Qin Shi Huang ended the Warring States period by conquering all rival states and becoming the first emperor of a unified China. His reign was marked by massive infrastructure projects, including the connection of existing walls to form the first Great Wall of China and the construction of a national road system. He standardized weights, measures, currency, and the Chinese script, creating a cultural and economic cohesion that lasted for millennia. However, he was also a brutal legalist who reportedly burned books and buried scholars to silence opposition. His obsession with immortality led to the construction of his massive mausoleum, guarded by the famous Terracotta Army—over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, each with unique facial features. Though his dynasty lasted only 15 years, he established the imperial model that governed China until 1912.