Zhu Xi
In 1179, after not serving in an official capacity since 1156, Zhu Xi was appointed Prefect of Nankang Military District (南康軍), where he revived White Deer Grotto Academy. and got demoted three years later for attacking the incompetency and corruption of some influential officials. There were several instances of receiving an appointment and subsequently being demoted. Upon dismissal from his last appointment, he was accused of numerous crimes and a petition was made for his execution. Much of this opposition was headed by Han Tuozhou, the Prime Minister, who was a political rival of Zhu's. Even though his teachings had been severely attacked by establishment figures, almost a thousand brave people attended his funeral. After the death of Han Tuozhou, Zhu's successor Zhen Dexiu, together with Wei Liaoweng, made Zhu's branch of Neo-Confucianism the dominant philosophy at the Song Court.
Zhang Shi (scholar)
He was a native of Mianzhu (綿竹), Sichuan, and son of a distinguished general and statesman, named Zhang Jun (1097–1164), otherwise known as Duke of Yi (益). After studying under Hu Hong, son of Hu Anguo, he entered upon an official career and became aide-de-camp and secretary to his father. In 1164 the latter died, and Zhang Chi buried him according to his wish at the foot of Mount Heng in Hunan, remaining in seclusion near the grave for several years. While there he was visited in 1167 by Zhu Xi, and it is said that they spent three days and three nights arguing upon the "Doctrine of the Mean". The result was that Zhang returned to official life, and became a violent opponent of the Tartars and of the policy of conciliation and concession which had been introduced by Qin Gui. He was alternately promoted and degraded until he died as Governor of Zhingzhou in Hubei. He was the author of divers treatises and commentaries upon portions of the Confucian Canon, in which he gave expression to doctrines which his friend, Zhu Xi, felt himself called upon to refute. Nevertheless, Zhu Xi held him in high esteem and always spoke of him with admiration. He was canonised as Xuān 宣, and in 1261 was admitted into the Confucian Temple.