| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 嬴将闾, 嬴將閭, Yíng Jiānglǘ |
| Other name | Doanh Tương Lư |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Xianyang, State of Qin (秦国咸阳; Hàm Dương, nước Tần) |
| Died | 209 BC |
| Death Reason | Execution / Honorable suicide by sword |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Qin Dynasty |
Prince Jianglü of Qin (公子将闾, Công tử Tương Lư; d. 209 BC), was an imperial prince of the Qin Dynasty, son of the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang and brother of Crown Prince Fusu (Fusu) and the Second Emperor Huhai (Huhai).
Following Qin Shi Huang’s death at Shaqiu, Huhai and the treacherous eunuch Zhao Gao executed Fusu and launched a horrific, paranoid bloodbath against the remaining imperial sons and daughters to eliminate all rivals to the throne. While many princes were executed without trial, Prince Jianglü and two of his brothers were imprisoned in the palace. Sentenced to death, Jianglü called the heavens to witness his innocence: ‘At court, I never spoke against the rites; in council, I never violated etiquette; in receiving orders, I never failed my duties! On what charge am I condemned to die?!’
The executioner replied: ‘I only obey the Emperor’s mandate and know nothing of charges.’ Knowing resistance was futile, Prince Jianglü looked up to heaven and cried aloud three times: ‘Heaven! I am innocent!’ He and his brothers drew their swords and committed suicide together in Xianyang, a tragic testament to the ruthless cruelty that swiftly doomed the Qin Dynasty.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 6, Annals of Qin Shi Huang): “Prince Jianglü cried out to Heaven: ‘I have committed no crime!’ He and his two brothers wept, drew their blades, and took their own lives. All who witnessed it shed tears in secret.”
Prince Jianglü of Qin — Historical & Literary Timeline
Qin Dynasty
Imperial Prince
Born in Xianyang to Qin Shi Huang; educated in imperial rites and statecraft.
210 BC
Shaqiu Conspiracy
Huhai and Zhao Gao usurp the throne and order the massacre of royal princes.
209 BC
Imprisonment in Xianyang
Arrested alongside his brothers despite having never participated in court politics.
209 BC
Tragic Suicide
Pleads his innocence to Heaven before taking his own life with his brothers.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇, Tần Thủy Hoàng – First Emperor): Unifying emperor of China.
- Brothers Fusu (Phù Tô), Prince Gao (公子高): Tragic brothers destroyed in Zhao Gao’s purge.
- Fratricidal Brother Huhai (胡亥, Hồ Hợi – Qin Er Shi): Second emperor who murdered his own siblings to secure power.
Friends
- Imperial Brothers Two royal princes imprisoned with him: Committed suicide by his side.
Enemies
- Scheming Eunuch Zhao Gao (赵高, Triệu Cao): Ruthless eunuch chancellor who engineered the extermination of the imperial house.
- Colluding Chancellor Li Si (李斯): Accomplice in the initial Shaqiu usurpation.
Other
- Imperial Executioner Qin palace guards: Carried out the death decree.
In Shiji
The Cry to Heaven
"Jianglü looked to the sky and cried three times: 'Heaven! Innocence is slaughtered in Xianyang!' He drew his sword and plunged it into his breast."
Historical Context
Huhai slaughtered twelve of his brothers in the marketplace of Du and tortured ten of his sisters to death, entirely depriving the Qin throne of royal defenders when Xiang Yu and Liu Bang revolted.
COMMENTS (0)