The Rise of the First Emperor of
China
Above
shows the state of Qin before 221 B.C.
Qin
was one of the 7 major states continually fighting wars against
other states. Prince Zheng was born in 259 B.C. in the state of
Qin. Prince Zheng was the son of the King of Qin. His father
passed away after ruling for 3 years, leaving him to succeed to
the throne in 246 B.C. when he was just 13 years old. As he was
still very young, the affairs of the state were managed by his
mother and the Prime Minister. At the end of 8 years, Prince
Zheng was ready to rule as King of Qin. He found out a plot to
rebel against him which was directed by the Prime Minister.
Prince Zheng removed the plotters and his Prime Minister was
forced to commit suicide. After being the King of Qin, Prince
Zheng sent his mighty army to conquer the other feudal states. By
221 B.C. he had defeated all 6 states and set up the Qin Dynasty.
Prince Zheng was no longer the ruler of a single state but of an
empire. He took on the title of 'Emperor'. The King of Qin called
himself Qin Shihuang or the 'First Emperor of Qin'. He was also
known as the ' First Emperor of China'.
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