The origins of the gentry clan can be traced back to the "shi" class in the pre-Qin period. The "shi" class was a specific social class with a certain status in ancient Chinese society, and later evolved into a general term for intellectuals. Originally, it may refer to the warriors of the same clan as clan tribe leaders and dignitaries at the end of primitive society. After entering class society, they became part of the ruling class. Because ancient learning was in the government, only the children of nobles above the rank of scholar had cultural knowledge, so scholar became a title for people with certain knowledge and skills. During the Spring and Autumn Period, there were endless battles between various countries. The role of infantry increased, while the role of chariot battles and warriors decreased. The status of sergeants also experienced an increase or decrease. In order to expand their influence and consolidate their status, some officials tried to recruit scholars to show off their power, and many scholars defected to them. In order to solve economic difficulties, some scholars also organized funerals, served as tributes, or engaged in industry and commerce; some also engaged in private lectures and imparted cultural knowledge. From then on, a group of scholars appeared in Chinese history who specialized in cultural activities. They traveled to various countries and were active in thinking. They made great contributions to the emergence of a hundred schools of thought in the academic field of ancient China and to the promotion of the development of culture and science. During the Warring States Period, wars for hegemony and annexation became more intense, so lobbyists from Qin, Mu, and Chu came into being. They travel between countries and act as lobbyists, and politicians are their representatives. At this time, the custom of raising scholars by feudal lords and dignitaries in various countries was also very popular. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the connotation of scholars underwent further changes. Scholars, when called scholar-bureaucrats, can refer to soldiers in the army, and are often a general term for officials serving in the central government and prefectures and counties; when called scholars, they generally refer to those who have high feudal cultural literacy and are engaged in spiritual culture. active intellectuals.
In the Han Dynasty, scholars paid special attention to their reputation (i.e., personal reputation, integrity, and academic ability). Once they became famous, utilitarian official positions would follow one after another. Therefore, scholars may focus on correcting their minds, cultivating themselves, and managing their families. , govern the country, and bring peace to the world, and abide by the feudal principles and doctrines; or have flashy friendships, make friends, brag to each other, and gain fame. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the trend of Qing Dynasty discussing character issues was extremely popular among scholars. This kind of character and subject matter belongs to the private sector.
During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the nine-rank Zhongzheng system was established, and the right to criticize scholars was returned to the government. Those who are evaluated by Zhongzheng will be given different grades (local grades) according to their virtues, talents and family status, and then be awarded various official positions. Those who have not received a positive evaluation will not be allowed to serve as officials. Therefore, scholars have the meaning of a specific class. The opposition between scholars and common people gradually emerged. All officials above the ninth rank and those with middle and high rank are considered scholars, otherwise they are considered common people. Among the scholars, there were also families that relied on the official titles of their fathers and ancestors to become officials and have served as officials for many generations. They were called the gentry clan. The gentry reached its peak in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and began to decline in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. After the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the gentry gradually withdrew from the stage of history, but the concept of gentry as a specific class still remained. After the Song Dynasty, the term scholar or scholar gradually became a general term for ordinary scholars, and no longer specifically referred to officials.