Abstract:

In the 1300 years after the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the imperial examination system of“choosing by examinations” became the principal way to select officials. By the middle of the nineteenth century, when China simultaneously faced domestic troubles and foreign invasion, the country faced widespread fiscal exigencies and the government began to grant degrees to financial donors and to promote individuals based on military achievements. This opened another route for individuals to win honor and achieve promotion other than through imperial examinations. Although donations and recommendation were different ways, over several few decades many officials followed these new routes, and this had gradually had an impact on the imperial examination system. Eventually, these developments changed the original meaning of the old way of selecting officials. In effect, theimperial examination system had already lost its future even before it was ended.

Key words: turmoil, donation, recommendation, imperial examination system

摘要：

隋唐之后的一千三百年里，“以试为选”的科举制度成为选官取士的主要路径。至19世纪中期，时逢内忧外患，交迫所及，遂因四海穷困而广开捐例，因战争蔓延而保举军功，于科举入仕之外别开一种路径，即所谓“天下有事，功名多途”。之后天下有事了无止境，功名多途也了无止境。捐纳、保举虽属异途，却以其数十年之间成千上万造官汇成的庞大数量累积，节节伸展地形成对于科举制度的冲击和挤压，影响和扼制，并最终改变了科举制度的本义和科举取士的旧轨。而后是科举制度犹未停置，科举取士已前途失路。

关键词: 天下有事, 捐纳, 保举, 科举制度