Prime Minister Lü Buwei of Qin

Author: Jin Hai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: In the late Warring States period, the great merchant Shang Buwei traveled through various states, witnessing frequent wars and the suffering of the people. He aspired to unify the realm and achieve prosperity and peace for the nation. On his way to Handan, he met a Zhao princess and formed a deep bond with her, considering each other as kindred spirits. Later, he encountered the prince of Qin held in Handan, Zichu, and believed this man to be the one who could help him realize his ambitions. Through his strategic planning, Zichu, who had originally no hope of inheriting the throne, became the heir apparent. Soon after, Zichu took a liking to the Zhao princess. To prevent the ruin of the burgeoning enterprise, Lü Buwei painfully gave her up. At this point, the Zhao princess was two months pregnant. With the lofty ideals in mind or the hope of realizing them through their son, the two decided to make sacrifices for their cause. Later, Lü Buwei became the Prime Minister and helped Qin complete its strategic shift from hegemony to empire. When Ying Zheng ascended the throne, Lü Buwei was dismissed as Prime Minister and left Xianyang. Eventually, he returned to the Qin palace in a unique way, quietly passing away in the presence of his beloved and his son.