While most critisim against the “eight-legged essay” (baguwen) were true, these was a reason to do so. > mindlessly memorize classical texts and reproduce them

While most critisim against the “eight-legged essay” (baguwen) were true, these was a reason to do so. > mindlessly memorize classical texts and reproduce them in calligraphic writing in a strictly parallel format Before the selected "classical texts", nobel family can easily outperform other competitors by studying obscure non-classical texts from non-popular books, which the common public had no access to. Although China did invent the printing press first, but still some academic books were passed on only in a small circle. So children of the elites can easily ace the civil examination in imperial court. It was similar how private univsecities exclude Jews or colored people by introducing Latin or Greek exams in the past. During the Ming dynasty, the "eight-legged essay" was invented and enforced. Creativity was eliminated for the sake of "fairness". The exam only allows courses from classical texts where everyone had a copy, namely the "Five Classics" & the "Four Books", and the essay were narrowed down to a specific format so poor family can afford a small tutor fee.