Dai Zhen said.

Dai Zhen (January 19, 1724 - July 1, 1777), one word Dongyuan, two words Shenxiu, nickname Gaoxi, Han nationality, Xiuning Longfu (now Tunxi, Huangshan, Anhui) District), a famous linguist, philosopher and thinker in the Qing Dynasty. In the 27th year of Qianlong's reign, he was appointed as the compiler of "Sikuquanshu" in the 38th year of Qianlong's reign. He passed the sixth examination in the 40th year of Qianlong's reign. Because of his outstanding academic achievements, he was specially ordered to participate in the palace examination and was granted the same background as a Jinshi. Dai Zhen had extensive scholarship and was proficient in all aspects of phonology, writing, calendaring, and geography. He further elaborated on principles and criticized the Neo-Confucian theory of "removing human desires and retaining natural principles." His ideas of treating individuals as real and criticizing Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism have had a profound impact on academic trends since the late Qing Dynasty. Liang Qichao called him "the first scholar in the pre-Qing Dynasty", and Liang Qichao and Hu Shi called him the pioneer of modern Chinese science.