the emperor paid for free education.Only boys were allowed to study.They typically used to start school when they were about six years old,and there was one teacher for the whole school.There weren't any math or science lessons.Students learned to read and write,and they used to memorize pages of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius.His teachings stressed the importance if duty,family,and hard work.Boys used to work very hard to pass the government tests.Students with the highest scores could get a job in the government.Around 500 A.D.,girls also began to learn how to read and write in Buddhist temples,which were spreading in China.