Ye Shi

Timeline

1. 1165–1179Yongjia, Wenzhou · YongjiaBorn in Yongjia, Wenzhou, he studied from an early age, entered the Imperial Academy in the fifth Chunxi year, and associated with Chen Liang and others, forming the embryonic practical thought of the Yongjia school.
2. 1180Lin'an Prefecture · Lin'an PrefecturePlaced third in the seventh Chunxi year's jinshi examination; because the examiner was his clansman Ye Ci, he was by convention moved to third place to avoid suspicion; he thereby entered officialdom, beginning a political career spanning the reigns of Emperors Xiaozong and Guangzong.
3. 1181–1188Lin'an Prefecture · Lin'an PrefectureAfter passing the examination he held low-ranking posts such as Corrector in the Secretariat and lecturer, observing in the capital the late-reign debates of Emperor Xiaozong over war, peace, and finance, while continuing to expound the Yongjia school's statecraft thought.
4. 1189–1194Lin'an Prefecture · Lin'an PrefectureAfter Emperor Guangzong's accession he continued serving at court, personally witnessing the political shifts of the early Shaoxi era; later he held local offices, his scholarly reputation growing until he became the core of the Yongjia school.