The Warring States Period was dangerous, but the lack of central authority allowed intellectuals to flourish. Confucianism and philosophies blossomed. Emperor Qin, however, viewed these schools of thought as threats to his imperial authority, so he ordered all books not related to his reign burned in 213 BC. The next year, he ordered approx 460 scholars who dared to disagree with him to be buried alive and 700 more stoned to death. Since, the only approved school of thought was legalism: follow the emperor's laws.
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