This rubbing was taken from one of the 82 stone steles at the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Inscriptions on these tablets were carved in classical Chinese which was the language of officialdom at this time. The tablets were set onto bases carved in the form of tortoises. The inscription on this stone tablet affirms the importance of the examinations to identify talent, and applauds the emperor for his wisdom in implementing the examinations. The names of the successful candidates who took the imperial exams in 1656 are also listed at the end of the inscription.
