Lü Buwei

Lü Buwei (291–235 BCE) was a merchant and chancellor of the Qin state during China's Warring States period. He was a prominent figure who transitioned from a successful merchant to a powerful politician. Lü Buwei is credited with helping King Zhuangxiang of Qin secure the throne and later served as regent for King Zhuangxiang's son, Ying Zheng, who would become Qin Shi Huang. His political career was marked by significant influence, including the compilation of the encyclopedic *Lüshi Chunqiu*, a compendium of various philosophical schools. However, his career ended in disgrace when he was implicated in a scandal involving the Queen Dowager and Lao Ai. This led to his banishment to the Shu region and subsequent suicide by poison. His legacy is complex, viewed by some as a shrewd statesman and patron of culture, and by others as a manipulative figure from the despised merchant class whose actions enabled the rise of the Qin dynasty.