Li Si hailed from Shangcai in Chu. When he was young, he worked as a lowly clerk in the county and saw that the latrine rats scavenged scraps, constantly harassed by people and dogs. Later, Li Si entered the granary and saw that the rats there were feasting on mountains of grain, living safely and well-fed. At that time, Li Si sighed and said, "He realized that a person's success, like a rat's, depends entirely on where they choose to be!"
He then went to study the ways of kingship with Xunzi. After completing his studies, he felt the ruler of Chu unworthy of his loyalty, and the other six states were too weak to offer him any real opportunity. So he decided to go to the state of Qin in the west. He bid farewell to Xunzi, saying, "I have heard that one must not slack off when a good opportunity arises. The warring states are vying for power, and talented individuals can display their ambitions. Qin's king aimed to conquer all under heaven and claim the imperial throne, which is the perfect opportunity for common people to strive for success and persuade the lords! To remain in a lowly position without serving your country is like a beast, unable to seize an opportunity despite its potential. Therefore, the greatest shame is lowliness; the greatest sorrow, poverty. A man of true ambition doesn't languish in obscurity, content with comfort instead of serving his country. That's why I am going to persuade the King of Qin!"
Li Si arrived in the state of Qin just in time for King Zhuangxiang's death. He went to see the Prime Minister of Qin, Lü Buwei, seeking to work under him. Lü Buwei thought highly of Li Si and appointed him to a minor official post. Taking this opportunity, Li Si advised the King of Qin, saying, "Those who clean latrines are only there because of their proximity. To achieve greatness, one must seize the moment and be decisive. Why was it that Duke Mu of Qin, despite his dominance, was unable to conquer all six states in the end? It was because the rival states were powerful at that time, and the Zhou dynasty's control had not yet weakened, so the states took turns dominating and still respected the Zhou monarch. But starting from Duke Xiao of Qin, the Zhou dynasty declined, and the rival states began to annex each other, forming six states in the eastern region. Qin has continuously defeated the rival states for six generations. Now all the rival states are subservient to Qin, just like counties and districts. With the strong power of Qin and your wise leadership, as long as you make a firm decision, you can eliminate the rival states, establish an empire, and unify the country. This is a chance that comes only once in a thousand years! If you hesitate and delay, when the rival states regain their strength and unite against us, even with your talent like the Yellow Emperor's, you will not be able to unify the country!"
After hearing this, the King of Qin appointed Li Si as his Chief Historian, adopted his strategy, and secretly sent people with gold, silver, and jewels to persuade the lords of various states. Those who could be bought were bribed, while those who refused were assassinated with swords. Disrupting the relationships between the rulers and ministers of the various states, the King of Qin also sent his best troops and commanders to follow up. Later, the King promoted Li Si to be a guest official (a position of significant influence).
At that time, there was a Korean named Zheng Guo who came to Qin as a spy, pretending to be building irrigation canals. He was later discovered. The nobles of Qin advised the King, "Most of those sent by the rival states to Qin are spies; we should drive them all away!" Li Si was also on the list of those being expelled. So Li Si wrote a letter to the King of Qin, saying:
I hear they're kicking out officials who aren't from around here – that's crazy! Way back when, Duke Mu of Qin recruited talents widely. He brought in Youyu from the Rong, Baili Xi from the state of Wan, Jianshu from Song, and Pibao and Gongsun Zhi from Jin. None of these five were natives of Qin, but Duke Mu valued them greatly. As a result, they conquered over twenty states and eventually became the overlords of the Western Rong. "Duke Mu sought out talent, bringing Youyu from the west, Baili Xi from the east, Jianshu from Song, and Pibao and Gongsun Zhi from Jin. These five, though not natives of Qin, were employed by Duke Mu, leading to the conquest of twenty states and dominance of the Western Rong."
King Xiao of Qin greatly valued Shang Yang, implemented his reforms, transformed social mores, secured the happiness of the people, strengthened the country, and everyone was pleased. Other vassals became Qin's subjects, defeating the armies of Chu and Wei, expanding its territory by a thousand *li*, and to this day Qin remains powerful. "King Xiao used Shang Yang's methods to change customs, enrich the people, strengthen the country, secure the happiness of the people, earn the loyalty of the vassals, defeat the armies of Chu and Wei, and expand its territory by a thousand *li*, still governing strongly to this day." King Hui of Qin adopted Zhang Yi's strategies, conquered the Three Rivers region, annexed the western territories of Ba and Shu, recaptured Shangjun to the north, occupied Hanzhong to the south, controlled the land of the Nine Yis, conquered Yan and Ying, seized the strategic position of Chenggao to the east, took fertile land, ultimately shattered the alliance of the Six States, and made them all pay homage to Qin, a credit that continues to this day. "King Hui used Zhang Yi's strategies to conquer the Three Rivers region, annex the western territories of Ba and Shu, recapture Shangjun to the north, occupy Hanzhong to the south, control the land of the Nine Yis, conquer Yan and Ying, seize the strategic position of Chenggao to the east, take fertile land, and shatter the alliance of the Six States, making them all serve Qin, a credit that continues to this day." King Zhao of Qin valued Fan Sui, dismissed the Marquis of Rang, expelled Huayang, strengthened the royal power, suppressed the power of private families, gradually encroached on the territories of the feudal lords, and thus established Qin's imperial dominance. "King Zhao obtained Fan Sui, dismissed the Marquis of Rang, expelled Huayang, strengthened the royal power, suppressed the power of private families, encroached on the territories of the feudal lords, and thus established Qin's imperial dominance." These four monarchs all achieved success with the help of foreign officials. From these examples, we can see, what harm would it do to Qin if officials from other regions were excluded? Had these four kings rejected outsiders and refused to employ talented individuals, Qin would never have achieved its wealth and power, nor its renowned strength. "These four monarchs all relied on the achievements of outsiders. From this perspective, how could the outsiders be at fault in Qin! If these four monarchs had rejected outsiders, not employed talented individuals, the country would lack prosperity and profit, and Qin would not have its powerful reputation."
Now, Your Highness, you possess the jade of Kunlun Mountain, as well as treasures like the Suihou Pearl and the Heishi Bi. You wear the Mingyue Pearl, carry the Tai'e Sword, ride the Xianli Horse, have the Cuifeng Flag displayed, and play the Lingtuo Drum. None of these treasures are produced in the state of Qin, yet you are very fond of them. Why is that? Are only products from Qin allowed to be used? Shouldn't the Nightlight Jade adorn the court, the rhinoceros ivory products be suitable as precious gifts, the beautiful women from Zheng and Wei states be added to the palace, the good horses be kept in the stables, the gold and tin from Jiangnan be used for crafting, and the paintings from West Shu be used for art? Must everything used to adorn the palace, enrich it, please you, and be visually appealing come from Qin? Can the hairpins made of Wanzhu, the earrings made by Fu Ji, the delicate silk clothing, and the embroidered decorations not be presented to you? Can the beautiful and gentle women from the state of Zhao not serve by your side? Beating earthenware pots, playing the guqin, singing and dancing—these are the true music of Qin; the music of Zheng, Wei, Sangjian, Zhao, Yu, Wu, and Xiang are all music from other states. But now, you’ve abandoned the earthenware pots and guqin to listen to the music of Zheng and Wei, and given up the guqin to enjoy the music of Zhao and Yu. Why is that? It's all just for a bit of fleeting pleasure, a quick fix for your senses.
But your treatment of talent is different. You don't care if they're any good, or even if they're right or wrong; if they ain't from Qin, you boot 'em; if they're outsiders, you chuck 'em out. Looks like all you care about is pretty faces and fancy folk, while you ignore the common folk. That ain't the way to unite the world and boss around those lords! I've heard that rich lands mean more food, big countries mean big armies, and big armies mean brave soldiers. A big mountain ain't gonna turn its nose up at a little bit of dirt, is it? A big river don't care about a little stream. So, no borders, everyone's one big happy family, good harvests every year, and the gods are on your side – that's how the Five Emperors and Three Kings won every battle.
Now you are abandoning the people to support enemy countries, driving away guests to please the feudal lords, causing talented individuals in the world to retreat and not dare to enter Qin; you're just shooting yourself in the foot! Many treasures in the world are not produced in Qin; many loyal individuals are not from Qin. Now you are driving away guests to support enemy countries, harming the people to strengthen the enemies. You've got nothing left inside, and you've made enemies of all the lords outside. You're asking for trouble!
The King of Qin reversed his order, brought Li Si back, and took his advice. Li Si became top dog, and twenty years later, Qin Shi Huang united the whole country, became Emperor, and made Li Si his Prime Minister. He flattened all the city walls and destroyed all the weapons – no more need for 'em. No more lords, no more princes – just one big happy family, and no more wars!
In the 34th year, Qin Shi Huang held a banquet at the Xianyang Palace, where scholars and officials, including Zhou Qingchen, praised his achievements. However, a man from the Qi state named Chunyu Yue stepped forward and advised, "I have heard that the royal families of the Yin, Shang, and Zhou dynasties lasted for thousands of years by granting land to their descendants and meritorious officials, allowing them to serve as auxiliary forces. Now, Your Majesty rules over the entire world, yet your descendants are reduced to commoners. If someone like Tian Chang or the Six Ministers were to rebel, without loyal ministers by your side, how will you respond? I have never heard of a ruler lasting without learning from historical experiences. Now, Qingchen and others flatter you to your face, worsening your errors. They are not loyal ministers!" Qin Shi Huang handed this matter to Prime Minister Li Si for resolution. Li Si refuted Chunyu Yue's viewpoint and wrote, "In ancient times, the world was divided and in chaos, with no one able to unify it, leading to constant strife among the feudal lords. Those who always bring up ancient examples to criticize the present, using false words to distort facts, are fond of studying private schools, going against the system established by Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty has unified the world, clearly defining right and wrong, and keeping everyone in their place; those private schools spread teachings that violate the laws, discussing them according to their own private studies when given orders, harboring discontent, gossiping in the streets, attacking the court, showing off their intelligence, and inciting the people to cause trouble. If this is not stopped, the monarch's authority will decline, and factions will form below. Therefore, it must be prohibited! I suggest that all books related to literature, poetry, and various schools of thought should be destroyed. Those who do not comply within thirty days will be punished and exiled to the border to serve hard labor. Only books on medicine, fortune-telling, and farming were spared. If anyone wishes to learn, let the officials be their teachers." Qin Shi Huang agreed to Li Si's proposal, ordering the confiscation of books related to poetry and various schools of thought to prevent the people from using ancient examples to criticize his rule. He made laws based solely on his own wishes, unifying the written language. He also built many palaces and mansions throughout the country. The next year, he toured the empire and attacked the barbarians, all thanks to Li Si.
Li Si's son, Li You, the governor of Sanchuan, returned to Xianyang on leave, and Li Si held a banquet at home. Loads of officials showed up to celebrate; the place was packed—a sea of carriages and horses, easily a thousand strong! Li Si looked at this scene and couldn't help but sigh, saying, "Ah, I have heard Master Xun say that 'what goes up must come down.' I, originally just an ordinary commoner from Shangcai, have gradually risen from a nobody from the sticks to my current position. The Emperor took a chance on me, and look where I am now! Now, among the court officials, no one has a higher position than me. I've hit the jackpot, haven't I? But... what goes up must come down, and I don't know what to do in the future!"
In the thirty-seventh year of Qin Shihuang's reign, in October, he went on an inspection tour to Kuaiji, then to the coastal areas, and as far north as Langya. Prime Minister Li Si and Zhao Gao, head of the Emperor's personal guard and keeper of the imperial seal, accompanied the Emperor. Qin Shihuang had over twenty sons, with his eldest son Fusu being sent to serve as a military supervisor, with Meng Tian as his general, because he kept giving the Emperor unsolicited advice. The youngest son Hu Hai was greatly favored and requested to accompany the Emperor on the tour, which was granted. The rest of his sons stayed behind.
In July of that year, the First Emperor arrived at Shaqiu, deathly ill. He had Zhao Gao write a decree to Prince Fusu, instructing him to hand over the army to Meng Tian and return to Xianyang to attend to the funeral. Before the decree could be delivered, the Emperor died. Zhao Gao held onto the decree and the imperial seal. Only Hu Hai, Prime Minister Li Si, Zhao Gao, and a few favored eunuchs knew of the Emperor's death, while the other ministers remained unaware. Li Si believed that since the Emperor died outside and had not appointed a crown prince, they should keep it secret for the time being. They kept the Emperor's body in a carriage. Officials continued their routine, presenting memorials and food offerings. Eunuchs emerged from the carriage to deliver imperial edicts.
Holding the seal granted by the Emperor to Fusu, Zhao Gao told Hu Hai, "The Emperor's dead, and he didn't name any other princes, just wrote to Fusu. Once he arrives, he'll become Emperor immediately, leaving you with nothing. What should we do?" Hu Hai replied, "Indeed, a smart ruler knows his people, and a smart dad knows his kids. If the father has passed away without appointing other sons, there’s nothing more to say!"
Zhao Gao argued, "No! The power's in our hands—yours, mine, and the Prime Minister's. You should think carefully about how to hold onto it. Besides, it's a whole lot different, being in charge versus taking orders, don't you think?" Hu Hai responded, "It's wrong to get rid of your older brother to put yourself on top. It's unfilial to ignore your father's last wishes just because you're scared of dying. And it's plain stupid to think you can get ahead just because someone else did something great. All three points go against morality, and the people of the world won't follow you. You'll also be in danger, and the state will decline as a result."
Zhao Gao said, "I heard that Tang and Wu killed their monarchs, and everyone thinks they did the right thing, not considering them disloyal. The Lord of Wei killed his own father, but the state of Wei praised his merits, and Confucius even recorded this incident, not considering him unfilial. Big things require big moves. Great achievers don't get bogged down in niceties. Different places and courts have their own rules, and the duties of officials are also different. Therefore, only focusing on trivial matters and forgetting the big picture will surely lead to danger in the future; hesitating will surely lead to regrets later on. Bold moves scare off the competition, and only then can one succeed. I hope you act quickly!"
Hu Hai sighed and said, "We're still in mourning! It's not the time to be bothering the Prime Minister."
Zhao Gao said, "This is our chance! We gotta strike while the iron's hot! Act quickly, it will be too late!"
Hu Hai followed Gao's advice. Gao said, "We can't do this without the Prime Minister on board. Let me help you talk to the Prime Minister."
Gao then said to Prime Minister Li Si, "The Emperor's dead. We were gonna send a letter to the Crown Prince, but he's gone too. The letter and the seal are with Hu Hai. It's up to you and me who becomes the next emperor. What do we do?"
Li Si said, "Are you crazy? This is treason! This is not something a subject should discuss!"
Gao said, "Let's be real, who's more powerful: you or Meng Tian? Who's got more clout? Who's got better connections? Who has fewer enemies? Who's closer to the Crown Prince?"
Li Si said, "You win on all counts. But why so aggressive?"
Gao said, "I am just a minor official in the palace, lucky enough to enter the Qin Palace by sheer chance, managing affairs for over twenty years. I have never seen a prime minister or a meritorious official in the Qin Kingdom who was dismissed and lived to see their sons become marquises or prime ministers. In the end, they all ended up being killed. The Emperor has over twenty sons, and you know them all. The Crown Prince is resolute and brave, deeply loved by the people, and capable of leading troops into battle. If he ascends to the throne, he will definitely appoint Meng Tian as prime minister. Your marquis seal will never return to your hometown. Do I need to say more? I have been tasked with teaching Hu Hai for several years, and I have not seen any flaws in him. He is kind and compassionate, values his scholars, and thinks things through carefully. Although he speaks reservedly, he respects scholars greatly. Among the princes of the Qin Kingdom, no one can compare to him. He can be the heir. Think about it carefully and make a decision!"
Li Si said, "You should dismiss this idea! I'm just following orders. How can I make the decision?"
Gao said, "Things can change in an instant; what's safe today might be dangerous tomorrow. How can you create a wise ruler without embracing the uncertainty of life and death?"
Li Si said, "I, Li Si, originally a commoner from Shangcai Township, was fortunate enough to be promoted by the Emperor as prime minister and appointed as a marquis. My descendants enjoy a noble status and generous salary, so my fate is tied to the Emperor's. How can I betray his grace? A loyal minister does not fear death and assists the monarch to the best of his ability; a filial son does not hesitate to protect the monarch through hardship. Everyone should do their job. Please stop talking, do not let me make a mistake!"
Gao said, "I have heard that sages adapt to changes and adjust in a timely manner, seeing the big picture. Things themselves are like this; there is no unchanging rule! Now, the power of the world is in Hu Hai's hands, and I can succeed. Moreover, confusing from the outside is called deception, controlling superiors from subordinates is called rebellion. When autumn frost falls, plants wither; when water ripples, all things grow. This is an inevitable law. Why are you being so cautious?"
Li Si said, "I have heard that in the state of Jin, the prince was deposed, and for three generations there was no peace; in the state of Qi, Duke Huan's brothers fought for power and both ended up dead; King Zhou killed his relatives, ignored advice, and the state eventually perished, with the ancestral shrines falling into disrepair. These three incidents all went against the will of heaven, and the ancestral temples lost their incense. I am just like them; how can I participate in such schemes?"
Gao responded, "Unity from top to bottom is the key to longevity; harmony inside and out ensures smooth sailing in all matters. If you follow my plan, you will forever enjoy the title of marquis, your descendants will thrive, surely live long and prosper, and be as wise as Confucius and Mencius. By giving up this opportunity now, calamity will befall your descendants—a chilling prospect. Wise men can turn disaster into fortune; why can't you see the light?"
Li Si looked up to the sky, sighed deeply with tears in his eyes, and said, "Oh, what a mess! Since I can't die, who can I trust with my life?" So Li Si listened to Gao's words.
Gao went to inform Hu Hai, "I will take the prince's order to notify the prime minister, and he will surely comply!"
So they hatched a plan, pretending to have received an order from the First Emperor, saying they wanted to crown Hu Hai as the prince. They then forged an imperial edict for Crown Prince Fu Su, stating, "I am touring the world, offering sacrifices to the spirits of famous mountains and rivers, praying for a long life. Now, Fu Su and General Meng Tian have been stationed on the border with tens of thousands of troops for over ten years, without any achievements, and instead suffering heavy losses. Fu Su has repeatedly criticized my actions in his memorials, saying he cannot return to the capital to become the prince, constantly harboring resentment. For his disloyalty, Fu Su will be put to death! Meng Tian, outside, also did not advise, clearly participating in their conspiracy. Unfaithful subjects will also be put to death, and their military power will be handed over to the deputy general Wang Li." This letter was sealed with the emperor's seal, and Hu Hai's confidant was sent to deliver it to Fu Su in the commandery.
The messenger arrived in Shangjun, read the imperial decree to Fusu, and Fusu bawled his eyes out upon hearing it. He went back to his room and wanted to commit suicide. Meng Tian stopped Fusu and said, "The emperor is far away on the border, and has not yet named a crown prince. We have 300,000 troops guarding the border, and you are here. This is a matter of national security! Just because a messenger came, you want to commit suicide. What if this is all a fake? Let's ask again, and again, if it really comes down to it, then die—it's not dark yet!" The messenger urged several times. Fusu, being righteous, said to Meng Tian, "My own father ordered my death! What's there left to ask?" After speaking, he committed suicide. Meng Tian refused to die, so the messenger handed him over to the local officials and detained him in Yangzhou.
The messenger returned and reported to Hu Hai, Zhao Gao, and Li Si, who were thrilled. Upon returning to Xianyang, the death of the First Emperor was announced, and Hu Hai ascended the throne as the Second Emperor of Qin. Zhao Gao was appointed as the Palace Minister and frequently participated in handling state affairs.
After the Second Emperor of Qin ascended the throne, he summoned Zhao Gao to discuss state affairs and said, "Living in this world is like trying to steer six wild horses through a doorway. Now that I have become the emperor, I want to enjoy life to the fullest, fulfill all my desires, keep the ancestors happy, ensure the happiness of the people, possess the world for a long time, and enjoy my life. Is this possible?"
Zhao Gao replied, "Only a wise monarch can achieve this; a foolish one cannot. I dare to speak out, even at the risk of being executed. I hope Your Majesty can pay a little attention. In the rebellion at Shacheng Palace, many princes and ministers harbored doubts. Those princes were the late emperor's brothers, and the ministers were appointed by the late emperor. Now that Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, they're all simmering with resentment and may cause trouble. Moreover, Meng Tian is dead, and Meng Yi is leading troops outside. I'm worried sick that things might go wrong. How can Your Majesty enjoy peace of mind?"
The Second Emperor asked, "What should we do?" Zhao Gao said, "We need to crack down hard, make the punishments harsher, let criminals implicate each other, exterminate their entire clans, eliminate those ministers, and distance yourself from relatives; raise up the poor and humble. Remove all the old ministers of the late emperor and replace them with those you trust. In this way, you'll get the credit for doing good, get rid of the troublemakers, and squash any plots against you. The officials will be so grateful, you can relax and enjoy yourself. There’s no better way than this."
The Second Emperor believed Zhao Gao's words and thus amended the laws. From then on, whenever officials or princes committed crimes, Zhao Gao immediately ordered severe torture. He had ministers like Meng Yi executed, had twelve princes publicly executed in Xianyang, and ten princesses in Du, confiscating their properties and implicating countless others.
Prince Gao wanted to escape but feared being wiped out, so he wrote a letter saying, "When the late emperor was alive, I dined in the palace and rode in the carriage; I received rewards of clothes and horses. I should have sacrificed myself for the late emperor, but I failed to do so, being a bad son and a bad subject. Disloyal people don't last long, so I request death, hoping to be buried at the foot of Mount Li. Please, show me some mercy."
After receiving the letter, Hu Hai was very pleased and showed it to Zhao Gao, asking, "Does this seem urgent to you?" Zhao Gao replied, "A loyal subject worries about dying, not plotting rebellion!" Hu Hai agreed to Prince Gao's request and rewarded him with a hundred thousand cash for burial.
The laws of the Qin Dynasty became increasingly strict, the punishments became heavier, and the ministers were all stressed out, with more and more people thinking of rebellion. Emperor Qin Er Shi embarked on a massive building spree, constructing the Afang Palace, major highways, and regular roads, while imposing heavier taxes and forced labor endlessly. At this time, soldiers Chen Sheng and Wu Guang from the Chu State started a rebellion, beginning in Shandong, with many outstanding talents joining them to set themselves up as kings of various states, rebelling against the Qin Dynasty. Their army marched to Hongmen, only to retreat.
Li Si tried several times to find an opportunity to advise Emperor Qin Er Shi, but the emperor ignored him completely. Later, Er Shi questioned Li Si, saying, "I heard Han Feizi say this privately: 'When Emperor Yao ruled, the palace was only three feet high, with no need to trim the beams, and the thatched roof did not need to be repaired, better than the conditions in an inn. In winter, wearing a deer hide robe, in summer, wearing hemp clothing, eating coarse grains, drinking vegetable stew, living in mud houses, drinking water from clay jars, better than the food in prison. Emperor Yu dug through the Longmen, dredged the nine rivers, managed the nine flood embankments, draining the accumulated water into the sea, resulting in being worn down to the bone, a haggard and exhausted face, and eventually dying of exhaustion in a foreign land, buried in Kuaiji, more grueling than any forced laborer's!' So, is the preciousness of being an emperor to make oneself suffer, live in a house like an inn, eat food like in prison, and do slave-like work? Only useless heirs would pursue this, not what a wise person should do. A wise person as emperor will only use the empire for their own pleasure; that is the preciousness of being an emperor. A so-called wise person will surely stabilize the world and govern the people. If one cannot even live well themselves, how can they govern the world? So I want to indulge myself, enjoy luxury and power for as long as I can, without a care in the world. What's the solution?"
Li Si's son Li You was the governor of Sanchuan prefecture. When Chen Sheng, Wu Guang, and others launched a westward rebellion, Li You was unable to stop them. Zhang Han defeated Wu Guang and his army, and then blamed Li You and the Sanchuan prefecture, criticizing Li Si for, while he was one of the Three Excellencies, letting bandits run rampant. Li Si was terrified and wanted to save his life by climbing the ranks, but he didn't know what to do. So he played along with the Second Emperor and sought forgiveness. He wrote in response:
"Look, a good leader has to get things done and keep people in line! If you crack the whip, they'll work their butts off. This keeps everyone in line, and everyone, from the best to the worst, will work their tails off for the Emperor. That way, the Emperor can have total control, call the shots, and live the high life. That's leadership 101, so get it through your thick skulls!"
Shenzi once said, "Having control over the world without being arrogant and domineering is like treating the world as a ball and chain." What does this mean? In simple terms, it means not managing people but killing themselves trying to look after everyone, just like Yao, Shun, and Yu did. That's why it's called a "ball and chain"! If you don't learn the governing strategies of Shen Buhai and Han Feizi, don't understand how to manage people, and only think about your own comfort, slaving away for the people all day long, then wouldn't you just become a servant of the common people? That's hardly governing; what's to brag about? If you lord it over others, you look grand, they look small; if you put yourself out for others, you look small, they look grand. Therefore, those who sacrifice themselves for others are humble, and those who are flattered by others are noble, without exception. The ancient sages who were respected were noble, while the useless and despised were humble. Yao, Shun, and Yu sacrificed themselves for the world, yet people still respected them. That's not what respecting wise leaders is all about. So calling it a ball and chain isn't wrong, is it? It's because they didn't know how to manage people!
Han Feizi said, "A kind mother may have a bad son; a strict family will not have unruly subjects." Why is that? It's because he could impose severe punishments! Take Shang Yang's laws: even tossing dust on the road got you punished! Throwing dust is a minor offense, but the punishment is severe. Only a wise monarch can strictly enforce even minor offenses. If minor offenses are punished so severely, what about serious crimes? So, no one dared break the law.
Therefore, Han Feizi also said: "Ordinary cloth and silk, common people do not let go; a hundred *yi* of gold, even a thief wouldn't risk stealing." This does not mean that ordinary people are so easily tempted by small gains, while even hardened criminals are deterred by significant risk; nor does it mean that thieves do not steal because a hundred *yi* of gold is too heavy. It is because stealing will definitely be punished immediately, so thieves dare not steal a hundred *yi* of gold; and without swift and certain punishment, ordinary people will not give up the little cloth and silk. Therefore, with walls only five zhang high, even Lou Ji does not dare to invade easily; Mount Tai towering into the clouds, yet lame sheep can graze on it. If Lou Ji finds it difficult to cross a five-zhang high wall, does it mean that lame sheep can easily climb the hundred-ren high Mount Tai? The difference lies in the severity of the consequences!
Wise monarchs and sage emperors maintain their power and prestige not because of any special methods, but because they can make decisive decisions, enforce laws strictly, and punish harshly, so that people dare not disobey. If we do not work to prevent the people from committing crimes, but instead follow the example of an indulgent mother indulging a wayward son, isn't that just failing to understand what makes a good ruler? If we cannot implement the governance strategies of the sages, what's the use of being a leader then? That's just sad.
Look at how frugal and righteous ministers strengthen the court, ending extravagant pleasures; those ministers who dare to speak frankly and give advice to the emperor cause wild ideas to subside; the deeds of martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the country spread throughout the world, and the dangers of arrogance and extravagance naturally disappear. Therefore, wise monarchs not only need to achieve these three points, but also need to maintain a firm grip on power, manage their ministers effectively, and ensure a just legal system in order to be respected and powerful.
Any smart ruler can change the world, shape society, get rid of what they hate, and set up what they want. By doing so, they will be respected while alive and remembered well after they're gone. Therefore, an enlightened monarch must call the shots, so that power does not fall into the hands of their subjects. This way, they can shut down dissent, seal the mouths of those who offer advice, suppress the actions of martyrs, and control the flow of information. This will prevent external influences of benevolence and martyrdom, as well as internal challenges from advice and debate. Therefore, they can act decisively and independently, without anyone daring to oppose them. Only in this way can it be said that they truly understand the strategies of Shen Buhai and Han Fei, and Shang Yang's laws. A perfect system, brilliant strategies – and yet the world's a mess? Never heard of it! Therefore, it is said that "the royal road is easy to travel," and only an enlightened monarch can achieve this.
As a result, supervision is solid, and the subjects will not have evil intentions. With loyal subjects, peaceful world, the ruler will be powerful and respected. With effective supervision, the goals can be achieved, leading to a prosperous and powerful country, and a content and wealthy monarch. Therefore, as long as supervision's on point, there is no wish that cannot be fulfilled. Before anyone can fix their mistakes, who would dare to plot rebellion? In this way, the emperor's got it all figured out, even if Shen Buhai and Han Fei came back to life, they couldn't top this.
The memorial was presented, and Qin Er Shi was thrilled. Therefore, he implemented supervision even more rigorously, and officials who squeezed the people dry were considered good. Qin Er Shi said, "That's real supervision!" The streets were filled with the bodies of executed criminals, with piles of bodies accumulating in the market every day. The more people they killed, the more they were considered loyal ministers. Qin Er Shi said, "Now that's what I call supervision!"
At first, Zhao Gao became a high-ranking official (Langzhongling). He had too many enemies he wanted revenge on, fearing that the ministers would report him to the court. So he said to Hu Hai, "Your Majesty's authority comes from the fact that the ministers can only hear your voice and not see your face, which is why you use '朕' (I, the Emperor). Besides, you are young and may not be able to handle everything. If you make a mistake while dealing with political affairs in the court, you will appear weak in front of the ministers, which isn't a good way to demonstrate your wisdom and valor to the world. You should stay in the palace and handle political affairs only with your trusted advisors, those loyal to you, so that when problems arise, someone can help you make decisions. This way, the ministers wouldn't dare question anything, and everyone will think you're a great ruler." Hu Hai believed his words and stopped meeting with the ministers, staying in the palace all day. Zhao Gao often served by the emperor's side in handling political affairs, with Zhao Gao making all the decisions.
Zhaogao heard that Li Si wanted to give advice, so he went to see the Prime Minister Li Si and said, "There are many bandits in the eastern part of China. The emperor is urgently increasing forced labor to build the Afang Palace and hoarding a lot of useless animals. I want to speak my mind, but my rank is too low to get a word in. This is something someone in your position should do. Why don't you advise the emperor?" Li Si said, "Yes, I have wanted to speak up for a long time. But now the emperor does not attend court and stays deep in the palace. I can't even get a message to him, and it is difficult to see him." Zhaogao said, "If you can advise the emperor, I can arrange an opportunity for you to speak with him." So Zhaogao waited until Emperor Hu Hai was enjoying himself and the palace maids were serving in front, then he sent someone to inform the Prime Minister, "The emperor is free now; you can go and give him your advice." The Prime Minister came to the palace gate three times to ask to see the emperor. Emperor Hu Hai angrily said, "I often have free time, but the Prime Minister never comes. I am playing with my ladies, and the Prime Minister comes to see me. Does the Prime Minister look down on me? Is he trying to make me look bad?" Zhaogao took the opportunity to say, "This is not good! The Prime Minister was involved in the Sand Dune Conspiracy. Now that Your Majesty has ascended to the throne, the Prime Minister's power has not increased, indicating that he intends to carve out a kingdom for himself! Furthermore, if Your Majesty does not ask, the ministers dare not speak casually. The Prime Minister's eldest son Li You is the governor of Sanchuan County, and bandits like Chen Sheng in the Chu region are the sons of the counties under the Prime Minister's jurisdiction. That is why the bandits in the Chu region are so rampant. When they passed through Sanchuan County, the governor refused to send troops to resist. I heard that there were letters exchanged between them, but I have not investigated it thoroughly, so I dare not report it to Your Majesty. And the Prime Minister's influence outside the palace... it's even greater than yours!" Hu Hai believed it to be true. He wanted to punish the Prime Minister, but he was afraid of making a mistake, so he sent people to investigate the collusion between the governor of Sanchuan County and the bandits. After Li Si heard this news, he felt a sense of urgency to act.
At that time, the Second Emperor Qin was in Ganquan Palace, busy watching a slapstick show. Li Si couldn't see the Emperor, so he wrote a letter accusing Zhao Gao of wrongdoing. He said, "They say if you don't trust your ruler, the whole country suffers; and if you don't trust your husband, your family's ruined. Now, Minister Zhao Gao controls all the rewards and punishments in front of Your Majesty, acting like he's Your Majesty's equal, which is very inappropriate!
In the past, Zihan, advisor to the Song king, ran the whole show. He was so powerful that he took over within a year! Then there was Tian Chang, a servant of Duke Jian of Qi, who held the highest rank in the land and was as rich as the country itself. He bought off everyone – the people, the officials. Then he seized power, killed his rivals, and became king of Qi. These are all well-known facts.
Now Zhao Gao has evil ambitions and dangerous behavior, just like Zihan assisting the Song state. His wealth at home is as rich as Tian's in Qi. He's following in Tian Chang and Zihan's footsteps – and those are some bad footsteps, trying to steal Your Majesty's power. Your Majesty, if you do not guard against him, I'm afraid he's gonna stage a coup!"
Er Shi said, "What gives? Zhao Gao, he started out as a eunuch, but he wasn't content with the status quo, nor did he have any malicious intentions. He's always played it straight, striving to do good, and he rose through the ranks thanks to his loyalty and kept his position through honesty. I admire him very much, so why do you doubt him? And you're getting on in years, probably out of touch with what's going on. If I can't trust Zhao Gao, who can I trust? Besides, Zhao Gao's sharp, capable, knows the people, and he gets me. You should stop doubting him!" Li Si said, "No! Zhao Gao was low-born, greedy, and power-hungry. The higher he climbed, the more ambitious he got. That's why I said he is dangerous."
Before, Qin Er Shi believed in Zhao Gao, but now he was afraid that Li Si would kill Zhao Gao, so he secretly told Zhao Gao about this. Zhao Gao said, "The Prime Minister only fears me. If I'm gone, he'll probably try to take over next." So Er Shi said, "Then let the Minister of Justice deal with Li Si!"
Aw, man, this is awful! Li Si was double-crossed by Zhao Gao, thrown into prison. He looked up at the sky, sighed, and said, "Man, this is depressing! What am I supposed to do with this crazy emperor? In the past, Jie offed Guan Longfeng, Zhou whacked Prince Bi Gan, and King Fu Chai of Wu bumped off Wu Zixu. Were these three ministers not loyal? But they all died, and the monarchs they faithfully assisted also met a bad end. My intelligence and wisdom are nothing compared to theirs, but the cruelty of this Second Emperor is worse than that of Jie, Zhou, and Fu Chai. I guess dying for this country is my fate. Moreover, this Second Emperor's reign is a total mess! He killed his own brothers, took the throne for himself, killed loyal officials, favored villains, and extravagantly built the Afang Palace, screwing the people over. I advised him, but he never listened to me. In ancient times, wise kings had self-restraint in eating and drinking, set limits on possessions, and maintained standards for palaces and buildings. They issued orders, and if increasing expenses didn't benefit the people, they were strictly prohibited, leading to long-lasting peace. But now, he has turned against his brothers, disregarding consequences; killed loyal officials without considering the aftermath; and spent lavishly on palaces, increasing taxes without caring about the cost. The people are gonna be furious. Half the country's already in revolt, and he still can't see the situation clearly, continuing to rely on Zhao Gao as his assistant. I am certain that the enemy will be at the gates of Xianyang any day now, and then even the deer will be running wild in the palace!"
Li Si's words, man, they really hit home—every single one of them! He clearly analyzes the tyranny of the Second Emperor and his own tragic fate. He laments his unwavering loyalty, yet ends up executed, also predicting the impending downfall of the Qin Dynasty. Just like Jie killed Guan Longfeng, Zhou killed Prince Bigan, and King Fuchai killed Wu Zixu, these examples highlight the tragic reality that loyal ministers often do not meet a good end. His final words, "I'll see the enemy at the gates of Xianyang, and deer will be grazing in the palace courtyards!" are filled with sorrow and helplessness, foreshadowing the great disaster facing the Qin Dynasty. This speech shows us the helplessness and desolation of a loyal minister, and also reveals how empires fall.
Qin's Second Emperor sent Gao Han to interrogate Li Si, accusing him of treason and arresting his family and friends. Zhao Gao grilled Li Si, beating him mercilessly and giving him over a thousand lashes. The pain was unbearable; Li Si finally cracked and confessed. He figured he could talk his way out of it, given his past service. Luckily, his plea worked, and the Second Emperor, in a rare moment of clarity, pardoned him.
Li Si wrote a letter to Qin Er Shi from prison, saying, "I have been the Prime Minister for over thirty years, managing the land of Qin. The territory of Qin used to be a little over a thousand *li*, with only a few hundred thousand soldiers. Although my abilities are limited, I have always diligently enforced the laws, secretly cultivated advisors, showering them with gold and silver to influence the feudal lords, developed the army in secret, reformed the government, trained warriors, rewarded meritorious officials with promotions and raises, so that in the end we could bring Han and Wei to heel, smash Yan and Zhao, wipe out Qi and Chu, and ultimately unify the six states, capturing the kings of the six states, making Qin the imperial kingdom. This was my first great accomplishment. Not only did I expand the territory of Qin, but I also attacked the barbarians in the north and pacified the Baiyue tribes in the south, which all demonstrated the strength of Qin. My second great accomplishment was honoring the ministers, raising their titles, and consolidating their positions. My third achievement involved building the Altar of the Soil and Grain and ancestral temples to showcase the monarch's wisdom. Next, I standardized weights and measures, implemented them nationwide, and established the reputation of Qin. I built roads for swift travel and constructed places of leisure to please the emperor. I reduced punishments, lessened taxes, and ensured the people's loyalty, even beyond the grave. This was my seventh achievement. By these accusations, I should've been dead long ago. Your Majesty, your forbearance has allowed me to live until now. I implore you to consider this carefully!" After finishing the letter, Zhao Gao ordered his subordinates to throw the letter away, saying, "Prisoners don't get to write letters!"
Zhao Gao once again instructed a dozen or so underlings pretending to be inspectors, court officials, and attendants to interrogate Li Si. Li Si repeated himself, only to get another brutal beating. Later, Qin Er Shi sent people to question Li Si, who, as before, dared not say anything and ultimately confessed. Once the report was submitted, Qin Er Shi chortled, "If it wasn't for Zhao Gao, that weasel of a Prime Minister woulda had me fooled!" By the time Qin Er Shi's messengers got there to check on the Sanchuan governor, Xiang Liang had already offed him. The messengers showed up just as the Prime Minister was getting his comeuppance, and Zhao Gao cooked up some bogus evidence of Li Si's treason.
In July 208 BC, Li Si was sentenced to death by being sawed in half – public execution, naturally. Before they sawed him in two, they led Li Si out of jail, his son right beside him. He looked at his son, sighed, and said, "I was looking forward to hunting with you, boy, hounds and all, heading out from Shangcai's east gate after those tricky rabbits. Now look at us." Father and son wept bitterly, and in the end, Li Si's entire family was exterminated.
After the death of Li Si, the Second Emperor Qin appointed Zhao Gao as the Prime Minister. Zhao Gao ran the show. With his power growing, Zhao Gao presented a deer but claimed it was a horse. The Emperor asked, "Is that a deer?" "A horse!" they all chorused. Qin Er Shi was surprised and felt deceived, so he called for a diviner to make a prediction. The diviner spun this yarn: "Your Majesty, during the spring and autumn seasons when you offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, and the spirits in the ancestral temple, if you do not fast properly, this is what happens. You should base your actions on good morals and fast diligently." So the Emperor went to the imperial hunting grounds to fast. One day, while hunting there, a random pedestrian walked in, and Qin Er Shi shot and killed him. Zhao Gao had his son-in-law, Xianyang magistrate Yan Le, report that someone had killed a person in an unknown location, shifting the blame to the imperial hunting grounds. Then Zhao Gao advised the Emperor, "Killing an innocent guy like that – that's asking for trouble from the heavens! The spirits will not protect you, and calamity will befall you. You should move out of the palace to avoid disaster." So the Emperor moved to Wangyi Palace.
Three days later, Zhao Gao forged an imperial order commanding the guards to wear plain clothes and carry weapons into the palace, then told the Emperor, "The Shandong bandits are here!" The Emperor climbed up for a look and nearly jumped out of his skin – a whole army! Zhao Gao took advantage of the situation to force Qin Er Shi to commit suicide. The Emperor tried to pass the imperial seal to someone else, but none of the officials dared to accept it. Three times, the palace nearly crumbled as he climbed the steps. Knowing he was doomed, Zhao Gao summoned Qin Shi Huang's brother, Ziying, and passed the imperial seal to him.
After Ziying took the throne, he was very afraid of Zhao Gao, so he feigned illness and stayed away from court, plotting with the eunuch Han Tang and his son to kill Zhao Gao. When Zhao Gao came to visit Ziying's illness, Ziying summoned him into the palace and had Han Tang assassinate Zhao Gao, executing his entire family.
He'd only been emperor for three months when Liu Bang's army entered Guanzhong from Wuguan, arrived at Xianyang, and every official and minister abandoned the Qin. Ziying and his wife bound themselves with a rope and surrendered by the side of the road. Liu Bang handed them over to his men. Xiang Yu later came and killed Ziying. And that was the end of the Qin Dynasty.
Sima Qian said that Li Si started from the common people, then spent time in various vassal states, and finally entered the Qin state as an official. Despite his flaws, he assisted the First Emperor and ultimately achieved the empire of the Qin Dynasty. Li Si reached the position of the Three Excellencies (the highest ranking officials), a very prestigious position. However, Li Si clearly knew the laws of development but did not properly govern the country to make up for the emperor's shortcomings. Instead, he flattered the emperor and lived a life of luxury, ruled with an iron fist, listened to the whispers of his enemies, deposed the crown prince, and made Hu Hai his heir. Once the rebellions began, Li Si finally tried to advise the emperor, but it was too late! Everyone thought Li Si was loyal, which is why he was executed by the Five Punishments. Looking at it another way, his downfall was actually related to his unorthodox thinking. If he had not been like that in the first place, his achievements could have been compared to those of Duke Zhou and Duke Shao (two legendary figures known for their wisdom and virtue).
So, basically, Sima Qian believed that although Li Si completely fell from grace, his early contributions were undeniable. It's just that his later actions went against how politics really worked, leading to a tragic outcome. If he had stuck to the right course, perhaps he could have accomplished something truly amazing. Later generations got him all wrong; he wasn't some loyal minister. His own bad choices were mostly to blame for his downfall.
