Etymology

The name of this title traces its origin back to the Book of Documents (also known as the Shû King through the translation of James Legge) which is written in old Chinese language. In the chapter "The establishment of government"(立政), the phrase "All good men of constant virtue (庶常吉士)" which is pronounced as "Shuchangjishi" appeared during a conversation between Zhougong, a moral model of Confucianism, and King Cheng of Zhou, the ruler of China in the early 11th century BC. Zhougong asks his nephew King of China to appoint officials with great care and prudence. He elaborated on the subject of the selection of officials and its significance in relation to the well-being of the government. All good men of constant virtue, according to Zhougong, are the ones that are to be trusted and assigned with important tasks.

Official use

In Ming China and Qing China, The title Shujishi is granted solely to the Jinshi rank. The Jinshi are a group of intellectuals that has passed the imperial exams.

The Shujishi was installed in the year of 1385 by the decree of Emperor Taizu of Ming, it was the 18th year of his rule when Shujishi first appeared in the records of history. Novices of the Jinshi rank undergo a process of selection and some of them are bestowed the title Shujishi. Once became Shujishi, they work as apprentice in the Hanlin Academy with the purpose of perfecting their skills of administration. During the reign of emperor Yinzong of Ming, the definition of Shujishi was narrowed down. Jinshi from the second place(二甲) or the third place(三甲) who are outstanding in terms of virtue are selected to be Shujishi in the Hanlin Academy. These elite Jinshi are called "Academy's selection"(馆选). The Jinshi who obtained top place in the imperial exams received more privileged titles such as Xiuzhuan(修撰) and Bianxiu(编修). However, Xiuzhuan and Bianxiu are distinct titles that are different from Shujishi.

A stricter standard was applied during the reign of emperor Shizong of Qing. All Shujishi hold the title for a term of three years before been officially examined. During the three year long period, they study with experienced scholars in the Hanlin Academy. These Shujishi who had not received an official examination were called Sanguan(散馆). Once Sanguan's knowledge were examined, those who were able to achieve success in their study will be formally accepted as a scholar of the Hanlin academy while those who were inferior to their peer Shujishi will be allotted to other departments of government.

沿革

明太祖洪武十八年（1385年）时开始此制，选进士于六部诸司及翰林院之下观政。翰林院、承敕监等近傍衙门之下者称庶吉士，六部之下者称观政进士，行人司下设行人。之后观政集中至翰林院就学于文渊阁。庶吉士考选之后「有办事者，有读书者，有修书者」。三年学成，绩优者留翰林院为编修、检讨，次者出为给事、御史，称之为「散馆」。明英宗以后惯例，科举进士一甲状元、探花、榜眼，授予翰林修撰、编修。另外从二甲、三甲中，选择年轻而才华出众者入翰林院任庶吉士，称为「选馆」。庶吉士分翰林、六科两等。

有学者认为明朝庶吉士应无薪俸。由于庶吉士并未授职，自然没有品第，也应该是没有俸禄的，即使政府另有给养，也只应视为生活补贴。明代的翰林为朝廷储备高才之地。明英宗后有惯例：「非进士不入翰林，非翰林不入内阁。」故此庶吉士号称「储相」，成为庶吉士的都有机会平步青云。清朝时汉人大臣中，亦多出于庶吉士。

清雍正以后，选馆更为严格，由皇帝主持之朝考决定。庶吉士一般为期三年，期间由翰林院内经验丰富者为教习，授以各种知识。三年后，在下次会试前进行考核，称「散馆」。成绩优异者留于翰林，授编修或检讨，正式成为翰林，称「留馆」。其他则被派往六部任「主事行走」、「御史行走」，或者外派各地方任官，通常是知县，此类庶吉士亦有「半个翰林」之称。

注释

参考书目

• 阪仓笃秀《关于成化元年的散馆请求———明朝庶吉士制度检讨》

• 王淳庆《清华之选———明代庶吉士考选与教习馆课变迁考》