Wong Tai Sin Sign 10蘇秦不第Scholar Su Qin's Failed Examination

Su Qin was a brilliant scholar during China's Warring States period who faced repeated failure in the imperial examinations. Despite his intelligence and preparation, he couldn't pass the tests that would grant him an official position. He returned home humiliated, scorned by his family and friends who saw his failures as personal shortcomings. His wife wouldn't even cook for him. But Su Qin didn't give up. He continued studying, eventually becoming one of history's most successful diplomats, convincing six kingdoms to unite against the powerful Qin state. His story became a symbol of perseverance through temporary setbacks. The examination system he struggled with was the backbone of Chinese society for over a thousand years, making his early failures particularly meaningful to anyone facing career or academic obstacles.