Recently, Guanzhong Academy, an original drama independently created by faculty and students of Xi’an University, made its grand debut. Centered on the university’s institutional origin exploration, the play depicts the legendary life of Feng Congwu, a great Confucian scholar of the Ming Dynasty, vividly interpreting the millennial inheritance of the Guanxue School of thought and delivering an intellectually profound and artistically stunning cultural feast to teachers and students across campus.
Framed by present-day faculty and students tracing the university’s historical roots, the drama travels back to the turbulent late Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, an era marred by corrupt imperial governance and eunuch dictatorship. After being publicly flogged at court and dismissed from office for outspoken remonstrance against imperial misrule, Feng Congwu returned to his hometown. With the backing of Wang Keyou, he founded Guanzhong Academy, where he disseminated core tenets of Guanxue to enlighten common people and reform local customs, turning the academy into a revered hub attracting aspiring scholars nationwide. In the Tianqi reign, Feng was summoned to the imperial capital and co-founded the Shoushan Academy alongside Zou Yuanbiao, hoping to awaken court officials’ dedication to state governance through scholarly lectures. Their noble cause was sabotaged by the treacherous eunuch Wei Zhongxian’s clique: Shoushan Academy was demolished, upright ministers were framed and persecuted. Honoring his late companions’ last wishes, Feng headed back to Shaanxi and persisted in his academic mission. Grief-stricken by the Wei faction’s vandalism of Confucius statues, he staged a hunger strike to uphold his moral integrity and protest the atrocities.
With lifelike characterization and gripping plot twists, the play fully embodies Feng Congwu’s profound patriotism and unyielding moral integrity while clearly mapping the uninterrupted cultural lineage linking the historic Guanzhong Academy to today’s Xi’an University. It brings to life the university motto—Uphold Virtue, Pursue Diligent Learning, Practice Earnestly, Strive for Nobility—as well as Guanxue’s core philosophy of “seeking truth through earnest practice” on stage.
The performance drew an immersive, enthusiastic audience. Some scenes surged with stirring passion to rouse viewers’ spirits, while solemn, reflective segments tugged at spectators’ heartstrings, enabling faculty and students to deeply appreciate the profound historical weight of Guanxue culture. Following the shows, audiences shared glowing feedback and reflections. Faculty representatives remarked: “By recreating our institutional heritage via theatrical arts, the drama turns Feng Congwu’s loyalty, sense of responsibility and Guanxue spirit into tangible inspiration. It anchors ideological and political education in vivid artistic practice, guiding our faculty and students to carry forward the moral legacy of ancient scholars and stay true to our educational mission.”
Student viewers also shared heartfelt insights. One undergraduate commented: “The play unlocks the spiritual essence embedded in our university’s history. I deeply admire Feng Congwu’s lifelong commitment to upholding justice and nurturing learners. As students of Xi’an University, we shall inherit Guanxue’s spirit of truth and practice, live up to our motto through diligent study and down-to-earth action, and fulfill our youthful mission.” Another student added: “Every scene strikes a chord within me. Beyond learning our institutional origins, I am more resolved to preserve our fine academic traditions and forge ahead with perseverance.”
Leading officials from Shaanxi Provincial Publicity Department, Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences, Xi’an Municipal Publicity Department, Communist Youth League Xi’an Committee, Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and Xi’an Municipal Education Bureau, alongside representatives from Xi’an Performance Group and peer universities including Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shaanxi Normal University, Northwest University, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an Conservatory of Music, Xi’an Railway Vocational & Technical College, Xi’an Vocational and Technical College and Xi’an Open University attended the performances for guidance.
To restore authentic historical settings and convey the core spiritual connotation faithfully, the creative team spent extensive time researching archived university documents and polishing every plot detail, devoting meticulous effort to character design, storyline arrangement, costume, makeup, props and stage layout. Wu Wenbin, the play’s supervising instructor, explained: “Guided by our core mission of inheriting cultural lineage and nurturing students’ souls, we dig deep into Feng Congwu’s upright character and explore the contemporary value of Guanxue ideology. Our goal is to revitalize institutional history through theatrical art and pass down precious traditional spirits, helping every member of our campus draw cultural nourishment and strengthen patriotism while watching.” All cast members are current faculty and students of the university, who sacrificed spare time for intensive rehearsals and in-depth research on the historical backstories of their roles, pouring sincere reverence for ancient sages into every onstage performance.
Over its initial run, six shows were staged on campus, attracting nearly 5,000 teachers and students. Moving forward, the university will arrange regular campus performances of the drama to help more members of the Xi’an University community explore institutional heritage and absorb the essence of Guanxue.
The creation of Guanzhong Academy marks Xi’an University’s meaningful endeavor to dig into its institutional culture and carry forward Guanxue heritage, as well as a key initiative to advance morality-centered ideological education and boost cultural confidence. In the next phase, the university will continue advancing cultural and character-driven education, enabling the millennium-old Guanxue philosophy to thrive in the new era, nurture all faculty and students and fuel the high-quality development of Xi’an University with profound cultural vitality.
