"That idea of yours is very interesting."
Zhang Zai was surprised to hear Wei Nisheng express interest.
After all, talk of ghosts and spirits had been taboo throughout the dynasties, and few people discussed it.
He had thought Wei Nisheng would rebuke him like everyone else for disrespecting ghosts and spirits.
He had never expected Wei Nisheng to react this way!!
"Now this is a friend who understands my heart!
Bo Ya played the zither, and Zhong Ziqi listened!"
At that moment, Wei Nisheng looked at Zhang Zai and said,
"Zihou, when discussing scholarly theories, we should refine them through debate!"
"Why don't we..."
"Explore scholarship through debate!!"
Zhang Zai and Wei Nisheng spoke in unison.
Then they exchanged a smile.
"Haha, since you are willing, Zihou, forgive me for what follows..."
Wei Nisheng set down his teacup, stood, straightened his robes and headwear, and offered a scholar's salute.
"I shall argue against your proposition."
Zhang Zai paused, then rose as well, his blue robes falling neatly around him, his face alight with a smile.
He adjusted his sleeves and returned the clasped-hands salute, his bearing composed and his voice clear.
"Since I put forward the proposition, I shall naturally defend it."
The two stood facing each other across a stone table.
Qu Niang listened to the commotion from beneath the veranda.
Cui Fu poked his head out from the gatehouse.
There was no helping it. Talk of ghosts and spirits never failed to draw people in!
Wei Nisheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze open and steady. He began by citing the classics, speaking at an unhurried pace.
"Zhang Zihou, you hold that ghosts and spirits are the inherent capacities of the two forces, yin and yang.
Yet the 'Meaning of Sacrifices' in the Book