FAN CHUNG-YEN

born 989, Wu, Kiangsu Province, China died 1052, China Pinyin Fan Zhongyan Chinese scholar-reformer who as minister to the Sung emperor Jen Tsung (reigned 1022/231063/64) anticipated many of the reforms of the great innovator Wang An-shih (102186). In his 10-point program, Fan attempted to abolish nepotism and corruption, reclaim unused land, equalize landholdings, create a strong local militia system, reduce the labour services required of the people, and reform the civil service examination system. He objected to the nature of the examination, which tested stylistic elegance rather than economic or administrative ability. He proposed that the examination stress problems of history and politics. To train men to understand these areas, he proposed the establishment of a national school system. The Emperor adopted the proposal in 1044 and ordered the establishment of a school in every district. An ardent foe of Buddhism, Fan was widely respected as a great Confucian scholar. He helped create an interest in the I Ching (Classic of Changes) and the Chung Yung (Doctrine of the Mean), two Confucian Classics previously neglected. He helped foster the Neo-Confucian emphasis on filial piety and helped to make the clan an important institution officially supported by the state.