晚清优拔贡的出路——兼论清末的官多为患问题

The Career Prospects of Youbagong Degree Candidates in The Late Qing Dynasty: A Reflection on Official Arrogance and the Nation’s Demise

1905年清廷停废科举后,继续保留了之前辅助性的优拔等考试作为善后之策,由此优拔贡考试也变得炙手可热,无形中取代了之前乡会试的作用,吸引了大量考生特别是具有新式出身的人与考。实际上,优拔考试之地位远不如科举未废前的乡会试,而且优拔贡的现实出路也并不好,多数中选者难以得到实缺,这种局面的存在无疑又进一步加剧了晚清以来的官多为患局面,被不少人认为是清朝灭亡的造因。

After the abolishment of the imperial examination in 1905,the Qing court retained some auxiliary examinations such as Youbagong as alternatives to deal with aftermath.Afterwards the Youbagong examination became a popular option and virtually replaced the traditional provincial and central levels imperial examinations.The new examinations attracted many candidates,especially those with backgrounds in modern education.Nevertheless,the social status brought by the Youbagong degree was far inferior to the status of the traditional imperial examination degrees.Also,the prospects for the Youbagong candidates were not so bright,and most found it difficult to achieve a position in the government.Undoubtedly,official arrogance aggravated the dilemma and the suffering of the Qing court,and was considered by many as the cause of the dynasty’s demise.