Brief History of the Wuju System

Author: Xu Yougen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: To improve the quality of candidates for the military examination system and better implement the military examination system, feudal states also established "military academies" known as Wuxue. Wuxue was first established during the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, and it was perfected during the Song Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, Wuxue were set up in the capital and various prefectures, recruiting low-level officials, members of the aristocracy, and commoners. After three years of study, students who met the standards in martial arts skills and military theory were eligible to take the military examination. Those with outstanding performance could also be directly appointed as officials after passing the imperial examination in the emperor's presence. In this way, the military examination system was closely integrated with school education. From the two Song dynasties to the Ming and Qing dynasties, Wuxue education remained an important means for feudal states to cultivate martial arts talents, and Wuxue schools became training bases for reserve military commanders, thus receiving high attention from educators and military strategists. In the history of ancient school education, the interaction and mutual influence between Wuxue and the military examination system are a noteworthy historical phenomenon.