Abstract: The branch of Jin Shi is the core of the imperial examinations, but its leading content in the Tang and Song dynasties is literature, while in Ming and Qing dynasties it is Confucian philosophy instead. Consequently, the Ming and Qing education overthrows the tradition of valuing literature established in Tang and Song dynasties, and contrarily takes an exclusive attitude toward literature. The replacement of literature with Confucian philosophy in educational practice has weakened the basis of Ming and Qing literature and produced much negative influence in many ways, of which the most evident embodiment is the decline of the classical literature.

Key words: deliterature, Ming and Qing education, negative influence, imperial examination