144 Mount Zhifu 2

A6.30|31|32

The inscription on the east tower reads: "In the 29th year, the emperor went on a spring tour to inspect distant places. He came to the seaside, climbed Mount Zhifu, and faced the rising sun. Admiring the magnificent scenery, the accompanying ministers recalled the emperor's achievements and thought about the bright road that the Qin State had once traveled. When the wise laws were first implemented, they cleared up domestic troubles and quelled foreign riots. The Qin army's might was known far and wide, and it captured six kings. Expand territory, unify the world, eliminate disasters, and put an end to wars. The emperor is wise and never slacks off in governing the country. Important rules and regulations were established, weights and measures were standardized, and standards for carriages, horses and clothing were set. All the officials strictly abided by their duties and performed their responsibilities, and there was no room for suspicion in their work. The people changed their customs and habits, and the laws were the same regardless of distance. This had never happened since ancient times. Now that the conventions have been established, future generations should follow these principles and inherit this great achievement. The ministers praised the emperor's kindness and achievements, and engraved the eulogy on the stone tablet on Mount Zhifu.

Not long after, the First Emperor went to Langya and passed through Shangdang.

In the thirtieth year, nothing happened.

其东观曰：维二十九年，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。

旋，遂之琅邪，道上党入。

三十年，无事。

143 Mount Zhifu 1

A6.28|29

The First Emperor climbed Mount Zhifu, and had a stone carved. The words read:

In the 29th year, it was mid-spring, and the sun was just rising. The emperor traveled eastward, stopped at Mount Zhifu, and looked down at the sea. The accompanying ministers admired the sight and could not help but remember the great achievements and commemorate the origin. The great ruling sage established laws and regulations and made them clear. He taught the princes abroad, showed culture and grace, and enlightened them with righteousness and reason. The kings of the six countries were evil and perverse, cruel and greedy, and killed people without end. The emperor felt sorry for the people, so he sent troops to fight against them and promoted martial virtue. His just punishment and his honest actions spread his power to all places, and everyone submitted to him. He killed the tyrants, saved the people, and pacified the four corners of the country. He universally implemented the law, governed the world, and set an example forever. How great! The whole country obeyed the will of the sage. The ministers praised his merits and asked to carve it on the stone to be a common practice.

登之罘，刻石。其辞曰：

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。

142 Xiangjun then Bolangsha

A6.26|27

When the First Emperor returned, he passed through Pengcheng, where he fasted and offered sacrifices, hoping to salvage the Nine Tripod Cauldrons of the Zhou Dynasty from the Si River. He sent thousands of people to dive into the water to search for them, but they could not find them. So he crossed the Huai River to the southwest and headed for Hengshan County and Nanjun County. He sailed on the Yangtze River and came to Xiangshan to offer sacrifices. He encountered a strong wind and could hardly cross the Yangtze River. The First Emperor asked the doctor, "What kind of immortal is Xiangjun?" The doctor replied, "I heard that Xiangjun was the daughter of Yao and the wife of Shun, and was buried here after her death." So the First Emperor was very angry and ordered 3,000 serving criminals to cut down all the trees on Xiangshan, exposing the reddish-brown rocks. The First Emperor returned to the capital from Nanjun via Wuguan.

In the 29th year (218 BC), the First Emperor went on an inspection tour to the east. When he arrived at Bolangsha in Yangwu, he was frightened by an assassination attempt. The First Emperor ordered a pursuit, but he did not catch anyone, so he ordered a large-scale search across the country for ten days.

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：“湘君何神？”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。

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。

141 Langya Terrace 2

A6.24|25

The King of Qin annexed the world and established the title of Emperor, so he inspected the eastern territory and came to Langya County. The Marquis Wucheng Wang Li, the Marquis Tongwu Wang Ben, the Marquis Jiancheng Zhao Hai, the Marquis Changwu Cheng, the Marquis Wuxin Feng Wuze, the Prime Minister Wei Lin, the Prime Minister Wang Wan, the Minister Li Si, the Minister Wang Wu, the Five Great Officials Zhao Ying, and the Five Great Officials Yang Qiu accompanied him and discussed with the Emperor at the seaside, saying: "In ancient times, the territory of those who claimed to be emperors did not exceed a thousand miles. The princes guarded their own fiefdoms respectively. Some paid tribute, while others did not. They invaded each other, rebelled, and harmed the people. They fought endlessly, but they still set up stones to record their achievements. The Five Emperors and the Three Kings in ancient times promoted inconsistent teachings and implemented unclear laws. Indeed, relying on the power of ghosts and gods to deceive the people in distant places is not worthy of the name, so the country's fortune will not last long. These emperors themselves have not died, and the princes have already betrayed them, and the laws cannot be implemented. Now the emperor has unified the four seas and set up counties, and the world is peaceful and stable. Carry forward the virtues of the ancestors, practice the right way and promote virtue, and the title of honor is complete. The ministers jointly praise the merits of the emperor and engrave them on gold and stone, so as to set an example for future generations. " 

After the incident, Xu Fu and others from Qi County wrote a letter saying that there are three sacred mountains in the sea, named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, where immortals live. Xu Fu and others asked to fast and bathe, and lead boys and girls to find the sacred mountains. So the First Emperor sent Xu Fu to select thousands of boys and girls to go into the sea to find immortals. 

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。”

既已，齐人徐巿等上书，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。于是遣徐巿发童男女数千人，入海求仙人。

140 Langya Terrace 1

A6.22|23

When the First Emperor visited the south, he climbed Mount Langya and liked it very much. He stayed there for three months. He then moved 30,000 households to the foot of Langya Terrace and exempted them from taxes and labor service for 12 years. He ordered the construction of Langya Terrace and erected a stone with carvings to praise the merits of the Qin Dynasty and express his intentions. The inscription says:

In the 26th year, the First Emperor opened a new era, rectified laws and established the rules for all things. So the personnel and affairs are clarified, and the father and son work together. The wisdom of the emperor is benevolent and righteous, explicit and easy to understand. The emperor came to east pacify the regions and to inspect the soldiers. When it was close to be done, he arrived at the seaside. The emperor made outstanding contributions and worked hard for national affairs. He promoted agriculture and suppressed the insignificant commerce, and the common people lived a prosperous life. All followed the same path under the heaven, unifying the standards of measurements, and the characters of the writing. Wherever the sun and the moon shine, wherever boats and carriages go, all will live their lives to the fullest. It is the emperor's duty to take appropriate measures according to different opportunities. He rectified bad customs, crossed mountains and rivers to provide relief to the people, he has worked tirelessly from morning to night. He eliminate doubts, clarify laws, and make people aware of what to avoid. Officials perform their duties accordingly and all issues are dealt with in a concise and efficient manner. All measures are appropriate and there is no inconsistency. The emperor is full of wisdom and personally tours the four directions. The hierarchy of nobility and inferiority will not be transgressed. Treachery and evil are not tolerated, and everyone strives to be chaste and good. We should do our best in matters big and small, and not be lazy or neglectful. No matter whether we are far or near, or in remote places, we should be solemn and dignified, have upright morals and be loyal, and follow the rules. The emperor's virtue is boundless, and he blesses and stabilizes the four directions. He eliminates harm and punishes rioters, and promotes benefits for the people. He does things according to the seasons and develops various industries. The people are stable and harmonious, and no longer wage wars. The six relatives live in peace with each other, and there are no more thieves. They are happy to accept education and understand the laws and regulations. The whole world is the emperor's territory. To the west, it reaches the desert, to the south, the gates are open to the north. To the east, it reaches the East Sea, and to the north, it crosses Daxia. Wherever people go, everyone comes to pay tribute. The emperor's achievements surpass those of the five emperors, and his grace benefits livestock. Everyone is educated by virtue, and everyone lives and works in peace. 

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：

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，勤劳本事。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。奸邪不容，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。

139 Zennobling

A6.19|20|21

In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor traveled eastward to prefectures and counties and went up to Mount Zouyi. He had a stone set up and discussed with the Confucian scholars of Lu, the stone was carved to praise the virtues of Qin, and they further discussed the matter of zennobling (封禅fengshan) and worshiping mountains and rivers. Then he went up to Mount Tai, set up the stone, sealed it, and worshiped in the temple. On his way down, a storm came, he rested under a tree and then named the tree the Five Great Masters. He zennobled Mount Liangfu. The words engraved on the standing stone read:

When the emperor comes to the throne, he makes laws and regulations, and his subordinates revise them. After twenty and six years, when the world is united for the first time, and nobody dare to disobey. And he personally patrolled the people in distant places, climbed Mount Tai, and looked around to the East End. And he follows the ministers' deeds, stay focused on their careers, and only recite their merits. The way of governance is running things smoothly, and all productions are appropriate, and all follow their own laws. The great righteousness will never be forgotten, and it will be passed down to future generations. Follow it and don't abandon it. The emperor's obedience to the saints not only brought peace to the world but also made unremitting efforts to govern. He works hard from early morning till late night, builds long-term benefits and is especially good at teaching. The scriptures are taught and promulgated, and they are clear from far and near and inherit the holy will. There is a clear distinction between high and low, men and women are courteous, and they carefully obey their duties. The luminosity separates in or out, and the waste is never pure or clean.  These teachings are to be passed down to our heirs, who will extend it to infinity, abide by the edicts left behind, and uphold the precepts forever. 

The First Emperor then went eastward along the Bohai Sea, passed Huang and Shen, reached to the end of Chengshan Mountain, climbed Zhifu Mountain, erected a stone praising the merits of the Qin, then left.

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：

皇帝临位，作制明法，臣下脩饬。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。

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。