The Unexpected Royal Decree

In the heart of autumn, a royal edict arrived suddenly at the Xinzhuang estate, sending the entire household into a flurry of activity. The decree announced that on the autumn equinox, Prince Yiren would undergo the capping ceremony at the ancestral temple, with all preparatory rituals to be managed by the Lü estate. The document was delivered personally by the elderly court historian Huan Li, addressed specifically to Prince Ying Yiren and the merchant Lü Buwei, whom the decree referred to as a “righteous merchant.”

This unusual designation puzzled Mo Hu, one of Lü Buwei’s trusted aides, who muttered discontentedly about the king’s unpredictable nature. Yet the experienced steward Xi Men saw deeper significance in the proceedings. The involvement of the elderly court historian—a powerful minister trusted by the aging King Zhao—and the decision to have the prince remain at Lü’s estate rather than return to the crown prince’s residence suggested extraordinary royal favor toward Lü Buwei.

The Ancient Rite of Passage

The capping ceremony, known as shì guàn lǐ (士冠礼), held profound significance in ancient Chinese society. Originating from primitive coming-of-age rituals among various Huaxia tribes, it had evolved into the most important rite of passage during the Zhou dynasty. By the Warring States period, though simplified, the ceremony retained its essential form—especially for nobility like Prince Yiren.

For this thirty-year-old prince who had spent his youth as a hostage in Zhao, this belated ceremony represented far more than mere formality. It marked the Qin royal family’s official recognition of his status as heir apparent, a crucial step in the succession process. Unlike family rituals, this was a public ceremony where the community acknowledged an individual’s transition to adulthood, traditionally presided over by village elders, clan leaders, or—for royalty—the sovereign or designated ministers.

Meticulous Preparations

The ceremony comprised two major phases: preliminary rites and the main ceremony. The preparatory stage involved:

– Divination to determine the auspicious date (筮日)
– Selecting the principal officiant through divination (筮宾)
– Setting the precise timing (约期)
– Inviting guests (戒宾)
– Ritual purification (设洗)

Lü Buwei, though unfamiliar with court rituals, proved remarkably capable in organizing these complex preparations within ten days. With help from his efficient staff—the seasoned steward Xi Men, the resourceful Chen Xuan, and the sharp-witted Mo Hu—every detail was arranged flawlessly, astonishing even the temple officials sent to assist.

The Ceremonial Day

On the autumn equinox, under crisp blue skies, a procession departed the Lü estate for the ancestral temple in Xianyang. The temple complex, situated north of the royal palace amidst towering pines and cypresses, radiated solemn majesty with its simple yet imposing Qin-style architecture.

The ceremony proper consisted of ten precise steps:

1. Displaying ritual vessels and garments (陈服器)
2. Welcoming guests into the temple (迎赞者入庙)
3. The triple capping—first with cloth cap (symbolizing livelihood skills), then leather (military prowess), finally a ceremonial cap (scholarly attainment) (三加冠)
4. The principal officiant’s ceremonial toast (宾醴冠者)
5. The capped youth paying respects to his mother (冠者见母)
6. Bestowing of a courtesy name (宾赐表字)
7. Formal introduction to family members (见家人)
8. Paying respects to elders and nobility (见尊长)
9. Hosting a banquet for guests (醴宾)
10. Distributing sacrificial meat to guests’ homes (送宾归俎)

Each step followed exact protocols with prescribed speeches and movements. The most crucial moment came when Prince Yiren received his courtesy name “Zichu”—a carefully chosen compromise acknowledging the name he had adopted in Zhao while satisfying his stepmother Lady Huayang’s expectations.

The Royal Audience

Following the temple rites, the procession proceeded to the palace for the most politically significant segment—meeting the elders. The grand reception surprised even seasoned courtiers: the main hall was adorned with ceremonial red carpets, giant incense burners sent fragrant smoke skyward, and honor guards stood at attention—unusual pomp for what should have been a private family occasion.

King Zhao, despite his advanced age and poor health, had emerged from seclusion to personally receive his grandson. Their emotional exchange revealed the monarch’s wisdom:

“Adversity makes the man,” the king advised Yiren. “But hardship can also break him—strengthening the resolute while warping the weak. Now that you’ve returned, remember Mencius’s words: regard your trials as heaven’s tempering. Don’t dwell on past sufferings lest you grow resentful—that would be misfortune for both our house and the state.”

The Political Chess Game

The audience took a dramatic turn when King Zhao unexpectedly offered Lü Buwei high-ranking positions—first as senior minister, then as crown prince’s tutor. Lü’s polite but firm refusals, citing Qin’s meritocratic principles, created palpable tension. Prince Yiren nearly intervened, fearing his grandfather’s notorious temper.

Yet the aged king surprised all by laughing approvingly at Lü’s integrity, finally appointing him as a modest administrator in the crown prince’s household—a position that allowed Lü to learn Qin’s laws while maintaining flexibility for future advancement.

Family Reunions and Hidden Agendas

That evening’s family banquet at the crown prince’s residence revealed complex dynamics. Lady Huayang, Yiren’s stepmother, presented him with two gifts: a black jade seal confirming his status as heir, and eight sets of Chu-style clothing with matching jade pendants—a nod to her own Chu heritage. Her emotional display and Yiren’s earnest pledges of filial devotion masked delicate political calculations.

In a private post-banquet conversation, Crown Prince Ying Zhu revealed his frail health and concerns about succession: “After me, you will be Qin’s true heir. My lifelong regret is that my sons lack exceptional talent. You’re competent enough to maintain our legacy, but remember two things: find capable ministers, and ensure you have an outstanding heir. Otherwise, three weak generations could undo Qin’s greatness.”

When Yiren suggested Lü Buwei as a potential minister, his father cautioned patience: “Your grandfather had the Black Ice Terrace investigate Lü thoroughly. That he abandoned commerce to aid you clearly shows political ambitions. Qin needs great talent—like Shang Yang, Zhang Yi, or Fan Ju—but must guard against opportunists. Today’s three offers and two modifications at court weren’t accidental—your grandfather was testing him.”

The Historian’s Perspective

This meticulously recorded event offers fascinating insights into late Warring States Qin politics. King Zhao’s unprecedented personal involvement in his grandson’s belated capping ceremony signaled deep concerns about succession stability. The careful orchestration—from the choice of venue to the deliberate testing of Lü Buwei—reveals a monarch ensuring smooth transition despite his heir’s poor health.

Lü Buwei’s performance during the ceremony and subsequent audience demonstrated remarkable political acumen. His refusal of high office, framed as respect for Qin’s meritocratic traditions, positioned him as both humble and principled—qualities that would serve him well in his eventual rise to chancellor.

Prince Yiren’s transformation from hostage to heir apparent, facilitated by Lü Buwei’s machinations, marked a critical juncture in Qin’s road to unification. Within decades, Yiren’s son—the future First Emperor—would complete the conquest of China’s warring states, with Lü Buwei initially serving as regent.

The autumn capping ceremony thus represents more than a personal milestone—it was a pivotal moment when the threads of merchant ambition, royal succession, and bureaucratic politics intertwined to shape China’s future. The careful rituals, laden with symbolic meaning, masked high-stakes power maneuvers that would ultimately determine who ruled the world’s most powerful state at history’s decisive turning point.