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Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
Celestial Court Music
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Celestial Court Music

You Tong, despite being a rare talent since childhood, failed the imperial examinations on several occasions. But later, soon after being appointed as an official in his middle age, You was falsely accused and resigned in anger. In 1657, he then penned the drama Celestial Court Music to satirize the unfairness of the exam system. Its contents revolve around how a truly talented scholar failed the exam due to the corrupt practices of the examination officials, leading the student to die out of resentment. While being performed, a case of malpractice happened to occur at the Jiangnan provincial exam in 1657, prompting an anonymous author to write Records of Ten Thousand Gold, which likewise satirizes the acceptance of bribes by examination officials. Celestial Court Music and Records of Ten Thousand Gold were thus mistakenly viewed as being related, thereby almost imperiling You Tong.
Item No.
SZ 853.61 0295 v.5:28
Notes
Written by You Tong (1618–1704)

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