泥塑科场鬼Clay Sculpture of an Examination Hall Ghost

古代考场很荒唐 孝前试院会招魂 先行祭祖积阴德 再祀恩鬼和仇鬼 死于科场心生怨 落榜成为科场鬼 从此纠缠读书人 生前苦读为哪般 Ancient examination halls were absurd. Before the examinations, spirits were summoned. First, ancestral sacrifices were offered to accumulate good karma. Then, offerings were made to both benevolent and vengeful spirits. Those who died in the examinations harbored resentment. Those who failed became examination hall ghosts, haunting scholars from then on. What was the point of their arduous studies in life?