Scholar-official system

The scholar-official system was an administrative framework in ancient China where government officials were chosen based on their knowledge of Confucian texts through rigorous exams. These officials, called literati or scholar-officials, managed state affairs, implemented policies, and upheld Confucian ideals of morality and governance. This merit-based system aimed to ensure competent leadership, reducing the influence of aristocratic birthrights. It emphasized education and intellectual ability, fostering a bureaucracy composed of trained, skilled individuals responsible for maintaining social order and stability across the empire.