The Unusual Life of a Song Dynasty Scholar-Official

Author: Wang Jinglun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The Song Dynasty was a paradise for scholar-officials. The imperial decree issued by Emperor Taizu prohibiting the killing of scholar-officials allowed them to live more freely, carefree, and even boldly than officials from any other dynasty. Political struggles in the Song Dynasty were relatively mild; if a minister violated the law, they were rarely executed but more often demoted or exiled to distant regions. As a result, ministers could refuse to meet an emperor who was poorly dressed, could be infatuated with young courtesans, or could even compete with the emperor in drinking contests—actions that seemed somewhat abnormal. However, this abnormality was something many modern people yearn for. In a relaxed environment, Song Dynasty scholar-officials, on the one hand, served in the world as officials, seeking the pleasures of mortal life; on the other hand, they transcended worldly concerns, exploring the beauty of nature and achieving a complementary life between Confucianism and Taoism. While most scholar-officials entered the civil service through imperial examinations for the sake of livelihood, their true desired life was one of returning to nature—a carefree, poetic, and authentic existence like fish swimming in water or birds returning to the forest, free, leisurely, and full of meaning.