Although the calligraphy of the Yuan Dynasty succeeded the Southern Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty, its artistic style, calligraphy ideas and aesthetic standards were quite different from those of the Song and Jin Dynasties.
In fact, before Zhao Mengkui became famous, people expressed dissatisfaction with the arrogant and dry style of calligraphy in the Song Dynasty, especially at the end of the Song Dynasty. However, Zhao Mengkui can only be the leader in the reform of Tuogu and the correction of the malpractices of books in the late Song Dynasty, because he is not only prominent in official positions, but also outstanding in the field of literature and art in the whole Yuan Dynasty. Therefore, Zhao Mengkui naturally became the leader of this retro movement.