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Development of the Civil Service

Before the beginning of our magnificent Song dynasty, China suffered under a period of unrest. Many nobles seized power and plotted to weaken the imperial throne. It was a time of war and chaos, harmful to all in China. Then, about 150 years ago, General Zhao Kuangyin reunified China. Under glorious Song rule, China has prospered greatly. Cities have increased in size and number, trade has flourished throughout the land, and many of the arts have reached new heights.

The old administration, limited as it was to the nobility, would not have been adequate to handle these changes. Thus, it was necessary to ensure that the Civil Service grew and developed along with the country. The Song Emperors decreed that the Civil Service should be expanded and its authority centralized in order to establish and maintain peace and harmony in the provinces.

Development of the Civil Service
How the Civil Service operates
The examinations