Shi Huang Di, the first emperor of China, united China and its feuding states. There were many small walls along the border to the north. In an attempt to protect China from Mongols, he engaged in a construction project to connect these barrier walls. Its goal was to prevent the barbarians from easily getting into China. Imagine you are a Mongol commander with thousands of troops trying to invade China during the Qin dynasty. You are supposed to invade China from the northern plains, but you have come across the Great Wall of China. Write a three- to four-paragraph letter to your Mongol commander updating him on the existence of the Great Wall and the difficulties it poses to your army.

Your letter should contain the following information:

addressed to Mongol headquarters
date of your letter, your name, and the location of your army
length and height of the Great Wall
difficulties your army will experience trying to get over or around the wall
possible solutions to penetrate the wall
identify what materials the wall was made out of during the time of the Qin
Your letter should be written using complete sentences with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Qin Shi Huang (around 259 BCE–September 10, 210 BCE) was the First Emperor of a unified China and founder of the Qin dynasty, who ruled from 246 BCE to 210 BCE. In his 35-year reign, he caused both rapid cultural and intellectual advancement and much destruction and oppression within China. He is famed for creating magnificent and enormous construction projects, including the beginnings of the Great Wall of China.

Fast Facts: Qin Shi Huang

Known For: First Emperor of unified China, founder of Qin dynasty

Also Known As: Ying Zheng; Zheng, the King of Qin; Shi Huangdi

Born: Exact date of birth unknown; most likely around 259 BCE in Hanan

Parents: King Zhuangxiang of Qin and Lady Zhao

Died: September 10, 210 BCE in eastern China

Great Works: Beginning construction of the Great Wall of China, the terracotta army

Spouse: No empress

Children: Around 50 children, including Fusu, Gao, Jianglü, Huhai

Notable Quote: "I have collected all the writings of the Empire and burnt those which were of no use."

Early Life

Qin Shi Huang's birth and parentage are shrouded in mystery. According to legend, a rich merchant named Lu Buwei befriended a prince of the Qin State during the latter years of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770–256 BCE). The merchant's lovely wife Zhao Ji had just gotten pregnant, so he arranged for the prince to meet and fall in love with her. She entered into a relationship with the prince and then gave birth to the merchant Lu Buwei's child in 259 BCE.