The mysterious death of Qin Shi Huang remains unsolved

After unifying the world, Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC) continuously increased taxes and slavery, built the Great Wall, palaces, and mausoleums, and strengthened border defenses. To build the Afang Palace and the Lishan Mausoleum, Qin Shi Huang mobilized more than 700 million workers, wasted money, and was opposed by the people.

In 209 BC, Qin Shi Huang traveled incognito, bringing his son and his courtiers with him. In July of that year, on the way back to the palace, the group passed through the desert. Due to his weak constitution and the heat, Qin Shi Huang fell seriously ill. However, whether this was the reason for the king's death is unclear.

Scene of the assassination of Qin Shi Huang. (Photo: Sohu)

Some scholars suspect that Qin Shi Huang was assassinated, and the most likely suspect is the eunuch Zhao Gao (258 – 207 BC), whom Qin Shi Huang always carried with him. Zhao Gao’s parents were captured during the Qin Dynasty’s war to unify the Central Plains, and his father was later executed and his mother was taken into slavery.

Seeing that Zhao Gao was healthy and knowledgeable about the law, Qin Shi Huang promoted him to the position of chief steward in charge of carriages, seals, and ink in the palace. The king also ordered Zhao Gao to teach law to Hu Hai, Qin Shi Huang's 18th son. This trip of Qin Shi Huang certainly could not have been without Zhao Gao.

Qin Shi Huang also brought along the Shangqing official Meng Yu. Meng Yu was the king's younger brother and close friend, but when the king fell seriously ill, Meng Yu was sent away. Scholars believe that Zhao Gao sought to send Meng Yu away in order to eliminate the king's close associates to make it easier to plot his assassination.

After Qin Shi Huang died, Zhao Gao persuaded Hu Hai to threaten the Left Prime Minister Li Si, forge a will, and put Hu Hai on the throne. At the same time, these three men colluded in the king's name to criticize the eldest son Fu Su for being unfilial and Meng Yu for being disloyal, causing them to commit suicide.

From Zhao Gao's expressions and actions after the king's death, scholars have grounds to suspect that he plotted to kill the king.

HONG PHUC (Source: GMW)

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Source: https://vtc.vn/cai-chet-bi-an-cua-tan-thuy-hoang-van-chua-co-loi-giai-ar762264.html