Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in Chinese history to unite the six kingdoms, lived a legendary life. However, the cause of his death has always been controversial. Some believe that he was assassinated by his favorite minister Zhao Gao, while others believe that he died of illness. So, what is the truth of history?

First, the mystery of Qin Shi Huang's death.

In 210 BC, Qin Shi Huang died of illness while inspecting the country on his tour, at the Shajiu Platform (now located in Guangzong County, Hebei Province). The historical records about his cause of death are not clear. The "Records of the Grand Historian" simply mentions, "The First Emperor died at the Shajiu Platform." There is no detailed explanation of the specific cause. Therefore, the cause of Qin Shi Huang's death has become a mystery that has lasted for thousands of years.

Second, the conspiracy theory of Zhao Gao.

One theory suggests that Qin Shi Huang's death was caused by Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao was a favorite minister of Qin Shi Huang and held great power, having a significant influence on the court. It is said that in order to consolidate his position, Zhao Gao plotted to assassinate Qin Shi Huang. He used Qin Shi Huang's trust to poison him secretly, leading to his illness and eventual death. This theory is mainly based on a passage in the "Records of the Grand Historian: Qin Shi Huang Biography" that states, "The First Emperor's illness was very severe, and Zhao Gao intended to assassinate him." However, there is no conclusive evidence for this theory, and it is merely a record in the historical books.

Third, the theory of Qin Shi Huang's illness.

Another theory suggests that Qin Shi Huang died of illness. According to historical records, Qin Shi Huang suddenly fell ill during his inspection tour, and his condition rapidly deteriorated. At that time, Qin Shi Huang was already over fifty years old and his body was gradually weakening. Coupled with the long-term exhaustion and mental stress, his physical condition deteriorated further. Therefore, some believe that Qin Shi Huang died of illness. This view is mainly based on some records in historical books, such as the "Records of the Grand Historian: Qin Shi Huang Biography" which states that "The First Emperor's illness was very severe."

Fourth, conclusion: the truth is difficult to discern.

Overall, there is currently no conclusive evidence regarding the cause of Qin Shi Huang's death. Although some historical records and legends support the theory that Zhao Gao assassinated him, these claims have not been verified. On the contrary, due to the uncertainty of historical records and contradictions in legends, the cause of Qin Shi Huang's death becomes even more mysterious. Therefore, we cannot determine the truth of history. Perhaps this mystery will forever remain in the long river of history.

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