* Public Works *
In order to facilitate the unification and defense of the country, as well as to aid troop movement for military expansion, the First Emperor went on a building spree, conscripting a over 1.5 million labourers for the numerous construction projects.


Roads

A network of imperial roads to aid troop movements in the campaigns against the Xiongnu (Huns). These extended both north (to the Great Wall) and south (to Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi ) as well as North Vietnam.

A 900km `Straight Road’ (or Zhidao) was constructed between the capital (Xianyang) and the newly conquered Jiuyuan Prefecture near the Great Wall.


Canals

A network of irrigation canals were constructed to aid agriculture and transport. These included:
  • The Zheng Guo canal: Zheng Guo was a famous irrigation works engineer from the state of Han. Realising the rising power of Qin, the king of Han sent Zheng Guo to Ying Zheng to suggest the construction of a canal in Guanzhong to link the rivers Luo and Jing. The aim was to divert Qin’s resources away from military expenditure. Unfortunately, Zheng Guo’s intentions were exposed, but he argued on the merits of completing the canal, which Ying Zheng accepted. After completion of the 150 mile canal, the output of the Qin farmlands increased tremendously, providing the state with the agricultural base for military expansion.

  • A canal linking the Pearl and Yangtze rivers: This was initiated owing to problems encountered in the transportation of provisions during the southern campaigns. It was under the charge of another irrigation expert, Shi Lu, and measured 30km long.

Other construction projects included:

Construction of the Great Wall on the northern frontier to protect the empire against Xiongnu (barbarian) invasions.

Building of over 300 palaces in the capital city of Xianyang.

Construction of a tomb complex at Mount Li.

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