Neither knew how long they had talked. Cao Mao had already risen to leave when he finally remembered why he had come!
Wait! I came to find someone to take the... to discuss policy!
Cao Mao hurriedly told Pei Xiu why he had come.
"Shouldn't we make some slight changes to the Imperial Academy's admissions system?"
Cao Mao brought up the many unreasonable aspects of the Imperial Academy's current admissions system.
Pei Xiu, however, could discuss the matter with Cao Mao from another angle. For instance, Cao Mao felt it was highly inappropriate for Classics Masters to recruit disciples directly. Didn't that give them an opportunity to recruit their own relatives?
What school had its teachers recruit students themselves?
But Pei Xiu said, "Your Majesty, Classics Masters are famous scholars. To pass on their learning, they must choose suitable candidates. Many famous scholars already have numerous disciples when they come to the Imperial Academy. If we deny them this authority, what are their existing disciples to do? Unless we simply stop recruiting famous scholars who have disciples."
"But what famous scholar qualified to be invited to the Imperial Academy as a Classics Master would have no disciples?"
"Your Majesty need not worry that they will use these places to favor their own people. They might indulge in favoritism in other matters, but not in scholarship, especially Classical Studies."
"Classical Studies depend heavily on talent and are the very foundation of their standing. The students these Classics Masters recruit represent them whenever they go out into the world. They would not dare recklessly recruit idle mediocrities. Those they recruit are all talented worthies..."
Cao Mao then brought up recommendations by local officials.
Pei Xiu explained again, "Your Majesty, this is actually the best route into the Imperial Academy for those from