielded a stick to punish the people under heaven, and his might reverberated across the four seas. To the south he conquered the lands of Baiyue, establishing Guilin and Xiang commanderies. The chieftains of Baiyue bowed their heads with necks bound, surrendering to low-ranking officials. He then dispatched Meng Tian to build the Great Wall in the north as a defensive barrier, repelling the Xiongnu over seven hundred li. The Hu people dared not descend southward to pasture their horses, and soldiers did not dare bend their bows to take revenge. Thus, he abolished the ways of previous kings, burned the writings of a hundred schools of thought in order to delude the common people. He destroyed famous walled cities, killed the heroic and talented, collected all weapons from across the land to gather in Xianyang, melted sharp blades into bells, casting twelve golden statues, in order to weaken the common people. Then he cut through Mount Hua to build a city wall and used the Yellow River as a ferry crossing, occupying a ten-thousand-zhang high fortress and facing an unfathomable ravine for defense. Valiant generals with powerful crossbows guarded key strategic locations, while loyal ministers and elite soldiers stood ready with sharp weapons to question anyone. Thus the world was pacified. The First Emperor of Qin believed that the security of Guanzhong, with its golden city walls stretching for a thousand li, would be an eternal imperial legacy for his descendants.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦王既没，馀威振于殊俗。陈涉，瓮牖绳枢之子，氓隶之人，而迁徙之徒，才能不及中人，非有仲尼、墨翟之贤，陶朱、猗顿之富，蹑足行伍之闲，而倔起什伯之中，率罢散之卒，将数百之众，而转攻秦。斩木为兵，揭竿为旗，天下云集响应，赢粮而景从，山东豪俊遂并起而亡秦族矣。 |
| | After the First Emperor's death, Qin's remaining might still reverberated among distant peoples. Chen She was the son of a man with a clay window and rope door latch, a common laborer who had been exiled. His talent did not surpass that of an average person; he lacked the virtue of Confucius or Mozi, nor the wealth of Tao Zhu or Yidun. Rising from among the ranks of foot soldiers, he suddenly emerged as a leader in his hundred-man unit, commanding a few hundred dispirited and scattered troops to turn against Qin. They cut down trees for weapons and raised poles as banners. The people from all over the land gathered like clouds in response, carrying their own provisions to follow him like shadows. Thus, heroes and talented men from east of the mountains rose up together and brought about the downfall of the Qin clan.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
且夫天下非小弱也，雍州之地，淆函之固自若也。陈涉之位，非尊于齐、楚、燕、赵、韩、魏、宋、卫、中山之君；锄櫌棘矜，非锬于句戟长铩也；适戍之众，非抗于九国之师；深谋远虑，行军用兵之道，非及乡时之士也。然而成败异变，功业相反也。试使山东之国与陈涉度长洁大，比权量力，则不可同年而语矣。然秦以区区之地，千乘之权，招八州而朝同列，百有馀年矣。然后以六合为家，淆函为宫，一夫作难而七庙堕，身死人手，为天下笑者，何也？仁义不施而攻守之势异也。 |
| | Moreover, the world was not smaller or weaker; the land of Yongzhou and the strategic strength of Xiaohan remained as before. Chen She's position was not more exalted than that of the rulers of Qi, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Han, Wei, Song, Wei, or Zhongshan; His farming tools and thorny sticks were no sharper than the curved halberds and long spears; The conscripted soldiers he led were not a match for the armies of the nine states; His strategies, long-term planning, and methods of military command did not equal those of the scholars from previous times. Yet their successes and failures were different, and their achievements opposite. If one were to compare the states east of the mountain with Chen She in terms of length and breadth, or weigh their power and strength, they could not be mentioned in the same breath. Yet Qin, with its small territory and power of a thousand chariots, was able to bring eight provinces under subjugation and make fellow feudal lords come to court for more than one hundred years. Then, regarding the entire world as his home and Xiaohan as his palace, when a single man rose in rebellion, seven ancestral temples were destroyed. His body perished by another's hand, becoming a laughingstock to all under heaven—why was this so? It is because benevolence and righteousness were not practiced, leading to a reversal in the balance of attack and defense.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦并海内，兼诸侯，南面称帝，以养四海，天下之士斐然乡风，若是者何也？曰：近古之无王者久矣。周室卑微，五霸既殁，令不行于天下，是以诸侯力政，强侵弱，众暴寡，兵革不休，士民罢敝。今秦南面而王天下，是上有天子也。既元元之民冀得安其性命，莫不虚心而仰上，当此之时，守威定功，安危之本在于此矣。 |
| | Qin unified the realm, annexed the feudal lords, faced south to assume imperial title, and ruled over all under heaven. Scholars from across the world flocked toward its culture—why was this so? It is said: for a long time in recent antiquity there had been no true emperor. The Zhou dynasty had become weak and humble, the Five Hegemons were already dead, and royal commands could not be enforced throughout the land. Therefore, feudal lords wielded power through force; the strong invaded the weak, the numerous oppressed the few, warfare never ceased, and both soldiers and civilians became exhausted. Now Qin faces south to rule over all under heaven; this means there is an emperor above. The common people, longing for peace and safety of their lives, all looked up to the emperor with sincerity. At this time, preserving power and securing achievements—this was where the foundation of stability or peril lay.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
秦王怀贪鄙之心，行自奋之智，不信功臣，不亲士民，废王道，立私权，禁文书而酷刑法，先诈力而后仁义，以暴虐为天下始。夫并兼者高诈力，安定者贵顺权，此言取与守不同术也。秦离战国而王天下，其道不易，其政不改，是其所以取之守之者［无］异也。孤独而有之，故其亡可立而待。借使秦王计上世之事，并殷周之迹，以制御其政，后虽有淫骄之主而未有倾危之患也。故三王之建天下，名号显美，功业长久。 |
| | The First Emperor of Qin harbored greedy and narrow-minded intentions, acted with self-serving wisdom, did not trust meritorious ministers or care for the people. He abandoned the royal way, established private authority, banned written records while enforcing harsh laws and punishments, valued deceit and force over benevolence and righteousness, and thus began an era of tyranny for all under heaven. Those who seek to conquer value deception and force; those who seek stability prize harmony and authority. This is the saying that the methods of taking and holding power are different. Qin emerged from the Warring States to rule all under heaven, yet its methods and policies remained unchanged—thus, the way it took power was no different from how it sought to hold onto it. Isolated in its rule over all things, its downfall could be expected immediately. Had the First Emperor of Qin considered the affairs of previous generations and followed the examples of Yin and Zhou to regulate his governance, then even later rulers who were licentious or arrogant would not have faced imminent danger. Therefore, the Three Kings established their rule over the world with illustrious titles and enduring achievements.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
今秦二世立，天下莫不引领而观其政。夫寒者利裋褐而饥者甘糟糠，天下之嗷嗷，新主之资也。此言劳民之易为仁也。乡使二世有庸主之行，而任忠贤，臣主一心而忧海内之患，缟素而正先帝之过，裂地分民以封功臣之后，建国立君以礼天下，虚囹圉而免刑戮，除去收帑污秽之罪，使各反其乡里，发仓廪，散财币，以振孤独穷困之士，轻赋少事，以佐百姓之急，约法省刑以持其后，使天下之人皆得自新，更节修行，各慎其身，塞万民之望，而以威德与天下，天下集矣。即四海之内，皆欢各自安乐其处，唯恐有变，虽有狡猾之民，无离上之心，则不轨之臣无以饰其智，而暴乱之奸止矣。二世不行此术，而重之以无道，坏宗庙与民，更始作阿房宫，繁刑严诛，吏治刻深，赏罚不当，赋敛无度，天下多事，吏弗能纪，百姓困穷而主弗收恤。然后奸伪并起，而上下相遁，蒙罪者众，刑戮相望于道，而天下苦之。自君卿以下至于众庶，人怀自危之心，亲处穷苦之实，咸不安其位，故易动也。是以陈涉不用汤武之贤，不藉公侯之尊，奋臂于大泽而天下响应者，其民危也。故先王见始终之变，知存亡之机，是以牧民之道，务在安之而已。天下虽有逆行之臣，必无响应之助矣。故曰“安民可与行义，而危民易与为非”，此之谓也。贵为天子，富有天下，身不免于戮杀者，正倾非也。是二世之过也。 |
| | Now that Qin's Second Emperor has ascended the throne, all under heaven look forward eagerly to observing his governance. The cold find warmth in rough cloth; the hungry are content with bran and chaff. The suffering people of the world are a resource for a new ruler. This is to say that it is easy to show benevolence toward weary and oppressed people. Had the Second Emperor possessed the conduct of an ordinary ruler and entrusted power to loyal and virtuous ministers, with emperor and subjects united in worrying over the people's hardships, wearing plain robes to correct his predecessor's mistakes, dividing land and people to enfeoff the descendants of meritorious officials, establishing states and appointing rulers according to rites for all under heaven, emptying prisons and pardoning punishments, abolishing laws that confiscated families or defiled reputations, allowing people to return to their hometowns, opening granaries and distributing wealth to support the lonely and impoverished, reducing taxes and burdens to relieve the urgent needs of the common folk, simplifying laws and lessening punishments for future stability—then all under heaven would have been able to reform themselves, cultivate virtue, and carefully conduct their lives. This would have fulfilled the people's expectations, and through authority and virtue, he could have united the world. Then within the four seas, all would rejoice and find peace in their places, fearing only change. Even if there were cunning people, they would have no desire to oppose authority; thus, unscrupulous ministers could not display their schemes, and violent rebels would be brought to a halt. The Second Emperor did not follow this path, but instead imposed tyranny upon the people, destroying ancestral temples and disturbing the populace. He initiated construction of the Afang Palace anew, enforced harsh punishments and severe executions, appointed officials who governed with cruelty, awarded rewards and punishments unjustly, levied taxes without restraint, caused chaos throughout the land, overwhelmed local officials to the point they could not manage affairs, and left the people in dire straits while the ruler showed no concern or compassion. Then, fraud and deceit arose together, with officials at all levels evading responsibility. Many were wrongly accused; along the roads, those awaiting execution could be seen in droves, and the people of the world suffered greatly from this. From the emperor and high officials down to common people, everyone harbored fears for their own safety. They personally endured hardship and poverty, feeling insecure in their positions, so they were easily stirred into action. Therefore, Chen She did not need the virtue of Tang and Wu or the prestige of dukes and marquises; when he raised his arm in Daze, all under heaven responded—because the people were on the brink of peril. Therefore, previous kings observed the changes from beginning to end and understood the keys to survival or destruction; thus, their way of governing the people was simply to ensure stability. Even if there were rebellious ministers in all under heaven, they would surely find no support or response. Hence it is said: "Stable people can be guided toward righteousness, while those in peril are easily led to wrongdoing." This is what that means. Though noble as an emperor and rich with all under heaven, if one cannot escape being killed, it is because of a wrong course. This was the fault of the Second Emperor.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
襄公立，享国十二年。初为西畤。葬西垂。生文公。 |
| | King Xianggong reigned and ruled for twelve years. 隆重 Initially, the Western Shrine was established. He was buried in Xichui. He fathered King Wengong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
文公立，居西垂宫。五十年死，葬西垂。生静公。 |
| | King Wengong ascended the throne and resided in Xichui Palace. He died after fifty years of reign, buried in Xichui. He fathered King Jinggong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
静公不享国而死。生宪公。 |
| | King Jinggong did not rule for long before dying. He fathered King Xianggong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
宪公享国十二年，居西新邑。死，葬衙。生武公、德公、出子。 |
| | King Xianggong ruled for twelve years and resided in Xin Yi to the west. He died and was buried at Ya. He fathered King Wugong, King Degong, and Chuzi.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
出子享国六年，居西陵。庶长弗忌、威累、参父三人，率贼贼出子鄙衍，葬衙。武公立。 |
| | Chuzi ruled for six years and resided in Xiling. Three men, Shuchang Fui, Weilai, and Canfu, led a band of outlaws who assassinated Chuzi at Biyan. He was buried in Ya. King Wugong ascended the throne.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
武公享国二十年。居平阳封宫。葬宣阳聚东南。三庶长伏其罪。德公立。 |
| | King Wugong ruled for twenty years. He resided in Fenggong, Pingyang. He was buried to the southeast of Xuanyangju. Three Shuchangs confessed their crimes and were punished accordingly. King Degong ascended the throne.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
德公享国二年。居雍大郑宫。生宣公、成公、缪公。葬阳。初伏，以御蛊。 |
| | King Degong ruled for two years. He resided in Dazhenggong, Yong. He fathered King Xuangong, King Chenggong, and King Moupus. He was buried in Yang. Initially, sacrifices were made to ward off malevolent spirits.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
宣公享国十二年。居阳宫。葬阳。初志闰月。 |
| | King Xuangong ruled for twelve years. He resided in Yanggong. He was buried in Yang. The calendar first began to record intercalary months.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
成公享国四年，居雍之宫。葬阳。齐伐山戎、孤竹。 |
| | King Chenggong ruled for four years and resided in the palace at Yong. He was buried in Yang. Qi attacked Shanrong and Gudong.
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缪公享国三十九年。天子致霸。葬雍。缪公学著人。生康公。 |
| | King Moupus ruled for thirty-nine years. The Son of Heaven conferred the title of hegemon upon him. He was buried in Yong. King Moupus studied under the sage Zhuren. He fathered King Kanggong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
康公享国十二年。居雍高寝。葬竘社。生共公。 |
| | King Kanggong ruled for twelve years. He resided in Gaosui, Yong. He was buried at Qusha. He fathered King Gonggong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
共公享国五年，居雍高寝。葬康公南。生桓公。 |
| | King Gonggong ruled for five years and resided in Gaosui, Yōng. He was buried to the south of King Kanggong's tomb. He fathered King Huangong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
桓公享国二十七年。居雍太寝。葬义里丘北。生景公。 |
| | King Huangong ruled for twenty-seven years. He resided in Taishui, Yong. He was buried north of Yili Qiu. He fathered King Jinggong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
景公享国四十年。居雍高寝，葬丘里南。生毕公。 |
| | King Jinggong ruled for forty years. He resided in Gaoshui, Yong and was buried south of Qiuli. He fathered King Biping.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
毕公享国三十六年。葬车里北。生夷公。 |
| | King Biping ruled for thirty-six years. He was buried north of Cheli. He fathered King Yigong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
夷公不享国。死，葬左宫。生惠公。 |
| | King Yigong did not rule the country. He died and was buried in Zuogong. He fathered King Huigong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
惠公享国十年。葬车里（康景）。生悼公。 |
| | King Huigong ruled for ten years. He was buried at Cheli (Kangjing). He fathered King Daogong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
悼公享国十五年。葬僖公西。城雍。生剌龚公。 |
| | King Daogong ruled for fifteen years. He was buried west of King Xigong's tomb. They built the city of Yong. He fathered King Lagan Gong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
剌龚公享国三十四年。葬入里。生躁公、怀公。其十年，彗星见。 |
| | King Lagan Gong ruled for thirty-four years. He was buried in Ruli. He fathered King Zao Gong and King Huai Gong. In his tenth year, a comet appeared.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
躁公享国十四年。居受寝。葬悼公南。其元年，彗星见。 |
| | King Zao Gong ruled for fourteen years. He resided in Shouqin. He was buried to the south of Daogong's tomb. In his first year, a comet appeared.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
怀公从晋来。享国四年。葬栎圉氏。生灵公。诸臣围怀公，怀公自杀。 |
| | King Huai Gong came from Jin. He ruled for four years. He was buried at Liyu Shi. He fathered King Linggong. The ministers surrounded King Huai Gong, who then committed suicide.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
肃灵公，昭子子也。居泾阳。享国十年。葬悼公西。生简公。 |
| | King Linggong was the son of Zhaozi. He resided in Jingyang. He ruled for ten years. He was buried to the west of Daogong's tomb. He fathered King Jian Gong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
简公从晋来。享国十五年。葬僖公西。生惠公。其七年。百姓初带剑。 |
| | King Jian Gong came from Jin. He ruled for fifteen years. He was buried to the west of Xigong's tomb. He fathered King Huipus. In his seventh year, The common people began to wear swords for the first time.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
惠公享国十三年。葬陵圉。生出公。 |
| | King Huipus ruled for thirteen years. He was buried at Lingyu. He fathered King Chugong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
出公享国二年。出公自杀，葬雍。 |
| | King Chugong ruled for two years. King Chugong committed suicide and was buried in Yong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
献公享国二十三年。葬嚣圉。生孝公。 |
| | King Xianggong ruled for twenty-three years. He was buried at Xiaoyu. He fathered King Xiaogong.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝公享国二十四年。葬弟圉。生惠文王。其十三年，始都咸阳。 |
| | King Xiaogong ruled for twenty-four years. He was buried at Diyu. He fathered King Huwenwang. In his thirteenth year, the capital was first established in Xianyang.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
惠文王享国二十七年。葬公陵。生悼武王。 |
| | King Huwenwang ruled for twenty-seven years. He was buried at Gongling. He fathered King Dao Wuwang.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
悼武王享国四年，葬永陵。 |
| | King Dao Wuwang ruled for four years and was buried at Yongling.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
昭襄王享国五十六年。葬茝阳。生孝文王。 |
| | King Zhaoxiangwang ruled for fifty-six years. He was buried at Zhaiyang. He fathered King Xiaowenwang.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝文王享国一年。葬寿陵。生庄襄王。 |
| | King Xiaowenwang ruled for one year. He was buried at Shouling. He fathered King Zhuangxiangwang.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
庄襄王享国三年。葬茝阳。生始皇帝。吕不韦相。 |
| | King Zhuangxiangwang ruled for three years. He was buried at Zhaiyang He fathered Qin Shi Huangdi. Lü Buwei served as prime minister.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
献公立七年，初行为市。十年，为户籍相伍。 |
| | In the seventh year of King Xianggong's reign, markets were first established and regulated. In his tenth year, household registration was implemented with five-household units.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝公立十六年。时桃李冬华。 |
| | In the sixteenth year of King Xiaogong's reign. At that time, peach and plum trees bloomed in winter.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
惠文王生十九年而立。立二年，初行钱。有新生婴儿曰“秦且王”。 |
| | King Huwenwang was enthroned at the age of nineteen. In his second year, currency was first introduced. There was a newborn infant named "Qin Qiangwang."
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
悼武王生十九年而立。立三年，渭水赤三日。 |
| | King Dao Wuwang was enthroned at nineteen years old. In his third year, the Wei River turned red for three days.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
昭襄王生十九年而立。立四年，初为田开阡陌。 |
| | King Zhaoxiangwang was enthroned when he was nineteen years old. In his fourth year, farmland boundaries were first established by opening up fields and paths.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝文王生五十三年而立。 |
| | King Xiaowenwang was enthroned at fifty-three years old.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
庄襄王生三十二年而立。立二年，取太原地。庄襄王元年，大赦，修先王功臣，施德厚骨肉，布惠于民。东周与诸侯谋秦，秦使相国不韦诛之，尽入其国。秦不绝其祀，以阳人地赐周君，奉其祭祀。 |
| | King Zhuangxiang Wang was enthroned when he turned thirty-two. In his second year, Taiyuan territory was captured. In the first year of King Zhuangxiang Wang's reign, a general pardon was issued; rewards were given to meritorious ministers of previous kings; kindness and favor were extended to close relatives; and benevolence was bestowed upon the people. Dongzhou conspired with various feudal lords against Qin, so the State of Qin sent Chancellor Lu Buwei to punish them, completely annexing their territory. Qin did not extinguish their ancestral rites; it granted Yangren territory to the Zhou ruler, allowing him to continue the ancestral sacrifices.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
始皇享国三十七年。葬郦邑。生二世皇帝。始皇生十三年而立。 |
| | Shi Huangdi reigned for thirty-seven years. He was buried in Liyi. He had Emperor Er Shi as a son. Shi Huangdi was enthroned at thirteen years old.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
二世皇帝享国三年。葬宜春。赵高为丞相安武侯。二世生十二年而立。 |
| | Emperor Er Shi reigned for three years. He was buried in Yichun. Zhao Gao became Chancellor and the Marquis Anwu. Emperor Er Shi was enthroned at twelve years old.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
右秦襄公至二世，六百一十岁。 |
| | From You Qin Xianggong to Emperor Er Shi, it spanned 610 years.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
孝明皇帝十七年十月十五日乙丑，曰： |
| | On the Yichou day of the fifteenth of the tenth month in the seventeenth year of Emperor Xiaoming Huangdi's reign, it was said:
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
周历已移，仁不代母。秦直其位，吕政残虐。然以诸侯十三，并兼天下，极情纵欲，养育宗亲。三十七年，兵无所不加，制作政令，施于后王。盖得圣人之威，河神授图，据狼、狐，蹈参、伐，佐政驱除，距之称始皇。 |
| | The Zhou calendar has already changed; benevolence cannot replace a mother. Qin held its position uprightly, but Lü Zheng was cruel and oppressive. Yet by conquering thirteen feudal lords and uniting the empire under one rule, he indulged in unrestrained desires and provided for his relatives. In thirty-seven years, its military forces were deployed everywhere; laws and decrees established then were applied to later kings. Possibly having gained the might of a sage, with the River God presenting a map, occupying Lang and Hu, treading upon Shen and Fa, assisting in governance to drive away enemies, he resisted opposition and was thus called Shi Huang.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
始皇既殁，胡亥极愚，郦山未毕，复作阿房，以遂前策。云“凡所为贵有天下者，肆意极欲，大臣至欲罢先君所为”。诛斯、去疾，任用赵高。痛哉言乎！人头畜鸣。不威不伐恶，不笃不虚亡，距之不得留，残虐以促期，虽居形便之国，犹不得存。 |
| | After Shi Huang's death, Hu Hai was extremely foolish; before the Lishan Mausoleum was completed, he began construction of Afang Palace to continue previous plans. It is said: "Whoever values possessing the empire does so by indulging in unrestrained desires, with ministers even wishing to abandon what previous kings had done." Li Si and Qu Ji were executed; Zhao Gao was appointed instead. How painful are these words! Human heads and the cries of livestock. Without strength or punishment for evil, without firmness or truth to avoid destruction, resistance cannot hold out; cruelty only hastens the end. Even in a country with favorable geography, it still could not survive.
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| | 秦始皇本... : |
子婴度次得嗣，冠玉冠，佩华绂，车黄屋，从百司，谒七庙。小人乘非位，莫不恍忽失守，偷安日日，独能长念却虑，父子作权，近取于户牖之闲，竟诛猾臣，为君讨贼。高死之后，宾婚未得尽相劳，餐未及下咽，酒未及濡唇，楚兵已屠关中，真人翔霸上，素车婴组，奉其符玺，以归帝者。郑伯茅旌鸾刀，严王退舍。河决不可复壅，鱼烂不可复全。贾谊、司马迁曰：“向使婴有庸主之才，仅得中佐，山东虽乱，秦之地可全而有，宗庙之祀未当绝也。”秦之积衰，天下土崩瓦解，虽有周旦之材，无所复陈其巧，而以责一日之孤，误哉！俗传秦始皇起罪恶，胡亥极，得其理矣。复责小子，云秦地可全，所谓不通时变者也。纪季以酅，春秋不名。吾读秦纪，至于子婴车裂赵高，未尝不健其决，怜其志。婴死生之义备矣。 |
| | Ziying, upon succeeding to the throne in due order, wore a jade crown and adorned himself with embroidered sashes; he rode in a yellow-roofed carriage, followed by a hundred officials, and paid homage at the seven ancestral temples. Lowly men occupying improper positions all lost their composure, seeking only daily peace and comfort. Only he could maintain long-term vigilance and foresight; father and son acted decisively, drawing close from within the household, ultimately executing treacherous ministers and avenging the king by punishing rebels. After Zhao Gao's death, the wedding guests had not yet finished their toasts; food was still in his mouth and wine had barely touched his lips when Chu forces already razed Guanzhong. The true ruler flew over Bashang, arriving in a plain carriage with ribbons around its yoke, presenting the imperial seal and jade scepter to return them to the new emperor. Duke Zheng bore the ceremonial flag and bird-shaped blade; King Yan withdrew his troops. A breached river cannot be dammed again, and rotten fish cannot be restored to perfection. Jia Yi and Sima Qian said: "Had Ziying possessed the talent of an average ruler, had he merely received moderate assistance, even though Shandong was in chaos, Qin's territory could have been preserved intact, and the ancestral rites would not have perished." Qin's accumulated decline led to the collapse of its empire like crumbling earth and shattered tiles. Even had he possessed the talents of Zhou Dan, there was no opportunity left for him to display his skill; yet blame was placed on a lone ruler in one day—how mistaken that is! The common belief that Emperor Qin Shi Huang began the evils, and Hu Hai reached their peak, indeed captures the truth. To further blame a young man, claiming Qin's territory could have been saved, is to be what is called "ignorant of the changing times." Ji Ji offered Xi; in the Spring and Autumn Annals, he was not named. When I read the records of Qin's history and came to the account of Ziying having Zhao Gao torn apart by chariots, I have never failed to admire his resolve and feel sympathy for his determination. Ziying's understanding of life and death was complete.
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