Part 12/13:
The first Emperor’s ambitious construction of this vast mausoleum, with an elaborate tomb complex and meticulously crafted statues, was driven by his desire for eternal rule. Though his dynasty was short-lived and his own rule marked by paranoia and brutality, his foundational influence on China endures. His imperial vision laid the groundwork for the nation’s cultural and political identity, which continues to thrive nearly 2,000 years later.