自从隋朝开科取士以来,历经唐、宋、元、明、清,科举制度成为支撑封建王朝政治的重要支柱。当年唐太宗李世民看见新科进士从端门列队而出,得意忘形之际,禁不住感慨地说:“天下英雄尽入吾彀中矣!”弓箭射程之内称为彀中。在他看来,科举制度乃是使英雄就范的手段,是“牢笼志士,驱策英才”的良策。然而,尽入封建王朝“彀中”的是什么“英雄”呢?这不禁让我想起了明末、晚清科举考试中的三则轶事。 Since the Sui Dynasty opened up the subject of science, after the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, imperial examination system became an important pillar to support the feudal dynasty politics. Tang Shizong Li Shimin then saw the new Jinshi lined the door from the end, proudly occasionally, could not help but said with emotion: “Heroes into the world!” Bow and arrow within the range called. In his opinion, the imperial examination system is a means to enable heroes to act in an exemplary manner and is a good policy of “persuading cliches and encouraging excellence.” However, what is the “hero” of the feudal dynasty? It reminds me of three anecdotes in the imperial examination in the late Ming and late Qing dynasties.