This term refers to the traditional way through which men were selected and

appointed to government offices. Designed to achieve an ideal state of rule, the

method worked to select and recommend people with outstanding virtue and

talent into the system of political power and put them to official posts, where

they took charge of the governance of the country. Although the mechanism

varied from dynasty to dynasty, it always emphasized a person's moral integrity,

ability, wisdom, and family background. It basically ensured that social elites

had vertical mobility in the system of political power, and reflected the concepts

of "rule of man" and "rule of virtue."