What Farmers were considered the lowest class of society and were looked down upon the people of Ancient China?

In Ancient China, the lowest class of society was often considered to be the "peasants," particularly those engaged in subsistence farming. Despite their crucial role in producing food for the population, they were looked down upon by the more privileged classes, such as scholars and landowners. This disdain stemmed from the Confucian belief that manual labor was inferior to intellectual pursuits, leading to a societal hierarchy that marginalized farmers. Nonetheless, the stability of the agrarian economy made their labor essential for the state’s survival and prosperity.