213 BC
Confucian ideal come up in flames
By: Taylor Ferrante
Burning of the books
XIANYANG--
Qin Shi Huanghi, first emperor of China decided yesterday to burn all
books containing Political information; therefore no scholars can have
any knowledge of politics because it will be hard to change the country
with political books in the hands of the public. If Confucian scholars
decide to protest they will likely be burned alive. Only the state will
have one copy of the Political books.
Emperor Qin did not decide
this by himself. Prime Minister Li Si was the one who suggested burning
the books on all Politics. Classic poetry, classic history and works by
scholars will be burned, and if anyone discusses these types of books
they will be executed. If authorities refuse to report cases that they
know about they will be considered equally guilty. If people do not burn
the books within 30 days they will be sent to the north to work on the
Great Wall. The only books that will not be burned are written about
war, medicine, agriculture and divination.
Prime Minister Li Si
stated his opinion about burning of the books, explaining, "Getting rid
of the Confucian ideas is necessary to unify China under legalism, and
if anyone is to get in the way they shall be sentenced to death
immediately."
Many average peasants did not even know about Qin's
plans to burn books. One farmer who knew about Qin's plans offered his
opinion about the burning of the books too, stating, "I don't care as
long as this doesn't affect my farming, I can't read anyways and the
emperor is too fancy for my farming life."
Many Confucian scholars
are shocked by Qin's plans, one confused and upset scholar stated, "I
believe in Confucianism. I am a scholar and was very well respected
government official in Zhou Dynasty before emperor Qin came along. Now
I've lost my job and social status. You can burn books but you can't
burn ideas!" A confused and upset scholar stated.
