This was what Mao’s “Cultural Revolution” was all about. The Red Army went through China destroying ancient artifacts. Some were spared because brave citizens risked their lives and hid them.
And don't forget that Mao used that to become the most accomplished mass-murderer in human history. Because of practically no population records, the total death toll of his "cultural revolution" will never be known, but it is estimated to be between 50 million and 75 million lives.
Mark