Rural sages, as the name implies, are social sages in the village. Generally speaking, it mainly refers to people whose morality and talents are respected by the villagers, including good officials who eat the salary of the court, respected sages and talents who have made outstanding contributions. As a rural sage, he is admired and worshipped by later generations, which shows that the state and society affirm his life value.

The word "country sage" began in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it is an honorary title that the state officials who have done something, or social sages with high prestige and great contributions to society, give recognition after their death. It is an affirmation of the life value of those who enjoy this title. To the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were Xiangxian shrines in all counties, which were dedicated to Xiangxian figures of past dynasties. So a complete set of official memorial and memorial ceremonies was formed.

In wartime, it generally refers to the great chiefs, and rural sages need to fight in the front line to fight for the people's chances of survival.

In the traditional era, the "rural sage" is also recognized as a person who has contributed to the public affairs in the village. They were also the leading forces in rural social construction and rural public affairs in ancient China.

Unfolding: Examples of Ancient Xi 'an Rural Poems

Yuan's "General Discussion on Seclusion and Neo-Confucianism III": "This only respects the rural sages, but does not realize their mistakes."

Shen Ming Defu's Wildfire Bao Guo Slaughters the Son: "After Zhong Cheng's death, his land was praised by the rural sages, and there is no such code in the theory of things."

Qing? Tian Lanfang's Epitaph of Yuan Gong (Yuan Shu, son of Yuan Keli) was buried by Shi Yu, who participated in the right government in Henan Province in the Ming Dynasty: "The Qing emperor worshipped the rural sages, and the former Ming Dynasty distributed it to the governor of Daliangbing in Henan Province, and the Chief Secretary participated in the right government."