Fusu

Fusu, also known as Prince Fusu, was a prominent figure in ancient Chinese history, primarily recognized as the eldest son of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China. His life and fate are deeply intertwined with the political machinations and succession struggles of the Qin dynasty.

Born in the 3rd century BCE, Fusu was known for his scholarly nature and his adherence to Confucian principles, which often put him at odds with his father's Legalist policies. As the heir apparent, he was a respected figure, but his father's increasing paranoia and distrust, exacerbated by his pursuit of immortality, led to a rift between them.

A pivotal moment in Fusu's life occurred when Qin Shi Huang ordered the burning of books and the burying of scholars to suppress dissenting thought. Fusu openly criticized this decree, earning his father's displeasure. To distance Fusu and quell potential opposition, Qin Shi Huang dispatched him to the northern frontier to oversee military campaigns against the Xiongnu, accompanied by General Meng Tian.

Upon Qin Shi Huang's death in 210 BCE, a secret edict was forged by the powerful eunuch Zhao Gao and the prime minister Li Si, purportedly from the emperor, ordering Fusu and Meng Tian to commit suicide. Fusu, bound by filial duty and the belief that he must obey his father's final command, took his own life. His younger brother, Huhai, was subsequently installed as Emperor Qin Er Shi, marking a tragic turn of events that contributed to the rapid collapse of the Qin dynasty shortly thereafter. Fusu's story is often presented as a cautionary tale about the dangers of absolute power and court intrigue.