Zhào Gāo (赵高)

**Zhao Gao (赵高): The Power Behind the Throne** **Early Life and Background** Zhao Gao (died 207 BCE) was a cunning and controversial eunuch-official during the Qin Dynasty. Born into a humble family, he entered the Qin court as a low-ranking clerk. His sharp intellect and knowledge of legal codes caught the attention of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who appointed him tutor to the emperor’s youngest son, Huhai (later Qin Er Shi). **Major Achievements and Contributions** Zhao Gao is infamous for orchestrating the **"Sand Hill Plot"** (沙丘之变) after Qin Shi Huang’s death in 210 BCE. He conspired with Chancellor Li Si to forge an edict, forcing the crown prince Fusu to commit suicide and installing Huhai as the puppet emperor. As Huhai’s regent, Zhao Gao consolidated power, purging rivals—including Li Si—and manipulating the young emperor. **Historical Significance** Zhao Gao’s ruthless machinations accelerated the Qin Dynasty’s collapse. His unchecked authority led to widespread corruption and peasant revolts, culminating in the fall of Qin in 206 BCE. His story serves as a cautionary tale about unchecked political ambition and court intrigue. **Interesting Facts** - **The Deer Test:** To test his control over the court, Zhao Gao once presented a deer to Qin Er Shi, calling it a "horse." Officials who dared to disagree were later executed—giving rise to the idiom **"pointing at a deer and calling it a horse" (指鹿为马)**, symbolizing blatant deception. **Legacy and Influence** Zhao Gao remains a symbol of treachery in Chinese culture. His tactics are studied as examples of political manipulation, and his name is synonymous with deceit. Despite his infamy, his life offers insights into the fragility of power and the dangers of absolute authority. In the end, Zhao Gao’s ambition led to his downfall—he was killed by Qin Er Shi’s successor, Ziying, marking the tragic end of a master manipulator.