However, Qin Shihuang did not burn all the historical materials, but only the ancient history books before the vassal States. The history books of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Xia Dynasty, Three Emperors and Five Emperors were not burned. Moreover, after the reunification of Qin Shihuang, many scholars were ordered to write Lv Chunqiu, and they also made a lot of efforts in historical records.
Sima Qian was born in a historian's family. Although there are still many controversies about this matter, Sima Tan, Sima Qian's father, was indeed an official of the Han Dynasty, and his job was to compile national history. With his father, Sima Qian is likely to read all the royal history books. According to the historical materials held by Sima Qian, it is very possible to write Historical Records. Not only books, but also Sima Qian traveled all over the country. During his travels, he learned about the geographical features of historical events and experienced the scene at that time. Also obtained a large number of folk historical materials and legends.
Although Sima Qian lived three thousand years after the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, according to the information he obtained, he should have obtained the most historical information in his time, and Historical Records is also the closest to historical facts.