Numbers of valuable works perished in a vast conflagration of books, and the only wonder is that any were preserved, with the exception of the three classes specified above.
In 210 B.C.the First Emperor died, and his youngest son was placed upon the throne with the title of Second Emperor.

The latter began by carrying out the funeral arrangements of his father, as described about a century later by the first and greatest of China's historians:-- "On the 9th moon the First Emperor was buried in Mount Li, which in the early days of his reign he had caused to be tunnelled and prepared with that view.

Then, when he had consolidated the empire, he employed his soldiery, to the number of 700,000, to bore down to the Three Springs (that is, until water was reached), and there a firm foundation was laid and the sarcophagus placed thereon.

Rare objects and costly jewels were collected from the palaces and from the various officials, and were carried thither and stored in huge quantities.

Artificers were ordered to construct mechanical crossbows, which, if any one were to enter, would immediately discharge their arrows.