Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor's Epic Journey

[00:00:00]Qin Shi Huang lived only 49 years, from a hostage in Handan to king in Xianyang, conquering six kingdoms and touring his empire. Today, one map traces his entire life.

[00:00:11]In 210 BC, Qin Shi Huang died at Shaqiu, his rotting corpse hidden by salted fish.

[00:00:18]How did the first emperor rise from hostage to ruler of all China?

[00:00:22]In 259 BC, in the enemy capital Handan, Ying Zheng was born as the son of a Qin hostage.

[00:00:29]Every day of his childhood hung by a thread. If Qin and Zhao went to war, he would be the first to die.

[00:00:37]In 247 BC, at 13, Ying Zheng ascended the throne in Xianyang. He sat on the dragon throne while the merchant minister Lü Buwei, honored as second father, held the reins of Qin.

[00:00:51]In 238 BC, at the old capital Yong, the 22-year-old Ying Zheng held his coronation ceremony and took power.

[00:00:59]He crushed the revolt of Lao Ai, then ousted Lü Buwei, seizing total control.

[00:01:07]In 230 BC, at 29, Qin forces breached Chengyang and the state of Han fell.

[00:01:13]Ying Zheng turned Han territory into Yingchuan Commandery, the first of the six kingdoms to crumble.

[00:01:21]In 221 BC, at 38, Linzi fell and Qi surrendered.

[00:01:26]After 10 years of war, all six kingdoms were conquered and China was unified.

[00:01:32]Ying Zheng proclaimed himself Shi Huangdi, the first emperor. He declared, "I am the first emperor. My heir shall be counted second, third, on to 10,000 generations, passed down without end."

[00:01:47]In 219 BC, at 40, the first emperor climbed Mount Tai for the grand Fengshan rites. He erected a stone stele, proclaiming his achievements to heaven and earth, praying for eternal rule.

[00:02:01]At Langya, the first emperor built a terrace overlooking the sea and sent the alchemist Xu Fu with thousands of young boys and girls to find the elixir of immortality. The fleet vanished beyond the horizon, never to return.

[00:02:17]In 210 BC, at 49, at Shaqiu, the first emperor died suddenly. Zhao Gao and Li Si concealed the death, masking the stench with carts of salted fish while they forged a decree to place Su Hai on the throne, plunging the empire into ruin.

[00:02:35]He built an empire and sowed its destruction, a titan of history now dust.