Scholar and Society: The Textual Scholarship and Social Concerns of Wang Chung (1745-1794).

A growing number of mid-Qing-era Chinese scholars were unable to obtain work as government officials because of the increasingly limited number of positions available. These "failed" scholar-officials often turned to more pure forms of scholarship, usually exegetical studies of Confucian classical literature. Many scholars, including Wang Zhong, a prominent intellectual who failed to obtain a job through the examination system, attempted to interpret the classics in new ways that they felt would benefit society. This article traces Wang's work in "clarifying" Confucian doctrine in an effort to contribute to society in way that he couldn't as a civil servant.