During the Song period, entry into the government bureaucracy was based on (social status. The merit system family wealth success in trade

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During the Song period in China, entry into the government bureaucracy was primarily based on the merit system. This system was established through the civil service examination, which allowed individuals, regardless of their social status or family wealth, to achieve government positions based on their knowledge and ability, particularly in Confucian texts and other scholarly subjects. This meritocratic approach marked a significant shift from previous practices that favored aristocratic lineage, and it provided opportunities for talented individuals from lower social classes to rise through the ranks based on their examination success.