Lishan Convict Mobilization / 骊山刑徒应急动员
Lishan convict mobilization / 骊山刑徒应急动员 is 章邯’s emergency solution in Qinji 128-5. With 周文 close to 咸阳, Zhang Han argues that fresh recruitment from nearby commanderies and counties will not arrive in time. The available manpower is already nearby at 骊山.
The mechanism is pardon plus armament. 胡亥 / 秦二世 issues a broad pardon, releases the Lishan laborers from criminal status, gives them weapons, and lets Zhang Han lead them against the rebel army. The episode presents the result as a major Chu defeat and Zhou Wen’s flight.
This concept is morally double-edged. The same 帝国工程过载 and punishment-labor system that helped destabilize Qin also gives Qin an emergency manpower pool near the capital. The source’s point is not that the system becomes just, but that coercive state capacity can be repurposed quickly when the center is threatened.