CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Lü Buwei吕不韦
A merchant from Yangdi who helped Yiren return to Qin, presented Zhao Ji, and later became Yiren's Grand Tutor.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 11
- RELATION RECORDS
- 14
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Lü Buwei, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01MENTORSHIPMentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
Lü Buwei—Yirengrand tutor
Read the original source
预拜不韦为异人太傅，使传语异人：“只在旦晚，可望相见，不必忧虑。”
02KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
1 figure · 1 record＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Lü BuweiisKing of Qin’s father
03ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
8 figures · 9 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Qin Shi Huang→Lü Buweidismiss
King Zheng of Qin→Lü Buweidismiss chancellor
Lü Buwei→Yirenassist
Li Si—Lü Buweiretainer
Wang Jian→Lü Buweioffer plan
King Zhaoxiang of Qin→Lü Buweireward
Cai Ze→Lü Buweiyield premiership
04CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
1 figure · 1 record＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Lü Buwei→King of Zhouexterminate
05THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Lü Buwei→Yirenoffer concubine
Read the original source
不韦曰：“蒙殿下不嫌小妾丑陋，取侍巾栉，某与小妾再三言之，已勉从尊命矣
Lü Buwei→Lao Aioffer to queen
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
Chancellor of Qin, died. ; Chancellor of Qin, enfeoffed as Marquis Wenxin, later dismissed due to the Lao Ai affair. ; Chancellor of Qin, assisted King Zhuangxiang and the First Emperor.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Strategies of the Warring States
A merchant from Yangdi who helped Yiren return to Qin, presented Zhao Ji, and later became Yiren's Grand Tutor. ; A merchant of Qin who helped Prince Yiren return to Qin, later became Chancellor of Qin. ; A guest minister of Qin, enfeoffed for worthiness, with a fief of a thousand households.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend10 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
12 relations14 verified quotations- Lü Buwei→ father-son →King of Qin
- Wang Jian→ offer plan →Lü Buwei
- Lü Buwei→ support enthronement →King Zheng of Qin
- King Zheng of Qin→ dismiss chancellor →Lü Buwei
Verified original text · 14
王我所出也
father-son · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 105
王翦言于不韦曰
offer plan · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 103
12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history8 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
6 relations6 verified quotations- Qin Shi Huang→ dismiss →Lü Buwei
- Li Si→ retainer →Lü Buwei
- Lü Buwei→ offer concubine →Yiren
- Lü Buwei→ assist →Yiren
Verified original text · 6
秦王十年十月，免相国吕不韦。
dismiss · Records of the Grand Historian, 吕不韦列传
吕不韦为相，封十万户
employ · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
4 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history5 profile notes
Strategies of the Warring States
2 relations2 verified quotations- Lü Buwei→ offer concubine →Yiren
- Lü Buwei→ assist →Yiren
Verified original text · 2
故往说之曰…………子傒有承国之业
persuade · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
不韦使楚服
support enthronement · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
History vs. fiction
Lü Buwei's rare goods to hoard and one character worth a thousand gold
According to the 'Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Lü Buwei': 'He hung it at the Xianyang city gate with a thousand gold pieces on top, and invited feudal lords, wandering scholars, and guests; if anyone could add or delete one character, they would be given a thousand gold pieces.' The allusion of 'one character worth a thousand gold' is indeed a historical fact, demonstrating his immense power and influence.
Relationship network
- dismiss← Qin Shi Huang → Lü BuweihistRecords of the Grand Historian, 吕不韦列传Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
Original text (2)
秦王十年十月，免相国吕不韦。
吕不韦为相，封十万户
Original relation: employ · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
不韦扶太子政即位，此时年仅一十三岁。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
蔡泽知庄襄王深德吕不韦，欲以为相，乃托病以相印让之
- retainer← Li Si → Lü Buweihist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 105Records of the Grand Historian, 李斯列传
Original text (2)
事吕不韦为舍人
李斯乃求为秦相文信侯吕不韦舍人
Original text (1)
使将军蒙骜、王翦、桓𬺈、李信、内史腾
- offer concubineLü Buwei → Yirenhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 99Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 100Records of the Grand Historian, 吕不韦列传Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
Original text (4)
不韦曰：“蒙殿下不嫌小妾丑陋，取侍巾栉，某与小妾再三言之，已勉从尊命矣
乃赖得吕不韦破家行贿之事
Original relation: 助归秦 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 100
乃遂献其姬。
故往说之曰…………子傒有承国之业
Original relation: persuade · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
- assistLü Buwei → Yirenhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 99Records of the Grand Historian, 吕不韦列传Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
Original text (3)
不韦乃以百金结交公孙乾。
乃往见子楚，说曰……吾能大子之门
不韦使楚服
Original relation: support enthronement · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
预拜不韦为异人太傅，使传语异人：“只在旦晚，可望相见，不必忧虑。”
- offer to queenLü Buwei → Lao Aihist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 104Records of the Grand Historian, 吕不韦列传
Original text (2)
臣有一计在此。使人发其旧罪，下之腐刑
毐伪腐入宫，皆出文信侯吕不韦之计
Original relation: 计谋 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 104