Diary+of+Duyi

Introduction: This is a mock diary of a 17 year-old boy, named Duyi living in the Qin Dynasty. With information on how they came to power, some of the hardships for the people, and the downfall of the Qin Empire.

Enjoy, Ella

Dear, Diary May, 8, 206

My Mama has just given this diary to me for my 17th birthday. Even though I am not yet old enough to have a big mark on society I can still express my feelings. Or at least that’s what my ma said. I have just past my dad in height and am a big 6 foot 2 inches! I have wavy black hair that falls into my eyes, which are dark brown.

It has been about 15 (221 BCE) years since Shi Huangdi took over. The Qin (Chin) was the strongest of all the warring city-states. The three strongest ones were the Qi (in the Northeast) the Chu (in the Yangzi Valley to the South) and the Qin (in the Wei River Valley to the west.) These three each had mighty armies and were power hungry. Each wanted to take everything for himself.

The Qin ended up winning and has made a very big impact on our culture. Not all for the better though… oh I hear Mama calling!

From, Duyi (It means independent wholeness)

This is a painting of Shi Haungdi

www.arqueologos.org/ article.php3?id_article=192

Dear, Diary May 9, 206

Sorry about leaving in such a rush, but I have just received horrible news! My Baba (dad) is (or was) working on the long wall, that emperor Shi Haungdi ordered built to keep out the barbarians! Many citizens have been drafted and almost all of them have died! It has been about ten years and if anyone tries to escape they are tracked down and then killed in many horrible ways!

The reason I left in such yesterday is that my Mama just found out that Baba has escaped from his terrible treatment and is trying to make his way home. From now on we live in fear, but we are still hopeful! I have promised myself that I will never walk on the wall, because many of the people who died from working on the wall were burried there. To me it is now just a big grave.

From,

Duyi

Dear, Diary May 10, 206

I know this might sound like complaining but the Qin dynasty is just unfair! For one thing the Government is horrible! They rule us with fear! My little sister is afraid even to go out to the well with out one of us! I was only two years old when the Qin came to power, but my Mama and Baba have told me stories about the good old days. Before Shi Haungdi burned all the books, I could have learned about Confucius! Won’t do any good brooding about it, maybe I can get together a group…

From,

Duyi

Dear, Diary May 11, 206

I have just been talking to some local boys who also don’t have the warmest of feelings towards Shi Haungdi. They are thinking of starting a rebellion! I asked Mama in the morning if I could join and she yelled her head off! Even if she says I can’t join I want to do something for my father’s rights, my families’ rights and all the citizen’s of China’s rights. So I am going to join! I am close enough to an adult, Mama told me so herself! Don’t want to be late for the meeting!

From, Duyi Dear, Diary May 12, 206

I can’t believe last night! I am so glad that I joined last night! They are going to have a rebellion! I will be fighting for a while, because the leader said that we will not stop fighting until we win! I hope my Baba and Mama won’t be too mad! I must pack my bags now, give my sister a kiss and leave Mama and hopefully Baba a note saying where I will be, and what I am doing. It is time to say good bye to Shi Haungdi.

Wish me luck, Duyi

Dear, Diary December 17, 206

It has been about eight months since I have left home and we are making progress! Almost all of the country is joining in on the rebellion! I am at home for a week, and then I am going back into the fight! Mama is really proud of me now! And she won’t admit that she said I couldn’t go before, but it’s ok. Baba still hasn’t managed to make it back home but Mama received a letter from my aunt saying that he is hiding in their shed for the time being but he is healthy and eager to get back to us!

From,

Duyi

Reader Questions

1) When did the Qin come into power?

2) What are some things that the Qin did?

3) How did the Qin Empire end?