Shujishi: The product of the imperial examination system reflects not only the perfection of the imperial examination system, but also the difference in political background

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, China's imperial examination system reached its peak, and the Shujishi system was an important part of it. The Shujishi system, which existed in both the Ming and Qing dynasties, was an important product of the imperial examination system and was part of the pre-service training of officials. After the birth of the Shujishi system in the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty also continued its system, but there were some similarities and differences between the Shujishi system of the two dynasties.

The word 庶吉士 comes from the meaning of "庶常吉士" in the "Book of Books and Politics". The Shujishi system in the Ming Dynasty originated from the imperial examination system and was closely related to the Hanlin Academy in China. The imperial examination system in the Ming Dynasty underwent different periods of reform and improvement, while the Hanlin Yuan system, which was added during the Hongwu Dynasty, had a great impact on Ming politics and administration. Shujishi was selected through the imperial examination and was regarded as an important way for the Ming Dynasty to enter the feudal ruling class. The training and management of Shujishi was completely controlled by the Hanlin Academy, which became the talent savings place of Daming.

The development of the Shuji system in the Ming Dynasty underwent many reforms and innovations. The selection of Shujishi began during the Hongwu period, and Shujishi was known as an intern official, interning in the six ministries and familiarizing himself with the affairs of each ministry. However, there are imperfections in the selection process of Shujis, such as the inconsistency of selection targets and selection methods. It was not until the Jiajing period that the Shujishi system was gradually perfected and recorded in the Daming Huidian. The improvement of the Shuji system in the Ming Dynasty reflected the strengthening of centralized power in the Ming Dynasty.

The Qing Dynasty's Shujishi system followed the foundations of the Ming Dynasty and carried out some reforms. The Qing Dynasty not only selected Shujishi in accordance with the normal procedures of the imperial examination, but also added special subjects such as "erudite hongru" to select Shujishi through the examinations of these special subjects. In addition, the Qing Dynasty's Shuji system also paid attention to regional and ethnic factors, and took people according to provinces and nationalities. Shujishi had a high status in the Qing Dynasty, but it was not real power, just an honor. The development of the Shuji system also reflected the Qing dynasty's way of ruling and the differences in its treatment of the Han and Manchu ethnic groups.

In general, the similarities and differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties reflect the development of the imperial examination system and changes in the socio-political background. The Ming Dynasty's Shujishi system was regarded as a talent pool by the Ming rulers, an important way to train senior officials, and played a role in the cultivation of talents. The Qing Dynasty's Shujishi system was relatively less important than that of the Ming Dynasty, and although its status was high, its real power was limited, and Shujishi mostly became local officials. The development of the Shujishi system reflected the different ruling principles and ways of treating talents by the rulers of the Ming and Qing dynasties.