The Literary Activities and Achievements of Xue Yuanchao's Disciples in the Early Tang Dynasty
Xue Yuanchao,who served as prime minister in the periods of Shangyuan and Yifeng of Tang Gaozong,presided over the Hongwen Guan of Menxia department,introduced more than 10 scholars into the Hongwen Guan,and frequently carried out activities,which led to the formation of a literary group centered on him.He not only created literary achievements,but also promoted the formation of the elegant style of the imperial dynasty,cultivated literary talents for the Zetian and the Zhongzong dynasties.As they were mainly court poets,their poems emphasized the exploration of forms and techniques,so their creation and theoretical research also laid a foundation for the stereotyping of metrical poetry in the Zetian and the Zhongzong dynasties.