缪种流传 — “Erroneous ideas”

During the Song Dynasty, He Dan observed the lax imperial civil service examination system, where bribery was rampant in examination halls. This allowed individuals without genuine talent or learning to opportunistically gain official positions.

He submitted a memorial to the imperial court, pointing out the various shortcomings and harms of the previous examinations. He argued that if the examinations were not strict, the quality of the selected officials would be low. Then, a few years later, when these unqualified individuals presided over examinations, it would inevitably lead to a situation where the roots of error would be passed down through generations.