Final answer:
The Tang-era Chinese government allowed people from all classes to compete for prestigious bureaucratic positions based on a merit-based exam system and influential connections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Tang-era Chinese government allowed people from all classes to compete for prestigious bureaucratic positions based on a merit-based exam system.
The civil service exams were open to all in theory, but certain groups, such as women, the sons of merchants, and those who could not afford a classical education, were excluded until the late Tang period.
To become a government official, individuals needed to demonstrate their literary achievements or have influential connections to prestigious families.