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Li Si

Type Figure Region East Asia Time c. -284–-208 Also known as Li Tonggu

Li Si (c. 284–208 BCE), a man of Shangcai in Chu who studied under Xunzi, helped Qin Shi Huang unify the six states as chancellor, and was executed i…

Timeline

  1. c. -284–-260Shangcai, Chu · Shangcai CountyBorn in Shangcai in Chu, he served in his youth as a minor commandery clerk; observing the different fates of the rats in the granary and in the privy, he sighed and resolved to study and enter official service, seeking fame, profit, and power.
  2. c. -260–-247Lanling, Chu · Lanling CountyHe went west to Lanling to study under Xunzi, classmate of Han Fei, learning the arts of the emperors and kings; after completing his studies he analyzed the situation of the six states, concluded that Chu was not worth serving and Han not worth staying in, and resolved to enter Qin in the west to seek office.
  3. c. -247–-237Xianyang, Qin · XianyangAfter entering Qin he first served as a palace attendant, then as grand secretary; he advised the king of Qin against expelling guest ministers, helped Lü Buwei and King Zheng of Qin consolidate power, took part in planning the strategy to unify the six states, and served as justice minister overseeing the judiciary.
  4. c. -237–-208Xianyang, Qin · XianyangAs chancellor he assisted Qin Shi Huang in unifying the six states, replacing enfeoffment with the commandery-county system, standardizing script, measures and axle widths, and burning books and banning private learning to build a centralized imperial system; after Qin Shi Huang's death he conspired with Zhao Gao to alter the edict and install Huhai as the Second Emperor, and was later framed by Zhao Gao, cut in half at the waist with his clan exterminated.

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