Shaping the mind through education was a key concept of the political
philosophy and an essential way of governance in ancient China. Rulers usually
used a combination of means, both visible and invisible, to subtly spread their
values among people so that these values would be observed in people's
daily life, leading to integration of governance and social mores. These means
include issuing administrative decrees, conducting moral education, creating a
favorable environment, disseminating popular literature that promoted ethical
values, and selecting officials through imperial examinations.