burying Confucian scholars alive
Historical term referring to the alleged mass execution of Confucian scholars by burying them alive, associated with Qin Shi Huang's persecution of scholars. Used in discussions of Chinese history.
The burying of Confucian scholars alive by Qin Shi Huang is known as a symbolic event of thought control.
burning books and burying scholars alive
From Chinese 坑儒 (kēngrú), literally 'pit Confucian'. The term originates from the historical account of Qin Shi Huang burying scholars alive.