Confucius and the Imperial Examination

During the Ming Dynasty, Nanjing served not only as the capital but the center of scholarly learning and exposition. With the Confucius Temple serving as the cornerstone, at the Jiangnan Examination School, up to 26,000 would-be scholars and literati poured out years of accumulated study on their knowledge of one man, Confucius. Over as long as three days these learned individuals would compose and discuss their understanding of the Great Sage and how his words and ideals had their effect on the past and future of Chinese society.

Passing the examination earned student the official title of scholar and entrance into a powerful new world with the opportunity to help steer the Middle Kingdom to new levels. While failure for some meant humiliation, other students were propelled into new avenues where their knowledge could blossom such literature and arts. Notable examples include the classic A Dream of Red Mansions written by Cao Xueqin and the fantastical stories by Pu Songling. No matter what the outcome, the imperial examination was the turning point for many of China's great minds.

The Jiangnan Examination School, situated along the water's edge of the Qinhuai River, became a haven for those taking the exams. Students with ages ranging from 18 years old to some well into mature adulthood arrived from all over the province and the whole of China to make their home around the Qinhuai River. The exam included three sessions and took nine days, and many would spend months traveling to the city or locked away in study halls beforehand. Waiting for the results could take just as long.

The teahouses and the homes of courtesans were filled while students looked for ways to pass the time and entertain themselves. Previously ordained scholars would expound their ideas to younger, wide-eyed students. Those who were attempting to pass the exam again after the agonizing three-year wait would find solace in old friends and contemporaries. Those who turned to the arts and writing would feed off the energy of the scholars and became drunk with philosophy.