The following is an encore presentation of Everything Everywhere Daily.

In the year 607, the Emperor Yang of the Sway Dynasty implemented reform,

whereby a series of exams would be administered

throughout the empire to create a bureaucratic elite that would administer the country.

That reform became one of the bedrocks of Chinese society through every dynasty for the next 1,300 years.

The effects of these exams can still be felt in Chinese society today.

Learn more about the Mandarin class and the Imperial Examination System on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Book your ticket to happiness with Sun Express Airlines. The concept of a class of people who administered kingdoms or empires was not invented in China.

Pretty much every ancient empire from Egypt to Babylon had some group of priests or scribes

who was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the state.

These elites in society would sometimes have a monopoly in literacy, with the ability to read and

write being passed down through families over generations.

In Rome, administrative positions weren't hereditary, but they weren't

appointed on merit either.

Positions like 8 Isles or Quasters were won via election, and elections were often determined

by popularity and bribes, not by who would do the best job.

In ancient China, there too was a class of bureaucrats who were responsible for the administration of the state.

The first such people all admission to the administrative class were administered in 165 BC during the Han Dynasty by the Emperor Wen.

However, passing an exam wasn't a guarantee of employment.

Almost all civil service jobs were handed out on the basis of recommendations from

Aristocrats. The tests were mostly about categorizing those candidates who had already been recommended by those in positions in power.

The total number of people who were placed in positions of authority during this period was still quite small.

During the Three Kingdoms period which followed the Han Dynasty, a nine-ranked system was introduced during the Wei Kingdom.

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