Li Si

Li Si (c. 280 – 208 BC) was a Chinese calligrapher, philosopher, and official of the Qin dynasty. He served as Qin state Chancellor from 246 to 208 BC, first under King Zheng (later Qin Shi Huang) and then under Qin Er Shi. Admired for his administrative ideas, Li Si was instrumental in unifying China by standardizing laws, governmental ordinances, weights and measures, chariots, carts, and written characters. He established a government based on merit, subdued frontier regions, and reformed punishments. He also advocated for the burning of books and burying of scholars to suppress dissent. After Qin Shi Huang's death, Li Si conspired with Zhao Gao to install Qin Er Shi as emperor, but was later betrayed, charged with treason, and executed along with his entire family.