Accusations from the distorted and incomplete remains in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang

Photo: Netflix

History books record that Qin Shi Huang died on July 10, 221 BC. Not long after, Prince Hu Hai, with the plot and assistance of Prime Minister Li Si and Zhao Gao, ascended the throne as the Second Emperor.

However, according to the documentary "The Mystery of the Terracotta Warriors", it was not until September of the same year that Qin Shi Huang's body was buried in Ly Son, in the giant mausoleum that the Emperor spent his entire adulthood building.

The army of the new Emperor Hu Hai and the vassal states on the way to bury Qin Shi Huang. Photo: Netflix

On the other hand, the new Emperor Hu Hai began a bloody massacre, targeting anyone who could threaten the throne.

The concubines were massacred.

Evidence of the tragedy following Qin Shi Huang's funeral was discovered at the excavation site in the mausoleum.

The documentary shows that in the northeast corner of the inner city of Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum, there are an estimated 100 tombs. Archaeologists have excavated 10 of them.

Intact skeletons were found in the tomb. Photo: Netflix

One grave was completely destroyed, while the remaining nine contained human bones. The bones were so mixed together that it was impossible to distinguish one set from another, as if the parts had been separated before burial.

In a field, archaeologists found pearls and gold-plated jewelry, showing that their owners were not ordinary people. They were Qin Shi Huang's concubines who were buried with the Emperor.

According to Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian", the first to suffer the wrath of the new Emperor Hu Hai were the young concubines in Qin Shi Huang's harem.

During the burial of Qin Shi Huang, the new emperor Hu Hai issued an edict that it would be inconvenient for those in the late emperor's harem to leave without children. Therefore, all were ordered to follow the late emperor. However, the "Historical Records" did not clearly state how they were sentenced to death.

These are the remains of Qin Shi Huang's concubines. Photo: Netflix

Qin Dynasty historian Gou Jinsong said: “The reason why they became targets is not clearly stated in history books. However, in the context of the usurpation of the throne, we can find a reasonable explanation for it.

Some of the concubines probably traveled with Qin Shi Huang on his final journey and witnessed the strange events surrounding the Emperor's death. Perhaps Hu Hai thought these concubines knew too much and decided to kill them all."

According to the results of the autopsy of the remains, forensic anthropologist Chen Liang said that the skeletons in the nine graves were relatively slim. They were 1m50-1m60 tall, and their weight was controlled within an allowable range.

The autopsy showed that the bodies of the concubines had been brutally dismembered and murdered.

But that was just the beginning of the bloody massacre.

Strike at your own siblings

During the exploration of the tomb, the archaeological team discovered many other mass graves. In them, at first glance, the people killed were quite young.

In Thuong Tieu village, the archaeological team discovered 17 graves and excavated 8 graves. The youngest skeleton was about 18 years old and the oldest was about 30 years old. It is not clear who killed these people.

Dozens of other skeletons were found in the tomb. Photo: Netflix

The bodies were identified by seals found in the tombs. Traditionally, seals were buried with the bodies of people of high status. These were princes and princesses - children of Qin Shi Huang.

The documentary depicts the aftermath of the funeral, when the conspirators turned their attention to each threat to Hu Hai's throne. The princes - the new emperor's brothers - must have known that the succession was being interfered with. They were therefore targets who were not allowed to exist.

Zhao Gao, under orders from the new Emperor Hu Hai, arrested the 12 princes for disloyalty to the Emperor and immediately beheaded them in public. The princesses were also massacred in a bloody massacre. Those who were lucky enough not to be beheaded had only one choice: to commit suicide. Prince Gao was one of them.

Hu Hai forced his brothers to the path of death. Photo: Netflix

By the end of Hu Hai's first year of reign, history books say most of his siblings were dead. The throne of the Second Emperor was bathed in the blood of his own family and relatives.

The massacre was also an omen, a sign that a powerful empire was about to fall into crisis and decline...

Source: https://laodong.vn/van-hoa-giai-tri/loi-to-cao-tu-nhung-bo-hai-cot-meo-mo-khong-toan-ven-trong-lang-mo-tan-thuy-hoang-1356048.ldo