Nine-rank System
The nine rank system (Chinese: 九品中正制; pinyin: jiǔ pǐn zhōng zhèng zhī or Chinese: 九品官人法; pinyin: jiǔ pǐn guān rén fǎ), or much less commonly nine grade controller system, was a civil service nomination system during the Three Kingdoms and the Southern and Northern Dynasties in China. Chen Qun, a court official of the Kingdom of Wei standardized its details.
Theoretically, local government authorities were given the task of selecting talented candidates, then categorizing them into nine grades depending on their abilities. In practice, however, only the rich and powerful would be selected.
The nine-rank system was eventually superseded by the Imperial examination system for the civil service in the Sui Dynasty.
A similar system was also used in Korea. In Japan the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System was adopted in 603 during the reign of Empress Suiko.
Read more about Nine-rank System: Ranking of Officials
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