An explorer and practitioner of the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi once “succeeded three times in the imperial examination within ten years”, successfully admitted in the examinations of civic service, secretaryselection and talented workers. Bai made careful preparations before the examinations, challenging himself by particular selfmade exam items. Those imitated Fupoems, discussions and analyses he made before examinations became the models other candidates tried hard to obtain. Bai took a favorable attitude to the examinations and hated the fickle style and trend of seeking inglorious help. From a meritocratic perspective he advocated selecting talented workers regardless of their backgrounds. Understanding well hardships in the imperial examinations and holding a tolerant and kind attitude, Bai Juyi showed the greatest possible sympathy with and understanding to those candidates and exam officials who played cheats in the examinations.

Bai Juyi; the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty; poetry and prose in the Tang Dynasty; view of the imperial examination