At What Age Did Ying Zheng Ascend the Throne?
The Young King's Ascent
Ying Zheng, later known as Qin Shi Huang, ascended the throne of the Qin state in 247 BC at the tender age of thirteen. His father, King Zhuangxiang of Qin, had a short reign of only three years before his untimely death.
This young age of ascension was not uncommon in ancient China, and young rulers were often paired with regents to help govern until they reached maturity. In Ying Zheng's case, that regent was Lü Buwei.
Lü Buwei: The Ambitious Regent
Lü Buwei was a shrewd merchant who had played a pivotal role in King Zhuangxiang's rise to power. As regent, Lü Buwei wielded significant influence over the young king and the Qin court. He enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, amassing wealth and power during his regency.
While Lü Buwei did oversee a period of stability and even territorial expansion for Qin, his ambition and personal scandals eventually drew the ire of Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng's Rise to Absolute Power
Despite his young age, Ying Zheng possessed a keen intellect and a burning ambition to unify China under his rule. As he grew older, he became increasingly wary of Lü Buwei's influence and the limitations placed upon his own authority.
The turning point came in 238 BC, when Ying Zheng reached the age of twenty-two. He uncovered a plot involving Lü Buwei and moved decisively to consolidate his power. He stripped Lü Buwei of his position, exiled him from the Qin court, and eventually forced him to commit suicide.
With Lü Buwei out of the picture, Ying Zheng took full control of the Qin state. He swiftly eliminated his political rivals, centralized the government, and embarked on a series of military campaigns that would culminate in the unification of China in 221 BC.
Legacy of a Young Emperor
Ying Zheng's ascension to the throne at the age of thirteen marked the beginning of a remarkable reign. Although he inherited the throne at a young age, he quickly proved himself to be a cunning and ambitious ruler. By the time he assumed full power at twenty-two, he had already set his sights on unifying China, a goal he achieved within a decade.
His legacy as the first emperor of a unified China, Qin Shi Huang, remains a testament to his ambition and political acumen, forged in the fires of his early reign.
Q&A
1. At what age did Ying Zheng become the king of Qin?
Ying Zheng ascended the throne at the age of thirteen.
2. Who acted as regent for Ying Zheng during his minority?
Lü Buwei, a powerful merchant and politician, served as Ying Zheng's regent.
3. When did Ying Zheng assume full control of the Qin state?
Ying Zheng took full control of the Qin state in 238 BC at the age of twenty-two after removing Lü Buwei from power.