| 姓： | 贏 | |||||||||
| 名： | 開 | |||||||||
| 陵墓： | 西垂 | |||||||||
| ||||||||||
公元前７６６年，秦襄公在戰爭中陣亡，葬於故地西垂。
開國功臣
當居住在我們遼闊的中國土地上的人類還沒有進入文明社會的時候，在一些水草茂盛的區域，散布着一個個原始氏族部落，秦就是其中之一。秦的祖先是黃帝之孫顓頊的一個支係，以燕子為圖騰，作為他們部落的標志。顓頊又稱高陽氏，與黃帝、帝嚳、堯、舜並稱為我國歷史傳說中的五帝。秦人的祖先叫女修，相傳她吞食了燕子蛋而懷孕，生了一個孩子叫大業。這個傳說反映了當時秦人還處於"衹知其母，不知其父"的母係氏族社會。那時，秦人部落還過着遊牧的生活，他們的活動區域大約在黃河下遊的東海之濱 。
到了大費作秦人部落首領時，他幫助著名的賢人舜調馴鳥獸，很有成績，舜便賜他為"嬴"姓，當時"秦"這個名稱尚未出現。大費還同大禹一起治過洪水。治水成功後，大禹受到舜的誇奬，禹說："這不是我一個人能幹成的事，多虧有大費協助啊。"大費也受到舜的奬勵。公元前21世紀，黃河中遊地區出現了中國第一個奴隸製政權--夏王朝，秦人便在它的控製之下。夏代末年，大費的後代費昌脫離夏桀，投奔商族，並參加了商首領湯發動的推翻夏朝的戰爭。商朝建立後，費昌為湯駕車，其後代世世為商做事，社會地位比較高。這時，有一部分"嬴"姓氏族來到黃河中遊，同商族保持着聯盟關係。
公元前11世紀，周武王發動滅商戰爭，推翻了商朝，建立了周朝，定都鎬京(今陝西西安附近)，史稱西周。西周建立不久，發生了一件大事，幾乎斷送了秦人部落的命運。周武王死後，成王繼位。成王年幼，所以國政由大臣周公執掌。這時，以武庚為首的商朝殘餘勢力發動了叛亂，包括"嬴"姓氏族在內的??兩次東徵，徹底打垮了叛軍。平叛後，西周統洽者用極殘酷的方法懲罰參與叛亂的人們，其中一個辦法就是將他們趕離故土，遷往他鄉，逐到遙遠的地方。秦人的祖先就是在這時從黃河中下遊被趕嚮西方荒涼的黃土高原，在周的西部邊陲"守邊"。秦人被徵服後，社會地位一落千丈，整個氏族都淪為奴隸，受西周奴隸主的驅使和奴役。因此，當西周勢力逐漸強盛，一步步嚮東發展時，秦人部落被摒棄於西周統治中心之外，默默無聞地徘徊於茫茫的黃土高原，仿佛已被世人所遺忘。
秦人部落與西周奴隸主貴族的關係是統治與被統治的關係，在西周奴隸主眼裏，秦人就像牲畜、物品一樣，可以買賣、贈送和賞賜。秦人的首領也常常被周天子徵調去服役。傳說周穆王曾經到西方巡遊，同西王母相會於瑤池，最遠曾到達中亞和歐洲，為他駕車的就是秦的造父。由於造父技術精湛，趕的車一日千裏，很討穆王的歡喜，被封於趙城(今山西洪洞縣北)。周孝王時，為了對外戰爭的需要，對養馬業十分重視。他聽說秦人首領非子特別善於養馬，就把非子召來，讓他在汧水和渭水會合處(今陝西寶雞一帶)的平原上主管養馬之類的事宜。由於非子對馬調教有方，馬群繁殖很快，周孝王對非子十分賞識，便將非子的異母弟成封於秦(今甘肅天水附近)，作為周王的一個附庸，繼承嬴氏血緣，號稱秦嬴。所謂"附庸"就是還沒有資格嚮周天子直接進貢，衹能附屬於某一個諸侯。儘管如此，秦在這時的地位畢竟比以前高了一點，周天子還允許秦人在"秦"這個地方築城，此後，"嬴"姓居民纔正式被稱為"秦人"。
西周的西部邊境之外，有一些少數民族部落，其中比較大的有"戎"、"狄"等，它們經常騷擾周的邊境，甚至入其境內掠奪財物和人口。在周王室強大的時候，根本不把秦人放在眼裏；當周王室衰落，在戎、狄進攻面前無力抵抗的時候，秦人才被重視起來。周宣王時，周王室為利用秦人抵禦戎、狄，就封秦人的首領秦仲為"大夫"。秦仲受到周宣王的寵遇，非常賣命，率秦人嚮戎進攻，無奈力量單薄，屢遭失敗，最後在一次伐戎戰鬥中，連秦仲自己也喪了命。秦仲死後，他的大兒子莊公率兄弟五人帶兵繼續同戎作戰，取得一些小小的勝利，被封為"西垂大夫"。儘管秦人在戎、狄的進攻面前沒有多少抵抗力，但對於周王室來說，秦人已經不再是從前那樣無足輕重了，他們的首領在西周末年被升為級別較高的"大夫"，這反映了秦人正在發展和壯大，即將在中國歷史上發揮更大的作用。
西周末年，周幽王昏庸無道，寵愛妃子褒姒，整日沉醉於花天酒地的生活之中，為博得褒姒一笑，他上演了一場"烽火戲諸侯"的鬧劇。
古時候交通不便，為了及時報警，在山頂上修建了許多高大的烽火臺，上面準備了許多狼糞、火把之類的燃料，並派兵在臺上駐守。一旦有敵情，看守烽火臺的士兵白天就燃起狼糞，一縷白煙便直衝雲天，很遠的地方都能看見；夜裏則點起火把，遠處見到火光衝天，也能知道這裏發生了敵情。周幽王這一天陪伴褒姒來到烽火臺上，點起狼煙火把，並把大鼓擂得震天響。按照約定，周王室一旦有敵情，各諸侯國必須派兵相救。諸侯們一看烽煙大起，以為有外敵入侵都城，急忙率領兵馬趕到鎬京。但到這裏一看，衹是周幽王陪伴着褒姒在臺上悠然飲酒作樂，並沒有什麽緊急情況，纔知道受了愚弄，一個個懊惱地帶兵回國。
褒姒在臺上看到各國諸侯受騙的狼狽相，覺得十分開心，禁不住哈哈大笑起來。周幽王一看這個辦法終於逗得褒姒發了笑，心裏也非常高興，又依法炮製了幾次，結果各國諸侯一次比一次來得少了。後來，當幽王再點起烽火時，就根本沒人理睬了。
公元前771年，少數民族犬戎進攻周的都城鎬京。周幽王慌忙燃起烽火嚮各國諸侯報警。但是，各國諸侯平時被幽王欺弄慣了，這次以為又是在戲弄他們，因此沒有一國諸侯派兵前來救駕。鎬京輕易地被犬戎攻破，周幽王帶着褒姒倉皇出逃，在驪山腳下被戎人殺死，褒姒也成為戎人的擄獲品。繁華的鎬京經過戎人的燒殺搶掠，變得殘破不堪。周王朝聚斂的大批財寶、珠玉也被戎入席捲而去。
這次事件在秦的發展史上卻是一個歷史性的轉折點。各國諸侯得知鎬京失陷、幽王被殺的消息後，紛紛派兵救援。當各路大軍趕到鎬京後，看到的衹是一座被焚殆盡、洗劫一空的死城。各國諸侯見幽王已死，便共同擁立太子宜臼為周王朝的天子，這就是周平王。當時秦的首領是秦仲的孫子襄公，他帶兵全力救周，立下很大的戰功。
周平王即位後，看到戎人隨時都有捲土重來的可能，再加上鎬京已成廢墟，自己兵力有限，無法在關中地區統治下去，於是在公元前770年，由各國諸侯護送，把都城遷到了河南洛陽，歷史上稱這個王朝為"東周"。周平王東遷的時候，秦襄公率兵護送，出了大力。由於對周王室有功，周平王就把秦襄公從"大夫"提拔為"諸侯"，並宣佈把岐山以西的大片土地賞賜給秦。從此，秦正式成了一個諸侯國，可以同別的諸侯國平起平坐了。
儘管秦人獲得了在關中地區自由發展的機會，但是在建國之初，還面臨着能否生存下去的嚴峻考驗。周平王賜給秦的土地，實際上布滿了戎、狄部落，秦國要存在下去，就必須與戎、狄作長期的鬥爭，不斷壯大自己，拓展疆土。最初幾年的鬥爭，均以秦國的失敗而告終。秦國統治者眼看着封賜給自己的土地卻得不到手，很不甘心，於是連年嚮戎、狄發動進攻。秦襄公有一次率兵終於攻到屬於自己的封地--岐山，但未能立足，衹好又退回．"西垂"故地。直到秦文公即位後的第四年(公元前762年)，秦人才占據了岐山，真正取得了周天子賜給的封/p>
岐山是周族人的故地，是當時古代農業生産最發達的地方。這裏氣候溫和，土壤肥沃，還有不少擁有豐富生産經驗的勞動者。秦人利用這些有利條件，在這裏築城，建立根據地，使原來落後的遊牧經濟變為較先進的農業經濟。在秦文公當政的幾十年間，秦國在軍事上雖沒有取得什麽進展，但鞏固了岐山以西的廣大地區，發展了奴隸製經濟，為以後的更大勝利奠定了基礎。
秦文公死後，秦憲公即位。他將秦國都城遷往平陽(今陝西寶雞)，後來又消滅了國都附近的一些小股割據勢力，關中西部基本上為秦國所控製。秦武公時，用武力嚮東、西兩面擴展勢力，不斷取得對戎作戰的勝利。經過80多年的鬥爭，秦國終於建立起以關中為中心、西至今甘肅天水一帶、東至今陝西華縣附近的強大諸侯國。
766 BC, the Qin Xianggong killed in the war, buried in old haunt Xichui.
11th century BC, King Wu of Commerce launched off the war to overthrow the Shang Dynasty, the Zhou dynasty was established, its capital Gao Jing (now Xi'an in the vicinity), known to history as the Western Zhou Dynasty. Western Zhou Dynasty to establish soon a major event took place, almost ruined the Qin tribe's fate. King Wu of Zhou's death, as Ji-bit. Cheng Wang young, so by the Minister of National Policy Duke helm. At this time, to the remnants of the Shang Wu Geng-led insurgency launched, including the "win-win" family surname, including?? Two Eastern Campaign, completely defeated the rebels. After the rebellion was crushed, the Western Zhou system contact were extremely cruel method of punishment with the rebellion of the people involved, one way is to drive them from their homeland to move out, one by one to a distant place. Qin's ancestor was at this time were driven from the Yellow River to the West barren Loess Plateau, the western border in the week, "Shou Bian." Qin conquered, social status has plummeted, the entire clan have become slaves, driven by the slave owners and enslaved the Western Zhou Dynasty. Therefore, when the Western Zhou Dynasty forces became strong and prosperous, she keeps the East development, Qin Zhou tribe was excluded from the rule of centers, it is unknown wandering the wilderness of the Loess Plateau, the world seems to have been forgotten.
Qin Zhou tribes and the noble slave relationship is the relationship of domination, slave owners in the eyes of the Western Zhou, Qin people like animals, goods, can be traded, gifts and rewards. Qin's leaders have often been mobilized to serve the Zhou. Legend of King Mu had to the West Parade, meet with the Queen Mother at the Jade Pool, Central Asia and Europe has gone as far to reach, as he was driving Qin Cepheid. Since Cepheid skilled and drive the car leaps and bounds, very happy to discuss Ji Chuan, Zhao was closed in the city (now Hongdong County, Shanxi). King Xiao of Zhou, in order to the needs of foreign war, attaches great importance to the equine industry. He heard that particular non-subclass Qin good horse head, put non-subclass called to let him join in Qian Department of water and Wei (now Baoji area) of plain matters like the head of horse. As the non-subclass of the horse the diocese, breeding horses quickly, King Xiao of Zhou of the non-subclass is appreciated, they put a non-subclass of the half brother into closed YU Qin (today near Tianshui, Gansu), as a vassal king week, inheritance win's blood, called Qin win. The so-called "client" is not eligible for direct tribute to the Zhou can only subsidiary at a certain nobility. However, Qin's position at this time, after all, a little higher than before, also allows the Zhou Qin people, "Qin" This place is fortification, then, "win" was officially named the residents referred to as "Qin people."
Outside the Western Zhou Dynasty's western border, there are some minority tribes, of which there are relatively large, "Rong", "Di" and so on, they are often harassed weeks of the border, and even into the looting of property within its territory and population. In the week when the powerful royal family, did not pay too much attention to the Qin; week decline of the royal family, the Rong, Di unable to resist the time before the attack, Qin personnel are considered. King Xuan of Zhou, Zhou royal family for the use of Qin against Rong, Di, the seal's head Qin Zhong Qin as "doctor." Qin Zhong met by King Xuan of Zhou's pet, is their lives, to the rate of Qin Rong attack helpless weak force, which was defeated, the final battle in a cutting-jung, even Qinzhong himself lost his life. Qin Zhong's death, his eldest son, the duke rate of five brothers who lead troops to battle with Jung, had some small victories, to be called "Xichui doctor." Although the Qin Dynasty in Rong, Di little resistance before the attack, but for weeks the royal family, the Chin people is no longer used to be insignificant, and their leaders in the Western Zhou Dynasty was promoted to a higher level of "doctor" This reflects the development and growth of the Qin people are about to in the history of China play a bigger role.
Concubine in the table to see that princes cheated the Langbei Xiang, feel very happy, could not help but laugh. Zhou You Wang a look at this way finally made a concubine amused smile, heart, very happy, but also according to the law made up a few times, each time the result is more feudal countries less. Later, when You Wang again when the point of war, they simply had no response.
King Ping of Zhou's reign, see Rong people the possibility of a comeback at any time, together with Gao Jing in ruins, their strength is limited, can not continue to rule in the Guanzhong area, so in 770 BC, by the national nobility escorted to the capital moved to Luoyang, Henan Province, said the history of this dynasty as the "Eastern Zhou." King Ping of Zhou dongqian time, Qin Xianggong shuaibing escorted out vigorously. Because of the Zhou royal family active, King Ping of Zhou Qin Xianggong took from the "doctor" promoted as "nobility", and announced to reward Qishan large tracts of land to the west of Qin. Since then, formally became a vassal state of Qin, can equal a vassal state with the other.
Qin Wengong death, Qinxian Gong came to the throne. He will move to the state of Qin capital Pingyang (now Shaanxi Baoji), and later eliminated the capital near the separatist forces of small stocks, the relevant central and western essentially controlled by the state of Qin. Qin Wugong, the use of force, east and west sides of expansion forces continue to gain Rong combat. After 80 years of struggle, the state of Qin finally establish the relations for the center, along the West has Tianshui, Gansu, Shaanxi Hua county near the East has a powerful vassal state.