Abstract: In the process of modernization transformation, contemporary rural governance is facing multiple difficulties. Under this background, the return of new rural sages to rural governance had profound historical basis and objective realistic basis. This study discussed the historical evolution of the participation of the rural sages in rural governance and the necessity of the return of the new rural sages to rural governance under the background of the dilemma of contemporary rural governance, revealed the important role and function of the new rural sages in the new era of rural governance system with the combination of autonomy, rule of law and rule of virtue, and put forward the specific paths of promoting the participation of the new rural sages in rural governance from the perspective of “three governance combination”.

Key words: new rural sages, rural governance, “three governance combination”