Game concept · All Under Heaven
Merit
The game also links it as Meritorious.
From the game's encyclopedia
A Character's Merit tracks their progress to the next Merit Rank. All characters with an Elder or Disciples produce a passive Merit gain.
Governors can increase their Merit by constructing Buildings in their assigned Holdings, going on an Inspection Activity, participating in a Debate and attending Examinations.
Standard governors increase their monthly merit gain by paying more Taxes to their Liege, while Military governors increase it by creating Men-at-Arms.
Non-Governors can attempt to increase it by attending Examinations.
The game's text for patch 1.20.1.2. Words in blue are entries of the encyclopedia: hover one to read it, as in the game.
Merit is an entry of Crusader Kings III's in-game encyclopedia (All Under Heaven). The game explains it: "A Character's Merit tracks their progress to the next Merit Rank." It covers Merit Rank and Civil Service Examination. The game also links it as Meritorious. Patch 1.20.1.2, from game/common/game_concepts/tgp_game_concepts.txt and game/localization/english/game_concepts_l_english.yml.
Source: game/common/game_concepts/tgp_game_concepts.txt, game/localization/english/game_concepts_l_english.yml and the English localisation, Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2.