元稹明经及第确切年代考

An Investigation on the Year YUAN Zhen Passed the Imperial Examination

许多文献记载,元稹年十五明经及第,但究竟是实岁还是虚岁,不同学者观点不一。大陆学者认为是虚岁,及第在贞元九年,而台湾学者张达人则认为是实岁,及第在贞元十年。证诸文献,十五应是虚岁,是元稹报名参加考试的时间,而实际及第则应在贞元十年。

In accordance with many documentary records, YUAN Zhen passed the imperial examination at the age of 15. Scholars hold different views on whether it is the actual age or the nominal age. Scholars in the mainland of China hold the view that YUAN Zhen passed the imperial examination in the year of 9 of ZHEN Yuan Period at the nominal age of 15 while ZHANG Da-ren, a scholar from Taiwan of China believes that YUAN Zhen passed the imperial examination in the year of 10 of ZHEN Yuan Period at the actual age of 15. Many documents indicate that YUAN Zhen signed up for the examination at the nominal age of 15 and actually passed the examination in the year of 10 of ZHEN Yuan Period.