Because the scholars can tell you that one of the best ways to learn how to be a good emperor, and thereby maintain the mandate of heaven, is to read the Confucian classics, which were written by scholars. In short, the complicated circularity of Chinese history is mirrored by the complicated circularity of the relationship between those who write it and those who make it. Which is something to think about no matter what history you're learning, even if it's from Crash Course. Next week we'll be talking about Alexander the Grape. Really, Stan? For an entire episode? That seems excessive to me.