Chapter 107: The Debate Begins, The Contend for Three Seats

On March 10th, the weather was clear.

The Imperial Academy had long been bustling with noise and excitement.

In addition to the officials and students of the Imperial Academy, there were as many as three hundred attendees, ranging from the high-ranking officials of the six ministries in the imperial court to the seventh and eighth-ranked officials.

It made sense for the civil officials to come, and Cheng Shizhou could understand that. But why you Xu Huizu bring a group of military officers?

Even if you wanted to support Xu Miaojin, was it necessary to bring so many people?

Well, we had to give face to the Duke of Wei, so you could sit in the front row.

Wait, who is this?

Oh, a fifth-ranked official? Stand to the side.

Xie Jin sat in the front row, glanced at Yu Xin and Zhang Dan on his left, didn’t say much, but turned his face slightly, leaving an empty seat between them. Then he asked Xu Huizu on his right, “Duke of Wei, any news from the navy?”

Xu Huizu shook his head slightly and said, “No news has come yet, but it is rumored that the Japanese pirates have started to gather and form groups. This may not be a good sign. The commandery has already ordered coastal garrisons to be on high alert.”

Xie Jin squinted his eyes slightly. Japanese pirates gathering and forming groups?

The Japanese pirates encountered by Zheng He on Cheniushan Island numbered over 800, and with another 200 killed along the way, their force had already exceeded a thousand!

A thousand-strong force of Japanese pirates was a formidable power!

Zhang Yu and Zhu Neng were seasoned generals who accompanied Zhu Di on several northern campaigns. Their command abilities were unquestionable. Moreover, the navy was equipped with crossbows and firearms, so theoretically, dealing with Japanese pirates should not be a problem.

However, even so, the navy had suffered 82 deaths and 200 injuries in the recent engagement!

This showed the formidable combat strength of the Japanese pirates, which was far beyond that of ordinary sea pirates.

Once the Japanese pirates landed and raided, it would cause great destruction. Ordinary garrisons might not be their match!

“Do we need to reinforce the navy?” Xie Jin asked.

Xu Huizu shook his head and said, “Zheng He has not requested reinforcements. If we hastily send more troops to the front lines, it may not be easy for the soldiers there.”

Xie Jin sighed softly, not saying anything more.

“His Majesty has instructed that due to the large number of people from the Imperial Academy, there is no need for formal ceremonies,” Wang Yue shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, the crowd turned to look, and they saw Zhu Yunwen dressed in casual attire, strolling leisurely. Xu Miaojin followed closely behind him in the attire of an Imperial Academy Proctor. When the Imperial Academy’s officials saw Xu Miaojin standing beside Zhu Yunwen, their faces looked somewhat unpleasant. However, the numerous students surrounding them were overjoyed.

“I’m here today just to observe and broaden my horizons. Proctor Xu, this grand debate has arisen because of you, so you shall be in charge of it,” Zhu Yunwen said, then sat down between Xu Huizu and Xie Jin.

Xu Miaojin, after receiving her instructions, ascended the high platform in the midst of the expectant crowd. She glanced at Zhu Yunwen and Xu Huizu, nodded slightly, and began to speak, “Today’s grand debate revolves around a single theme, which is whether the miscellaneous studies of agriculture, commerce, craftsmanship, military, medicine, and tools can be incorporated into the curriculum of the Imperial Academy. Now, let me introduce the debaters and the rules to all of you.”

“Debaters who advocate adhering to orthodoxy and rejecting the entry of miscellaneous studies into the Imperial Academy’s curriculum are Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Chen Xingshan; Right Vice Minister of Ministry of War, Lu Yuan; Director of the Imperial Academy, Zhang Zhi; Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Mao Hengtai; and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhuo Jing. The five of you, please take the stage.”

As Xu Miaojin spoke, those who had been waiting behind the high platform, including Chen Xingshan, Zhang Zhi, and others, all came forward dressed in official attire and took their seats on the eastern side.

“Debaters who advocate reforming the curriculum and introducing miscellaneous studies into the Imperial Academy are Hanlin reader-in-waiting Yao Guangxiao, Director of Agricultural Tax Office Xia Yuanji, Hanlin Junior Historiography Compiler Yang Shiqi and Li Zhigang, as well as Wu Yun, a student from the Shuaixing Hall of the Imperial Academy. Please take the stage.”

Xu Miaojin announced.

Yao Guangxiao, Xia Yuanji, and the others were all dressed in plain white scholar attire, neat and orderly. After they climbed onto the stage, they paid their respects to the audience before taking their seats on the western side.

“It’s rare to see, Monk Yao is actually wearing a hat,” Xie Jin remarked softly.

Zhu Yunwen smiled faintly, his eyes filled with admiration.

Uniform attire was helpful in expressing their positions, as proposed by Yang Shiqi. Wearing white symbolized purity and innocence.

It implied that they were conveying the message that they were pure and innocent.

On the contrary, those on the opposite side were dressed in official robes and hats. If you didn’t know any better, you might think it was a court trial. The strong official flavor gave people a sense of oppression.

The psychological response to this feeling of oppression was resistance.

Although it was just a small detail, which successful person did not accumulate their success through countless details?

Xu Huizu smiled, and what he was most concerned about was not the performance of the participants but his sister Xu Miaojin.

It had to be said that the Imperial Academy had transformed Xu Miaojin considerably. She had shed her waywardness and mischief, replaced by composure and poise. Today, she could remain calm and confident in front of thousands of people, a display of courage that surpassed many men.

“Duke of Wei, Miaojin’s talent can be put to great use,” Zhu Yunwen said to Xu Huizu, his gaze still fixed on the high platform in front.

“Your Majesty, Miaojin is ultimately a girl. Even if she has some talent, it may not be easy to…,” Xu Huizu replied cautiously.

Zhu Yunwen shook his head, lifted a teacup, and whispered, “Widen your horizons a bit. Knowledge and abilities are not determined by gender. It’s as simple as letting the capable rise and the mediocre fall.”

Xu Huizu smiled wryly. It seemed that the Emperor intended to let Xu Miaojin continue to stay at the Imperial Academy.

Xu Miaojin raised her hand, and the surroundings quieted down once more.

“For this debate, the rules are as follows: Each side will select three participants, categorized as the first seat, second seat, and third seat, to explain their positions. During their explanations, the opposing side may not interrupt, and other individuals may not speak. The explanation of each seat will last for thirty breaths and must not exceed the time limit.”

“After three rounds of position explanations, the three participants from each side can initiate counterarguments against one of the opposing side’s three participants. The attacking side may pose questions that must not exceed five breaths, while the defending side may respond within twenty breaths. Each side has three opportunities for attack and defense.”

“After the counterarguments, within one hundred breaths, there will be no restrictions, and free debate can take place. The determination of victory or defeat will be decided by the opinions of those in the audience. Now, please prepare yourselves.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Zhi, the Director of the Imperial Academy, stood up and said, “No need for preparation. Since this matter concerns the Imperial Academy’s curriculum, I will explain it.”

Xu Miaojin looked at Zhang Zhi and asked, “So, Director Zhang, are you the first seat?”

“Of course!” Zhang Zhi declared solemnly.

“Do you all agree?” Xu Miaojin asked Chen Xingshan and the others.

Chen Xingshan felt a bit frustrated. You are a Director of Studies, is there a need to be so impatient?

Leaders didn’t even serve as the first seat. Your actions are making it difficult for us.

However, now was not the time for internal conflicts…

“Zhang Zhi is the first seat, I will be the second seat, and Lu Yuan will be the third seat. Let’s go with this arrangement,” Chen Xingshan decisively settled the matter.

Xu Miaojin hadn’t spoken yet, but Mao Hengtai from the Ministry of Personnel and Zhuo Jing from the Ministry of Revenue were discontent.

They had come here with dreams of making a name for themselves, and after competing in the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of Revenue for several days, they had finally managed to squeeze their way into the debate.

However, upon hearing Xu Miaojin’s introduction of the rules, they realized that only the first, second, and third seats would be the main participants in this debate. If they weren’t among the three seats, they wouldn’t have a say.

This won’t do!

I won’t accept it!

“I object!” Mao Hengtai said straightforwardly, standing up and declaring, “In terms of eloquence and debating skills, I can certainly be among the three seats.”

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