How Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang escaped death around a pole (5 photos)

Even a seemingly hopeless situation can be resolved. The key is to never give up, and then your chances of success increase exponentially. The Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who ruled the Celestial Empire between 220 and 210 BC, certainly knew this. That's why he managed to escape death, which was so close.





Qin Shi Huang reigned for only ten years, but accomplished much during that time. He won a bloody war with six other Chinese states and united them into a single empire. He also began construction of the Great Wall and became the founder of the Qin Dynasty. The world-famous Terracotta Army guards his mausoleum.



Emperor Qin Shi Huang

Naturally, with such a vigorous activity, the emperor made many dangerous enemies. One of them was Yan, the crown prince of one of the captured states. The prince was held hostage by Qin Shi Huang for several years, but managed to escape with General Fan of the imperial army, who had betrayed his master.

The prince soon regretted taking the traitor with him. Fan's betrayal infuriated the emperor far more than the hostage's escape. The situation was such that a new war could break out, aimed at exacting revenge on Yan and his supporters and capturing Fan.

The Prince's Cunning Plan

Therefore, Prince Yan decided to send an assassin after Qin Shi Huang. The choice fell on the experienced and cunning warrior Jing Ke. He was prepared to risk certain death and stab the emperor with a poisoned dagger. But even the most skilled assassin would be unable to approach the monarch, who was protected by thousands of bodyguards.





Jing Ke. Modern Illustration

The monarch was greatly afraid of assassination attempts. By his decree, 270 palaces were built across the empire. No one knew where or when the emperor would appear, and any meeting had to be arranged in advance. A solution was found. It turned out to be simple, although somewhat strange from a modern perspective.

Jing Ke and Prince Yan came to General Fan and asked him... to die. The assassin was to present the emperor with the severed head of the traitor. For such an occasion, Qin Shi Huang would certainly not refuse an audience. Whether the traitor was persuaded to commit suicide for the sake of the cause or simply murdered—accounts differ. The assassin took the box containing the bloody gift and Prince Yan's letter and set out.

Chase Around the Pillar

As expected, the emperor was delighted with the gift. He immediately agreed to receive the guest and arranged a meeting in one of the palaces. He even condescended to approach him. But when Jing Ke began the numerous bows that are part of the famous "Chinese ceremonies," Qin Shi Huang saw the dagger hidden in his sleeve.



Reconstruction of the assassination scene from a stone stele from the 1st century AD

Noticing this, the assassin began to convince the emperor that he had not intended to kill him. He insisted that his goal was to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Prince Yan. But the frightened emperor would not listen—he fled. His victim could have escaped, and Jing Ke, drawing his weapon, gave chase.

As he fled, the emperor tried to draw his sword, but it became entangled in the folds of his ceremonial robes. Qin Shi Huang ran around the pillar supporting the ceiling, unsuccessfully trying to free his weapon, while Jing Ke pursued him with a dagger. Everything happened so quickly and unexpectedly that the courtiers were taken aback. According to palace etiquette, weapons were not allowed into the emperor's chambers. Therefore, the guards with swords and spears couldn't help—they were stationed in the hall below.

Saving the Emperor

The first to regain his composure was the emperor's physician, Qin Shi Huang. He threw a bag of medicine at the assassin, distracting him from his pursuit. The momentary confusion was enough for the emperor to finally draw his sword. He turned and stabbed the assassin in the thigh.



Assassination scene carved in stone in the 3rd century AD

In desperation, Jing Ke threw a dagger at the monarch but missed. Then the emperor's officials and guards arrived, and the hapless assassin was pierced by dozens of blades. Dying, Jing Ke exclaimed, "I failed because I only threatened and did not intend to kill you!"

Thus, thanks to a pillar, the ruler of one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world escaped death. After an assassination attempt, Qin Shi Huang lived only a few months. He escaped a poisoned dagger, but fell victim to his own desire to live forever. The emperor was poisoned by mercury, generously added to his "immortality pills" by the same nimble physician, Qin Shi Huang, who had saved his life.