The Paranoid Legacy of Qin Shi Huang

He unified a fractured empire through blood and fire. Then he became the most paranoid ruler

in history. This is Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.

221 BC. Seven warring kingdoms finally bow to one man. He doesn't just

conquer them. He erases them. One language. One currency. One law.

Disagree? Execution. Question him? Buried alive. He burns every book

that challenges his rule. 460 scholars? Executed in a single day for hiding texts.

General Meng Tian, his most loyal commander, wins battle after battle. The emperor grows

suspicious. He orders Meng Tian and 300,000 of his troops to work on the Great Wall.