Scholar-officials in China were a group of educated and cultured individuals who held both literary and administrative positions in the government during the imperial era. They were selected through the imperial examination system, which tested their knowledge and understanding of Confucianism and other classical texts. Scholar-officials were responsible for the administration of local government, taxation, and the administration of justice. They held significant power and influence over society and helped to shape Chinese cultural and intellectual life through their writings and teachings. They played an important role in the governance of China for over a thousand years and their legacy continues to be felt in the country today.