Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty: The First Emperor in Chinese History 秦始皇：中国历史上第一位皇帝

秦在公元前770年才被封为中国西部一个诸侯国，疆域较小，国力不盛，始终被中原诸侯看不起。但自从实行了商鞅变法后，国力日盛，很快成为战国七雄中的强国。秦王嬴政(公元前259年-公元前210年)当政以后，发动了大规模的战争。从公元前230年开始，历时10年，先后灭了韩、赵、魏、楚、燕、齐，于公元前221年统一了六国。嬴政幻想秦的统治能永远继续下去，自称"始皇帝"，他的后代称二世、三世，以至千万世。因此，历史上称嬴政为秦始皇。
Qin was only a small vassal state in west China appointed in 770 B.C. Because of its small area and weak strength, it did not catch the attentions from the vassal states in the central parts. After adopting Shang Yang reform, the small state became increasing stronger and soon became one of the seven powers in the Warring States Period. After King Ying Zheng (259 B.C. - 210 B.C.) came into power, he launched large scale wars. Starting 230 B.C., he used 10 years to conquered states like Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan and Qi and unified China in 221 B.C. Ying Zheng hoped to rule the country for ever and he named himself the "Qin Shi Huang (the First Emperor of Qin Dynasty)," and his descendants could be the second, the third and even the thousandth emperor. So, in history, Ying Zheng was called Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty.
秦始皇统一后，采取了许多巩固统一的措施。
After the Emperor Shihuang reunified China, he adopted a lot of measures to consolidate his rule.
政治上在中央，设置了丞相、御史大夫、太尉等职。丞相帮助皇帝处理全国的政务，御史大夫负责监察百官，太尉管理军事，都由皇帝任免。在地方，实行郡县制度，全国划分为36郡(后来增到40多个郡)，郡下设县。长官称郡守和县令，也都由皇帝直接任免，负责管理人民。这样，皇帝把统治全国各地的权力牢牢控制在自己手里。
Politically, he established the posts such as prime minister, general supervisor and military commander in the central government. The prime minister helped the emperor deal with political affairs of the state; general supervisor were responsible for supervising all the officials and military commander was in charge of military affairs. The three senior officials were appointed by the emperor. For local government, the emperor divided the country into 36 eparchies (the number was increased to 40 later) and established counties under eparchies. The leaders of the eparchies and counties were directly appointed and removed by the emperor. These leaders were responsible to administrate the people. In this way, the emperor solidly controlled the power throughout the country in the hand.
经济上首先统一度量衡。战国时期，各国的度量衡都不一样，秦始皇统一度量衡，使长度、容量、重量，都有了统一的标准，促进了经济的发展。秦朝还统一了货币。秦政府规定把秦国的圆形方孔钱，作为统一的货币，通行全国。这对促进各民族各地区的经济交流，十分有用。后来各个朝代的铜钱都仿照秦朝的样式。
Economically, the first unified the measurements. In the Warring States Period, the measurements in different states varied. The Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty unified the measurements of length, volume and weight to promote economic development. The Qin Dynasty also unified the currency. The government made the round coin with square hole used in the previous Qin state as the unified currency throughout the country. This move helped greatly in the economic exchanges among various ethnic groups and various regions. The later currency followed the model of Qin coins.
文化上第一，统一文字。战国时期，各国的文字也都不一样。秦始皇下令统一文字，把简化了的字体小篆作为标准字体，通令全国使用。接着，又出现了一种比小篆书写更简便的字体--隶书。现在的楷书，就是从隶书演化来的。文字的统一，促进了文化的交流。第二，焚书坑儒，加强思想控制。公元前213年，丞相李斯认为，人们读了古书上的各种观点后，会用那些观点批评时事，这样会不利于朝廷的统治。所以他建议，民间除了医药、种植等书以外，其余的书，尤其是各国史书及诸子书籍应全部烧掉。秦始皇采纳了他的建议。第二年，一些读书人背后议论秦始皇专横武断，滥施刑罚。秦始皇加以追查，最后活埋了460多人。这两件事，史称"焚书坑儒"。
Culturally, the emperor first unified the written system. In the Warring States Period, different states used different written languages. The Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty ordered to unify written systems. The simplified Xiaozhuan font was used nationwide as the standardized font. After that, a new font, Lishu, which was simpler, emerged. Kaishu, a font which we are still using today, was evolved from Lishu. The unification of writing system facilitated cultural exchanges. Then, the emperor strengthened ideological control through burning books and burying scholars. In 213 B.C. Prime Minister Li Si believed that when people read ancient books and got their opinions, they would criticize and comment on the political affairs, which would undermine the ruling of the imperial court. He suggested that common people should only read books on medicines and farming and other books, especially the books on the histories of various states and books of various scholars should be burnt out. The Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty accepted his suggestion. The next year, some scholars talked about his peremptoriness and arbitrariness and his abuse of punishment behind him. He made deep investigation and buried more than 460 people alive. The two events were known as "burning books and burying scholars" in history.
军事上击败匈奴，修筑长城，安定了北方；在南方，使越族归顺，扩大了民族交往。
Militarily, the emperor defeated the Hun, had the Great Wall constructed and stabilized the north part; in the south part, the dynasty enhanced exchanges among various ethnic groups.
秦始皇完成统一大业，结束了长期以来诸侯割据称雄的局面，建立了中国历史上第一个统一的多民族的封建国家。秦朝的疆域，东到大海，西到陇西，北到长城一带，南到南海，人口达到2,000多万。但秦始皇又是暴君，他的残暴统治也对中国历史产生了不良影响。
The Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty reunified China and established the first unified feudal countries with multiple ethnic groups, putting end to the long-term situation of rival principalities tearing apart the country. The Qin Dynasty covered an area from the sea to the east, Longxi to the west, the Great Wall to the north and South China Sea to the south with a population of more than 20 million. However, the Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty was also a tyrant and his ruthless rule exerted negative influence to Chinese history.