Qin Shihuang crossed Qiantang River to Huiji County, and then went north to Langxie (now Jiaonan County, Shandong Province). Leave in winter and come back in summer. On the way back, he felt unwell and fell ill in Pingyuan Tianjin (now south of Pingyuan County, Shandong Province). The accompanying medical officer gave him treatment and medicine, but it didn't work.
In the sand dunes (now west of Guangzong County, Hebei Province), Qin Shihuang became more and more ill. Knowing that he was terminally ill, he said to Zhao Gao, "Write to Fu Su quickly and ask him to return to Xianyang as soon as possible. If I can't get well, please ask him to preside over the funeral. "
The letter was written, and before it was delivered to the messenger, Qin Shihuang had swallowed his breath.
Li Si, the Prime Minister, discussed with Zhao Gao and said, "It's far from Xianyang, and it doesn't take a day or two to get there. In case the news of the emperor's death spreads, I'm afraid there will be chaos inside and outside; It's better to keep it a secret for the time being, don't send a mourning number, and rush back to Xianyang to reason. "
They put Qin Shihuang's body in the car, closed the car door and lowered the curtains so that no one could see outside. Except Hu Hai, Reese, Zhao Gao and five or six eunuchs, no other ministers knew that Qin Shihuang was dead. The motorcade went to Xianyang as usual, and everywhere it went, officials of civil and military affairs played outside the car as usual.
Reese told Zhao Gao to send someone to deliver the letter quickly, and told his son Fu Su to get back to Xianyang. Zhao Gao is Hu Hai's confidant, and has been at enmity with the Meng Tian family. He secretly discussed with Hu Hai, prepared to falsely preach the will of Qin Shihuang, killed Fu Su, and let Hu Hai inherit the throne. Hu Hai certainly welcomes it and totally agrees.
Zhao Gao knew that he had to consult with Reese to do such a thing, so he went to Reese and said, "Now Hu Hai has an imperial edict and an imperial edict. It depends on who will inherit him. What do you think? "
Reese was taken aback and said, "How can you say such a thing about national subjugation? This is not what we courtiers should talk about! "
Zhao Gao said, "Don't worry. Let me ask you first, are you as talented as Meng Tian? Is your contribution comparable to that of Meng Tian? Is your relationship with Fu Su comparable to that of Montaigne? "
Reese paused for a moment, then said, "I can't compare with him."
Zhao Gao said, "If Fu Su is the emperor, he will worship Meng Tian as the prime minister. At that time, you will have to go back to your hometown. This is an open question. Childe Hu Hai has a kind heart and is kind to others. If he becomes emperor, you and I will benefit for life. Please think it over.
After being coaxed and frightened by Zhao Gao Lian, Reese was afraid that Fu Su would lose his position as prime minister after he ascended the throne, so he conspired with Zhao Gao and Hu Hai to forge an imperial edict for Fu Su, saying that he could not make meritorious deeds outside, but only blamed his father. He also said that General Meng Tian and General Fu Su should commit suicide and hand over the relieving to Lieutenant Wang Li.
Fu Su received this false imperial edict and committed suicide by weeping bitterly. Meng Tian suspected that the imperial edict was forged, so Fu Su appealed to Qin Shihuang. Fu Su is an honest man and says:
"Since my father wants me to die, where can I go to complain?" So he killed himself.
Zhao Gao and Reese quickly mounted their horses. It was late summer and early autumn, and it was still very hot. In a few days, the body has rotted and the car stinks.
Zhao Gao sent someone to buy a lot of salted fish and told the ministers to put a basket in each car. The smell of salted fish around the motorcade masked the smell of Qin Shihuang's body.
In Xianyang, the news of Qin Shihuang's death was announced, a funeral was held, and the posthumous edict of Qin Shihuang was faked, and Hu Hai succeeded to the throne. This is Qin Ershi.
After Qin Shihuang was buried by II and Zhao Gao, he had a guilty conscience and was afraid that the usurper would be exposed. Zhao Gao encouraged Hu Hai to kill his brother minister, and sentenced all twelve sons and ten princesses to death, and countless ministers were implicated. A year later, Zhao Gao tricked II into arresting and killing his accomplice Reese. Zhao Gao himself became prime minister, monopolizing power.