Chapter 1

In ancient China, the imperial examination system was divided into two types: the Child Examination and the Regular Examination.

First, let's discuss the Child Examination. The Child Examination in the Ming Dynasty differed from that of the Tang and Song Dynasties in that there were no age restrictions. Candidates of any age could participate in the Child Examination. The Child Examination consisted of three stages: the County Examination, the Prefecture Examination, and the Academy Examination, held twice every three years. The years of the Ox, Goat, Dragon, and Dog were designated for the annual examinations, while the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, and Pig were for the regular examinations.

The County Examination was administered by the county officials during the Ming Dynasty. To obtain the necessary qualifications, a child candidate first had to participate in the County Examination in their own county. The examination period was usually in February. Candidates would register with the local government office, providing their name, place of origin, age, and the details of their three generations, and obtain a guarantee from a local scholar to ensure the accuracy of the information. The examination consisted of five sessions, each testing different subjects such as the eight-part essay, poetry, classics, and law. After passing, candidates would then be eligible to take the Prefecture Examination, which was essentially a qualifying examination.

The County Examination was typically scheduled for February. Upon entering the examination, candidates received test papers with numbers, and they sat according to their assigned numbers, taking four or five sessions. The first session was the main session. The second session was the preliminary review (or initial review). The third session was the second review. The fourth and fifth sessions were the consecutive reviews. Each session lasted one day, with candidates being called to enter the examination hall before dawn and required to submit their papers on the same day. The main session had a more lenient selection process. For example, if 1,000 candidates took the examination, 700 would be selected for the preliminary review; from the preliminary review, 500 would be selected, and so on, with the number decreasing until the final review, where only a few remained. After each session, a list of results, known as "issuing the list," was posted. The first three or four lists were circular, with the candidates' names and numbers arranged in a circle, known as "circular lists" or "circles." The first circle included the top 50 candidates, with 30 in the outer circle and 20 in the inner circle. Sometimes, all 50 names were arranged in one large circle. In the center of the circle, a red "zhong" (中) character was written, with the vertical stroke longer at the top and shorter at the bottom, resembling the top part of the character "gui" (贵) for good fortune. The name of the top candidate was written in the center of the outer circle, and the other names were listed in order from left to right. Since the candidates' names on the test papers were sealed, the results were announced by seat number, and those selected were referred to as "out of the circle" or "out of the number." The final list, known as the "long list," was issued with the names of all selected candidates arranged in order of their ranking, with the top candidate being the "county top scorer."

The Prefecture Examination, during the Ming Dynasty, was taken by those who passed the County Examination and was administered by the prefectural governor or prefect. The examination period was usually in April, and the registration process was similar to that of the County Examination. After passing, candidates could then proceed to the Academy Examination.

The Academy Examination was administered by the provincial education commissioner (or educational inspector) during the Ming Dynasty. Those who passed the Prefecture Examination could participate in the Academy Examination. Since the education commissioner was also known as the "supervisor of the college," the examination was also called the "Academy Examination." The registration process was similar to that of the Prefecture and County Examinations. After passing, candidates could enter the prefectural or county school to study, known as "entering school." They were then recognized as students and could participate in the Regular Examination in their province.

Next, let's discuss the Regular Examination. Candidates who passed the Academy Examination were eligible to take the Regular Examination.

The Regular Examination consisted of three stages: the Provincial Examination, the Metropolitan Examination, and the Palace Examination.

The Provincial Examination was the first stage of the Regular Examination. It was held every three years in the provincial capitals, and the examination venue was called the "tribute hall." Any candidate who passed the Child Examination in the province could take the Provincial Examination. The years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, and Rooster were designated for the regular examinations, while additional examinations called "grace examinations" were held in years of imperial celebrations such as the emperor's accession. The examination consisted of three sessions, and those who passed were called "scholar-gentry." Because the examination period was in the autumn, it was also known as the "autumn examination" or "autumn test." Since candidates from various counties and prefectures gathered in the provincial capital, the examination was supervised by officials dispatched by the court. Those who passed were called "scholar-gentry." A well-known example is the character Fan Jin in "The Scholars," who passed this examination to become a scholar-gentry.

The Metropolitan Examination was the second stage of the Regular Examination. It was held in the capital city by the Ministry of Rites, and all scholar-gentry from the provinces could participate. It was held every three years. The years of the Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat were designated for the regular examinations, and if a grace examination was held for the Provincial Examination, the following year would also have a Metropolitan Examination, known as the "grace Metropolitan Examination." The examination also consisted of three sessions, and those who passed were called "tribute scholars." Because the examination period was in the spring, it was also known as the "spring examination" or "spring test."

The Palace Examination was the third stage of the Regular Examination. It was a personal examination conducted by the emperor in the palace for the tribute scholars. It began during the Tang Dynasty under Empress Wu Zetian and was continued by subsequent dynasties. During the Yuan Shundi period, the results of the Palace Examination were divided into three grades (or classes). The first grade was limited to three people, a system continued in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, known as "jinshi jidi" (jinshi and passed). The top candidate was called the "zhuangyuan" (top scholar), the second and third candidates were called the "bangyan" (second scholar) and "tanhua" (third scholar), respectively. The second and third grades included several candidates, all of whom were collectively known as "jinshi" (passed scholars).

In the Regular Examination, the top candidate in the Provincial Examination was called the "jieyuan" (provincial top scorer), the top candidate in the Metropolitan Examination was called the "huayuan" (metropolitan top scorer), and the top candidate in the Palace Examination was called the "zhuangyuan" (top scholar). Those who ranked first in all three examinations were known as having "consecutively won the three top ranks."

During the Ming Dynasty, those who passed the Provincial Examination as scholar-gentry had the qualifications to serve as low-level officials, but the actual opportunities to serve were limited. In the eyes of those in high positions, scholar-gentry were almost worthless, but they could still interact with the government on equal terms, supervise the government, and file complaints against officials to the emperor. Scholar-gentry had the right to inspect. In the eyes of ordinary citizens, scholar-gentry were highly respected. Scholar-gentry enjoyed tax exemptions, and many people voluntarily transferred their land and property to the names of scholar-gentry to avoid taxes and corvée labor. This was also a source of income for scholar-gentry.

In general, during the Ming Dynasty, one had to pass the Palace Examination to truly qualify for a government position.