The life of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, is nothing short of extraordinary. He unified the warring states, ending centuries of chaos and self-proclaimed himself as the ruler who combined the virtues of the Three Sovereigns and the achievements of the Five Emperors. However, his legacy is often overshadowed by the scandalous love affair between his mother, Zhao Ji, and the eunuch Lao Ai, which led to political intrigue and betrayal. So, what made Lao Ai so special that Zhao Ji would become so attached to him? To understand this, we must start with the story of Qin Shi Huang’s father, Ying Yi Ren.

The Beginnings of a Power Play

Ying Yi Ren, a hostage in the state of Zhao, lived a life full of hardship. As a pawn in the dangerous game of diplomacy, he was subjected to humiliation when Zhao defeated Qin and made him perform in the court. Many believed Ying Yi Ren had no future, but one sharp businessman, Lü Buwei, saw an opportunity. Lü Buwei was a man of vision, and he recognized that Ying Yi Ren’s bloodline held potential. Ying Yi Ren’s grandfather, Qin Zhao Xiang Wang, was elderly, and his father, Prince An, was sickly. Lü Buwei realized that if Ying Yi Ren ascended to the throne, he would stand to gain a tremendous reward.

Lü Buwei befriended Ying Yi Ren and, through his connections, provided him protection. To solidify his alliance, Lü Buwei even gave Ying Yi Ren the gift of a beautiful woman—Zhao Ji, who later became Ying Yi Ren’s concubine and mother to Qin Shi Huang. In 259 BCE, Zhao Ji gave birth to a son, Ying Zheng, who would later become the infamous Qin Shi Huang. But Lü Buwei’s plans didn’t stop there. He ensured that Ying Yi Ren would rise to power in the Qin kingdom, securing both his and Ying Yi Ren’s future.

A Complicated Love Triangle

As time passed, Lü Buwei’s influence grew stronger. When Ying Yi Ren’s father passed away, and Ying Yi Ren took the throne as King of Qin, Lü Buwei became the Prime Minister, with significant power in the kingdom. His relationship with Zhao Ji, though, remained entangled. The two rekindled their romance, much to the dismay of others. Despite his growing power, Lü Buwei began to grow uneasy with his secret relationship with Zhao Ji, especially as Ying Zheng, now the king, matured and became more aware of his surroundings.

Lü Buwei’s fear soon turned to reality. One morning, after a disturbing nightmare, he decided to sever ties with Zhao Ji, but she refused to let go. Realizing that their affair could ruin his carefully crafted position, Lü Buwei began to seek ways to extricate himself from the situation. It was then that Li Si, a clever strategist, entered the scene, offering a solution.

Lao Ai: The “Special” Eunuch

Li Si, seeing an opportunity, introduced Lao Ai, a man with certain… talents, to Lü Buwei. Lü Buwei, ever the manipulator, saw the potential in Lao Ai and presented him to Zhao Ji. Lao Ai was soon installed as Zhao Ji’s lover and became an influential figure in the palace. He was granted the title of Changxin Hou (Marquis of Changxin) and even fathered two sons with Zhao Ji. However, power corrupted Lao Ai quickly. He became arrogant, boasting that he was more powerful than the king’s own father.

In 238 BCE, after a drunken argument with his colleagues, Lao Ai declared that he was the “fake father” of Qin Shi Huang and that no one could compare to him. Word of this reached Ying Zheng, who, upon hearing the news, feigned belief in Lao Ai’s drunken ramblings, but quietly began investigating. It didn’t take long before Ying Zheng discovered the truth.

A Sudden Fall from Grace

Lao Ai’s treachery would be his undoing. In a bold move, Lao Ai and his allies attempted to stage a coup in Qin’s capital, Xianyang. Ying Zheng, however, was already prepared. He quickly rallied loyal officials, including Lü Buwei, and crushed the rebellion. Lao Ai was captured, executed, and his family destroyed. Zhao Ji, too, was imprisoned and sent away to the old capital of Yongdu.

The fall of Lao Ai and Zhao Ji was swift, but it did not mark the end of Lü Buwei’s downfall. After Lao Ai’s execution, Ying Zheng confronted Lü Buwei, asking him to explain his role in the affair. Lü Buwei, feeling the weight of his past actions, was removed from his position as Prime Minister a month later. In a tragic end, Lü Buwei drank poison and died.

The Shadow of Power

The saga of Lü Buwei, Lao Ai, and Zhao Ji reveals the dangerous allure of power and the complex, often destructive relationships that arise from it. Power is a seductive force—one that can turn ordinary individuals into formidable players in the game of politics. Yet, as history has shown, those who seek to manipulate power often find themselves ensnared by it.

In modern times, the story of Lü Buwei and Lao Ai serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ambition and betrayal. It reminds us that power, while often seen as the ultimate prize, can ultimately lead to one’s ruin if wielded without wisdom or restraint. Much like in today’s world of politics and business, the quest for power can distort relationships, and often, the cost is far greater than anyone anticipates.