The Merchant Who Bet on a Prince

In the tumultuous Warring States period (475–221 BCE), when seven rival kingdoms vied for supremacy, one man saw opportunity where others saw only risk. Lü Buwei, a wealthy merchant from the state of Wei, made history’s most calculated gamble when he encountered Ying Yiren—an obscure prince of Qin held hostage in the rival state of Zhao. Recognizing Yiren as a “rare commodity” (奇货), Lü invested his fortune and cunning to transform this political pawn into King Zhuangxiang of Qin.

This was no act of altruism. Lü understood that patronage of a future monarch could elevate a merchant into the highest echelons of power. His scheme succeeded spectacularly: after securing Yiren’s release through bribery and diplomacy, Lü even arranged for his own concubine Zhao Ji to marry the prince. When their son Ying Zheng—the future First Emperor—was born in 259 BCE, Lü’s influence seemed unshakable.

Architect of an Empire

As chancellor during Ying Zheng’s youth, Lü Buwei effectively ruled Qin. His policies accelerated the kingdom’s dominance:

– Economic Reforms: Leveraging merchant networks to fund military campaigns
– Cultural Synthesis: Commissioning the Lüshi Chunqiu, an encyclopedic text blending Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist thought
– Diplomatic Maneuvering: Exploiting rival states’ weaknesses through calculated alliances

Yet power bred vulnerability. The once-indispensable advisor became a threat as Ying Zheng matured. Ancient historian Sima Qian records their deteriorating relationship, noting how the king grew suspicious of Lü’s lingering intimacy with Queen Dowager Zhao Ji.

The Gathering Storm

By 237 BCE, the political climate in Xianyang had turned lethal. The teenage monarch, now asserting absolute authority, moved decisively against his former mentor:

1. Dismissal: Citing Lü’s “advanced age,” Ying Zheng stripped him of the chancellorship
2. Economic Strangulation: Confiscated estates and cut off state stipends
3. Social Isolation: Witnessed the exodus of his 3,000 retainers—a humiliating reversal for the patronage-dependent elite

The text’s haunting imagery captures Lü’s despair: parched summer heat mirroring his dwindling influence, the metaphorical “North Star” (Ying Zheng) outshining all others. When retainers whispered of rebellion—comparing their situation to the failed coup of Lao Ai—Lü recognized the fatal trap. Either action or inaction could justify his elimination.

A King’s Calculus

Ying Zheng’s internal conflict reveals the paradox of authoritarian rule. Despite owing his throne to Lü, the king prioritized consolidation of power over gratitude. The banishment order—”I’m uneasy with you in Xianyang”—masked deeper fears. By exiling Lü to his Luoyang estates, the king sought to neutralize his influence without creating a martyr.

Yet history intervened. The Zheng Guo Canal scandal (郑国事件)—a purported Han sabotage plot using irrigation projects—reignited persecution of non-Qin officials. Facing renewed accusations, Lü chose suicide in 235 BCE, drinking poisoned wine rather than endure further humiliation.

Legacy of a Political Visionary

Lü Buwei’s life encapsulates the Warring States’ brutal pragmatism:

– Merchant-State Symbiosis: Demonstrated how commercial wealth could buy political access
– Patronage Networks: His retainers’ loyalty (and betrayal) modeled later factional politics
– Philosophical Impact: The Lüshi Chunqiu influenced Qin’s eventual synthesis of governing ideologies

Modern parallels abound. From Renaissance banker-statesmen like Cosimo de’ Medici to contemporary oligarchs, Lü’s story remains a cautionary tale about the volatility of proximity to power. His ability to recognize a “rare commodity” in Ying Yiren, yet misjudge the “rare catastrophe” (奇祸) of Ying Zheng, underscores the peril of creating monarchs who ultimately refuse to share authority.

The moon metaphor haunting the narrative takes on tragic irony. Just as Lü’s retainers proclaimed him the celestial body that could eclipse the North Star, reality proved harsher: in Qin’s political cosmos, only one light was permitted to shine.