Research On Jinshi In Southern Jiangsu In Song Dynasty

Talent is an important force to promote social progress.Jinshi is an significant part of talents in Song Dynasty.On the basis of The General Record of Jinshi in Song Dynasty,the statistics show that there were 1899 Jinshi in southern Jiangsu,accounting for 4.48%of the total number of Jinshi in the country.These scholars made outstanding achievements in virtue,official administration,military affairs,literature and so on.The way of serving as a person,being an official and learning still has certain reference significance to today's society.In the Song Dynasty,the southern area of Jiangsu had fertile soil,interlaced rivers and rich natural resources.The superior natural environment created favorable conditions for the development of agriculture,handicraft industry and commerce.The stable economic environment,peaceful political environment and civilized cultural environment laid a foundation for juzi(students who took exams organized by the local government)to take part in the imperial examination actively.From the perspective of time distribution,during the northern Song Dynasty,Jinshi in southern Jiangsu experienced three periods:unstable,rapid and stable development period.The first period mainly focused on the Taizu,Taizong and Zhenzong dynasties.The second period mainly focused on the Renzong,Yingzong and the early Shenzong.The proportion of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu in Shenzong Xining Sixth Year was largest compared with other years,up to 11.25%.The third period mainly focused on later Shenzong to Huizong dynasty.During the southern Song Dynasty,the status of southern Jiangsu was improved due to the shift of the national political,economic and cultural centers to the south.The economy of Pingjiang prefecture continued to develop.Jiangyin and Zhenjiang prefecture became important frontier defense towns.Jiankang prefecture became the second capital due to political needs.In this period,the number of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu went through two stages.The first stage was the Gaozong,Xiaozong and Guangzong dynasties.At this stage,the number of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu accounted for a relatively high proportion of the total number of Jinshi in the country,but the overall trend was declining.The second stage was the Ningzong,Lizong and Duzong dynasties.In the second stage,the proportion of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu was much lower than that in the first stage,and showed a continuous and rapid decline.From the perspective of geographical distribution,the distribution of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu of the Song Dynasty was not balanced.Among them,there were 527 Jinshi in Suzhou,867 Jinshi in Changzhou,117 Jinshi in Jiangyin,252 Jinshi in Runzhou and 136 Jinshi in Shengzhou.Changzhou had a large number of Jinshi,accounting for 45.66%of the total Jinshi in southern Jiangsu.However,the number of Jinshi in the southern Song Dynasty increased in all the other prefectures in southern Jiangsu,while only Changzhou showed a declining trend.The distribution of Jinshi in counties was also not balanced.Among them,Wuj in county had the largest number of Jinshi,up to 465,accounting for 53.63%of the total number of Jinshi in Changzhou.During the northern Song Dynasty,most of the Jinshi in the counties were concentrated in the prefectures.During the southern Song Dynasty,the number of Jinshi in other counties began to increase rapidly.The steady growth of the number of Jinshi was the result of the long-term stable development of economy,the rise of political status and the accumulation of school education.Changzhou had lost the advantage of school education to some extent during the southern Song Dynasty.In addition,heavy taxes and the loss of water resources hindered Changzhou's economic development.The reset of Jiangyin was not conducive to the increase of Jinshi in Changzhou.Therefore,the number of Jinshi in Changzhou decreased during the southern Song Dynasty.In addition to analyzing the living environment and distribution characteristics of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu in the Song Dynasty,we should also focus on the factors influencing Jinshi entrance examination from the micro perspective.Jinshi family is a typical among these factors.According to statistics,There were 111 Jinshi families(In this paper,the standard of Jinshi family is 2 Jinshi in a family)in southern Jiangsu in the Song Dynasty.These Jinshi families involved 315 Jinshi,accounting for 16.59%of the total number of Jinshi in southern Jiangsu.Most Jinshi families produced 2 Jinshi(accounting for 69.37%),which lasted for 1-2 generations(the proportion of Jinshi families within 2 generations is 80.18%).The formation of Jinshi family was the result of many factors,such as a certain economic basis,harmonious family environment and good family education.According to the lineage,number and social influence of 111 Jinshi families,six representative Jinshi families were selected,including Fan family in Wu county,Hu family in Jinling county,Jiang family in Yixing county,You family in Wuxi county,Ge family in Jiangyin county and Shao family in Danyang county.They played an important role in promoting economic development,carrying out political changes,promoting cultural prosperity and maintaining social stability.The consciousness of responsibility for the world of the literati in Song Dynasty gradually awakened.The literati spirit with the core of "worry before enjoy" was formed.In the background,scholars in southern Jiangsu formed their own characteristics.They pursued the way of loyalty and forgiveness,treated others leniently,and disciplined themselves strictly.In terms of official position,they devoted themselves to their duties,and knew how to stop their official career.In terms of learning,they read books with quiet mind,studied something in order to apply it,and had literary talent with elegant style and brilliant words.With their own efforts and talents,they had an important influence on the social development of Song Dynasty.