明代南北卷與南北解額

The Correlation between the Quota Proportion of Provincial and Metropolitan Examinations in the Ming Dynasty

會試分卷，是明代科舉的一大特色，但南北卷設置的理念和依據，史載不詳。本文從南北實際範圍入手，探討了會試份額與南北解額的關係，結論是：明代前期初設南北卷時，以四川、雲南屬北卷。洪熙改制，依洪武舊制，按舉人即人才的觀念，將會試份額匹配新定南北解額的比例，以平衡南北、優待北方。明代中期的會試份額變動，與南北解額的比例息息相關。對南北解額比例的限定，大大減少了南方士子參加會試的機會，所謂分地取士，很大程度上是在鄉試實現的。 In the Ming dynasty civil service examination system, the metropolitan examination (huishi 會試) admissions quota was determined according to northern and southern divisions. The basis and origin of this allocation scheme demands an explanation. Given that two provinces in southern China, Sichuan and Yunnan, belonged to the northern division in the original north-south quota plan, this paper argues that the north-south quota used in the metropolitan examinations was not invented casually, but based on that of the provincial examination (xiangshi 鄉試), as well as the regulations from the Song to the early Ming dynasty. Variations in the metropolitan examination quota in the mid-Ming dynasty also reflected variations in the provincial examination quota. Therefore, this paper argues, the territorial balance of the Ming metropolitan examination was largely achieved in the provincial examination.

In the Ming dynasty civil service examination system, the metropolitan examination (huishi 會試) admissions quota was determined according to northern and southern divisions. The basis and origin of this allocation scheme demands an explanation. Given that two provinces in southern China, Sichuan and Yunnan, belonged to the northern division in the original north-south quota plan, this paper argues that the north-south quota used in the metropolitan examinations was not invented casually, but based on that of the provincial examination (xiangshi 鄉試), as well as the regulations from the Song to the early Ming dynasty. Variations in the metropolitan examination quota in the mid-Ming dynasty also reflected variations in the provincial examination quota. Therefore, this paper argues, the territorial balance of the Ming metropolitan examination was largely achieved in the provincial examination.