The Rise of a Political Puppeteer

The story begins with Lü Buwei, one of ancient China’s most cunning political strategists. A wealthy merchant who rose to become Chancellor of Qin, Lü Buwei orchestrated the ascension of King Zhuangxiang of Qin and later his son, Ying Zheng (the future First Emperor of China). Lü Buwei’s ambitions went beyond mere governance—he sought to control the throne itself.

Initially, Lü Buwei believed his influence over Ying Zheng would remain unchallenged. However, as the young king matured, Lü Buwei realized his grip on power was slipping. Ying Zheng was no puppet; his intelligence and independence threatened Lü Buwei’s schemes. Fearing retribution, Lü Buwei sought to distance himself from the royal court—particularly from his former lover, Queen Dowager Zhao, the king’s mother.

A Dangerous Liaison: The Queen Dowager’s Desires

Queen Dowager Zhao, known for her insatiable appetites, refused to let Lü Buwei go so easily. Recognizing that her desires were more physical than emotional, Lü Buwei devised a plan: find her a new lover to replace him. His search led him to Lao Ai, a man infamous for his extraordinary physical endowment.

Lü Buwei hired Lao Ai as his retainer, then spread rumors of the man’s prowess. To test Lao Ai’s endurance, Lü Buwei had him walk around with a wooden wheel balanced on his erect member—a spectacle that quickly became the talk of the court. When the Queen Dowager heard of this, she demanded that Lü Buwei bring Lao Ai to her.

The Great Deception: A Fake Eunuch in the Palace

Since only eunuchs were permitted in the inner palace, Lü Buwei devised an audacious scheme: he faked Lao Ai’s castration. Officially, Lao Ai was “punished” with castration, but in reality, he remained fully intact. Thus, he entered the palace as a “eunuch” and became the Queen Dowager’s secret lover.

Lü Buwei believed he had solved his problem, but his plan backfired spectacularly. Empowered by the Queen Dowager’s favor, Lao Ai grew arrogant. He amassed a private army, accepted bribes for political appointments, and even received the title “Marquis of Changxin,” making him one of the most powerful men in Qin.

The Reckoning: Rebellion and Retribution

As Lao Ai’s influence grew, so did his recklessness. He fathered two children with the Queen Dowager—an unforgivable scandal in the Qin court. When Lü Buwei realized Lao Ai’s actions could implicate him, he decided to eliminate his former pawn.

Lü Buwei secretly alerted Ying Zheng to Lao Ai’s treachery, including his fake castration and illegitimate heirs. Fearing exposure, Lao Ai panicked and staged a rebellion, using the Queen Dowager’s seal to mobilize troops. However, Ying Zheng was prepared. He declared Lao Ai’s orders invalid and crushed the uprising.

Lao Ai was captured, executed, and his body subjected to the brutal “five-horse chariot” dismemberment. To prove his guilt, Ying Zheng ordered Lao Ai’s corpse displayed publicly—confirming he had never been castrated. The Queen Dowager was exiled, her two secret children killed, and thousands of Lao Ai’s followers were either executed or banished.

The Aftermath: A King’s Ruthless Resolve

The scandal forced Ying Zheng to confront the corruption in his court. Though he spared his mother after persuasion from a diplomat, his reputation for ruthlessness was cemented. Lü Buwei, though initially spared, soon fell from grace and was eventually forced to commit suicide.

This episode marked a turning point in Ying Zheng’s reign. It demonstrated his refusal to tolerate disloyalty—even from his own family or closest advisors. His uncompromising stance foreshadowed the iron-fisted rule that would later unify China under the Qin Dynasty.

Legacy: Power, Manipulation, and the Perils of Ambition

The Lao Ai scandal remains one of history’s most shocking tales of political intrigue. It reveals the dangers of unchecked ambition, the fragility of power, and the consequences of underestimating a ruler’s resolve.

For Ying Zheng, the affair was a harsh lesson in governance. It reinforced his belief in absolute control—a philosophy that would define his reign as China’s first emperor. Meanwhile, Lü Buwei’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale: those who seek to manipulate power often become its victims.

Centuries later, the story endures as a gripping drama of lust, betrayal, and the ruthless mechanics of ancient Chinese politics.