During the Northern Song Dynasty, a talented man emerged, whose poetry, painting, and political talent were all praised as being exceptional. He was Su Shi. However, there has been ongoing debate about whether he had ever been the top scorer in the civil service exam. This article will reveal the truth about this mystery and restore a genuine image of Su Shi.

I. Su Shi's Civil Service Career

Su Shi, styled Zizhan and known as Dongpo Resident, was a renowned literary figure, painter, and politician of the Northern Song Dynasty. His life was filled with legendary moments, but the question of whether he had ever been the top scorer in the civil service exam has always been controversial. According to historical records, Su Shi had three opportunities to participate in the civil service exam, which were in the second year of Jiayou (1057), the fifth year of Jiayou (1060), and the second year of Zhiping (1065).

II. Su Shi's First Civil Service Exam

In the second year of Jiayou (1057), when Su Shi was 21 years old, he participated in the civil service exam for the first time. He achieved the rank of Jinshi with his essay "On Poetry". However, due to the regulations of the civil service exam at that time, Jinshi candidates needed to undergo an additional palace examination to become the top scorer. Therefore, Su Shi did not receive the title of top scorer in this exam.

III. Su Shi's Second Civil Service Exam

In the fifth year of Jiayou (1060), Su Shi participated in the civil service exam again. He achieved the rank of Jinshi with his essay "Chibi Preface". Similarly, due to the regulations of the civil service exam, Jinshi candidates needed to undergo an additional palace examination to become the top scorer. Therefore, Su Shi did not receive the title of top scorer in this exam.

IV. Su Shi's Third Civil Service Exam

In the second year of Zhiping (1065), Su Shi participated in the civil service exam for the third time. He achieved the rank of Jinshi with his essay "Preface to the Former Chibi". However, unfortunately, in this exam, Su Shi did not receive the title of top scorer.

V. Conclusion

In summary, although Su Shi achieved the rank of Jinshi in all three civil service exams, due to the regulations of the exam at that time, Jinshi candidates needed to undergo an additional palace examination to become the top scorer. Therefore, Su Shi did not become the top scorer. However, this does not affect his remarkable achievements in literature, painting, and politics, and he remains an outstanding figure of the Northern Song Dynasty.

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