Zhusheng and Politics in Qin and Han Dynasties

Zhusheng is the general term for those who studied Confucianism but failed to make an office in Qin and Han Dynasties, including private disciple and official Jungongshengtu (students taught by local government), Taixuesheng, Hongduxueshi (students taught by central government). Zhusheng formed the fundamental masses for participation in politics in Qin and Han Dynasties. Zhusheng was not only the academic successor to Boshi and teacher of classic, but also the political assistant in Qin and early Western Han Dynasties. After mid Eastern Han Dynasties, with politics corruption, Zhusheng gradually changed their attitudes from coordination to criticism, and then directly fought eunuch during the Faction of Turmoil. Their social positions made their vacillating nature in political struggle, therefore, once major political changes happened, they would split into different groups.