The study of Wang Yang-ming's philosophy was already in decline by the ascent of the Qing Dynasty. The study of “Li” however remained a bastion for “respecting Zhu” and “honoring Wang”. This article closely examines the literati or the early Qing Dynasty is understanding and criticism of Wang Yang-ming. Scholars such as Wang Tu-zhen, Shr Run-zhang, Zhu Yi-zhun and Sung Rong employed the notion of “zhun de xing” and “dao wen xue” in not only preserving Wang Yang-ming's philosophy, but also responding to the threat from the Zen schools of the time. In rejecting Sung Confucianism's notion of “Yi”, as a priori and thus unorthodox Confucianism, they strove to establish Wang Yang-ming's philosophy as the basis for further Confucianism. Their life pursuits were of a practical bent, solidifying their thought with that of the school of Wang Yang-ming. In this way, they showed their particular affinity with early-Qing Wang Yang-ming studies.