 It has been suggested that the debate should be understood in the context of the power struggle between the main rival factions in Wei politics. Specifically, Fu Jia and Zhong Hui both sided with the faction that was to emerge victorious and strike down Li Feng and Wang Guang. Political affiliation, like patronage, is certainly important, but it does not dictate philosophical opinion in Neo-Daoism. He Yan, for example, would favor Fu Jia’s identity thesis, given his understanding of human nature, despite the fact that the latter had criticized him openly. Similarly, Ji Kang would find Zhong Hui’s attempt to accommodate learning and effort agreeable, even though he had rejected Zhong’s overtures to befriend him and in the end was put to death at Zhong’s instigation.