Confucian Civil Service Examination under Reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1460 -1497)

Tóm tắt

King Le Thanh Tong based on and developed from the Confucian court examination systems of the previous dynasties to set the regulations for the examinations - to be held every three years; first, the hương (interprovincial) examinations; and then, the hội examinations, which were held in the capital city. The regulations were well and strictly organised for contestants to the hương, and especially the hội and đình exams. After the hội are the điện, or đình examinations, which were held in the royal palaces to define the specific ranks of the doctors. Still available now are a number of essays from the đình examinations reflecting the profound knowledge and real talent of the contestants, who had studied so industriously. The King applied many measures to timely honour the new doctors, promoting and encouraging the study and examination of contestants. The Confucian civil service examinations of his period were strictly and fairly organised as a model for the examination system of the following dynasties. From the examinations were selected scores of thousands of bachelors and 501 doctors, who had true talent and virtue, helping Vietnam to prosper during the years.