Lü Buwei (呂不韋) - according to Chinese beliefs, he was the real father of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The story that he was the real father came about because Qin Shi Huang's mother, the queen, was originally a concubine of Lü Buwei.

Lü Buwei had presented her to Zichu, a prince of the State of Qin (a kingdom in the Warring States Period) who was then serving as a hostage in the State of Zhao (another kingdom in the warring states era). When this prince eventually became king of Qin, he appointed Lü Buwei as prime minister. When he died, Lü Buwei became the regent over the young Qin Shi Huang, son of the queen and the king (officially).

While serving at the court of Qin, Lü organized a text named the Lüshichunqiu (Springs and Autumns of Mr. Lü), which attempted to organize various Chinese philosophical systems of the time. The purpose of the text was to encompass all the philosophical knowledge of the Qin Empire, as well as create state philosophy.

When Qin Shi Huang came of age and became officially empowered, he ordered the death of Lü Buwei. At his death by drinking poison wine ordered by the king, he was said to be laughing to Heaven, and uttered: "If he does not kill me, then he is not fit to be my son."He later died and when Qin Shi Huang came to his grave a few years later, he ordered his son to pay respects to Lu Buwei.

After his death, the Lüshichunqiu fell out of favor with the Qin government, but was resurrected by the Qin's long-lived successor, the Han Dynasty.