Guo Youzhi cupped his hands and returned the greeting, shifting aside to offer half his straw mat and invite Fei Yi to sit with him. Then he asked, "Brother Fei, do you support New Learning or Old Learning?"
Throughout the Imperial Court and beyond, people called this debate the Old and New Learning Dispute, a dispute between the Reformists and the Conservatives.
"Naturally, I support the Imperial Academy."
Without hesitation, Fei Yi said, "For people of humble origins like us, securing a recommendation is undoubtedly as difficult as ascending to heaven. The Imperial Academy is our only way forward."
"Besides, the Imperial Academy's New Learning isn't like the Hongdu School's useless arts of calligraphy, painting, and composing rhapsodies. The Imperial Academy's Four Great New Learning all benefit the nation and strike directly at the foundations of governance. I came to Chang'an this time precisely to study there."
Guo Youzhi's eyes lit up at this, and he said happily, "I never expected you to share my views, Brother Wenwei. I also intend to study at the Imperial Academy."
"But I've heard the entrance examination is quite difficult. I don't know whether I can pass."
"Just do your best," Fei Yi said with a smile. "Since we both intend to study at the Imperial Academy, why not go together?"
"Excellent!"
Guo Youzhi readily agreed, then asked, "Brother Wenwei, who do you think will win this debate?"
Fei Yi thought for a moment. "That's hard to say. Each side has its advantages, and we can't draw a conclusion yet."
"But I think... the Imperial Academy has a better chance of winning."
Although he had received a Confucian education since childhood, he also knew that traditional Confucianism had its limitations.
There was certainly nothing wrong with using it to educate the people and urge