“I have united all under heaven, and none of my achievements shall be surpassed by those who come after me.”
— Qin Shi Huang
Attributed to Qin Shi Huang in Sima Qian's 'Records of the Grand Historian' (c. 94 BC), upon declaring himself First Emperor in 221 BC.
In 230 BC I began conquering the six kingdoms. By 221, all of China was mine. I stood on the terrace of my palace in Xianyang, looking at an empire that had never existed. I standardized the writing so every person could read every decree. Built roads to every border. Connected the walls so no invader could pass. And still, the one thing I wanted most, I never found. I searched for immortality until the mercury pills killed me. Build great things. Build them knowing they must outlast you.