The Discovery Of Genesis

Imperial Intrigue in the Chinese Dark Ages
having burned the ancient classics and records, and for
burying alive over 400 Confucian scholars who opposed
his violent “reforms.“”
Although a ruthless executioner of the Confucianists,
he apparently fell under the influence of Taoist
superstitions and allowed corruption of the ancient "border”
sacrifices to ShangTi and the erection of an additional
four altars to the white, green, yellow, and red
“Tis” (heavenly rulers).
With the death of Ch’in Shih Huang-ti, the Ch’in
dynasty, lasting only 49 years, ended and the new Han
dynasty followed. A famous Taoist, Sin Hwan-p’ing,
influenced a Han emperor, Wan by name, in 166 B.C.,
to offer the first imperial sacrifices to the additional
spurious Tis, contrary to the teachings of antiquity.
Thus a polytheistic service supplanted the original worship
of the one God, ShangTi. Because of this meddling with
the ancient rites, the chief of censors accused Sin Hwanp’
ing of treason, writing in a memorial:
18
1 venture to say that nothing is more foolish
than this new figment of the spirits ShangTi,
of which he says that there are five. It is indeed
certain, that from the most ancient times, all
who have been wise, and deemed masters of
the nation, on account of their reputation for
distinguished wisdom, have known but one
ShangTi, eminent over all, on whom all
things depend, from whom is to be sought
whatever is for the advantage of the empire,
and to whom it is the duty and custom of the
emperors to sacriiice.‘*