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。

138 Triple Unifications

A6.17|18

The First Emperor divided the country into thirty-six counties, each with guardians, lieutenants, and supervisors. The people were renamed "Qianshou". A big feast was so ordered. All the weapons in the country were gathered together in Xianyang. After melting, they were cast into bells and twelve metal statues, each weighing a thousand stones, and placed in the palace. The standards of weights and measures were unified, the track of carriages were unified, and the characters of the text were unified. The territory of the Qin Dynasty stretched to the east to the sea and Korea, to the west to Lintao and Qiangzhong, to the south to the place where the windows opened to the north, and to the north with the Yellow River as a fortress, and the areas from the Yinshan Mountains to Liaodong. And he had 120,000 wealthy families moved across the country to Xianyang. The ancestral temples, Zhangtai and Shanglin of the Qin emperors were all south of the Wei River. Every time the Qin State eliminated a vassal state, it would imitate its palace style and build a palace on the hillside north of Xianyang, approaching the Wei River to the south. From the east of Yongmen to the Jing River and Wei River area, the palace complex roads and circular corridors were continuous. The beauties, bells and drums that the First Emperor snatched from the princely states were all filled up here. 

In the twenty-seventh year (220 BC), the First Emperor visited Longxi and Northland, came to Jitou Mountain, and passed by Huizhong. Changxin Palace was built south of the Weishui River, and soon it was renamed Ji Temple, symbolizing the North Star in the sky. A road was laid from Ji Temple to Lishan Mountain, and the front hall of Ganquan Palace was built. A corridor was built to connect Xianyang with it. This year, all were rewarded with one-class higher titles. And the express way was built.

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。

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。

137 All Counties

A6.15|16

Shi Huang promoted the theory of the five virtues of beginning and end, and believed that Zhou had the virtue of fire. When the Qin dynasty replaced the Zhou virtue, it was invincible. Now it was the beginning of the virtue of water, and the beginning of the year had been changed. The court celebrations all started on the first day of October. Clothes, flags, and banners were all black. The number six was used as a count. The talisman and the legal cap were both six inches, and the carriage is six feet, six feet is a step, and six horses were used. The river was renamed Deshui, literally, the virtue water, which was the beginning of the virtue of water. He is strong and resolute, and all matters are decided by law. He is harsh and cruel, and has no mercy, grace, and righteousness. Then he will meet the number of the Five Virtues. So he enforced the law urgently, and those who have been in power for a long time will not be pardoned. 

Prime Minister Wang Wan and others commented: "The princes have just been wiped out, and Yan, Qi, Chu and other places are very remote. If we don't set up vassal kings there, it will be impossible to stabilize the local people. I request that the prince be made king, and I hope the emperor can approve it." The First Emperor submitted their suggestions to the ministers for discussion, and they all thought it was appropriate. Court Captain Li Si suggested: "Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou enfeoffed many children with the same surname, but the blood relationship between the descendants became alienated. They attacked each other as enemies, and the princes fought against each other. The emperor of Zhou had no way to stop it. Now the whole country is unified by your majesty's spirit, and the rest are all counties. The sons and meritorious officials are rewarded with public taxes, which is easy to control. If there is no dissenting opinion in the world, it is a way to keep peace. It is inconvenient to set up princes."  The First Emperor said: "The world has suffered from endless fighting because of the princes and kings. Thanks to the ancestral temple, the world was initially settled, and now the country is established again. This means raising troops, and then asking for peace, isn't it difficult! The court captain’s opinion is right." 

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。

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：“天下共苦战斗不休，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。”

136 The First Huang Di

A6.14

Qin had just annexed the rest of the country. The King of Qin issued an order to his prime minister and imperial censors, saying, "In the past, the King of Han offered land and handed over his seal to Qin, and asked to become a vassal of Qin. Soon, he broke the agreement and joined forces with Zhao and Wei to rebel against Qin. So I sent troops to attack Han and captured the King of Han. I thought this was a good idea and might help to put an end to the war. The King of Zhao sent his prime minister Li Mu to conclude an alliance, so I returned the hostage to Zhao. Soon, Zhao broke the alliance and rebelled in Taiyuan, my country, so I sent troops to punish Zhao and captured the King of Zhao. Prince Jia of Zhao then declared himself King of Dai, so I sent troops to destroy him." . The King of Wei initially agreed to submit to Qin, but soon he planned to attack Qin with Han and Zhao. Qin's soldiers went to punish them and defeated them. The King of Chu ceded the land west of Qingyang, but soon he also violated the agreement and attacked Nanjun of our country. Therefore, I sent troops to punish Chu, captured the King of Chu, and finally pacified Chu. The King of Yan was incompetent and rebellious, and his Prince Dan secretly instructed Jing Ke to be an assassin. I sent soldiers to punish them and destroyed Yan. The King of Qi adopted Hou Sheng's strategy, cut off his contacts with Qin, and wanted to make trouble. I sent soldiers to punish them, captured the King of Qi, and pacified Qi. I relied on With my insignificant body, I sent troops to attack the rebellious countries. Thanks to the power of my ancestors, the kings of the six countries all confessed their crimes and surrendered, and the world was completely pacified. If I don't change my title now, I will not be able to praise my achievements and pass them down to future generations. The title of the Emperor is the matter to be discussed for your ministers." Prime Minister Wang Wan, Imperial Censor Feng Jie, Court Judge Li Si and others said: "In the past, the Five Emperors ruled an area of a thousand miles in radius, and the princes of the outer Houfu and Yifu regions could not control whether they came to pay tribute. Today, Your Majesty has raised an army of righteousness, punished the cruel bandits, and pacified the world. The whole country has been divided into counties and the laws are unified. This has never happened since ancient times and was beyond the reach of the Five Emperors. We seriously discussed with the doctors, 'In ancient times, there were Tianhuang the Emperor of Heaven, Dihuang the Emperor of Earth, and Taihuang the Emperor of Tai, among which the Emperor of Tai was the most honorable.' We risked our lives to offer the title of honor. The king will be called 'Emperor of Tai', the order will be called 'Edict', the command will be called 'Decree', and the emperor will call himself ‘Zhen myself '. " The King of Qin said: "Remove the prefix 'Tai', and keep the suffix 'Huang', and add the title of 'Di' like in ancient times, titled it ‘Huang Di the Emperor, and all others stayed as discussed." The decree said :"Okay!" And King Zhuang Xiang was posthumously honored as the Supreme Emperor. The decree said: "I have heard that in ancient times, people had titles but no posthumous titles. In the middle times, people had titles, and their deeds were used as posthumous titles after death. In this way, sons would criticize their fathers, and ministers would criticize their monarchs. This is pointless, and I do not accept it. From now on, the "Posthumous Title Law" will be abolished. I am the First Huang Di, The First Emperor. Future generations will count by the second, third, and even tenth thousands of generations, and the title will be passed down endlessly."

秦初并天下，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，死而以行为谥。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。”

135 Feast Under Heaven

A6.10|11|12|13

In the 22nd year (225 BC), Wang Ben attacked the State of Wei and diverted the water of the Yellow River to flood the city of Daliang. The city wall of Daliang was destroyed by the water. The King of Wei requested to surrender, and the State of Qin completely occupied the land of Wei. 

In the 23rd year (224 BC), the King of Qin summoned Wang Jian again and insisted on employing him and sending him to attack the State of Chu. The Qin army seized the land south of Chen County and all the way to Pingyu, and captured the King of Chu. The King of Qin went on a tour of Yingchen. The Chu general Xiang Yan made Lord Changping as the King of Chu and resisted the Qin army south of the Huai River. In the 24th year (223 BC), Wang Jian and Meng Wu attacked the State of Chu, defeated the Chu army, Lord Changping died, and Xiang Yan then committed suicide. 

In the 25th year (222 BC), Qin State sent a large army, led by Wang Ben, to attack Liaodong of Yan State and captured King Xi of Yan. The Qin army turned around and attacked Dai State and captured King Jia of Dai. Wang Jian finally pacified the Jiangnan region of Chu State, subdued the King of Yue, and established Kuaiji County. In May, the King of Qin ordered the whole country to gather for a feast. 

In the 26th year (221 BC), King Jian of Qi and his Prime Minister Hou Sheng mobilized soldiers to defend the western border of Qi and stopped communicating with Qin. The King of Qin sent General Wang Ben to attack Qi from the south of Yan and captured King Jian of Qi. 

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。

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。

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。

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。

134 Jing Ke

A6.6|7|8|9

In the 13th year (234 BC), Huan Yi attacked Pingyang of Zhao State, killed general Hu Zhe of Zhao, and beheaded 100,000. The King of Qin went to the south of the Yellow River. In the first month, a comet appeared in the east. In October, Huan Yi attacked Zhao State. In the 14th year (233 BC), he attacked the Zhao army in Pingyang, captured Yi'an, defeated the enemy army, and killed the enemy's general. Huan Yi pacified Pingyang and Wucheng. Han Fei was sent as an envoy to Qin State. The King of Qin adopted Li Si's strategy and detained Han Fei. Han Fei died in Yunyang. The King of Han requested to become a vassal of Qin State. 

In the 15th year (232 BC), Qin sent a large army, one army came to Ye County, another army came to Taiyuan, and captured Langmeng. There was an earthquake. In September of the 16th year (231 BC), Qin sent troops to take over the Nanyang area of Han and appointed Teng as the acting governor. Qin began to order all men in the country to register their age. Wei ceded land to Qin. Qin established Liyi. In the 17th year (230 BC), Court Bookkeeper Teng led army to attack Han and captured An the King of Han, and all his territory. Qin made Han as a county and named it Yingchuan. Another earthquake. Queen Mother Huayang died. Severe famine among the people. 

In the 18th year (229 BC), Qin State launched a large-scale attack on Zhao State. Wang Jian led the army of Shangjun and captured Jingxing. Yang Duanhe led the army of Henei and Qiang Wei attacked Zhao State. Yang Duanhe surrounded Handan. In the 19th year (228 BC), Wang Jian and Qiang Wei completely pacified and captured Dongyang of Zhao State and captured the King of Zhao. Wang Jian led his troops to attack Yan State and stationed in Zhongshan. The King of Qin came to Handan, and all those who had grudges against his mother's family when he was born in Zhao State were pitted and killed. The King of Qin returned to the capital via Taiyuan and Shangjun. The Queen Mother of the First Emperor passed away. Prince Jia of Zhao State led hundreds of his clansmen to Dai County and established himself as the King of Dai. He joined forces with the army of Yan State to the east and stationed in Shanggu. A serious famine occurred in Qin State. 

In the 20th year (227 BC), Prince Dan of Yan was worried that the Qin army would attack his country, so he was very scared and sent Jing Ke to assassinate the King of Qin. When the King of Qin found out, he dismembered Jing Ke and showed him to the public, and sent Wang Jian and Xin Sheng to attack Yan. Yan and Dai sent troops to meet the Qin army, and the Qin army defeated the Yan army west of Yishui. In the 21st year (226 BC), Wang Ben attacked Chu. The King of Qin then sent more troops to support Wang Jian's army, and eventually defeated the army of Prince Dan of Yan, captured Yan's capital Jicheng, and obtained Prince Dan's head. The King of Yan went east to gather the remnants of Liaodong and proclaimed himself king there. Wang Jian returned home on the pretext of illness. Xinzheng rebelled. Lord Changping was moved to Ying. Heavy snow fell, and the snow was two feet and five inches deep.

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。

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。

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，皆阬之。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。

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。

133 Heart of Tiger or Wolf

6.4|5 

Qin launched a large-scale search and expelled guests. Li Si wrote a letter to persuade the King to abolish the order to expel guests. Li Si took the opportunity to persuade the King of Qin to attack Han first to deter other countries. So the King of Qin sent Li Si to force Han to surrender. The King of Han was very worried about this matter and discussed with Han Fei how to weaken Qin. Wei Liao, a native of Daliang, came to Qin and advised the king, "With the strength of Qin, the princes are like the governors of counties. I am only worried that the princes will unite and attack secretly and unexpectedly. This is the reason why Zhi Bo, Fu Chai, and King Min were defeated. I hope the king will not be stingy with money and use it to bribe powerful ministers of various countries to disrupt their plans. This will only cost 300,000 gold, but will completely eliminate the princes." The King of Qin followed Wei Liao's advice and treated him with equal courtesy every time they met, dressing and eating the same as him. Wei Liao said: "The King of Qin has a high nose bridge, sleeky eyes, a chest like a fierce bird, a voice like a jackal, little kindness but a heart like a tiger or wolf. When he is poor, it is not difficult for him to be inferior to others, and when he is successful, he can easily devour others. I am a commoner, but he always places himself below me when he meets me. If the King of Qin can unify the world as he wishes, then all the people in the world will become his captives. We cannot live with him for long. " Wei Liao then fled. When the King of Qin found out, he insisted on keeping him and appointed him as the state commander of Qin army. He eventually adopted Wei Liao's advice. At that time, Li Si was in power in the court. 

In the 11th year (236 BC), Wang Jian, Huan Yi, and Yang Duanhe attacked Ye County and captured nine cities. Wang Jian attacked Yanyu and Laoyang and merged all the soldiers into one army. Wang Jian led the army for eighteen days, sent back those with less than a dou of food, and selected two out of every ten to stay in the army. Huan Yi led his army to capture Ye and Anyang. In the twelfth year, Marquis Wenxin Lu Buwei died and his family buried him privately. Of all the guests of Lu Buwei, who came to express their condolences to him, those from the Three Jins were expelled from the country; those of Qin officials with a salary of more than 600 dan were stripped of their titles and exiled; those of Qin officials with a salary of less than 500 dan who did not come to express their condolences were only exiled without being stripped of their titles. From now on, those who run the country in an unjust way like Lao Ai and Lu Buwei will have their entire family confiscated and be dealt with like this. In the autumn, the family members of Lao Ai exiled to Shu were pardoned. At that time, a severe drought occurred throughout the country, and it did not rain until it was between June to August.

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、湣王之所以亡也。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。

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。

132 Lao Ai

A6.3 

Lao Ai was titled Marquis Changxin, and the land of Shanyang was granted to him as his residence. The palaces of Qin, the carriages, the clothes, the gardens, and the hunting grounds, were all enjoyable at Lao Ai's will. The decisions of the state affairs, no matter how big or small, all went through him. The Hexi and Taiyuan counties were made into Lao Ai's fiefdoms. In the ninth year, a comet appeared and streaked across the sky. The Qin State attacked Yuanyi and Puyang of the Wei State. In April, the king lived in Yongdi. In the year of Jiyou, the ceremony was held to crown the king, who began to wear a sword. When his plan to rebel was discovered, Lao Ai the Marquis Changxin stole the seals of the King and of the Queen Mother, mobilized the infantry and cavalry in the county, and the leaders of the Rongdi tribe, and his own servants, preparing to attack the Qinian Palace and launch a rebellion. The king found out and sent the Prime Ministers, Lord Changping, and Lord Changwen, to mobilize the soldiers to crack down on Lao Ai. The two sides fought in Xianyang, and the Qin army had hundreds of killings. Those who had military merit were all rewarded with titles, and the eunuchs who participated in the battle were also granted a higher level of titles. Lao Ai was defeated and fled. Then the king issued an order to the whole country: "Anyone who captures Lao Ai alive will be rewarded with one million coins; Anyone who kills Lao Ai will be rewarded with five hundred thousand coins." Lao Ai and others were all apprehended. Guardian Jie, court bookkeeper Si, chauffeur Jie, minister Qi, and twenty others were all beheaded and displayed to the public. Lao Ai was chariot-torn and displayed to the public, and his entire clan was wiped out. Even Lao Ai's guests were punished with forced labor in the ancestral temple if their crimes were minor. More than 4,000 families were implicated and stripped off of their titles and exiled to Shu, and to live in Fangling. This month, the weather was very cold and there were people frozen to death. Yang Duanhe attacked the Yan clan of Wei. A comet appeared in the west and then in the north, following the Big Dipper to the south for eighty days. In the tenth year (237 BC), Prime Minister Lü Buwei was dismissed from his position for his Implication with Lao Ai. Huan Yi was appointed as a general. The envoys from Qi and Zhao came, and the King of Qin hosted a banquet. Mao Jiao of Qi advised the King of Qin: "Qin aims to unify the world, but the king has a bad reputation for exiling his mother, the Queen Mother. I am afraid that the princes will betray Qin after hearing about this." The King of Qin then welcomed the Queen Mother back from Yong County to Xianyang and let her live in Ganquan Palace again.

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。及夺爵迁蜀四千余家，家房陵。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。

131 Comet

A6.2

Jinyang rebelled. In the first year (246 BC), General Meng Ao went to quell the rebellion. In the second year (245 BC), Duke Biao led his soldiers to attack Juanyi and beheaded 30,000 people. In the third year (244 BC), Meng Ao attacked Han and captured 13 cities. Wang Xi died. In October, General Meng Ao attacked Wei's Yiyi and Yougui. That year, there was a famine. In the fourth year (243 BC), Meng Ao captured Yiyi and Yougui. In March, Meng Ao withdrew his troops. Qin's hostage returned from Zhao, and Zhao's crown prince left Qin and returned to his country. On the Gengyin day of October, locusts flew from the east and covered the sky. Plague raged throughout the world. People could be granted a first-class title if they paid 1,000 dan of millet. In the fifth year (242 BC), General Meng Ao attacked Wei, pacified Suanzao, Yanyi, Xuyi, Changping, Yongqiu, and Shanyang, and captured all of them, seizing 20 cities. Qin began to set up Dongjun. Thunder sounded in winter. In the sixth year (241 BC), Han, Wei (魏), Zhao, Wei (卫), and Chu jointly attacked Qin and seized Shouling. Qin sent troops and the five-nation coalition retreated. Qin conquered Wei and approached Dongjun. Lord Jiao of Wei led his relatives to move to Yewang, relying on the dangers of the mountains to protect Wei's Henei area. In the seventh year (240 BC), the comet first appeared in the east, then in the north, and in the west in May. General Meng Ao led his army to attack Longdi, Gudi and Qingdu. When he led his troops back to attack Jidi, he unfortunately died in battle. The comet appeared in the west again and lasted for sixteen days. Queen Mother Xia died. In the eighth year (239 BC), the king’s younger brother, Lord Chang'an, general Cheng Jiao led his army to attack Zhao State and rebelled in Tunliu. As a result, Cheng Jiao and his officers were killed, and the people there were all relocated to Lintao. The general Bi who came to attack Chengjiao died, and Pu Ying, a soldier from Tunliu, rebelled again and died in battle. His body was whipped and mutilated after his death. The fish in the Yellow River flooded to the shore, and people drove their carriages to the east to find food.

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，将军蒙骜攻魏氏畼、有诡。岁大饥。四年，拔畼、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、蒲鶮反，戮其尸。河鱼大上，轻车重马东就食。