Zhao Gao asked Ziying to succeed the king of Qin, and they discussed it in Xianyang Palace for several days. Ziying was obedient and pretended to be incompetent, which was a deliberate show of weakness to Zhao Gao. The eunuch Han Tan who accompanied him was a loyal man. He hated Zhao Gao to his core. One day when he saw the jade seal Zhao Gao was wearing, he said righteously: "The jade seal is the most important weapon of the country. Now the prime minister. Since we have decided that the young master should inherit the throne, we should hand the jade seal to the young master for safekeeping." Zhao Gao sneered and said, "I will keep the jade seal for the time being. This is not your servants' concern! When the king ascends the throne, I will naturally return the jade seal. Your Majesty!" Ziying said hello repeatedly. Han Tan suppressed his anger and added: "Since the prime minister has decided on the candidate, the body of the second emperor must be buried. This is also a comfort to the new king!"
In order to win over people's hearts, Zhao Gao had no choice but to agree to bury the second son. They sent sergeants to Wangyi Palace, packed up the body of the second emperor, and drove it to Yichun Garden in Dunan for burial. Because after II ascended the throne, he chose that place to start construction of the mausoleum. Although the place was not very big, it was still of a certain scale. It was just that the burial was carried out according to the standards of ordinary people, and there were not many burial objects. The tomb is still next to Qujiang Pool in Xi'an City, and the tombstone reads: Mausoleum of Emperor Qin II. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Sima Xiangru, a great poet and poet, once came to the cemetery to pay his respects and wrote a poem "A Poem of Ai Qin II", which was intended to warn future emperors not to repeat his mistakes. The poem reads:
Climb up to the long slope of Pi (tuó), and enter the lofty hills of Zeng Palace (bèn). I am near Qizhou near the Qujiang River, looking at the jagged Nanshan Mountains. The rocks and rocks in the deep mountains are humiliating, and the valleys are harmed by humiliation.汩(gǔ)淢(yù)噏(xī) is used to passing away forever, paying attention to the spread of Pinggao. The spectators see the blooms of the trees, and appreciate the hazelnuts of the bamboo forest. To the east are mountains and mountains, to the north are rocks. The graceful appearance and graceful appearance will last for two generations.
If you do not hold your body carefully, your country will be destroyed and your power will be lost; if you do not believe in slander, your ancestral temple will be extinct. Alas! If one's conduct is not good enough, the tomb is dirty but not repaired, and the soul has no home but no food.夐(xiòng) Miao Jue but not even, as time goes by, it becomes more and more 充(mài). The essence is soaring and flying, and it lasts for nine days and disappears forever. Alas!
The poem is difficult to read, but for the sake of today's readers, the translation is:
I climbed up the rugged hillside. Here are stacked and tall mountains. In front of us are the banks and small islands of Qujiang River, and in the distance are the undulating Zhongnan Mountains. They are all high and continuous mountains, and the long valleys are deep and far. The rapid river flows into the distance, all the way to the wide and flat river beach. Look at the dense woods, and the bamboo forest has grown into one. I traveled eastward and crossed the mountains there, and then headed north to pick up my clothes and cross the stream. When I saw the tomb of the Second Emperor, I hesitated, so I came here specifically to pay my respects:
Thinking that this person was not careful enough in his conduct and conduct, which led to the destruction of the country and the loss of political power; he listened to the bad people's slander and did not know how to wake up, and in the end only the ancestral temple was destroyed. It’s so sad to think about it! Just because your conduct does not meet the requirements of a human being, the tomb is now deserted and no one has repaired it. Your soul has nowhere to rest, nor can you enjoy the sacrifices of your descendants. No one has come to offer sacrifices since a long time ago, and the longer time passes, the more deserted and silent your tomb becomes. Your soul is wandering around, being forgotten by people as time goes by. Finally, I wish you to go to the heaven beyond the sky. Alas, what is left to people will always be lamentation and sorrow!
The officials buried Nisei hastily and came to report. Zhao Gao ordered Ziying to fast in the palace where he lived for five days. After the period was over, he went to the Ancestral Temple to confess to his ancestors and inherit the throne. Ziying chose a fasting palace in the palace and started fasting. One night, Ziying stood in the yard and looked at the dark night sky, but her heart was filled with waves. He has to make a difference, he has to stand up. Maybe this is an opportunity given by God, and he must seize it firmly. Whether Qin can be revived depends on this. After Ziying thought about it, he called Han Tan over and led his two sons to a secret room. Ziying looked at the three of them and suddenly became serious. He asked his two sons to kneel down to pay homage to Han Tan.
It turns out that Ziying's two sons have grown up. The eldest is called Ying Wen, who is seventeen years old; the second is called Ying Kui, who is fifteen years old. The second son is noble and handsome. The two of them have been practicing martial arts and archery in their back garden since they were young, so they have developed good martial arts skills. Han Tan was an elderly eunuch who was over fifty years old. He watched the rise and fall of Qin with a cold eye, so he served Ziying for a long time and was loyal to him. He already knew that Ziying was about to take action. Now that he saw that Ziying asked the two young masters to worship him, he must give important instructions, so he understood and said: "If you can use Laochan, I will die without mercy!" Ziying said with righteous indignation: "Zhao Gao, the national thief, disrupted the imperial court and brought disaster to the country and the people. He was really a thief. Now Shandong is rebelling one after another, and the territory is almost lost. The Huns are also invading the borders. Qin is facing the disaster of national destruction! At this time of survival, Zhao Gao killed again It is a heinous crime to kill the emperor. Although he nominally wants me to inherit the throne, in his heart he just wants to stabilize the situation. I heard that he has agreed with Liu Bang to divide Guanzhong equally. If the thief's goal is achieved, he will definitely He wants to kill me. So I want to strike first. If I can get rid of the national traitors, the country may still be saved! Can you tell me what I should do?" The two young masters rushed to say, "Father, we are fully capable of killing the national traitors. , please make a decision, what should I do?"
Han Tan said happily: "Since the young master is determined to get rid of the national traitors, I have a way." Ziying asked what the way was. Han Tan said: "It is an excellent opportunity for Zhao Zei to ask the young master to fast at home." Ziying said: "I think so too." Han Tan said: "Okay! When the young master's fasting period is over, You pretend to be afraid and stay at home instead of going to the Ancestral Temple to complain to your ancestors. If Zhao thief sends someone to urge you, you just say that you are not competent and just don’t go to the ancestral temple. In this case, Zhao thief will send someone to urge you, and you will The tea soup was splashed on his clothes and pants, pretending to be very scared. The thief Zhao urged him over and over again. If the young master still doesn’t go, he will definitely come here to greet you personally. The three of us will start at the Zhai Palace. This way, great things can be done, and the Qin Kingdom We'll be saved!" Ziying was overjoyed, but still hesitated: "I'm afraid that when the Zhao thieves come, there will be too many people and we won't be able to attack." Han Tan said, "This is the Zhai Palace. Then I will say that this place is a quiet place. Land and block the retinue outside. If the Zhao thieves leave their minions, we will definitely succeed!" After hearing Han Tan's words, Ziying made up his mind to kill Zhao Gao, eliminate the disadvantages and create advantages as soon as possible, correct the chaos, and revitalize the Qin State. The matter was settled like this. An ancient poet said:
The prime minister came to court with his sword blaring, and the officials looked sideways in silence.
How can we complain if we develop foreign troubles? Loyalty and good advice will not do the trick.
Relatives are connected to the vassal position, and minions and soldiers are hidden in private households.
Poor the third emperor of Qin, he looked up to the sky in vain for peace.
The fasting period lasts for five days and ends quickly. On this day, Zhao Gao led hundreds of officials to the Zhai Palace, preparing to invite Ziying to go to the Ancestral Temple to say goodbye. Ziying said to Zhao Gao: "Prime Minister, you should go and prepare first. I will be there after I take a shower and change clothes." Zhao Gaozhi was so proud and careless that he didn't take Ziying to heart at all, so he went to Qin State's palace with a crowd of people. Ancestral temple. The ancestral temple is in Shanglinyuan, more than ten miles away from Xianyang Palace. When Zhao Gao arrived, he first prepared for the ceremony and then waited for Ziying's arrival. But he waited for a long time but did not see Ziying coming, so he sent someone to urge her. The person who was sent came back and said, "Young master is very frightened and dare not go forward." Zhao Gao was very angry, so he sent someone to invite him again. After a while, the person who was sent came back and said, "Young Master dare not leave the Zhai Palace, nor come here." Zhao Gao was furious and sent someone to invite Zi Ying again. The people who came back still said: "The young master lost control when he saw the envoy, and he also said he was willing to give up the throne to the Prime Minister!" Zhao Gao laughed and said, "I didn't expect the descendants of the Ying family to be so cowardly! Huh? Haha... "He asked Yan Le, Zhao Gui and others to lead the officials to wait, and he personally went to pick up Ziying and come to the ancestral temple to hold a ceremony. So he took Zhao Cheng and Zhao Pan with him in a chariot, followed by dozens of riders, and went straight to the place where Ziying lived.
Zhao Gao's car had just stopped at the gate of the palace, and Han Tan had already come forward to greet him warmly. Zhao Gao asked: "Where is the young master?" Han Tan replied: "He is crying in the Zhai Palace. He is indeed a little timid." Zhao Gao cursed carelessly: "Useless thing!" and walked straight in with his entourage. . Han Tan suddenly stopped Zhao Gao and said: "Prime Minister, this is not okay!" Zhao Gao didn't know what he meant and shouted: "How brave!" Han Tan put his mouth to Zhao Gao's ear and whispered: "Young master, you have to do it anyway. He is the king. He is very embarrassed today. He peed in his crotch and had no time to change his pants. Now, Prime Minister, you are here in person. I don’t know if he will poop... It doesn’t matter if you see it. It will be too shameful for others to see it!" Zhao When Gao Yi heard this, he raised his head and laughed wildly, and then told Zhao Cheng and Zhao Pan: "You guys wait outside!" After that, he walked straight in.
Zhao Gao quickly walked into the palace gate, came to the courtyard, walked around the screen wall, and saw someone comforting Ziying in the palace, but Ziying was lying on the table, crying and saying: "I won't go, I won't go. I am willing to give up the throne to the Prime Minister! Please spare me!" Zhao Gao said loudly: "Young Master is about to be the commander-in-chief of Qin, why are you so cowardly?" As he said this, he walked straight in, and he just stepped into the palace. When he opened the door, he saw Ziying standing up in a hurry and said sternly: "The national traitor is here! Where is my son?" Suddenly Ying Wen and Ying Kui rushed out from both sides and stabbed Zhao Gao fiercely with their swords. Zhao Gao was wearing soft armor and his vital parts were not injured, so he hurriedly turned around and fled. But he was stopped by someone from behind. It was Han Tan, who had already stabbed Zhao Gao's lower abdomen with a dagger. Zhao Gao shouted anxiously: "Where is Zhao Cheng?" At this time, Ying Wen and Ying Kui stabbed him indiscriminately from behind. Zhao Gao was fat and tall, and he suddenly fell down like a mountain of meat. The three of them quickly cut off Zhao Gao's head. Ziying stepped forward and took off the imperial seal from Zhao Gao.
Zhao Gao, a powerful traitor of a generation, ended his sinful life in this way and killed Zhai Gong on the spot. Seeing that Zhao Gao was dead, Ziying burst into tears and said, "Oh God! I finally..." Han Tan hurriedly covered Ziying's mouth and said, "Young Master, you cried too early. Zhao Cheng and other thieves are still at the door. They should be put away." Let's trick them into coming in and kill them!" Ziying said to his left and right: "Quickly announce the two thieves and tell them that the Prime Minister has an order for them to come in and escort them!"
When Zhao Cheng and Zhao Pan saw that the prime minister had not come out for a long time, they were about to step forward to ask. Suddenly someone came out and said, "The prime minister ordered you two to enter the palace to escort him!" The two thieves walked inside. Zhao Pan was confused and followed behind. As soon as Zhao Cheng entered the inner hall, he was chopped down on the spot. Zhao Pan turned around and ran away. Someone had already closed the palace door. Zhao Pan ran to the door and shouted: "Your Majesty is in danger, go and notify the Xianyang Order to come to the rescue! Hurry!" Everyone came forward and surrounded Zhao Pan and chopped him into minced meat. The sergeants outside heard that something had happened inside and were about to report the news, but they were all shot to death by the crossbowmen Han Tan had arranged in advance. Seeing that the three thieves Zhao Gao, Zhao Cheng and Zhao Pan were all dead, Ziying opened the palace door and led Han Tan, Ying Wen, Ying Kui and a dozen soldiers into Zhao Gao's car and hurriedly Rush to Shanglinyuan.
Yan Le, Zhao Gui, Zhao An, and Zhao Ping saw the prime minister's car coming from a distance. They thought that the prime minister was sitting in the car, so they all stepped forward to greet him. As soon as the car stopped, Ziying came out and shouted: "Take down all the thieves!" The soldiers behind the car rushed forward and controlled the four people with their swords. Yan Le was shocked and asked: "Prime Minister, what crime have we committed?" Ziying raised Zhao Gao's head and shouted sternly: "Zhao Gao has rebelled, and his head is here!" Yan Le and others were shocked. When all the ministers saw that Zhao Gao was dead, they knelt down and shouted: "Long live the king! Long live! Long live!" At this time, Ying Wen and Ying Kui were fully armed, holding golden gongs, and each carried a bloody weapon. The head slapped the horse forward, and Ying Wen shouted loudly: "Here is Zhao Cheng's dog head!" Ying Kui also shouted: "This is Zhao Pan's dog head!" All the soldiers who were coerced by Yan Le were shocked and knelt down together. After falling down, Chao Ziying shouted in unison: "Long live the king! Long live!" Han Tan snatched Yan Le's seal and ribbon, then arrested them all and locked them in the prison car.
When all the officials saw that Zhao Gao was really dead, they burst into tears. Everyone enumerated Zhao Gao's crimes and angrily criticized Zhao Gao. Ziying ordered Han Tan to immediately lead the soldiers to the Prime Minister's Mansion to arrest Zhao Gao's family members and not let any of them go. Then he led all the officials into the Ancestral Temple. Ziying placed Zhao Gao's head on the sacrificial table and cried to his ancestors: "Ancestors! The heads of the national thieves are here. I have killed the national thieves." It’s gone! If you know it, please help me revive my foundation and revive the Qin Dynasty!” The ministers also cried. After the memorial ceremony, all the officials supported Ziying's accession to the throne in the Ancestral Temple, and then the two sons escorted him to Xianyang Palace to receive the congratulations from all the officials. Ziying is the third emperor of Qin.
As soon as the congratulations were over, Han Tan came to report that he had arrested all Zhao Gao's family and Liu Bang's envoy Ning Chang. The third generation led hundreds of civil and military officials to Xianyang City to execute Zhao Gao's tribe. When the people of Xianyang heard that the new king had killed Zhao Gao, they took to the streets to celebrate. On this day, the people, officials, ministers, princes and nobles who had been harmed by Zhao Gao in the city all walked out of their homes together as if it were a festival. They angrily denounced Zhao Gao's crimes and threw all kinds of sexual objects at Zhao Gao's face. Family members, some even came forward to beat them. The third generation used the punishment of splitting the chariot to dismember Zhao Gao's dead body again. Yan Le, Zhao Gui, Zhao An, and Zhao Ping also died after their cars were broken, and then they killed Zhao Gao's father, mother, and wife. Ning Chang, the envoy of Duke Pei, was also killed.
After Zhao Gao's entire family was executed, people took to the streets and toward the center of Xianyang to express their joy in various forms. The soldiers and civilians sang and danced, praising the wisdom and greatness of the Third World, and jubilation appeared in the crowd from time to time. Some people also replaced Zhao Gao with portraits of various animals, and wrote the words "Zhao Gao, a national thief" and "Zhao Gao, a giant cockroach" on them. They burned them, spit on them, and trampled them with their feet in the crowd. There were cheers and the city was boiling. , the monarch, his ministers, the army and the people seemed to have returned to the world from hell, and Qin's high-pressure rule and extreme xenophobia ended.
Ziying got rid of the heinous Zhao Gao in less than ten days. There is a poem from the Tang Dynasty:
Liu Bangxi came to Bingbaiyan, and the Ziying ancestral temple committee was in trouble.
Who has pity on you and has the ability to turn yourself around? Go to Qin Palace and kill Zhao Gao.
People in the Song Dynasty also wrote poems that criticized Zhao Gaodao:
The eunuchs have been adept at the power of Qin for a long time, and the deer and horses are also eager to bully the king.
He often looks at barbarians and kills rebels. If he doesn't kill them, it is lawless.
That night, Prince Ying of Qin who was still full of emotions and ministers of Qin who had been suppressed for too long held a grand palace banquet in Xianyang Palace. Everyone filled their glasses with wine and raised their glasses to celebrate. Yes, it has been three years and everyone has never been so happy. In the past three years, countless righteous people in the Qin State have suffered unfair injustices. The entire Qin State has been in a bloody storm. People will die if they accidentally violate the law. Danger is everywhere, and everything has become a gate of hell. Although Xianyang is full of splendid palaces and villas, as well as scenic spots, these places have never belonged to the people in the Qin palace, not even the concubines of the First Emperor, the Qin clan and palace people, and the ministers They, their families, officers, and even ordinary people are really "fearful of the beauty of the buildings and the coldness of the high places"! In these three years, people felt helpless in addition to the pain of grinding their teeth at the ignorance of the Second Emperor and the tyranny of Zhao Gao.
Thinking that after the Second Emperor came to the throne, the tomb in Lishan was not yet completed, so he ordered the construction of Afang Palace. He also said that this was to fulfill the late emperor's last wish, saying that those who have the world should enjoy themselves as they please. With such thoughts, it is impossible for him to listen to the advice of wise officials. However, a country must have loyal ministers and good generals, and how can these loyal ministers and good generals not try their best to persuade the Lord? As a result, more and more loyal ministers and good generals were dismissed or executed, so that some highly respected veterans died unexpectedly. Especially after the imperial court's supervision and accountability technique was implemented, the Second Emperor specially appointed Zhao Gaoda to carry out terrorist activities. Anyone who makes false remarks about the government will be guilty of a serious crime. Later, it became so serious that people did not dare to say hello to acquaintances when walking, and could only give each other a look, just like the "road to eye" during the time of King Zhou Li. Zhao Gao was originally an insidious man who was extremely keen on power, and he was also a mentally unsound pervert. In these three years, he instigated the second generation to do all kinds of bad things, causing chaos in the Qin Dynasty and bringing a great Eastern dynasty that was not long established to the point of collapse. Therefore, people describe Zhao Gaohe II as: Although he has a human head, the sound he makes is like the howling of an animal. Everyone also said that although there is a sun in the sky above Xianyang, this sun has no warmth. Therefore, the people quoted the words in "The Book of Books" and sang: "The days are mourning, and you will all perish!" In short, in these three years, no good person has been happy. On the contrary, those who have been happy in these three years have not been happy. They are no longer happy at all. They have all become the dust of history and vanished into smoke. They have become a turbid wave in the long river of history and will never return. This is what people say that dark clouds can cover the sun for a while, but they cannot cover it for a lifetime. Although the rule of darkness and evil forces are rampant in a short period of time, they cannot stand for a long time.
