How Did Fujian Dominate Imperial Exams?
A Story of Rising from Nothing Do you know what Fujian really excelled at in ancient times? Not shipbuilding. Not trade. Exams. According to the Fujian Provincial Annals, Fujian produced a cumulative total of over 10,000 Jinshi scholars throughout history—that’s one-ninth of the national total. In the Song Dynasty alone, it was even more staggering: over 7,000 Jinshi, accounting for one-fifth of the nation’s total, ranking first per capita. So here’s the puzzle: How did this “remote wilderness” with its harsh geography become China’s premier talent hub? ...