Sima Qian writes of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in Shi Ji 6. He records his accomplishments from his rise to the throne at age thirteen to the days following his death. Qian describes an emperor who ruled with an "iron fist," and who was both spiritual and superstitious (believed in the 5 Powers, immortality, gods interceding in human affairs, etc.). It's also made clear that Emperor Qin Shi Huang was a self-proclaimed champion of the people. .
Qin Shi Huang would often take swift action, cutting off at the knees anything that would threaten his honor, or anyone that dared to challenge or disobey the his laws. There are passages which explain how the he would give incentives to those who assisted him in accomplishing his goals, and how he used fear tactics to keep the newly established unification of China in check.
Shi Ji 6 tells of an emperor who was somewhat arrogant, believing that only he knew what was best for the country and the people within it's borders. .
"Only by being stem and severe, by settling all affairs in the light of the law, by cutting and slashing without mercy or gentleness, he (Emperor Qin) believed he could comply with the destiny decreed by the five powers. Hence he assiduously applied the law and refused to pardon even crimes committed far in the past." Sima Qian.
Sima Qian's rhetoric gives us an idea of both Emperor Qin's strengths and shortcomings. On one hand we read that after he reached manhood he put on girdle and sword, thus he must have been studying Confucian teachings during his youth and was mentally ready to extend his armies to conquer the surrounding regions when he came of age. One noteworthy instance that speaks of the Emperors strategic intelligence in that he took the advice of Wei Lao (a commoner) to bribe the remaining neighboring provinces instead of attacking them. This ultimately led to a better reputation for the Emperor among the people at the beginning of his rule, and the unification of China.
