Increased learning
vThe emergence scholar gentry class had much to do with the Song commitment to rule by civilian bureaucrats (at the expense of the military) chosen by examination.
vIn a society in which most people were illiterate, or at best semi-literate, the elite stood out by virtue of their reading and writing skills.
vMale learning was particularly stressed since it gave access to the examinations.
vThe majority of examination candidates failed, but studying for the examinations produced men throughout the land who were educated in the same classic texts.
