The first ruler to unite the scattered Chinese lands and establish one-man rule in China was Qin Shi Huang. But this person's real name is Ying Zheng. As the first emperor in Chinese history, Qin Shi Huang ended an entire era known as the Warring States.
Unification of Chinese lands
The first sole ruler of China was born in 259 BC. At birth, the boy was given the name Zheng, which means "first". The mother of the future emperor enjoyed the patronage of an influential nobleman of one of the principalities. Thanks to this, they subsequently began to believe that Zheng was the official's son, although this fact has not been reliably confirmed.
When Zheng reached the age of thirteen, he ascended the throne, aided by the intrigues of the courtiers. By that time, the Chinese state was quite an influential and powerful state. The prerequisites were created for the unification of disparate territories. The army of China was strong and powerful, and the state itself was distinguished by a developed bureaucracy. Until he came of age, Zheng ruled the country under the control of a regent who officially served as prime minister.
Subsequently, the young ruler sent the regent into permanent exile, suspecting him of treason and a desire to seize power.
The following years became a time of active hostilities to conquer several neighboring Chinese states. The methods and techniques used by Zheng varied widely. Intrigues, spy networks, bribery were used. The young emperor closely followed the development of the political situation and did not neglect the recommendations of his advisers.
First Emperor of China
The ruler received the official throne name when he was almost forty years old. Zheng was called Qin Shi Huang. It was at this age that the ruler subjugated all of China to his influence, in fact becoming its first emperor. The imperial system of state power based on one-man rule, with some changes, existed in China until the beginning of the 20th century.
After becoming the emperor of the united Chinese lands, Qin Shi Huang started reforming activities. Most of the privileges of local feudal lords were canceled. The emperor imposed heavy taxes and duties on the peasants. A common road network was created in the state, connecting the largest cities in China, and a single writing system for all regions of the country was introduced.
Monetary circulation, as well as the system of measures and weights, have undergone standardization.
The Chinese empire was divided into thirty-six military districts. During the reign of Qin Shi Huang, one of the most powerful defensive structures of that time, the Great Wall of China, was built. It was intended to protect Chinese lands from warlike nomads. Extensive possessions needed unremitting attention, management and control, so the emperor periodically traveled around the country himself. During one of these trips, he died, leaving behind a powerful empire, which, however, soon collapsed under the onslaught of popular uprisings.
