What is a rural virtuous person?

Rural sages, as the name suggests, are social sages in the countryside. Generally speaking, it mainly refers to people who are respected and respected by the villagers for their moral character, talent and learning. They include good officials who receive salary from the court, sages with high moral character and high prestige, and capable people who have made outstanding contributions. As rural sages, they are respected and worshiped by future generations, which shows that the country and society affirm their life value.

The term "Xiangxian" originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is an honorary title awarded by the state after the death of officials who have made achievements, or social sages who have high prestige and made significant contributions to society. It is an affirmation of the life value of those who enjoy this title. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, all states and counties had built Xiangxian temples to worship the Xiangxian figures of the past dynasties. Therefore, a complete set of official commemorative and memorial ceremonies was formed.

In times of war, generally referring to great chiefs, village sages need to fight on the front line to fight for a chance of life for the people.

In the traditional era, "village wise" were also recognized as people who contributed to the affairs of the village and the public. They were also the leading force in rural social construction and rural public affairs in ancient China.

Expand: Examples of ancient poems about rural sages

Yuan Liu Si's "Reclusion in Tongyi·Neo-Confucianism 3": "This is only to know how to respect the rural sages, but not to flatter them consciously." "It's too late."

Ming Dynasty Shen Defu's "Ye Huo Bian·Guo Bao·Luzi" said: "After the death of Zhong Cheng, the local government promoted the local sage, and it was said that there was no such thing as this canon."

The Qing Dynasty Tian Lanfang's "Ming Dynasty Henan Right Participation in Politics Shi Yuan Gong's Epitaph": "The emperor in the Qing Dynasty worshiped the village sages, the former Ming Dynasty guarded the Daliang soldiers patrol road in Henan, the Chief Secretary took the right participation in politics and also served as the Chasi Qian Shi Yuan Yuan The epitaph of the burial of the Duke (Yuan Keli's son Yuan Shu)"