Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) is a Chinese historical drama television series based on the life of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor who unified China under the Qin dynasty, in 221 BC. Starring Zhang Fengyi as the titular character, the series was filmed between 1999 and 2000 and first released in 2001 in Hong Kong and Thailand, and in 2002 in Singapore. In China, the series was edited and altered by historians and experts before it was approved for broadcast on CCTV-1 in 2001.
Synopsis
The series follows the life of Ying Zheng from his ascension to the throne of the Qin state at the age of 13 in 247 BC and covers major events in his early reign, such as the Battle of Hangu Pass against a coalition of rival states in 241 BC, and the rebellions by Chengjiao and Lao Ai in 239 and 238 BC, respectively. After seizing power from and eliminating the regent Lü Buwei, the king wages war against the other six major states over the next ten years, destroying them one by one and eventually unifying China under the Qin dynasty.
Having created a highly centralised empire, Ying Zheng declares himself the First Emperor (Qin Shi Huang) and enacts reforms to standardise the writing system and measurements, among other things. In the north, he sends his forces to resist barbarian invasions and construct the Great Wall. In the south, he sends troops to expand territory. At the same time, he also implements forced labour to construct the Epang Palace and his mausoleum, while ordering the burning of books and burying of Confucian scholars, whom he deems a threat.
After ruling for 37 years, the 50-year-old Ying Zheng dies of illness while on an inspection tour. He is buried in the mausoleum he built, alongside the massive Terracotta Army.