Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 265 The Customization of the Imperial Examination

The implementation of the Equal-Field System in pilot areas was like throwing a boulder into a still lake, creating ripples that spread far and wide, affecting the regional distribution of interests and the hearts and minds of the people. At the same time, another fundamental system concerning the empire's future talent selection, power structure, and even cultural orientation was undergoing more intense, yet more profound, deliberation and debate in the imperial court of Chang'an—the full-scale formulation and implementation of the imperial examination system.

If the Equal-Field System aimed to redistribute land, the most important means of production, then the Imperial Examination System aimed to redefine the rules governing the distribution of power and upward mobility. Its impact would be far more profound than land reform, affecting the very structure and renewal mechanisms of the ruling class.

The first year of the Qiming era, the fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival. However, the atmosphere within the Taiji Hall was anything but the relaxed mood one would expect on a festive day. Today's grand court assembly was solely for discussing the imperial examinations. Below the steps, besides the regular civil and military officials, officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Imperial Academy, and the Hanlin Academy were gathered, many with faces etched with excitement, anticipation, or perhaps unease and doubt. Those officials who had risen to high positions through military merit or long-standing bureaucratic backgrounds, and those scholar-officials who enjoyed a reputation for their Confucian scholarship, all sensed that a storm was brewing that could potentially alter the fate of them and even their descendants.

Chen Xing, seated high on his throne, cut to the chase: "The Equal-Field System aims to solidify the foundation of the nation. However, governing a country requires talent, and managing state affairs requires virtue. In previous dynasties, the selection of officials was based on family background, recommendation, or the Nine-Rank System, all of which easily resulted in power concentrating in the hands of a few, leaving talented individuals from humble backgrounds with no way to advance. This is neither the way to serve the public good nor a long-term solution. When I was in the State of Xing, I initiated the imperial examination system to select talented individuals from the north, with considerable success. Now that the empire is unified and civil administration is flourishing, this system should be established as a national policy, broadening the path for talent and selecting only the capable!"

His gaze swept over the civil officials who came from prominent families or were confident in their talents: "The essence of the imperial examination lies in 'openness, fairness, and impartiality.' Regardless of their humble origins or family background, whether they are from the north or the south, or newly arrived or old subjects, all can rely on their true talents and learning to pass the unified examination of the court and obtain the qualification for officialdom. This is an opportunity I am giving all scholars in the world to earn fame and serve the country through their own abilities. It is also a good way for the court to recruit talents from all over the country and avoid the pitfalls of being narrow-minded."

"Your Majesty is wise! This is a timeless and excellent policy!" Led by Jia Wen, a group of pragmatists and officials from relatively humble backgrounds were the first to express their support. Some had tasted the benefits of the imperial examination system, while others were well aware of the drawbacks of the old system and had long awaited this policy.

However, dissenting voices soon emerged, becoming more systematic and "theoretically profound."

An elderly minister, his beard and hair white, hailing from a family of Confucian scholars in Shandong, stepped forward tremblingly and declared in a loud voice: "Your Majesty! The selection of officials concerns the very foundation of the nation and must be approached with utmost care! The imperial examinations assess literary talent, but governing the country requires virtue, experience, and the influence of one's family tradition! How can a lifetime's career be determined by a single day's examination paper? Moreover, those with eloquent writing may not possess the talent to govern the country; those who diligently cultivate their knowledge may harbor the abilities of a prime minister. If all are determined by examinations, scholars will be driven by superficiality and neglect of virtue. If this continues, the court will be filled with bookish scholars who merely extract phrases and are ignorant of worldly affairs. How can such a great nation be governed with the ease of cooking a small fish?"

Another official, a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, echoed this sentiment: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan is a place of flourishing literary culture, yet the schools of Confucian classics and literary styles vary from place to place. If a single set of exam questions and standards is used to select officials, it may be biased, suppress local scholarship, and make it difficult to truly select talents who are suited to the local conditions. Moreover, previous dynasties also had imperial examinations, but those who passed were often closely connected with examiners and powerful figures, making true fairness difficult to achieve."

Their questions directly address the core issues of the imperial examination system: Could the examination truly select individuals with both moral integrity and practical abilities? Would a unified examination stifle academic diversity and create a new cultural monopoly? And how could the fairness of the examination process itself be ensured?

These are not unfounded rumors, but rather real drawbacks that occurred during the implementation of the imperial examination system throughout history.

Chen Xing did not directly refute her, but instead turned his gaze to Lin Wan'er, who was standing to the side and had been specially allowed to participate in today's court meeting. Although she was a woman, her talent and insight had long been recognized by the court officials, and she had participated in the drafting and polishing of a large number of documents and regulations. Having her explain the specific design of the new imperial examination system would not only show that she was important, but also buffer against direct confrontation.

Lin Wan'er understood, stepped forward, and gave a slight bow to Chen Xing and the officials. Her voice was clear and steady: "The concerns of you gentlemen have been repeatedly considered by His Majesty, Prime Minister Jia, and myself, who participated in the deliberation of the detailed rules for the imperial examinations. This time, the establishment of the imperial examination system is by no means a simple replication of the old system of the previous dynasty, but rather to take its essence, eliminate the accumulated abuses, and boldly innovate."

She unfolded an outline in her hand and began to explain it in an orderly manner:

"First, regarding the drawbacks of 'selecting officials solely based on literary talent,' the new imperial examination system will not only test poetry and prose. The preliminary plan is to establish regular examinations and special examinations."

"The regular examinations were held annually in the autumn in the capitals of each prefecture for the 'provincial examinations,' and the selected 'successful candidates' would gather in Chang'an the following spring to participate in the 'provincial examinations.' The regular examinations were divided into different subjects: first, the 'Jinshi' examination, which tested knowledge of the classics, policy essays, and poetry, emphasizing critical thinking and literary talent in governance; second, the 'Mingjing' examination, which specifically tested the principles of Confucian classics and selected scholars of the classics; third, the 'Mingfa' examination, which tested legal regulations and document drafting and selected judicial personnel; fourth, the 'Mingsuan' examination, which tested arithmetic, surveying, astronomy, and calendrical calculations and selected technical officials for the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Observatory; and fifth, the 'Mingyi' examination, which tested medical theory, prescriptions, and identification of medicinal materials and selected officials for the Imperial Medical Academy and local medical officials. In addition, as needed, 'Minggong' and 'Mingnong' examinations could be added in the future."

The selection of officials based on specific subjects caused an uproar in the hall. This completely broke with the previous single model of selecting officials based solely on literature, and incorporated practical technical talents into the formal bureaucratic selection system, which was of great significance!

"Your Majesty, these...the arts, sciences, medicine, and agriculture are all minor skills and unsavory arts. How can they be placed in the halls of high culture and ranked alongside the classics in the civil service examinations?" The old minister from a prominent family said urgently, his face flushed.

Chen Xing calmly responded: "Construction can build cities and dig canals, accounting can manage finances and conduct land surveys, medicine can save lives, and agriculture can nourish the people. These practical skills are related to the national economy and people's livelihood; how can they be considered 'minor arts'? What I need are officials who can get things done and solve real problems, not empty talkers who only know how to preach morality!"

Lin Wan'er continued, "In addition to the regular examinations, special examinations will be established. His Majesty or the court will issue edicts periodically to establish special subjects as needed, such as the 'Virtuous and Upright Candidates Who Can Speak Frankly and Offer Strong Advice' examination, the 'Erudite and Eloquent Candidates' examination, and the 'Military Strategist Candidates' examination. These will be specifically designed to select individuals with outstanding talent or virtue in a particular area, and they can take the exams regardless of whether they have passed the regular examinations. This can make up for the deficiencies of the regular examinations and select special talents."

"Secondly, regarding the fairness of the examinations and the prevention of cheating," Lin Wan'er's tone turned serious. "The new regulations stipulate that examiners will be temporarily appointed and supervised in different locations. Provincial examination examiners will be selected by the court from the Hanlin Academy, the Imperial Academy, and honest officials in the capital. After arriving in each prefecture, they must not have private communication with local officials. Examination papers will be anonymized and copied so that examiners cannot identify the candidates' handwriting or place of origin. A strict punishment system will be established. Any examiners or candidates who cheat will be dismissed from their posts, stripped of their official ranks, and never be employed again. Those with serious offenses will be exiled. The Censorate and the Ministry of Rites will send personnel to supervise the entire examination process at all levels."

"Furthermore, regarding the selection criteria and subsequent training," she softened her tone, "passing the imperial examinations only granted one 'birth' qualification, not direct official appointment. Those who passed had to enter the Imperial Academy or the newly established 'Political Affairs Hall Training Institute' for a year of observation and internship, learning administrative procedures, laws and regulations, local customs, and undergoing moral character assessment. Only those who passed the final assessment could be assigned to various ministries or local governments to serve as junior officials based on their performance and expertise. In addition, officials were subject to regular evaluations during their term of office, and promotions and demotions were based on their actual performance, not simply on their imperial examination rankings."

This series of combined measures left many opponents in the hall speechless. The comprehensiveness and precision of the new imperial examination system clearly demonstrated that it was the result of careful consideration and not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It not only provided opportunities for those from humble backgrounds but also attempted to select talents from various categories through subject-based and standardized examinations; it emphasized fairness in the examinations while also stressing subsequent practical experience and moral character assessments; it challenged old class distinctions while also providing avenues for children from aristocratic families to compete based on their genuine abilities.

Jia Wen added at the opportune moment: "As for the differences in literary styles and schools of thought in various regions, the court will take into account both mainstream and inclusive approaches when formulating examination questions, and will consider setting up different versions of Confucian classics questions for candidates to choose from. At the same time, it will vigorously promote official schools, popularize unified commentaries on Confucian classics, and promote cultural integration. Ultimately, the court is selecting talents who can serve the empire, not disciples of any particular school of thought."

A brief silence fell over the court. Opponents were still digesting the massive amount of information, searching for new points of rebuttal; supporters were emboldened and eager to try; and more centrists began to seriously consider the advantages and disadvantages of this new system for themselves.

Chen Xing slowly stood up, his voice carrying the power to establish the empire: "The new imperial examination system concerns the very lifeline of the empire's talent pool, and my mind is made up! The detailed rules will be promulgated immediately, and next year, the first year of the Qiming era, the special imperial examination will be held, selecting scholars by subject! All scholars in the land, regardless of north or south, regardless of their background, as long as they possess a skill and aspire to serve their country, may prepare for the examination! I am in Chang'an, awaiting the talents of the land!"

"Court adjourned!"