Recorded in the Zuo zhuan, the powerful minister Cui Zhu (崔杼), who had murdered the ruler Duke Zhuang, killed three court historians (Taishi, 太史) because they insisted on recording the event in the official history. The burning of books and burying of scholars in the Qin dynasty is also considered a form of literary inquisition by some Chinese scholars.
According to the Zuo zhuan, Cui Zhu, a prominent minister, had Duke Zhuang murdered and subsequently killed three court scribes who wanted to record the event in the official records. The destruction of books and silencing of scholars during the Qin dynasty is also seen by some Chinese scholars as an example of literary censorship.