"In the history of China, there have been 422 emperors. Among them, three are universally recognized as the most outstanding and are all honored with the title 'Emperor of the Ages.'"
"Throughout 5,000 years of Chinese history, a total of 422 emperors reigned. Opinions on who was a wise ruler, a virtuous leader, a foolish king, or a tyrant varied between the people of the past and those of today.
Among these hundreds of emperors, only three are regarded as 'Emperors of the Ages,' with their achievements beyond measure."
"Who are these three 'Emperors of the Ages'? What were their achievements? As emperors, regarded as the fathers of the nation, were they supported by the people at the time? And from our perspective today, how have their accomplishments impacted our lives?"
"Undoubtedly: Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng.
The achievements of the Chinese nation today are inseparable from the great initiatives of this 'First Emperor.' Whenever the discussion turns to which emperor contributed the most, Qin Shi Huang is a name that can never be overlooked.
If there must be one true 'Emperor of the Ages,' it would undoubtedly be Qin Shi Huang, for his excellence is unparalleled."
"Had Qin Shi Huang not employed capable individuals and governed with diligence, the Qin state would not have become so powerful, and the opportunity to unify the Six States might have been lost.
If the Six States had not been unified by Qin Shi Huang, the consequences would have been enormous. It could have led to the disappearance of a unified China, turning East Asia into a fragmented region of small, divided states—a frightening thought indeed."
"Qin Shi Huang’s greatest achievement was the unification of the Six States, creating a 'beginning.' Just like Pangu, the creator of the world, who never fought anyone, yet remains the most powerful god in Chinese mythology.
This is because he achieved the breakthrough from nothing to something. Qin Shi Huang's accomplishments are similar—starting with the Qin Dynasty, the concept of a unified empire, or Da Yitong, was born."
"Apart from achieving unification, Qin Shi Huang implemented various policies that have benefited future generations immensely.
The most iconic among them are 'standardizing the written script, unifying axle widths, and establishing uniform weights and measures.' With a shared cultural heritage, people could trace their roots and reconnect with their origins.
As long as we continue to speak the Chinese language and write Chinese characters, we maintain a sense of cultural identity—and that is the true significance of unification."
"A man from Hebei arrives in Guangdong with 300 jin of apples. Although he may not understand the Cantonese spoken by the locals, and they may not understand his dialect, communication isn't a problem as long as he has a pen and paper—everyone understands the written Chinese characters.
He also doesn’t need to worry about his 300 jin of apples becoming 267 jin, because the scales are the same everywhere."
Qin Shi Huang: The Pioneer of Unification
Beyond daily affairs, Qin Shi Huang’s greatest project was building the Great Wall. Though many lives were lost in its construction, the Wall protected us for millennia.
Without the Great Wall’s barrier, northern nomadic tribes could have freely crossed the vast borders and invaded northern China, causing great harm. After the Wall was completed, tribes like the Xiongnu, Turks, Khitan, Jurchens, and Mongols all had to confront this obstacle if they wanted to invade the south. As long as the Wall stood, northern powers couldn’t easily move southward.
The Han and Tang dynasties were examples of the Wall's success. However, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin handed over the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to the north, effectively dismantling the Wall’s strategic defense. This led to centuries of chaos in the Central Plains. It wasn’t until the Ming dynasty, when Zhu Yuanzhang reclaimed these regions, that stability returned. Only then did Zhu Di dare to move the capital to Beijing.
Today, the Great Wall may no longer serve a military purpose, but it has become a symbol of the Chinese nation and a cultural icon, continuing to play a significant role.
Qin Shi Huang’s achievements are countless, and though his greatness is undeniable, he was not without flaws.
The construction of the Great Wall claimed the lives of countless laborers—each brick symbolizing the life of a craftsman. As a result, Qin Shi Huang was branded a tyrant by his people, and the Qin dynasty earned the nickname "Brutal Qin."
His policies, such as the burning of books and burying of scholars, and the use of cruel punishments, reflect his disregard for human life. However, such harshness was common among emperors of that era. Despite these shortcomings, Qin Shi Huang’s accomplishments overshadow his faults, and he remains an undisputed 'Emperor of the Ages.'
Liu Che, Emperor Wu of Han: The Warrior King
The Qin dynasty, which Qin Shi Huang established, could have lasted for centuries. However, his successor, Qin Er Shi, was incompetent and manipulated by Zhao Gao, leading to the dynasty’s downfall after only two generations.
Following Liu Bang’s death seven years into his reign, the Han dynasty was almost ruined by Empress Lü’s power struggle, planting the seeds for future political interference by relatives of the emperor. Before these issues surfaced, the Western Han enjoyed a prosperous era under the Reign of Wen and Jing, when the nation grew strong and the people lived in peace.
However, as the country reached the limits of its internal development, it became necessary to channel its energy outward. This task fell to Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.
Unlike his predecessors, who focused on domestic affairs, Liu Che was determined to confront external threats. The Xiongnu had taken advantage of the turmoil during the Warring States period to seize control of the Western Regions, now known as Xinjiang. Qin Shi Huang's Great Wall only protected the northern front, leaving the west vulnerable.
The Xiongnu repeatedly raided the Han borders, but the early Han emperors could only endure the attacks. Even before ascending the throne, Liu Che was frustrated by this situation. His first goal as emperor was to retaliate against the Xiongnu—not just to defend but to strike back decisively and ensure they would never dare invade again.
During his reign, Emperor Wu abandoned the Han dynasty’s previous defensive policies and launched numerous campaigns, not only against the Xiongnu but also against other regions, including Minyue, Dongyue, Nanyue, the Koreans, Western Qiang, and more. He waged 28 large-scale wars, each involving tens of thousands of soldiers.
Wars inevitably bring casualties, but they also yield significant gains. During the campaigns against the Xiongnu, Zhang Qian’s expeditions opened the path to the Western Regions. Following Huo Qubing’s conquest of the Hexi Corridor, Zhang Qian established the Silk Road, strengthening ties between the Han empire and the Western Regions and bringing vast territories under Han control.
The land acquired during Liu Che’s reign surpassed that of all previous emperors combined. However, the constant warfare took a toll on the people. During his later years, Liu Che encountered war veterans who had lost their families and homes due to the wars. Deeply remorseful, he returned to the palace and issued a self-criticism edict, sincerely acknowledging his mistakes.
Unlike later symbolic apologies, Liu Che’s self-criticism was genuine. He realized the harm his military campaigns had inflicted and introduced policies to restore the people’s well-being and halt further wars.
The phrase "Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han" highlights Liu Che’s prowess in warfare. His greatness lies in his ability to recognize and correct his mistakes.
Even after mistakenly ordering the death of his son, Crown Prince Liu Ju, during the witchcraft incident, Liu Che took immediate action to clear his son’s name and punish those responsible. He built the Palace of Longing and the Terrace of Yearning to express his sorrow and often visited these places in his later years.
Realizing the futility of seeking immortality, Liu Che dismissed the alchemists he had once relied on and abandoned his pursuit of eternal life. His ability to admit his faults and change course earned him a place alongside Qin Shi Huang as one of the greatest emperors in history.
Zhu Yuanzhang, Founder of the Ming Dynasty: Bearing the Burden of Infamy
After Shi Jingtang surrendered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, the Song dynasty suffered humiliation for centuries. Both the Northern and Southern Song dynasties achieved progress in science and technology, but they were powerless against foreign invasions. The problem was not a lack of generals or soldiers—it was the absence of an emperor willing to fight.
After struggling for years, the Southern Song was ultimately destroyed by the Yuan dynasty. However, the Yuan dynasty’s reign was short-lived. Less than a century after the fall of the Southern Song, Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew the Yuan dynasty, driving the Mongols back to their homeland and reclaiming the lost Sixteen Prefectures.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise from a beggar to the emperor who unified the realm ended centuries of chaos in the Central Plains. Even as emperor, he remembered his days as a peasant and beggar, treating farmers with great kindness. The Ming dynasty was perhaps the most benevolent toward farmers in Chinese history.
To ensure the stability of his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang groomed his son, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, to be a wise and compassionate leader. Unfortunately, Zhu Biao died before him. To secure the succession, Zhu Yuanzhang ruthlessly eliminated many of the founding ministers. Though this method was brutal, it was effective in consolidating power, and he willingly bore the burden of infamy for it.
Three 'Emperors of the Ages'
Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wu of Han, and Zhu Yuanzhang were all exceptional rulers. One unified the realm, another expanded its borders, and the last reclaimed lost territories. Each was a true hero, earning their place as 'Emperors of the Ages'."