Dong Zhongshu was a master of Confucianism who appeared in the period of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. In 140 BC, 17-year-old Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, calling him a sage. After asking questions in person, Dong Zhongshu was chosen as the first. He accepted Dong Zhongshu's suggestion of "ousting hundreds of schools and respecting Confucianism alone", founded imperial academy, established a doctor of the Five Classics, and asked local officials to recommend filial piety literature. Since then, "officials, doctors, officials and scholars have become more literate". Dong Zhongshu's theological theory of "interaction between heaven and man", political theory of "combining punishment with morality" and moral theory of "three cardinal guides and five permanents" mark the formation of new Confucianism integrating law, yin and yang and five elements. Dong Zhongshu also made theoretical preparations for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to strengthen the imperial power by "unification of spring and autumn". Therefore, his theory accords with the character of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty that "the inner desire is greater than the outer benevolence" (The Biography of Han Ji 'an), which naturally became the mainstream thought of the Han Dynasty and had a far-reaching influence on later generations.
Sima Qian, a well-known historian with Confucianism as the mainstay and learning from others, was appointed as Taishiling and Zhongshuling successively, and followed Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty for decades. In 99 BC (the second year of Tianhan), Emperor Wu was angered by protecting Li Ling who surrendered to Xiongnu, and was convicted of corruption. After he was released from prison, he respected his position and worked hard to complete the writing of Taishi Gongshu. This book had a profound influence on later history and literature. But as far as Sima Qian's treatment of people is concerned, it is completely different before and after the execution. Before, he stood up for Li Ling, regardless of the official whispers and the "slippery fingers" of Manchu. Then he turned a deaf ear to the cry for help of Ren An, a close friend who was about to be executed. It can be seen that he only resigned himself to the fate of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, so as to preserve his sanity and complete his book-writing goal.