Ying Zheng, the king of Qin, ordered the deaths of his two half brothers.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Contextualizing the statement requires placing it within the broader narrative of Ying Zheng's rise to power. 
Option 1 (True): This claim aligns with some historical portrayals of Qin rulers consolidating power by eliminating potential rivals within the royal family. In particular, early accounts describe actions taken by Ying Zheng to neutralize threats to his throne, which could include the execution of half-brothers who might challenge his succession. The logic here is that a monarch seeking unchallenged control would remove competing claimants, especially close kin who could rally support against him. 
Option 2 (False): Saying it did not happen would rest on sources that either omit these specific fratricide events or depict a more lenient or indirect approach to rival suppression. However, many traditional histories emphasize ruthless measures taken by early Qin rulers to secure their lineage and unify the realm, making this option less consistent with those patterns. 
Option 3 (There is insufficient evidence): This would argue that the historical record is ambiguous or contradictory on this point. While some sources are clear about fratricidal actions by rulers, others may be vague or rely on later retellings. If one prioritizes strict source criticism, this option highlights the possibility that the claim could be contested or not uniformly documented across sources. 
Option 4 (It depends on how one defines “half-brothers”): This reframes the claim by focusing on definitional nuances. What counts as a half-brother (through shared parent vs. step-relations, etc.) could affect whether the statement is true. If the term is interpreted differently across sources, the conclusion might vary. This option introduces linguistic and genealogical considerations that can alter the evaluation. 
Overall, the reasoning hinges on how one weighs historical sources about royal family purges, the degree of certainty they offer, and the precise genealogical definitions used. If one accepts traditional accounts that emphasize decisive action against close royal rivals, the statement would be supported. If one requires unequivocal, uniformly corroborated evidence, one might treat it with caution or label it contested.

Spr25_CHIN012_36029 7.2: Quiz on The Emperor and the Assassin

Ying Zheng, the king of Qin, ordered the deaths of his two half brothers.

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