| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 秦庄襄王, 秦莊襄王, Qín Zhuāngxiāng Wáng |
| Other name | Tần Trang Tương Vương |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 281 BC |
| Birth Place | Xianyang, State of Qin (秦国咸阳; Hàm Dương, nước Tần) |
| Died | 247 BC |
| Death Reason | Illness |
| FAMILY | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Qin State |
King Zhuangxiang of Qin (秦庄襄王; 281–247 BC; personal name Zichu 子楚 / Yiren 异人), was the monarch of the State of Qin during the late Warring States period and the father of China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇).
Originally an impoverished, neglected royal prince sent as a political hostage to Handan in the State of Zhao, Prince Yiren lived in cold misery with broken carriages and threadbare garments. The wealthy merchant Lu Buwei (吕不韦) recognized his immense potential, famously declaring: ‘This rare commodity is worth hoarding!’ (此奇货可居). Lu Buwei invested a thousand taels of gold, traveled to Xianyang, and persuaded Lady Huayang (favored consort of Crown Prince Anguo) to adopt Yiren as her legal heir, renaming him Zichu.
When the Battle of Changping erupted and Zhao attempted to execute Zichu, Lu Buwei bribed the Handan gate guards with six hundred taels of gold, enabling Zichu to escape back to Qin. In 250 BC, upon the death of King Xiaowen, Zichu ascended the throne as King Zhuangxiang, appointing Lu Buwei as Grand Chancellor (Wenxin Hou). In his three-year reign, King Zhuangxiang dispatched General Meng Ao to extinguish Eastern Zhou (249 BC) and seize key commanderies from Wei and Han, expanding Qin’s borders to the gates of Daliang before passing away in 247 BC at age thirty-five.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 85, Biography of Lu Buwei): “Lu Buwei saw Zichu in Handan and said: ‘I can make your gate great!’ Zichu laughed: ‘Make your own gate great first!’ Lu Buwei replied: ‘My gate must wait for yours to become great!’ Zichu understood and bowed.”
King Zhuangxiang of Qin — Historical & Literary Timeline
281 BC
Birth in Xianyang
Grandson of King Zhaoxiang of Qin; sent to Zhao as a royal hostage.
c. 260s BC
Alliance with Lu Buwei
Lu Buwei backs him with colossal fortune; adopted by Lady Huayang as Zichu.
257 BC
Escape from Handan
Escapes Zhao executioners with Lu Buwei during the Siege of Handan.
250 BC
Accession as King of Qin
Ascends the throne; appoints Lu Buwei Chancellor and Meng Ao general.
249 BC
Extinction of Eastern Zhou
Annexes Eastern Zhou; expands Qin territory across the Central Plains.
247 BC
Passing in Xianyang
Passes away; succeeded by his thirteen-year-old son Ying Zheng (Qin Shi Huang).
Key Relationships
Family
- Son Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇, Tần Thủy Hoàng – First Emperor): Unifying emperor of China.
- Wife Queen Dowager Zhao (赵姬): Mother of Qin Shi Huang.
- Adoptive Mother Lady Huayang (华阳夫人): Consort who adopted him to secure his royal succession.
- Father King Xiaowen of Qin (秦孝文王 – Lord Anguo): Reigned for only three days.
Friends
- Merchant-Chancellor Lu Buwei (吕不韦): Patron and statesman who secured his accession and governed Qin.
- Pillar General Meng Ao (蒙骜, Mông Ngao): Grand general who conquered Eastern Zhou for him.
Enemies
- Handan Jailers State of Zhao authorities: Attempted to execute him during the Siege of Handan.
Other
- Grandfather King Zhaoxiang of Qin: Long-reigning predecessor.
In Shiji
A Rare Commodity Hoarded
"Lu Buwei invested gold in a forgotten prince; the forgotten prince sat upon the throne of Qin and fathered the emperor of all China."
Historical Context
King Zhuangxiang's brief yet energetic reign completed the annexation of the ancient Zhou royal lands, cementing Qin's unassailable supremacy on the eve of final unification.
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