Jing Shi Xing Juan and Literature in Early Song Dynasty

As happened in the Tang Dynasty, Jing Shi Xing Juan ( the candidates for imperial examination submit their works to senior officials and famous writers in order to gain reputation ) still existed in early Song Dynasty, which has not been recognized by academic circles. The author holds that Xing Juan came to an end in Zhenzong and Renzong period just because of the reform in imperial examination, in which people attached importance to examination papers instead of private prestige. According to different historical and political backgrounds, Xing Juan in early Song Dynasty focused on literary opinions, which differed from that in the Tang Dynasty. Scholars in the Song Dynasty became friends just for common literary thoughts or propositions. While in the Tang Dynasty, the association of scholars proceed from relying and depending on each other in politics. For this reason, Xing Juan has not only become an important means in gathering the main force of Literary Reform Movement in North Song Dynasty but has laid a foundation for the forming of literary groups.