According to the documentary "The Mystery of the Terracotta Warriors" (Netflix, 2024), Zhao Gao was an important figure in the history of the Qin Dynasty. He was a close servant of Qin Shi Huang, and later assisted his two successors to the throne, the Second Emperor Hu Hai and the Third Emperor Ying Ziying.
However, it was also because of his sinister plots and desire for power that Zhao Gao repeatedly betrayed his master, and in the end, he did not have a good ending. The notorious traitor of the Qin Dynasty caused an entire powerful dynasty to fall into a tragic situation of internal and external enemies, and finally to its demise just 3 years after Qin Shi Huang passed away.
Humble origin
According to Sima Qian's "Historical Records", in the "Mengtian Chronicles" section, Zhao Gao was a distant relative of the Zhao family, a third-generation relative of Qin Shi Huang. He had several brothers who were all born in the palace. Zhao Gao's mother was sentenced to death, and his family was forced to do menial jobs for generations.
Qin Shi Huang saw that Zhao Gao was strong and skilled in prison work, so he appointed him as the Zhongxuefu Ling. Later, Zhao Gao became the teacher of the youngest prince Hu Hai, helping Hu Hai handle prison work.
Most historical books say that Zhao Gao was a eunuch. But there are also studies that say this is not enough basis to conclude.
According to "Historical Records", Zhao Gao once committed a great crime and was punished by the Emperor by Meng Yi. Meng Yi did not dare to break the law and sentenced Zhao Gao to death and removed him from the eunuch register. However, in the end, Qin Shi Huang saw that Zhao Gao worked hard and forgave him and returned him to his former position.
Later, Zhao Gao gradually became a close servant of Qin Shi Huang, holding the imperial seal. On his last tour to the east, Qin Shi Huang also brought Zhao Gao along with Prime Minister Li Si and Prince Hu Hai. Zhao Gao was also the first to discover the Emperor's death and receive Qin Shi Huang's imperial edict.
Harming Phu To - Mong Diem, forcing Ly Tu - Hu Hoi to commit suicide
After Qin Shi Huang died, Zhao Gao colluded with Li Si to forge a will and make Hu Hai the king. At the same time, the two forged another edict accusing Prince Fu Su (the successor chosen by Qin Shi Huang) and Meng Tian (a famous general of the Qin Dynasty), forcing them to die.
Upon receiving the edict, Fu Su, unaware of the matter, committed suicide. Meng Tian refused and was imprisoned in Yangzhou. Zhao Gao refused to give up. After Hu Hai ascended the throne, Zhao Gao continued to incite the Emperor to kill Meng Yi (Mong Tian's younger brother), and went to Yangzhou to force Meng Tian to commit suicide.
Because of Zhao Gao's scheme, the successor chosen by Emperor Qin Shi Huang - Fu Su had to die. The fierce general of the Qin Dynasty - Meng Tian also left in resentment.
Not stopping there, Zhao Gao continued to incite the Second Emperor Hu Hai to kill Qin Shi Huang's siblings and loyal ministers to consolidate the throne.
At the same time, he proposed that Hu Hai only need to sit in the palace and not go to court. Zhao Gao waited next to Qin Er, taking advantage of this to seize all power in the court.
Seeing this, Prime Minister Li Si wanted to dissuade him, which made Hu Hai angry. Zhao Gao took advantage of this and slandered Li Si for wanting to establish himself as king, causing the Emperor to gradually lose faith in the Prime Minister.
Not long after, Li Si submitted a letter denouncing Zhao Gao and the Second Emperor Hu Hai. Hu Hai refused to listen and handed Li Si over to Zhao Gao for trial. Li Si was forced to admit to treason and was executed in July 209 BC.
After Li Si died, Zhao Gao was appointed as the Prime Minister, with the title of Marquis of Anwu, and took control of all national politics.
In 209 BC, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang revolted in Daze against the Qin Dynasty. Chen Sheng proclaimed himself King of Zhang Chu, and later a series of vassal states during the Warring States period also proclaimed themselves kings.
Zhao Gao repeatedly hid the fact that Qin had lost the battle from Qin Er, until he could no longer hide it and forced Hu Hai to commit suicide. On one hand, he established a new royal family, Ying Ziying, to ascend the throne, and on the other hand, he sought peace with Liu Bang to be crowned king in Guangzhong.
However, Zhao Gao's plot failed when Ying Ziying also had his own plot. Emperor Qin San ordered people to kill Zhao Gao and his three families. Zhao Gao died in 207 BC, at the age of about 50, and his burial place is unknown.
But during the reign of Zhao Gao, the country was in decline, with constant internal and external enemies. The Qin Dynasty could not hold out and officially collapsed just 40 days after Zhao Gao's death.
Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/bi-an-ve-ga-hoan-quan-khien-ca-de-che-cua-tan-thuy-hoang-den-bo-diet-vong-1357939.ldo
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