How did the ancient China respect Peasants and Scholars?

In ancient China, peasants and scholars were both highly respected, albeit for different reasons. Peasants were valued for their crucial role in agriculture, which was essential for the sustenance of the state, and their hard work was seen as the foundation of society. Scholars, particularly those who passed the rigorous civil service examinations, were esteemed for their knowledge and ability to govern and create order, serving as moral and intellectual leaders. This respect was rooted in Confucian ideals, which emphasized the importance of both agricultural productivity and moral integrity in governance.