Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Conventions ix
4. Introduction 1
5. Part I Becoming Mainstream: “Way Learning” during the Late Empire
6. 1. Ming Imperial Power, Cultural Politics, and Civil Examinations 13
7. 2. Ming to Qing: “Way Learning” Standards and the 8- Legged Essay 46
8. Part II Unintended Consequences of Civil Examinations
9. 3. Circulation of Ming- Qing Elites 95
10. 4. Classical Literacy in Late Imperial China 126
11. 5. Anxiety, Dreams, and the Examination Life 147
12. Part III Retooling Civil Examinations to Suit Changing Times
13. 6. Limits of Dynastic Power 213
14. 7. From Ming to Qing Policy Questions 250
15. 8. Curricular Reform: From Qing to the Taipings 280
16. Appendixes
17. 1. Dates of Chinese Dynasties 323
18. 2. Emperors of the Great Ming (1368– 1644) 325
19. 3. Emperors of the Great Qing (1644– 1911) 327
20. Abbreviations 329
21. Notes 333
22. Acknowledgments 387
23. Index 391