20 Facts About Zhao Gao

Zhao Gao was an official of the Qin dynasty of China.

Zhao Gao started his career under Qin Shi Huang as Prefect of the Office for Imperial Carriages, an official in charge of managing the palace's horse-drawn carriages.

Zhao Gao, who was highly trusted by Qin Er Shi, instigated the emperor to exterminate his own siblings to consolidate power, and used the opportunity to eliminate his political opponents, such as Meng Tian and Meng Yi.

Zhao Gao framed Li Si for treason and had Li Si and his entire family executed, after which he replaced Li Si as Chancellor and monopolised state power.

In 207 BC, when rebellions broke out in the lands east of Hangu Pass, Zhao Gao became worried that Qin Er Shi would blame him, so he launched a coup in Wangyi Palace and assassinated the emperor.

Zhao Gao was distantly related to the royal family of the Zhao state of the Warring States period.

Zhao Gao's brothers were castrated; it is unclear whether Zhao Gao himself was a eunuch or not.

When Zhao was a minor official, he committed a crime punishable by death.

Zhao Gao was later pardoned by Qin Shi Huang and returned to his official status.

Two years later, Zhao Gao killed Li Si, executing him via the "Five Pains" method, Li's own invention.

Zhao Gao was afraid that Qin Er Shi might make him responsible for the uprisings.

Ziying knew that Zhao Gao intended to kill him afterwards to appease the rebels, so he feigned illness on the day of the coronation, which forced Zhao to arrive at his residence to persuade him to attend.

The moment Zhao Gao arrived, Ziying ordered a eunuch, Han Tan, to kill Zhao.

Zhao Gao was contemplating treason but was afraid the other officials would not heed his commands, so he decided to test them first.

Zhao Gao brought a deer and presented it to the Second Emperor but called it a horse.

Some remained silent, while some, hoping to ingratiate themselves with Zhao Gao, said it was a horse, and others said it was a deer.

Zhao Gao secretly arranged for all those who said it was a deer to be brought before the law and had them executed instantly.

Zhao Gao gained military power as a result of that.

Zhao Gao killed all the sons and daughters of Qin Shi Huang, including the Second Emperor, Huhai.

The historian Li Kaiyuan believes Zhao Gao was not a eunuch at all.