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Lü Buwei

Type Figure Region East Asia Time c. -291–-235 Also known as Marquis of Wenxin、Second Father

Lü Buwei (c. 291–235 BCE) was a great merchant of the state of Wei and a political heavyweight of Qin in the late Warring States period;…

Timeline

  1. c. -291–-260Puyang, state of Wei · Puyang CityFrom Puyang in the state of Wei, he made his fortune buying low and selling high, accumulating a thousand gold; trading among Han, Zhao, Wei, Qi, and Chu, he amassed great wealth and wide connections, laying the foundation for his later political ventures.
  2. c. -260–-250Handan, state of Zhao · Handan CityIn Handan, Zhao, he met the Qin hostage prince Zichu and, with the stratagem of "a rare commodity to be hoarded," funded his return and accession; he presented Zhao Ji as Zichu's consort. After Zichu became King Zhuangxiang of Qin, he appointed Lü Buwei chancellor and enfeoffed him Marquis of Wenxin.
  3. c. -250–-237Xianyang, state of Qin · Xianyang CityAfter King Zhuangxiang's death, with King Zheng a minor, Lü Buwei served as regent styled "Second Father," holding a fief of 100,000 households at Henan (Luoyang), with 3,000 retainers and 10,000 household servants; he directed state affairs and ordered his retainers to compile the Lüshi Chunqiu, wielding immense power.
  4. c. -237–-235Shu region · Sichuan ProvinceAfter King Zheng assumed personal rule, implicated in the Lao Ai rebellion, Lü Buwei was dismissed as chancellor and sent to Henan, later transferred to Shu; the king wrote to rebuke him, and fearing further execution, Lü Buwei drank poison and died, ending his legendary life from merchant to chancellor.

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