The Rise of Lv Buwei: A Political Tale from Ancient China

Lv Buwei, also known as Yang Zhai, hailed from Yingchuan, a county under Puyang during the time recorded in geographical texts. In historical accounts, he was identified as a prominent merchant. He engaged in trade, buying cheap and selling dear, accumulating substantial wealth.

During the 40th year of King Zhao of Qin’s reign, his eldest son passed away. Two years later, the second son, An Guojun, was appointed as the crown prince. An Guojun had over twenty children, and he favored a lady named Huayang, whom he promoted to the position of principal wife. She was titled Huayang Furen but had no children of her own. An Guojun’s middle son was named Zichu, also known as Zhuangxiangwang. According to historical sources, he originally had a different name and was sent to Zhao as a hostage by Lv Buwei.

Qin frequently attacked Zhao, and they did not treat Zichu with much respect. Zichu was considered an illegitimate descendant and was sent as a hostage to various states. Despite being in a difficult situation without proper acknowledgment, he was treated poorly and lived in destitution.

Lv Buwei was visiting Handan and encountered Zichu. He took pity on him and remarked, “This extraordinary person can be useful.” Lv Buwei meant that Zichu could be beneficial to him in terms of wealth. Historical sources mention, “Lv Buwei, a native of Puyang, conducted business in Handan. When he saw Zichu, a hostage from Qin, he said to his father: ‘How many times more profitable is farming than trading?’ The father said, ‘Tenfold.’ ‘How many times more profitable is precious jewelry?’ The father replied, ‘A hundredfold.’ ‘How many times more profitable is establishing a ruler and stabilizing the country?’ The father answered, ‘Countless times.’ Buwei said, ‘Now, even though laboring in the fields is done quickly, it does not provide warm clothes and sufficient food. If one establishes a ruler and stabilizes the country, the benefits can be passed on to future generations. Let’s talk about the past.’ When Zichu was a hostage in Zhao and lived in a leather city, Lv Buwei went to persuade him. He persuaded the younger brother of Qin’s queen, Yangquan Jun, saying, ‘Do you know the prince’s sins? There is no nobleman in your house, but the prince’s house is not noble, and the stables are filled with beautiful women. The king is old, the mountains and tombs will collapse in a day, and the prince will take charge. If you are in danger of your life, you will not live to see the day. If there is a plan to make you wealthy and a thousand times more than Tai Shan, you will not be in danger.’ Yangquan said, ‘Please hear his argument.’ Buwei said, ‘The king is old, the queen has no children, and Zichu has a good position to inherit the country. The farmer’s warehouse assists him. When the king’s mountain and tomb collapse in a day, Zichu stands, the farmer’s warehouse is in charge, and the queen’s house is full. Young brother, no one else in the house, the prince has no reputation, but the woman’s back and forth. The king’s age is high, the queen has no children, and Zichu has no chance to be a prince. His mother is not as lucky as he is, and he has to accompany his wife. The queen agrees and puts the prince’s situation in a precarious position. It is difficult to prepare for the future. But now Zichu is poor, and the guest is not happy. Lv Buwei is poor, so he has to pay a thousand gold to go west and meet the queen and let Zichu be an heir.’ Zichu nodded his head and said, ‘I must be careful.’ Then Lv Buwei gave five hundred gold to Zichu, as a bribe, to make friends and to buy strange goods and hobbies to support himself. Lv Buwei went to Qinyang to seek Huayang’s sister, and he gave her gifts. Because he knew that Zichu was wise, he met with guests from all over the world and said, ‘I think that Zichu is crying every day and night for his son and wife.’ The woman was very happy. Lv Buwei then told his sister to persuade the queen to say, ‘I heard that the person who is devoted to the other person will diminish when his love and love decrease. Now that the queen is devoted to the prince and loves him, she has no children. If she does not get married to the prince who is wise and loyal to the country, and the prince is respected, she will not lose the power of a thousand years. If she is devoted to the family and loves the country, she will not lose the power of a thousand years. Lv Buwei said, ‘The king is old, the queen has no children, and Zichu has no chance to be a prince. His mother is not as lucky as he is, and he has to accompany his wife. The queen agrees and puts the prince’s situation in a precarious position. Lv Buwei said, ‘The queen is devoted to the family and loves the country. If she does not get married to the prince who is wise and loyal to the country, and the prince is respected, she will not lose the power of a thousand years. Lv Buwei said, ‘The king is old, the queen has no children, and Zich