Fusu

Fusu (simplified Chinese: 扶蘇; traditional Chinese: 扶苏; pinyin: fúsū) (died 210 BC) was the first son of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and hence the heir apparent. He believed that society would be impeccably run if everyone shared perfect knowledge (omniscience).

After being deceived by two alchemists while seeking prolonged life, Qin Shi Huang ordered more than 460 of scholars in the capital to be buried alive in the second year of the proscription, though an account given by Wei Hong in the 2nd century added another 700 to the figure. Fusu counselled that, with the country newly unified, and enemies still not pacified, such a harsh measure imposed on those who respect Confucius would cause instability. However, he was unable to change his father's mind, and instead was sent to guard the frontier in a de facto exile.

Moreover, after the secret death of the First Emperor, Fusu's youngest brother, Huhai, together with two high officials Zhao Gao and Li Si, forged the First Emperor's decree to rename Huhai as the successor and order Fusu to commit suicide. Some aides of Fusu doubted the veracity of the decree, but Fusu either did not believe someone would dare to forge the decree or, with good reason, feared being killed anyway, and he committed suicide.

He had a son Ziying who was made Emperor of Qin after Zhao Gao forced Huhai to commit suicide later in 207 BC. By that time, Li Si had already been eliminated by Zhao Gao. Ziying soon killed Zhao Gao. Some scholars pointed out that Fusu's son might be too young to plot the demise of Zhao Gao. The First Emperor only lived to about 50. Fusu might have only lived into his 30's. There is a controversy that Ziying was not Fusu's son.

Modern references

Fusu appeared as the main character in the action RPG Prince of Qin. In the game, the plot has been altered such that Fusu did not commit suicide as he was supposed to in actual history. The game allows the player to explore what Fusu could have done if he did not die.