The Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD) demonstrated a strong emphasis on Confucian education from its inception. The imperial court vigorously promoted Confucianism and implemented a series of measures, including advocating Confucian education, elevating the status of Confucian scholars, and establishing schools. This Confucian education reinforced the beliefs of its recipients, making the early Tang literati notably characterized by their commitment to Confucian principles. The promotion of Confucianism profoundly influenced the ideology, ethos, and life pursuits of the educated, most of whom aspired to readily obtain high office. However, the educational and selection mechanisms of the time did not guarantee them a promising future. In this context, the highly emphasized Confucian education created multiple contradictions and dilemmas in the lives of early Tang literati. The most typical among these were the contradiction between ancient ideals and contemporary realities, the conflict between high self-esteem and low social recognition, and the tension between lofty aspirations and a thwarted career path.