釋氏稽古略 1.421

1.421

Huhai was the youngest son of the First Emperor. In the autumn of the first year, Chen Sheng (courtesy name She) of Yangcheng and Wu Guang of Yangxia raised troops in Huaiwest. Xiang Liang of Xiazhi in Qizhou raised troops in Wu. Tian Dan of Di raised troops in Qi. Sheng and Guang falsely styled themselves the Great Chu; Sheng established himself as General, and Guang became Chief Commandant, entering and holding Chen. The elders of Chen requested to establish Sheng as King of Chu. In the ninth month, Liu Ji raised troops in Pei, and was called the Duke of Pei. The heroes throughout the realm all rose up in contention, supporting the establishment of descendants of the Six States. Xiang Liang was the son of Xiang Yan, a general of Chu. Xiang Ji (courtesy name Yu) was the son of Liang's elder brother. In the second year, Zhao Gao brought about the death of Li Si. The Second Emperor appointed Gao as Chancellor. The Duke of Pei returned to attack Feng and took it. Xiang Liang summoned his various vice-generals to gather at Xue to deliberate on affairs. Fan Zeng of Juchao, seventy years of age, persuaded Liang to establish an heir to Chu. They searched for and found the grandson of King Huai of Chu, named Xin. In the sixth month of summer, Xin was established as King of Chu, in accordance with the people's hopes. In the third year, all east of the Pass rebelled. Zhao Gao, fearing that the Second Emperor in anger would execute him personally, pleaded illness and did not attend court. He secretly conspired with his son-in-law Yan Le, the magistrate of Xianyang, to replace the sovereign and instead establish Prince Ziying. Le then led over a thousand officers and soldiers into Wangyi Palace. The Second Emperor said, 'I wish to obtain a single commandery to be king,' but was refused. He said again, 'I wish to be a marquis of ten thousand households,' but was refused. He said, 'I wish to be a commoner with my wife and children, equal to the various princes.' Yan Le said, 'Your servant has received orders from the Chancellor to execute you on behalf of the realm,' and waved his soldiers forward. The Second Emperor then committed suicide. Zhao Gao then summoned all the ministers and princes, saying, 'Qin was originally a kingdom. The First Emperor ruled all under Heaven, and thus took the title of Emperor. Now the Six States have restored their own independence, and the territory of Qin has grown smaller; to hold the empty title of Emperor is impermissible. It is proper to be a king as of old.' Thereupon he established Ziying, son of the First Emperor's late Crown Prince Fusu, as King of Qin. He ordered Ziying to fast and to appear at the ancestral temple to receive the jade seal. Ziying plotted with his two sons, saying, 'Chancellor Gao killed the Second Emperor, and fearing that the ministers would execute him, feigned righteousness to establish me. If I claim illness and do not go, the Chancellor will surely come; when he comes, we shall kill him.' Soon after, he indeed came personally. Ziying thereupon stabbed Gao to death in the Fasting Palace, and exterminated his clan to three generations. Ziying was enthroned; he was on the throne for forty-six days. In the tenth month, the Duke of Pei arrived at Ba River. Ziying surrendered.