Horrible philosophy

His name had been Qin Shi Huang, the unifier of China after the Warring States period, great warrior, ruler, and builder—the Great Wall was just one of his accomplishments.

Also a noted tyrant and follower of the Legalist philosophy of government. Whose basic maxim was: Punishment produces fear, fear produces obedience, obedience produces discipline, discipline produces virtue. Therefore, punishment produces virtue.

"Lords Of Creation"
S.M. Stirling