Although Public Schools had so far opened only in the more populous commanderies and counties of each province, this was merely the beginning.
Moreover, the feedback received so far had been quite good.
Because attendance was free, many children from common families went to the schools of their own accord to listen to lessons, something utterly unimaginable in the past.
The clear sound of recitation began echoing through every corner of Great Han.
The seeds of New Learning had thus been sown...
As for Xu Shu, although he had said little during the debate, this victory had also brought him more attention at the Imperial Court.
He assisted Guo Jia in secretly preparing pilot reforms of the Recommendation System, selecting places where aristocratic influence was weak and the people were simple and honest, while privately negotiating with key figures among the Great Aristocratic Clans, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of the reforms in an attempt to reduce resistance to their future implementation.
Meanwhile, the people Zheng Xuan had recommended also entered the Imperial Academy one after another.
Although Confucianism had various shortcomings, it also had various merits, and one thing Zheng Xuan had said during the debate was correct.
The foundation of Confucianism lay in setting people's hearts right and fostering wholesome customs.
Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness must never be discarded.
They were where a nation's spirit lay.
This was also why the Imperial Academy had incorporated Confucianism into its politics curriculum for students to continue studying.
With these great Confucians joining the Imperial Academy, its shortage of teaching staff was greatly alleviated.
For as great Confucians, they were versed not only in Confucianism but could also draw connections across disciplines, possessing considerable insights into mathematics and criminal law.
A Confucian scholar was a teacher.
If their learning