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Tu Ma Thien, renowned historian of the Han dynasty once disclosed about the prophecy of Emperor Qin Shi Huang defeating 6 vassal states, unifying the realm. What could it be?
The conquest of Emperor Qin Shi Huang over the six states, unifying the realm and establishing the Qin dynasty marks one of the most significant milestones in Chinese history. So, why could the Qin dynasty put an end to the centuries of chaos during the Warring States period and usher in a new chapter in history?
With this question, historians have put forward various answers based on analyzing different perspectives and aspects, including economic development, reforms by Shang Yang (prime minister of the state of Qin), changes in social dynamics...
However, there's one rarely mentioned factor which is the prophecy repeatedly mentioned by historian Tu Ma Thien in the 'Records of the Grand Historian'. This prophecy is believed to foretell the unification of the Qin dynasty.
The first time, according to Tu Ma Thien's records, in 274 BCE, during the second year of King Chu Lie of the Chu state (the 34th king of the Chu dynasty), Thai Su Dam, an official of the Chu state, told the 29th ruler of the state of Qin, Qin Hien Cong, that: 'Chu and Qin have been united and separated, separated for 500 years then united again. When they unite for 17 years, a hegemon will emerge'.
This saying predicts that the state of Qin will produce a hegemon, or the Qin people will unify the realm. Thus, this prophecy has been secretly passed down through the Qin emperors.
The will of heaven decreed, Qin Shi Huang corresponded to his destiny, and then he achieved great success in unifying the land, becoming the first emperor in Chinese history.
The second mention of this prophecy was in the 'Treatise on Qin' during the 11th year of Emperor Qin Hieu Cong's reign. The third time, historian Tu Ma Thien referred to this prophecy in the 'Records of Grand Historian - Phong Thien Letter'. The fourth time, the prophecy was once again mentioned in the 'Records of Grand Historian - Lao Zi, Han Fei Biography'.
The fact that Tu Ma Thien mentioned the prophecy of Qin becoming a hegemon and unifying the realm four times may indicate the unusual significance attached by this renowned historian.
Deciphering the prophecy related to Qin Shi Huang
The first half of the prophecy is 'Chu and Qin have been united and separated, separated for 500 years then united again. The meaning of this half of the sentence implies that the state of Qin was established due to the Chu state. Accordingly, Qin Duke Phi, the founding ruler of the state of Qin, was the son of an official who served the Western Chu. Later, Qin Duke Phi was conferred a small fief at Tan by King Chu Hieu, the 8th king of the Chu dynasty, also known as Tan Doanh.
During the reign of King Qin Tuo Cong, the 6th monarch of the state of Qin, officially conferred by the Chu dynasty as a vassal, was none other than the state of Qin itself.
'Separated for 500 years then reunited', corresponding to 500 years after King Chu Bing (the 13th king of the Chu dynasty) moved the capital to the east (in 779 BCE), the power of the Chu dynasty gradually declined. From the time of King Bing onwards, the kings of the Chu dynasty only ruled nominally, while real power lay in the hands of powerful vassals.
In 256 BCE, King Qin Qiu Tuo, the 33rd monarch of the state of Qin, sent a general with troops to attack the Western Chu, capturing King Chu Ngoan (the 37th king of the Chu dynasty) and bringing him back to Ham Duong, the capital of the state of Qin during the Warring States period. Seven years later, in 249 BCE, King Qin Zhuang Tuo (the 35th king of the state of Qin) sent La Bat Vi with 100,000 troops to attack the Eastern Chu, from then on the Chu dynasty was completely defeated.
From 256 BCE to 238 BCE, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (the 36th king of the state of Qin) officially ascended the throne after 9 years of reign as Qin Prince, approximately 17 years. During this time, Emperor Qin Shi Huang suppressed the rebellion of Lao Ai, wiped out the forces of La Bat Vi, and seized sole power.
Supreme power of the state of Qin at that time rested in the hands of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. According to the latter part of the aforementioned prophecy, 17 years later, a hegemon would emerge from the state of Qin. That person was none other than Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It was from the moment Emperor Qin Shi Huang held supreme power that the ambition to unify the realm gradually unfolded.
In 238 BCE, in the former capital of Ung Chau, Emperor Qin Shi Huang, then only 22 years old, held a coronation ceremony and officially ascended the throne. According to the 'Records of Qin Shi Huang's Reign', after ascending the throne, Emperor Qin Shi Huang accelerated his ambition to annihilate the 6 vassal states. Emperor Qin Shi Huang's strategy was to first attack neighboring states, then advance to distant ones, especially focusing on consolidating forces and annihilating each faction. Accordingly, the state of Qin annexed the state of Zhao first, followed by Wei, Han to the south, and finally advanced to attack Yan, Song, and Qi.
By 221 BCE, all 6 vassal states had been completely defeated. In the same year, Qin Shi Huang proclaimed himself as the Emperor, the first emperor in Chinese history.
From the moment of officially ascending the throne to the completion of the grand mission of unifying the realm, Qin Shi Huang took less than 20 years.
From the analyses above, it can be seen that the accuracy of the prophecy repeatedly mentioned by historian Tu Ma Thien is truly frightening. However, according to modern historians, whether this prophecy existed or not is irrelevant. What matters is that this prophecy reflected the desires of the people at that time for unity after centuries of division and endless warfare.
References: Sohu, Toutiao, 163
