Red Scroll for the Second Session of the Jiangnan Township
Examination in the Fifth Year of Guangxu

This is a red-ink exam answering paper for examiners to review candidates' answers in the 1879 township examination. In the Qing Dynasty, candidates wrote their answers using black ink on paper known as 'ink scrolls'. After collecting the ink scrolls, they were sealed to conceal the candidates' personal information. Then, a copy was transcribed using red ink, known as the 'red scrolls', to avoid revealing the candidates' identities through the handwriting.

When examiners reviewed these red scrolls, they used different colored ink pens for circling, underlining, and making comments. This color-coding system helped differentiate the roles and responsibilities of various officials involved in the grading process. It was particularly useful because after the results were announced, candidates could retrieve their own red scrolls, and if they had any doubts or disputes about the grading, they could appeal.