Dong Zhongshu put forward the idea of "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" in the first year of Yuanguang (BC 134), and the feudal ideological rule policy promulgated by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was also a sign that Confucianism was dominant in China culture. To "oust a hundred schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone" means to abolish other concepts and respect Confucianism only. At this time, Confucianism is not the true face of Confucianism in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, but some thoughts of Taoism, Legalism and the Five Elements of Yin and Yang, which is a new thought.
In the early Western Han Dynasty, in order to unify feudal thoughts and consolidate feudal rule, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty adopted Dong Zhongshu's suggestion of "ousting a hundred schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone". The core of this policy is to oust a hundred schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone, so as to unify thoughts and strengthen autocratic centralization. Under the guidance of this policy, the Han Dynasty set up the Five Classics Selector in imperial academy to educate aristocratic children with Confucian classics. The selection of officials is also based on Confucianism. Since then, Confucianism has become the only ruling ideology in China feudal society and the orthodox ideology for maintaining feudal rule.
The measures of respecting Confucianism by Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty
1 Thought: Fully affirm Dong Zhongshu's Neo-Confucianism. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said, "Today, the doctor has reached the extreme of the road, and Chen has stopped the chaos. It is better to investigate it. 」
2. Politically, hundreds of Confucian scholars participate in state affairs. This obviously expanded the ranks of officials, improved the cultural quality of officials, consolidated the foundation of feudal rule, and became an important part of the martial arts of Wen Zhi of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. In the way of employing people, it also provided valuable reference and enlightenment to later feudal dynasties.
3. Education: Set up imperial academy so that all scholars in the world can learn Confucian classics. This is the feudal country's use of the power of political power to set up education and advocate Confucianism, which is bound to have a certain guiding role in the education of the whole society.
These three measures of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty played a decisive role in the rise of Confucianism to the exclusive position. From then on, Confucianism became the orthodox thought of China feudal society, which lasted for two thousand years.