(280-208 BCE)
Li Si
Sima Qian. 1979. Records of the Grand Historian. Translated by Yang Hsien-yi and Gladys Yang. Beijing, China: Foreign Language Press.
Qin Shihuang's policy was guided by the doctrine of Legalism, which emphasized tight government control and severe punishment of the opposition. The First Emperor relied on the wisdom of his Grand Councilor, Li Si (280-208 B.C.E.), who was a staunch advocate of Legalism. Like Han Feizi, Li Si originally was a Confucian scholar in training. He admired the power of the First Emperor and believed that force was " Qin's strength...to found a single empire and unify the world." To a large extent, Li Si's views on government became the policies of the First Emperor. Ironically, Li Si was later imprisoned and executed in 208 B.C.E. by the son of the First Emperor, who did not like men with political ambition.
At one imperial banquet, Chunyu Yueh, a Confucian scholar, challenged the First Emperor's policy of departing from traditional values by saying: "I have yet to hear of anything able to endure that was not based on ancient precedents." Yueh pointed out that an empire's lack of popular support would be hard to survive. In response to this criticism, Li Si gave the reply below.
The Five Emperors did not emulate each other nor did the Three Dynasties adopt each other's ways, yet all had good government. This is no paradox, because times had changed. Now Your Majesty has built up this great empire to endure for generations without end. Naturally this passes the comprehension of a foolish pedant. Chunyu Yueh spoke about the Three Dynasties, but they are hardly worth taking as examples. In times gone by different barons fought among themselves and gathered wandering scholars. Today, however, the empire is at peace, all laws and order come from one single source, the common people support themselves by farming and handicrafts, while students study the laws and prohibitions.
Now these scholars learn only from the old, not from the new, and use their learning to oppose our rule and confuse the black-headed people. As prime minister I must speak out on pain of death. In former times when the world, torn by chaos and disorder, could not be united, different states arose and argued from the past to condemn the present, using empty rhetoric to cover up and confuse the real issues, and employing their learning to oppose what was established by authority. Now Your Majesty has conquered the whole world, distinguished between black and white, seen unified standards. Yet these opinionated scholars get together to slander the laws and judge each new decree according to their own school of thought, opposing it secretly in their hearts while discussing it openly in the streets. They brag to the sovereign to win fame, put forward strange arguments to gain distinction, and incite the mob to spread rumors. If this is not prohibited, the sovereign's prestige will suffer and factions will be formed among his subjects. Far better put a stop to it!
I humbly propose that all historical records but those of Chin be burned. If anyone who is not a court scholar dares to keep the ancient songs, historical records or writings of the hundred schools, these should be confiscated and burned by the provincial governor and army commander. Those who in conversation dare to quote the old songs and records should be publicly executed; those who use old precedents to oppose the new order should have their families wiped out; and officers who know of such cases but fail to report them should be punished in the same way.
If thirty days after the issuing of this order the owners of these books have still not had them destroyed, they should have their face tattooed and be condemned to hard labor at the Great Wall. The only books which need not be destroyed are those dealing with medicine, divination, and agriculture. Those who want to study the law can learn it from the officers. The emperor sanctioned this proposal.
Glossary
Pedant
Person who overemphasizes or adheres rigidly to rules.