First, in the thirty-fourth year of Qin Shihuang, Chun opposed the "county system" implemented at that time and demanded that children be enfeoffed according to the ancient system. Li Si, the prime minister, refuted it, arguing that people should not learn from private studies and slander state affairs.

Qin Shihuang adopted Reese's suggestion, ordered the burning of historical records of other countries except Ji Qin, and also handed over and burned poems and books that did not belong to the doctor's museum within a time limit; Some people dare to talk about "poetry" and "book" executions and use the past to exterminate the nation; Private schools are forbidden, and those who want to study law should take officials as teachers. This thing is "burning books".

Second, in the thirty-fifth year of Qin Shihuang, after alchemists Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng failed to seek immortality for Qin Shihuang, they privately discussed Qin Shihuang's character, governing the country and seeking immortality, and then fled with huge sums of money for immortality. When Qin Shihuang knew this, he was furious and took his anger out on the alchemist. He ordered a search and interrogation in the capital, arrested 460 people and buried them alive. This matter is a "pit Confucianism".

Burning books and burying Confucianism consolidated the centralized rule of the Qin Dynasty, restrained people's thoughts at that time, and tyranny also accelerated the demise of the Qin Dynasty.

This incident started the rule of fools in feudal times.

Extended data:

Li Si's advice on burning books for Qin Shihuang;

(1) Except for Ji Qin, all ancient history books such as medicine, divination, farmers' classics, philosophers, etc. are handed over to the government for destruction within a time limit. Those who fail to pay the order for more than 30 days shall be sentenced to four years' imprisonment and hard labor;

(2) Those who talk about "poetry" and "books" are put to death, those who are ancient but not today are extinct, and those who are not mentioned by officials are guilty of the same crime;

(3) Those who are willing to learn laws and regulations should learn from officials.

Qin Shihuang approved Li Si's suggestion. In less than 30 days, China's pre-Qin classical literature was reduced to ashes. There is only one set of books left in the royal library.

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Burning Books to Pit Confucianism