Quin Shi Huangdi. Narrator It was then that he discovered that a gentlemen named Lao Ai was planning to violently overthrow the new king.

Transcription

1 Stienstra You can download your songs and your song sheets by going to: In 246 BC at the age of 13 became king of Qin during a time of great turmoil, only seven kingdoms remained and China was torn apart by war. When he came to power he proclaimed... I am the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, I will unify China and you all have to obey me. During his early reign Prime Minister Lubu Wei continued in his position until Quin Shi Huangdi turned 22 and was considered old enough to reign on his own. Now it is my turn! It was then that he discovered that a gentlemen named Lao Ai was planning to violently overthrow the new king. (to Lao Ai) You have betrayed me! Lao Ai Have Mercy, I m so sorry Guards take him away and execute him, show no mercy!! Song 1 Show no mercy IF SOMEONE WANTS YOU TO FORGIVE IF THEY ASK YOU TO LIVE DON'T TRUST ANYONE NOT A FRIEND, NOT EVEN YOUR SON AND IF THEY BETRAY YOU

2 He also discovered his Prime Minister Lubu was also involved in the plans to overthrow the emperor. You have betrayed me!! Prime Minister Lubu I am sorry I will spare your life, but I never want to see your face again, you are banished from my presence forever. He was banished to a remote place and there committed suicide by poison (Lubu drinks poison and falls to the floor dead) Under his rule the kingdom of Qin became the strongest of all seven kingdoms, he conquered the other kingdoms, this ended six centuries of war and brought China under one centralized imperial system, which would last for over 2,000 years. Song 2 We Can Come Together WE CAN COME TOGETHER AS ONE IF YOU FOLLOW ME WE ARE MUCH STRONGER IF WE STAND IN UNITY COME JOIN ME AND YOU WILL SEE Under his rule there were many changes A common currency Student 1 Student 2 A standardized system of weights and measures. Student 3 A universal a new, simplified, standardized script of the Chinese language, known as the Small Seal Script.

3 He was also afraid of the people, that they would up rise and he wanted to keep his power., I want you to collect all the weapons from the people I don't want them to try to kill me... Also, while you re out doing my errands create several bronze statues in my honor. At the same time, Qin Shi Huang forced the 120, 000 most powerful and wealthiest households in the empire to move into Xian Yang the capital, thereby, first, making the capital look prosperous and, second, making such powerful families easier to watch over. (to the audience) I ve got my eye on you!! (to the guards) Guards, keep an eye on those people, I don t trust them, they all look like they want to overthrow me. As for the old noble families of the conquered six kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang had some of them sent to Nan Yang and Ba Shu (southwest of China) from their native places, hoping that by forcing them to leave their hereditary lands, he was helping to reduce their power. Sorry everyone but you re going to have to move away, have a nice trip! (Maniacal laughter) Song 3: See You Later Alligator SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR AFTER WHILE CROCODILE SAY BYE TO POWER AND HELLO TO NORMAL LIFE DON'T TRY TO OVERTHROW ME OR YOU WILL DIE SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR AFTER WHILE CROCODILE

4 Criminal law enforcement was extremely cruel: the penalty for even small theft was cutting off the left foot or branding the face. (Mime cutting off someone s foot and branding them) The heaviest punishments included being torn apart by a chariot or the elimination of an entire family. I think we ll skip acting that one out... He rejected the teachings of Confucianism and even tried to destroy the writings that did not agree with his philosophy. I have collected all the writings of the Empire and burnt those which were of no use. Song 4- Now I m the most powerful WHO NEEDS HISTORY WHEN YOU HAVE ME I M ALL YOU NEED I M THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL EVERYONE ELSE IS VERY SMALL IF YOU GO AGAINST MY RULE I LL PUNISH YOU BECAUSE I M CRUEL BUT IF YOU FOLLOW ME THEN PEACEFUL YOUR LIFE WILL BE WHO NEEDS HISTORY WHEN YOU HAVE ME I M ALL, I M ALL YOU NEED During his reign he connected and extended the old walls along the north of china forming the Great Wall of China Slaves, fix these walls Slaves Yes Emperor He expanded the empire, built a capital in Xian and built a system of roads and many palaces. (Someone comes out and mimes building, another enters miming driving)

5 Then one day the emperor had an idea. Guards, bring me my soldiers Did you ask for us Emperor? Yes I have an important mission for you. You will build me an army of clay soldiers and horses. How many? Thousands! May we ask why? May I fire you for asking why?... I will humor you and answer. They will protect me in the afterlife. Now get to work! Yes Sir Song 5: I Will Build Me an Army of Clay I WILL BUILD ME AN ARMY OF CLAY TO GUARD MY TOMB NIGHT AND DAY TO PROTECT ME IN THE AFTERLIFE SO MY JOURNEY WILL BE FREE FROM STRIFE I WILL BUILD ME AN ARMY OF CLAY TO GUARD MY TOMB NIGHT AND DAY In 1974 a group of peasants were digging a well and discovered thousands of Terra Cotta soldiers and horses. These soldiers and horses were buried for over two thousand years. Though he was a cruel ruler he expanded and strengthened China. His legacy would live on for centuries.