Imperial examination (Themiclesia)

While imperial examinations (both Menghean and Shinasthana: 科擧, qar-kla’) originated in Menghe, it was introduced to Themiclesia following the restoration of the Meng dynasty emperors in Themiclesia in 543, though there is evidence that a earlier version of it had been introduced to Themiclesia earlier.  

Structure

The imperial examination had its roots in the Meng dynasty (for which Menghe is named) of the 2nd century BCE through 3rd century CE, but the best-known version of the examinations date from the Sunghwa dynasty of the 11th through 13th centuries CE, by which time the examination had become the standard way for ordinary subjects to enter public service in that country. The version that accompanied the Meng dynasty through its restoration in Themiclesia was thus its own version rather than the more evolved one, though under the immense cultural influence of the Sunghwa dynasty, some features post-dating the restoration were also introduced to Themiclesia.

Reforms

In 1200, the royal court commanded that all viceroys shall hold court every winter for the public assessment of candidates for public service. This is a radical departure

Commentary

By medieval Mengheans

The existence of a version of the imperial examination in Themiclesia was known to Menghean literati in the medieval era, and the latter usually spoke of the Themiclesian practice in derogatory terms. The fact that a test subject was announced beforehand was particularly derided. One author went as far as saying the Themiclesians "appoint the subject after the response is written" (因卷設科), but a common attitude is that the Themiclesian examinations only exist such that individuals already pre-selected (usually by lineage or recommendation) can show their competences to assessors.

王雖令取士全境郡縣，凡七郡得與議選者、得被選者咸皆望姓，或四五姓、或六七姓、十姓，交代舉於廷。名為開仕途於英華，實則專取士於梁膏，試題不密，舉人相襲，材力之上下安有所辦，考官因文卷而落評。內傾宗廟於貪邪，外詐黎民以聰明，御國而至此，竊為王不齒也。

Under Menghean practice of the late 13th and early 14th centuries, to appoint an appropriate subject for a specific candidate's response would certainly appear partial and defeat the central concept of testing for merit. Menghean examiners, in contrast, developed meticulous rules to ensure each candidate would be confronted by the same unannounced subject and challenge. One official opined to the Yi emperor that Themiclesian qualifiers visiting the Yi court did not deserve their qualifications. These views nevertheless demonstrate the broad knowledge of Menghean literati, though what modern historians consider the basic logic of the Themiclesian examination was evidently not well understood in Yi Menghe, and Themiclesian emissaries were either unable to disabuse them or found no reason to do so.