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'Fusu' () (died 210 BC) was the first son of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang(秦始皇), and hence the heir apparent. He believed that society would be impeccably run if everyone shared perfect knowledge (omniscience).
After being deceived by two alchemists while seeking prolonged life, Qin Shi Huang ordered more than 460 of them in the capital to be buried alive in the second year of the proscription, though an account given by Wei Hong in the 2nd century added another 700 to the figure. The Crown Prince Fusu counselled that, with the country newly unified, and enemies still not pacified, such a harsh measure imposed on those who respect Confucius would cause instability. ^[1] However, he was unable to change his father's mind, and instead was sent to guard the frontier in a ''de facto'' exile.
Moreover, after the secret death of the First Emperor, Fusu's brother, Huhai (秦二世,胡亥), together with two high officials Zhao Gao(趙高) and Li Si(李斯), forged the First Emperor's decree to rename Huhai as the successor and order Fusu to commit suicide. Some aides of Fusu doubted the veracity of the decree, but Fusu either did not believe someone would dare to forge the decree or, with good reason, feared being killed anyway, and he committed suicide.
He had a son Ziying (子嬰) who was made Emperor of Qin after Zhao Gao forced Huhai to commit suicide later in 207 BC. By that time, Li Si had already been eliminated by Zhao Gao. Ziying soon killed Zhao Gao.

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Fusu in popular culture

References

Fusu in popular culture

Fusu and Meng Tian are alive and well in an RPG computer game called Prince of Qin (developed by Object Software Limited,published by Strategy First). In this game the player controls Fusu in his quest to defeat the evil usurper Zhao Gao who is in fact a demon planning the destruction of China. Along the way Fusu meets and helps various important historical characters of China including Han Dynasty founder Liu Bang and witnesses the failed Chen Sheng rebellion.

References

1. 於是使御史悉案问诸生，诸生传相告引，乃自除犯禁者四百六十馀人，皆阬之咸阳，使天下知之，以惩後。益发谪徙边。始皇长子扶苏谏曰：「天下初定，远方黔首未集，诸生皆诵法孔子，今上皆重法绳之，臣恐天下不安。唯上察之。」Shiji 6