So how did Zhao Gao, as a eunuch, step by step go to the core of the Qin Empire and seize the regime of the Qin Empire? Have to say, Zhao Gao along the way, full of dangers and challenges, don't have enough courage and strategy, can't do such a big thing.
0 1 When Qin Shihuang was alive, Zhao Gao was deeply trusted by Qin Shihuang.
Zhao Gao was born in Qin king Palace, so he became a eunuch at an early age. However, Zhao Gao is a clever man. At that time, Qin Shihuang used Lisi to be in charge of state affairs, and he also preferred the legalist culture of Han Feizi, so Zhao Gao secretly learned a lot of legal knowledge.
Qin Shihuang was very happy when he learned that Zhao Gao was familiar with the law, so he promoted Zhao Gao to be the official of CRRC, responsible for the education of Hu Hai's son. This incident has undergone a qualitative change in Zhao Gao's life.
First of all, Zhao Gao had the opportunity to be with Qin Shihuang. Zhao Gao was clever and deeply loved by Qin Shihuang. He can accompany him all the time and gradually penetrate into the core system of the Qin empire. Secondly, Zhao Gao got the opportunity to assist childe Hu Hai. Hu Hai is not an heir, but he can help a prince, and he will be prosperous in the future. In addition, Zhao Gao also participates in the governance of state affairs. This period of time has cultivated his ability and given him enough confidence to manage the country well in the days to come. For Zhao Gao, Qin Shihuang's promotion meant that he jumped into the Dragon Gate in one step. But Zhao Gao was not proud, but served the emperor wholeheartedly beside Qin Shihuang. He finally realized his first wish and became the confidant of Qin Shihuang.
For Qin Shihuang, Zhao Gao, no matter how clever he is, is just a eunuch who can never be elegant. Therefore, Qin Shihuang did not intend to promote Zhao Gao too soon, but mainly wanted to stay.
Zhao Gao, Zhao alienates others. Zhao's younger brothers were all born in a secluded palace, and their mother was punished, which made them humble in the world. When the king of Qin heard of Gao Qiang, he learned to supervise the law and said that he was in charge of cars. Hu Hai, Gao's illegitimate son, was imprisoned by Yu. The king of Qin ordered Meng Qi to govern the country according to law. Yi didn't dare to have a hair, and he died guilty, except for his official position. The emperor's noble efforts also helped him forgive him and restore his rank. -Historical records
Emperors have trusted eunuchs since ancient times, but few eunuchs have a clean foundation like Zhao Gao. Because Zhao Gao was born and raised in Qin king Palace and became a eunuch, there is no reason to betray the Qin royal family. Power has no influence on him unless he wants to be emperor himself.
02 coerced Reese to be emperor of Hu Hai, and later killed Reese instead.
When Qin Shihuang traveled around the world, he was seriously ill in the sand dunes. He told Zhao Gao to recall his son Fu Su quickly and made a will.
Gao Wei:? I am willing to say boldly. The ministers of the first emperor were all valuable people in the world and made great contributions to the world for a long time. Today, your majesty has the honor to say that he is in charge of things. Yang Yang, the minister, is obedient on the surface, but he is not satisfied at heart. When you go out today, don't punish those who have committed crimes at this time. On the one hand, you can shake the world, on the other hand, you can get rid of those people who can't live in your life. At present, it is decided by force, not by learning from teachers. I hope your majesty will follow the time, that is, I am not as good as asking for it. The wise master gathers the rest of the people, the humble are expensive, the poor are rich, the distant are near, and the upper and lower are safe. ? Ii said:? Oh, my god ? However, it was the ministers and sons who were punished, and even the young officials and Saburo were arrested, but they couldn't stand it, while Liuzi was slaughtered in Du. -Historical records
Zhao Gao's brain moved at this time. He knew that the relationship between Fu Su and himself had never been very good. If Fu Su becomes emperor, Zhao Gao's life may be lost, at least wealth will be lost.
On the contrary, he had a good relationship with Hu Hai, the son of Qin Shihuang. After all, Qin Shihuang put Zhao Gao in charge of education in Hu Hai, so they got very close. At this time, Zhao Gao did not summon his son Fu Su, and it coincided with the sudden death of Qin Shihuang. Zhao Gao simply hid the decree.
He wanted Hu Hai to be emperor, but Hu Hai didn't dare. Without the support of Reese, who dares to ascend the throne easily? Li Si was the founding hero of the Qin Empire and the prime minister of Daqin. Naturally, he is a powerful man, and his words carry weight. So Zhao Gao went to persuade Reese. He told Reese that the relationship between Meng Tian and Fu Su is definitely better than that between you and Fu Su. When Fu Su becomes emperor, your position as prime minister will definitely be given to Montaigne.
You may be the one who died badly then, Reese. Reese felt reasonable, so he agreed to Zhao Gao's request and made Hu Hai emperor. After Hu Hai proclaimed himself emperor, in order to seize the power of the prime minister, Zhao Gao always spoke ill of Reese beside Qin Ershi. He threatened that Reese never took Qin Ershi seriously, and because of his achievements, he often talked wildly. Besides, Reese and Bobby Chen are fellow villagers. Maybe they are related.
After this series of slanderers came out, Qin Ershi was completely angry. So Reese's family was arrested and his cronies were forced to die. Reese finally confessed and was beheaded.
After killing Reese, Zhao Gao realized his second wish, that is, to replace Reese and become the prime minister of the Qin Empire. Zhao Gao and Xiang Quan became the head of China after Qin Ershi.
03 encouraged Qin Ershi Hu Hai to kill his brother and forced Hu Hai to die.
At that time, although Qin Shihuang died, Fu Su didn't, so Zhao Gao urged Hu Hai to set up a false rescript and put his sons Fu Su and Meng Huo to death in the name of Qin Shihuang.
I even sent a book to my eldest son, Fu Su. I traveled around the world and prayed to famous gods in temples to prolong my life. Today, Fu Su and General Meng Tian have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed at the border. It's been more than ten years, and I can't go any further. There are many foot soldiers, but no merit. It is a number of books that bluntly slander my actions, so I have to be classified as a prince and complain day and night. Fu Su was unfilial, so he killed himself with a sword! General Meng Tian and Fu Su live far away from home, so they should know their plans if they don't correct them. If a minister is unfaithful, he will be put to death and the soldiers will be the servants of the king. ? Seal his book with the emperor's seal, and send a guest from Hu Hai to deliver the book to Fu. -Historical records
Meng Tian thought it was fake and hoped Fu Su would think twice, but Fu Su might have drunk a little wine and committed suicide without thinking. Meng Tian saw that the prince was dead. Why is he still alive? Suicide is suicide.
Originally, it was a risky thing, but I didn't expect the IQ of these two people to be a little touching, so Zhao Gao's plan was a complete success. But this matter is far from over. Because Qin Shihuang had several sons, they could all be a threat to Qin Ershi. Once Zhao Gao's plot is exposed, they will all become the heirs to the throne, and it will be natural to kill Zhao Gao in the future. Therefore, Zhao Gao once again encourages Qin Ershi to kill all these brothers. Qin Ershi, of course, happy, these people are a threat to their status, of course, can't stay.
Therefore, Qin Ershi put his brothers to death one by one, regardless of their feelings. Qin Shihuang did not engage in the enfeoffment system, but practiced the county system, so the vassals had no military power. This has become a realistic condition for Zhao Gao to realize its plan. If you think Zhao Gao will stop, you are all wet. Zhao Gao, who realized his second wish, has a third wish, that is, to be emperor.
He serves people all day and wants to be served once. But Qin Ershi is the emperor, and the best way is to kill Qin Ershi. When the rebels defeated Qin Jun and Qin Ershi was dissatisfied with Zhao Gao, Zhao Gao simply killed Qin Ershi.
He went to the main hall, intending to ascend to the throne as a descendant of Zhao who won the title. As a result, ministers bowed their heads and said nothing. In desperation, Zhao Gao had to cede the throne to Ziying and take charge of the imperial power himself. He didn't realize his third wish.
Summary: The greedy Zhao Gao finally lost his sense of direction.
In fact, along the way, Zhao Gao's business has been very stable. If he finally succeeds, maybe later history books will describe him as a bold and aggressive eunuch emperor.
It's just that he finally failed. I wonder what Zhao Gao was afraid of when he finally ascended the throne. What can stop Zhao Gao?
I think Zhao Gao lost his way at that time. He thinks the whole world belongs to him except Qin Ershi. In fact, the world is no longer Qin's, let alone his. His throne will not be recognized by any minister.
In desperation, Zhao Gao was in a dilemma. Finally, in a panic, he was beheaded by Zi Ying, the newly-elected king of Qin. Zhao Gao's life of seizing power was only two and a half years, and the second half of the emperor's dream was not realized.