Regional disparities in Jinshi distribution reveal economic and cultural divides in Henan.
The study looked at the distribution of scholars passing the imperial examination in Henan province during the Ming and Qing dynasties. They found that Henan was once a cultural hub, but the number of successful scholars decreased from the Yuan dynasty onwards. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Henan had medium numbers of successful scholars compared to other regions in China. There were significant regional differences within Henan, influenced by local economy and cultural customs.