Xiaolian (Chinese: 孝廉; literally "filial and incorrupt"), was the standard of nominating civil officers started by Emperor Wu of Han in 134 BC.
It lasted until its replacement by the imperial examination system during the Sui dynasty.
In Confucian philosophy, filial piety is a virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors.
[1] Under the advice of Dong Zhongshu, Emperor Wu ordered each commandery to recommend one filial and one incorrupt candidate for civil offices.
After the Han dynasty, high positions were usually nominated according to the Nine-rank system, so Xiaolian became increasingly unimportant.