This article mainly discusses the concern for and criticism of the literati’s moral customs among the circle of intellectuals during the Jiaqing (1796–1820) and Daoguang (1821–1850) reigns, and also the transformation of the Qing evaluation and orientation towards the Ming era. As a result of the increasing aggravation of the crisis of rule, the assumption of power by the Jiaqing emperor himself, the event of the Tianli sect and other influential historical events, discussion of governmental affairs and preaching, which had previously been banned by the Qing court, earned the attention of the intellectual circle once more. Not only did the assessment of governmental policy re-emerge among intelligentsia, but also the deeds of the Ming dynasty began to receive positive evaluation. These comments on the Ming dynasty obviously involved public or political discourse of the time, which contained various suggestions for reformation from an institutional viewpoint. Their objects included relevant institutions pertaining to the Ming’s policy of gentry cultivation; and then the rules established by previous Manchu rulers, in view of the shortcomings of Ming gentry, were reflected upon and criticized as well. Their admonishments had focused on problems of that period; however, the same admonishments expressed an opposite sense in later times. The mysterious relationship between historical cognition and historical reality deserves deep exploration by historians.