An Analysis of “The Basic Annals of the First Emperor of the Qin”

In “The Basic Annals of the First Emperor of Qin,” ancient historian Sima Qin gives an accounting of the historical rise to power of Zheng Zhao. Zheng Zhao became the king of Qin after his father’s death. He gained enough power to defeat his enemies and combine the six major kingdoms of ancient China. He ruled over them under the title of “First Emperor” and “August Emperor.” Sima Qin’s detailed account gives readers an understanding about the type of person Zheng Zhao was. Readers learn the positive and negative traits Zheng Zhao had and the actions he took as a ruler.

Sima Qin describes Zheng Zhao in both positive and negative ways. The tone of the writing did not use words that give a lot of opinions much of the time. But it did describe actions that Zheng Zhao took. It described things people say about Zheng Zhao. These show more about the person than what Sima Qin said. Though sometimes Sima Qin also wrote some opinions about Zheng Zhao. The first example is described by the actions of Zheng Zhao. The beginning of “The Basic Annals of the First Emperor of Qin” tells about the fighting that Zheng Zhao and his people do with the other kingdoms. Each kingdom is beaten and Zheng Zhao changes from king of Qin to First Emperor. No comments are given for opinions about this action, but it shows that Zheng Zhao is good at commanding in major combat situations. He beats his enemies and rules their lands. Sima Qin also writes about the magical forces that the First Emperor believed in:

The First Emperor believed that the Five Powers succeed each other in unending cycle, and he held that the Zhou dynasty had ruled by the power of fire. Since the Qin had replaced the Zhou, its powers should therefore proceed from that which fire cannot overcome; the power of water had now begun its era of dominance. (42)

First Emperor Zheng Zhou’s belief in magic elements is like some beliefs in religion, so he could be seen as a zealot in some ways or a strong believer of his faith. This can be good or bad and depends on the nature of the person and his beliefs. Zheng Zhaou is therefre introduced as strong willed and strong in his beliefs. He is also first described as having difficulties with hearing the opinions of others. He establishes himself as a great man and makes markers and stones in his honor along his journeys.

In “The Basic Annals of the First Emperor Qin,” Sima Qin shows both strengths and shortcomings for the First Emperor Zheng Zhao. Qin writes about how First Emperor Zhou Zhen ruled: “Only by being stern and severe, by settling affairs in the light of the law by cutting and slashing without mercy or gentleness, he believed, could he comply with the destiny decreed by the Five Powers. Hence he assiduously applied the law and refused to pardon even crimes committed far in the past” (Qin 44). By this, readers come to know that Zheng Zhao was stern and unkind, but he was also focused and dedicated to his beliefs. He worked hard to do what he thought was spiritually correct, and because he was interested in peace of his times, he used brutal methods to bring people to order. Zheng Zhao has a strength of his free will and vision, such as what is found in many leaders. His shortcoming was the fact that he did not listen to outside opinions. Sima Qin wrote about this, “The First Emperor trusted his own judgment, never consulting others, and hence his errors went uncorrected” (76). This shows that First Emperor Zheng Zhao would not be counseled. Some of his counselors practiced magic and were unreliable, but for people who had good advice, it seem as if Zheng Zhou would rather murder than be told something to anger him about himself or his ruling.

A few incidents from the annals of Sima Qin describe the emperor’s personality. Sima Qin writes about some of the markers the First Emperor creates for himself on his journey. Such a marker tells of how great the First Emperor is and his many good deeds (50–51). This shows some vanity and also the idea that the First Emperor believes people should respect their leader. He promotes peace and keeps rebellious people unarmed by melting weapons and making bells (Qin 45). This shows he is a believer in peace to some degree. Also the emperor becomes enraged when a scholar criticizes him and he burns books (Qin 55). This shows his overreaction and fact that he cannot take criticism. He spends a lot of money on trying to find magic and wishes to be immortal (Qin 57). From these events it is easy to see how First Emperor Zheng Zhou was ambitious and powerful but also vain, foolish in matters of taking advice, and superstitious.

I believe that Sima Qin thought First Emperor Zheng Zhao was an effective ruler in many ways. I believe Sima Qin may have found First Emperor Zhang Zhou to be an exemplary ruler in a few ways. However, Sima Qin also describes faults of First Emperor Zheng Zhao and includes information for the reader to understand why First Emperor Zheng Zhao died in the manner of his death and the fate of his empire soon after his death. Sima Qin writes about Zheng Zhou making China one empire. The writing says many times how this had not been done before to have such a large empire. And so Sima Qin understands this is incredible. He remarks on turning swords into statues, and this detail is included to show that there was more peace with Zheng Zhao. Zhang Zhao also made things like weight and measures and other such things the same across the land, and to a smart man like Sima Qin, this probably made sense because he mentions it a couple of times. These are ways in which Sima Qin perhaps thought Zheng Zhao was exemplary. His stern and brutal way of ruling was effective, but it was unkind. Sima Qin did not think Zhang Zhao was good at times because he did not listen to others, so in that way he was not effective. He was also not exemplary in that way, either. I also do not believe Sima Qin looked kindly on First Emperor Zheng Zhou’s treatment of books and scholars (Qin 55). Sima Qin writes about Zheng Zhao burning history books and imprisoning scholars because of something a scholar said to him that was not in flattery. Because he is a historian, it is doubtful Sima Qin believed Zheng Zhao was doing a good thing by burning history books.

“The Basic Annals of the First Emperor of Qin” is an important document for people to have about China. Sima Qin the historian from ancient history wrote the account of the First Emperor Zheng Zhao. Sima Qin’s annals describe the First Emperor Zheng Zhao and tells of his rule and his personality. Sima Qin and the reader come to the conclusion that First Emperor Zheng Zhao was the first to unite China. This is a remarkable thing. However, First Emperor Zheng Zhao was also hard for giving bad news. He burned books, and this is perhaps something Sima Qin did not like. It seems as if First Emperor Zheng Zhao was worried about magic too much and was not a good ruler all the time. But he still seemed better than the Second Emperor, and so Sima Qin gives the picture of First Emperor Zheng Zhao as strong but also flawed ruler who accomplished much in his lifetime.

Work Cited

Qin, Sima. “The Basic Annals of the First Emperor Qin.” (Course Handout), 2014.