The+Civil+Service+test

=**The Tang Dynasty’s Civil Services Test**= By: Ellie

This entire consists of a made up ancient Chinese peasant who seeks a good fortune as a government official. Yet he is unable to accomplish this goal. Finally the tang dynasty has opened an opportunity of a lifetime and he may be able to fulfill his dreams. This opportunity is the Civil Service Test. The test was designed so that anyone, man, woman, peasant, or nobleman can become a government official. This man is about to go on a journey of a lifetime!

May 27 Dear diary, I have always looked up to the noble men of china and the important roll they play on our community. Ever since I was a child I knew that I wanted to work within the government! Yet the path my life has led me down, a poor peasant farmer who must work exceedingly long hours to live an adequate life and feed a family of 8, has not aloud me to fulfill my dreams. To add on to this stress and frustration, the Mongols have recently bombarded our village, which have forced us to migrate down south. The only upside to this is that that the Tang dynasty is thankfully giving free plots of land down south to poor peasant farmers like myself. The migration isn’t easy, but it will provide a better future for my family and me. At least everyone there will be in the same boat as us so making friends won’t be to hard. Sincerely, Shuang Plaiang

May 30 Dear Diary, Yesterday we arrived in our new town down south. We also finished our house. It isn’t as elaborate as our neighbors with decorative symbolic carvings but it will do. Last night we got a chance to meet our neighbors. They were very nice and engaged us in all the talk around the village. I had never been so interested in my life! I mainly had my ears open when Li Shug was talking about the new civil services tests that Tang was incorporating in there government. I knew then that this was destiny! We said our good-byes that night and when to bed. I have never slept so well.

Sincerely, Shuang Plaiang June 4 Dear Diary, Last night I dreamt that I was dressed in my best and taking the test! In the dream I ran home to the village with my hat and A+ blowing in the wind and the sun setting behind my back! And the next morning my family and I were off to the city, where my new job and elaborately carved house was awaiting us! Yet when my youngest shook me back to reality, I was back to the farm. This time my shovel was awaiting me and the rice fields were calling. This afternoon I’m going to meet up with Li Shug again. Hopefully he can guide me in the right direction. Sincerely, Shuang Plaiang June 5 Dear Diary, Last night I packed my things and set off with my neighbor Li Shig, who was also gitty to fulfill my dream. We had been quizzing each other with books we collected when we saw the city in the distance. We shoved the books in our bags and ran towards the city hall. As we approached we the heart of the neighborhood we noticed an exceedingly long wait for the test coming out of the building. It was getting late, and we had to find a place to stay. Tomorrow morning we would go to the hall and take the test. Sincerely, Shuang Plaiang

June 6 Dear Diary, We woke up this morning, dressed in our finest clothes and made our way to the testing room. There were a number of wives, combing there husbands hair and fixing there clothes to look as good as thoughts old rages could possibly get. We had no one to look to for help except ourselves. Finally we were called into the testing hall. As I took the pen in my hand I felt the sweat starting to drip from my face. All that I had been practicing seemed to be slipping from my mind like a snake. Everything was slipping away, even the pen! Then I had to knock some sense into myself. “You have wanted this your whole life and finally the Tang dynasty is giving you a chance to be a government official and you have studied for this long and hard you can do this!” Though my nerves were getting the better of me I still got through the test. I was back in the waiting room when Li came out. His face was red and I could tell that he had gone through the same anxiety as I had. We embraced and suspensefuly waited together. Sincerely, Shuang Paiang June 21

Dear Diary, We just finished our huge feast at my new house in the city with the two families. Li and I Both got positions in the government office because of the Tang Dynasties Civil Service Test. I have never been so happy! Now with my new job I can afford to feed my family and live a happy life! Sincerely, Shuang Plaiang

Questions:

1: What Dynasty does this story take place in?