Qin Shi Huang(秦始皇):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: qín shǐ huáng，Written as:

Qin Shi Huang (259 BCE—210 BCE), born Ying Zheng, was the first emperor in Chinese history to unify all of China, and he remains one of the most influential political figures in the nation’s history. During his reign, he established the Qin Dynasty and profoundly influenced China’s political, economic, and cultural landscapes.
Qin Shi Huang was born in Handan, Zhao (modern-day Hebei), to King Zhuangxiang of Qin. As a youth, Ying Zheng was held as a hostage in Zhao, but he later returned to Qin and ascended to the throne at the age of 13. During his early reign, due to his youth, he was guided by the regent Lü Buwei and his mother, Lady Zhao. As he matured, he gradually took control of power and actively pursued expansionist policies. After years of warfare and diplomatic maneuvers, Qin Shi Huang conquered the six states of Han, Zhao, Wei, Chu, Yan, and Qi by 221 BCE, achieving the first grand unification in Chinese history.
Qin Shi Huang abolished the Feudal System and implemented the system of prefectures and counties, strengthening central authority. He established The Three Councillors of State and the Nine Ministers to enhance control over the entire country. Embracing Legalist philosophy, he governed through law, intensified the formulation and enforcement of legal codes, and harshly cracked down on crime to maintain social order. He standardized writing, measurements, and currency, revised axle widths for carts, which facilitated communication and economic development across different regions.
To defend against northern invasions by the Hun, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the Great Wall, connecting walls of the former states into a unified defense system. He undertook massive construction projects, including the building of Epang Palace and his own mausoleum, the latter famously housing the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
To consolidate his rule, Qin Shi Huang commanded the burning of historical records and folk literature, excluding those from Qin, and ordered the execution of Confucian scholars to suppress dissent and promote ideological uniformity. Qin Shi Huang was a ruler of great ambition and determination, possessing a strong desire for power and control. His rule, while strict and efficient, focused on legalism and centralization, and was both pioneering and repressive.
Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor in Chinese history, and his unification and reforms laid the foundation for over two millennia of feudal society in China. Although his methods were severe, his contributions to China’s unification and cultural development were immense and enduring. His reign marked both innovative reforms and contributions, as well as controversy due to his harsh methods and tyranny, making him a complex and significant figure in history.
Qin Shi Huang’s role in Chinese history is of immense importance, as his unification and reforms deeply influenced subsequent political, cultural, and social development. Despite controversies, his achievements and impact are undeniable.