Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of ancient China, is known for his construction of the Great Wall and the terracotta soldiers guarding his tomb, but he was also a paranoid ruler obsessed with living forever. He ascended to the throne at 13 years old, and rumors circulated that he was the son of his predecessor's concubine, while his chancellor plotted to install his friend on the throne.

Huang ruthlessly crushed a rebellion by his chancellor and had him executed, along with his entire family, sparing only his mother, whom he banished, and living under house arrest. Huang also eradicated his enemies, exterminating multiple bloodlines and enslaving their armies. He faced multiple assassination attempts, including one from a close associate who infiltrated the court as a lute player. Despite earning a royal pardon, the musician was punished by having his eyes gouged out and later put to death. Huang died at the age of 50, partially due to his obsession with immortality, as he consumed mercury pills and had a group of alchemists searching for the elixir of life.