Why did Qianlong order books to be censored or destroyed in 1774?

In 1774, the Qianlong emperor initiated a campaign of censorship that resulted in the destruction or expurgation of approximately 2,600 book titles.1

This action was driven by the emperor's desire to suppress "seditious" material, specifically targeting works that contained anti-Manchu declarations or allusions. As the Manchu people were the ruling minority of the Qing dynasty, the government viewed such literature as a threat to its political legitimacy and authority.12

The censorship occurred alongside the compilation of the Sikuquanshu, a massive imperial project intended to organize and preserve important Chinese texts. While the Sikuquanshu served as a significant contribution to Chinese literature, the concurrent literary inquisition led to the imprisonment, exile, or execution of numerous scholars and writers suspected of harboring anti-Manchu sentiments. Provincial governors were ordered to inspect both public and private libraries to ensure compliance with these mandates.12