| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 子婴, 子嬰, Zǐyīng |
| Other name | Tử Anh |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | ? BC |
| Birth Place | Xianyang, State of Qin (秦国咸阳; Hàm Dương, nước Tần) |
| Died | 206 BC |
| Death Reason | Executed by Xiang Yu upon the sack of Xianyang |
| FAMILY | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Qin |
Ziying (子婴, Tử Anh; d. 206 BC; posthumously Qin San Shi 秦三世 — The Third Ruler of Qin), was the tragic final monarch of the Qin Dynasty, reigning for forty-six days as the King of Qin (秦王).
Following Zhao Gao’s murder of Huhai (Huhai) in 207 BC, Zhao Gao attempted to seize the throne, but finding the ministers unyielding, he installed Ziying as King of Qin, abolishing the imperial title. Knowing Zhao Gao intended to murder him as well, Ziying feigned severe illness during the state fasting ritual at the Palace of Fasting (Zhigong 斋宫), refusing to attend the coronation. When Zhao Gao personally entered his bedchamber to urge him to proceed, Ziying and his loyal eunuch Han Tan ambushed the tyrant, stabbing Zhao Gao to death and exterminating Zhao Gao’s clan to the cheers of Xianyang.
Ziying attempted to rally Qin armies to defend the passes, but the state was in ruins. In December 207 BC, Liu Bang (Liu Bang) breached Wu Pass and descended upon Bashang. Recognizing the futility of shedding further blood, Ziying rode out in a white mourner’s carriage drawn by white horses, tying a hemp cord around his neck, clutching the Imperial Jade Seal and imperial tallies, and surrendered to Liu Bang. While Liu Bang treated Ziying with mercy and refused to harm him, warlord Xiang Yu entered Xianyang months later in fury, brutally decapitating Ziying, slaughtering the Qin royal clan, and setting fire to Epang Palace, burning Xianyang for three months and ending the Qin Dynasty.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 6, Annals of Qin): “Ziying and his two sons plotted: ‘Zhao Gao murdered Er Shi and fears destruction; he will slay us next.’ In the Fasting Palace, Han Tan stabbed Zhao Gao, and Ziying wiped out his clan. Forty-six days later, Ziying surrendered the Imperial Seal to Duke Pei at Bashang.”
Ziying — Historical & Literary Timeline
Qin Dynasty
Imperial Scion
Son of Prince Fusu (or brother of Qin Shi Huang); renowned for wisdom and courage.
207 BC
The Assassination of Zhao Gao
Feigns illness; stabs Zhao Gao to death in the Fasting Palace and purges his clan.
207 BC
Reign of 46 Days
Rules as King of Qin; sends armies to resist Liu Bang at Yao Pass.
207 BC
Surrender at Bashang
Surrenders with white carriage and silk cord to Liu Bang at Bashang.
206 BC
Martyrdom by Xiang Yu
Decapitated by Xiang Yu upon the burning of Xianyang; Qin royal line extinguished.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father / Kin Fusu (Phù Tô) / Imperial Qin Lineage: Rightful heir of Qin Shi Huang.
- Uncle / Predecessor Huhai (Qin Er Shi): Second emperor murdered by Zhao Gao.
- Sons Two imperial sons: Collaborated in the assassination of Zhao Gao; executed by Xiang Yu.
Friends
- Loyal Assassin Han Tan (韩谈): Imperial eunuch who stabbed Zhao Gao to death in the bedchamber.
- Merciful Conqueror Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu): Accepted his surrender with chivalric clemency at Bashang.
Enemies
- Treacherous Eunuch Zhao Gao (赵高, Triệu Cao): Dictator whom Ziying outwitted and executed in the Fasting Palace.
- Ruthless Destroyer Xiang Yu (项羽, Hạng Vũ): Decapitated Ziying and burned Xianyang for three months.
Other
- Imperial Symbol Imperial Jade Seal of the Realm (传国玉玺): Surrendered by Ziying to Liu Bang.
In Shiji
The Surrender of the Seal
"In a plain white carriage, with hemp cord about his neck, Ziying knelt by the roadside of Bashang, offering the Imperial Jade Seal to Duke Pei. Thus passed the empire of the First Emperor into the hands of Han."
Historical Significance
Ziying's decisive slaying of Zhao Gao demonstrated heroic courage, but came too late to halt the historic disintegration of the Qin Dynasty.
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