Refers specifically to scholars of
程朱理学 — the Cheng-Zhu rationalist school led by
二程 (
程颢 Cheng Hao and
程颐 Cheng Yi) and synthesized by
朱熹 Zhu Xi. Their commentaries on the Four Books (
四书) became state orthodoxy and the basis of imperial exams from the Yuan to the Qing.
