What's the joke in the imperial examination?

Imperial examinations are also called quizzes in Sui and Tang Dynasties.

The imperial examination system, also known as imperial examination and imperial examination system, was a system for selecting officials through examinations in ancient China.

The imperial examination system is a system in which ancient China literati took part in the talent selection examination. This is the system of selecting officials through examinations in feudal dynasties. It is called imperial examination because it adopts the method of selecting scholars by subjects.

The imperial examination system was implemented in Sui Dynasty, which lasted for more than 1000 years, until the last Jinshi examination was held in the 31st year of Guangxu (1905). 1905 abolished the imperial examination system, ending the era when 1298 respected the imperial examination.

This system of selecting and distributing talents lasted the longest and had the widest influence in China feudal society. The establishment of imperial examination system is the need of authoritarian centralization.

Historical background

The Zhou dynasty adopted the method of "township election", that is, selecting the sages of their own country, such as "village elders" (chiefs), and entering the central government through the tribute of local governors. The wise men who paid tribute to the king were personally tested by the king, and the content was archery.

In the society before the week, only the members of the ruling group family could receive education and become intellectuals. In fact, all the components of state institutions are mainly inherited by members of the ruling group, which is reflected in the "Shi Qing Shi Lu" system in the Zhou Dynasty.

Under this system, even if there is some recommendation and selection, it is basically within the scope of patriarchal clan system. It is only an extremely accidental exception to recommend and choose a network that transcends hereditary blood relationship and rises to a high position.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, the system of "Li collapsed and music broke down" and "Shi Qing Shi Lu" was seriously damaged. Some lower-class people who are not nobles have been appointed as an exception, and more and more people have been selected and promoted through recommendation and assessment.

A bureaucratic system of appointment through recommendation and examination (and merit-based promotion) has gradually emerged. At that time, the development of social economy and the expansion of culture and education accelerated this process.