flstandardbreds Chapter 114 The Day of the Debate
Chapter 114 The Day of the Debate
The sky was clear, the air gentle, and the breeze was gentle. The square was already packed and bustling with activity. People were pouring into the square, eager to catch a glimpse of the debate.
Yongle, Mu Yunxi, and Li Yifeng sat on the left side of the stage. While Yongle wore a lavish attire, Mu Yunxi and Li Yifeng were dressed simply and neatly. Their gazes were firm and confident. Opposite them sat three renowned literary figures of the Zhao Kingdom. From left to right, they were Li Wenyuan, Chen Lanshen, and Yang Linnan. They gazed at the two young men across from them as if they had already seen the dawn of victory. Emperor Qing Zhao and his companions sat directly above the stage.
With the ringing of a melodious bell, the debate officially began. First up were Li Yifeng and Mu Yunxi, now representing the Innovation College. They stood up and walked to the center of the stage, bowed to the audience, and began their presentation.
Princess Yongle remained seated, though she remained seated with them. As the melodious chimes of the bells rang out, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone's attention was focused on the center of the stage, where stood Li Yifeng and Mu Yunxi. They represented the "Innovation" Academy, shouldering the mission of transforming traditional education. Standing side by side, their eyes radiated confidence and composure.
Li Yifeng spoke first. He bowed to the emperor and the officials, who sat on the upper throne. Then, he spoke in a resonant voice, "Dear judges and colleagues, we stand here today to defend the philosophy of the 'Innovation' Academy. We believe that only through continuous innovation can a nation prosper. Our curriculum is designed to cultivate students' independent thinking skills, enabling them to adapt to future challenges."
Mu Yunxi then took over the conversation, "As Mr. Li said, 'innovation' doesn't mean being unconventional, but rather inheriting and developing the classics. We respect tradition, but we also believe that only by keeping pace with the times can culture continue to thrive."
Li Wenyuan, captain of the aristocratic family team, slowly stood up. His eyes were sharp as an eagle, and his tone carried an undeniable force: "Everyone, as children of aristocratic families, we have been nurtured by traditional education since childhood. However, this trend of so-called 'innovation' is becoming increasingly rampant, with some even suggesting completely abandoning the classics. This is truly heartbreaking!"
Chen Lanshen followed up, adding, "Yes, if even the most basic etiquette is broken, society will become chaotic. 'Innovation' is important, but it must not come at the expense of tradition."
Yang Linnan approached the issue from another angle: "Regarding the issue of the college's teaching professors, as far as I know, the 'Innovation' College has not hired any serious teachers. Although these people have made achievements in certain fields, do they really know how to be teachers? Are their teaching methods suitable for our students?" After hearing what he said, Liang Mancang and Shen Yuanzheng in the audience wanted to go on stage and quarrel with him, but fortunately they were stopped by other officials who came to watch.
Facing the other party's questioning, Li Yifeng responded without hesitation: "Excuse me, Mr. Li, what exactly do you mean by 'proper teachers'? Are only the elders in the palace qualified to teach? Isn't it these teachers from different backgrounds who bring new things and broaden our students' horizons?"
Mu Yunxi was not to be outdone. "As for the faculty, I want to emphasize one point—quality is far more important than quantity. Every professor at Innovation Academy has been rigorously selected and possesses profound attainments in their respective fields. More importantly, they all love education and are willing to dedicate their utmost efforts to nurturing the next generation."
Upon hearing this, Liang Mancang and Shen Yuanzheng in the audience looked relieved.
The debate intensified, with both sides exchanging sharp blows. Emperor Qing Zhao, seated high in his throne, listened quietly, nodding occasionally, as if forming a judgment. The audience, captivated by the fiery debate, alternately murmured and burst into applause. The entire venue was filled with a tense yet hopeful atmosphere, everyone eagerly awaiting the final outcome.
Mu Yunxi then spoke fluently and passionately about the core educational philosophy of the Innovation Academy and its carefully designed curriculum. She emphasized that the academy is dedicated to cultivating ambitious young people who harbor dreams and are willing to contribute to the prosperity of the nation, not to overturning the existing social order or challenging the traditional status of aristocratic families.
Then, Li Wenyuan, the leader of the aristocratic family team, took the stage. A sneer crossed his lips as he took the stage, and he launched into a scathing attack on the "Innovation" Academy. He accused it of spreading ideas that went against traditional teachings, claiming its curriculum was not only illogical but also posed significant security risks. Furthermore, he implied that Princess Yongle's support for the academy was a political conspiracy to expand her personal power and erode the influence of the aristocratic families.
Li Wenyuan's remarks were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a strong reaction and commotion among the audience. Numerous members of prominent families echoed his sentiments, hurling even more vitriolic taunts and insults at the "Innovation" Academy. Facing the aristocratic camp's aggressive approach, Mu Yunxi and Li Yifeng displayed remarkable composure and composure. Unfazed, they addressed each point of criticism with solid facts and detailed data. They also exposed the unscrupulous actions of some aristocratic families, who, in order to protect their own interests, resorted to any means necessary to suppress emerging forces, and urged the public to maintain a clear mind and not be blinded by rumors.
However, just as the debate reached its climax, something unexpected happened—a mysterious old man suddenly appeared on the stage! He was dressed in a blue robe, a conical hat, and wielding a cane. He walked with a limp, yet appeared energetic and his eyes gleamed with a gleaming light. This old man, Zhang Banxian, was a renowned fortune teller in the capital, said to be able to predict the future and understand the mysteries of heaven and earth. Upon taking the stage, Zhang Banxian glanced around before bowing deeply to Emperor Qing Zhao. Then, in a hoarse, deep voice, he announced, "Dear audience, I am not here today to tell fortunes or predict the future, but to share a secret about the 'Innovation' Academy!" As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted in exclamations and whispers, eager to learn what secrets the mysterious old man had to reveal about the 'Innovation' Academy.