CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Li Si李斯
A man of Chu, a guest minister, who advised against the expulsion of guest ministers and recommended Wei Liao.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 4
- RELATION RECORDS
- 6
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Li Si, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
3 figures · 4 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Qin Shi HuangisLi Si’s ruler
Li Si—Lü Buweiretainer
Li Si—King of Qinsubordinate
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
1 figure · 2 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Zhao Gao→Li Siframe
4 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
A Qin official, served as Commandant of Justice, advocated the system of commanderies and counties. ; Qin Chancellor, suggested burning of books, later participated in the Shaqiu plot. ; Left Chancellor of the Qin dynasty, angered the Second Emperor by remonstrance, was framed by Zhao Gao, and ultimately executed.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Strategies of the Warring States
A man of Chu, a guest minister, who advised against the expulsion of guest ministers and recommended Wei Liao. ; Qin Chancellor, suggested abolishing feudal fiefs and establishing commanderies and counties.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend2 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
2 relations2 verified quotations- Qin Shi Huang→ ruler-subject →Li Si
- Li Si→ retainer →Lü Buwei
Verified original text · 2
进李斯为丞相
ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 108
事吕不韦为舍人
retainer · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 105
- Official history9 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
5 relations8 verified quotations- Qin Shi Huang→ employ →Li Si
- Li Si→ subordinate →King of Qin
- Li Si→ retainer →Lü Buwei
- Zhao Gao→ frame →Li Si
Verified original text · 8
李斯为舍人
employ · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
丞相李斯曰
用其议 · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
6 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history1 profile notes
Strategies of the Warring States
0 relations0 verified quotations
History vs. fiction
The process of Li Si being appointed as a guest minister differs.
The Records of the Grand Historian, Biography of Li Si, states that Lü Buwei 'appointed him as a lang (gentleman attendant). Li Si thereby gained the opportunity to present his ideas,' and subsequently the King of Qin 'appointed Si as a changshi (chief clerk),' and only later 'appointed Si as a guest minister.' The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, chapter 105, states: 'Buwei recommended his abilities to the King of Qin, who appointed him as a guest minister.'
Relationship network
Original text (2)
李斯为舍人
丞相李斯曰
Original relation: 用其议 · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- retainerLi Si → Lü Buweihist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 105Records of the Grand Historian, 李斯列传
Original text (2)
事吕不韦为舍人
李斯乃求为秦相文信侯吕不韦舍人
- frame← Zhao Gao → Li SihistRecords of the Grand Historian, 李斯列传Records of the Grand Historian, 秦始皇本纪
Original text (3)
于是乃相与谋，诈为受始皇诏丞相
Original relation: accomplice · Records of the Grand Historian, 李斯列传
赵高案治李斯。
赵高为丞相，竟案李斯杀之。
Original text (1)