Zhang Juzheng (1525-1582), a reformer and senior statesman during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

At a young age, Zhang was renowned as a prodigy. He passed the preliminary county level keju test at the age of 12 and enrolled for the provincial examinations the following year. But the chief examiner failed him in order to prevent him from becoming complacent. Finally, he passed the Imperial Examinations at 22. Knowing his first failure was planned by the chief examiner, he did not dislike him but was thankful to him for causing such frustration. During his prime he served as as Prime Minister and initiated a series of reforms.

A statue of Zhang Juzheng at his garden in Jingzhou, Hubei province, Jan 15, 2005. [Photo/CFP]