China's first Top Scholar praised as outspoken

Sun Fujia, from Wucheng county of Dezhou city in East China's Shandong province, was the first-ever Top Scholar in the ancient Chinese imperial examinations.

In the first year of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Sun was appointed as an imperial censor by Emperor Li Yuan because of the outstanding statements he composed.

Later, Emperor Li Shimin declared a total amnesty after pacifying the people of Dongdu, currently known as Luoyang in Henan province. However, he still wanted to punish the traitors and their followers by exiling them to remote areas.

Sun urged Emperor Li Shimin to keep his promise of amnesty, which would benefit countless people. Sun was later praised for having a sense of unity and righteousness.

In the year 622, Sun was removed from his official position due to a petition error. He then participated in the imperial examinations for the second time, and ranked as the Top Scholar, thus restoring his official role.

Sun was both loyal and sincere. He dared to speak up and advise the emperor, while also being magnanimous and calm.

He retired from his official post in the year 654, due to old age, and later died in his home in the year 658. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)