In 522 B.C., Confucius was 31 years old. Duke Jing of Qi brought Yan Ying to the State of Lu. Duke Jing asked Confucius,""At first, the State of Qin was small and in a remote place. How could it dominate?”Confucius replied,"Although the State of Qin is small, it has great ambitions. Although the place was remote, the administration was very appropriate. Duke Mu of Qin personally selected Bai Lixi, who was redeemed with five pieces of black ram skin, and granted him the title of a doctor. He rescued him from detention and talked to him for three days before handing over the power of governance to him. If he used this spirit to govern a country, he could even rule the entire world. He was still considered a small overlord.”Jing Gong was very happy to hear this.
In 517 B.C., Duke Zhaogong of Lu wanted to get rid of the Jisun family, who controlled the government. In September, Duke Zhaogong of Lu joined forces with Zang Zhaobo and Zhao Bo of the hāu to attack Feiyi, the fief of the Jisun family. Mengsun and Shusun of the Three Huan families sent troops to assist the Jisun family. They united their forces and defeated the army of Duke Zhaogong of Lu, killing Zhao Bo of the hāu. Duke Zhaogong of Lu fled to Qi. The three Huan families supported the son Song, the younger brother of Duke Zhao of Lu, as the Marquis of Lu. This was Duke Ding of Lu. During the war, Yang Hu held the military power of the Ji Sun family.
In June 505 B.C., Ji Pingzi, one of the Three Huan of the State of Lu, passed away. His son, Ji Huanzi, succeeded him. Ji Huanzi was young, and the power of the Ji Sun family fell into the hands of the retainer, Yang Hu, who became the most powerful official in Lu.
Yang Hu was a commoner and wanted to find a helper. In 504 B.C., Yang Hu invited Confucius to be an official many times. However, Confucius believed that although Yang Hu looked very similar to him, they had different ideals, beliefs, temperaments, personalities, values, and different paths. They could not work together and hid from each other.
Later, Yang Hu had a plan and gave Confucius a small roast pig. According to etiquette, Confucius should go to Yang Hu's house to thank him. Confucius went to thank Yang Hu when he was not at home, but he met him on the way. Yang Hu said to Confucius,"Come, I have something to say."”Confucius walked over. Yang Hu asked,"You have the ability to let the country be in chaos. Can you call it benevolence?"”
"I can't."
"If you want to do great things but never seize the opportunity, can you call it wisdom?”
"I can't."
"Time passes day by day. Time waits for no man.”
Confucius could only say,"Alright, I'm going to be an official."”
Soon, a group of people gathered around Yang Hu. The new generation of the Three Huan families, Ji Huanzi, Shusun Zhouqiu, and Meng Yizi, had gradually grown up. Yang Hu was afraid that they would take away their power. In October 502 B.C., Yang Hu held Ji Huanzi hostage and held a banquet outside the east gate of Qufu. He planned to get rid of Ji Huanzi, Shusun Zhouqiu, and replace the Meng Sun family himself. Unexpectedly, the people of the Meng Sun family heard that the Ji Sun family was mobilizing their troops. When Meng Yizi received the news, he immediately mobilized the Meng Sun family's troops to monitor Yang Hu's every move.
Yang Hu sent his younger brother to attack the Meng Sun family, but he was killed by the Meng Sun family, who had long been prepared. Yang Hu realized that Meng Sunshi was already prepared, so he turned around and kidnapped Lu Dinggong and Shu Sundaigan, wanting to use their name to mobilize their army.
By the time Yang Hu reached the palace gates, the place was already under the control of the Meng Sun army. Yang Hu quickly retreated to Yangguan (now east of Tai 'an in Shandong Province) and Wei (now north of Ningyang County in Shandong Province). The coup failed. Later, the Three Huan attacked Yangguan (now east of Tai 'an in Shandong Province) and Wei (now north of Ningyang County in Shandong Province), and Yang Hu fled to Qi.
Because of his relationship with Yang Hu, Confucius also came to Qi and became Gao Zhaozi's retainer. He wanted to use Gao Zhaozi's relationship to get close to Duke Jing of Qi. He talked about music with the music officials of the State of Qi. When he heard the music of "Shao" in Shun's time, he began to learn it. For three months, he could not taste the taste of meat. The people of the State of Qi praised him.
Duke Jing of Qi asked Confucius how to govern. Confucius said,"The monarch must be like the monarch, the officials must be like the officials, the father must be like the father, and the son must be like the son.”"That's right!" Jing Gong said. If the monarch is not like a monarch, the courtiers are not like courtiers, the father is not like a father, and the son is not like a son, even if there is a lot of food, how can I eat it!”
The next day, Duke Jing asked Confucius for advice on how to govern. Confucius said,"The most important thing in managing a country is to save expenses and put an end to waste.”Jing Gong was very happy to hear this and planned to reward Confucius with the land of Nixi. Yan Ying dissuaded him, saying,"Confucians are good at talking, but we can't use laws to restrain them." They were arrogant, willful, and self-righteous, and could not be used by their subordinates. They attached great importance to funerals and tried their best to grieve. They did not hesitate to go bankrupt for the grand funeral. They could not let this practice become a trend. They lobbied everywhere for official salaries, and they could not be used to govern the country. Ever since those sages passed away one after another, the Zhou royal family had also declined. It had been a long time since the rites and music had collapsed. Now, Confucius was particular about appearance and clothing, and detailed the cumbersome etiquette of going to court and going to court. These red tape could not be learned by several generations, and could not be understood in a lifetime. If you want to use this set of things to change the customs of Qi, I'm afraid this is not a good way to guide the people.”After that, although Duke Jing of Qi politely received Confucius, he no longer asked about the ceremony.
One day, Duke Jing of Qi said to Confucius,"I can't give you the high treatment that I gave to the Ji family.”Therefore, he gave Confucius the same treatment as Shusun and Mengsun. Some of the officials of the State of Qi wanted to harm Confucius, and Confucius heard the news. Duke Jing of Qi said to Confucius,"I am too old to appoint you."”Therefore, Confucius left Qi and returned to Lu. He stayed at home and concentrated on studying and sorting out the classics such as the Book of Songs, the Book of Books, the Rites, and the Music. More and more students came, some even from afar, and all of them humbly asked Confucius for advice.
Gongshan Buniu felt unhappy at Ji Huanzi's hands, so he used Philadelphia to rebel against the Ji family and sent someone to ask Confucius for help. Confucius had been exploring the way of governing the country for a long time, but he was depressed and said,""In the past, King Wen and King Wu of Zhou established their royal industry in Feng and Gao. Although Philadelphia is small now, it should be about the same!”He wanted to accept the summons, but Zilu was unhappy and stopped him. Confucius said,"If they invite me to go, will they let me come for nothing?" If you put me in an important position, I will build a dynasty like Zhou in the east!”But in the end, it didn't happen.
After that, Duke Ding of Lu appointed Confucius as the governor of Zhongdu. A year later, all the places followed his example. Confucius was promoted from Zhongdu Chief to Sikong, and from Sikong to Da Sikou.
In the spring of 500 B.C., Lu and Qi reconciled. In the summer, the doctor of the State of Qi, Li Wei, said to Duke Jing,"Lu has used Kong Qiu. If Lu becomes strong, it will definitely endanger Qi.”Therefore, Duke Jing of Qi sent a messenger to tell the State of Lu that he wanted to have a friendly meeting with Duke Ding of Lu. The agreed meeting place was in Jiagu.
Duke Ding of Lu prepared a carriage and went to the appointment without any warning. As the Great Minister of Justice, Confucius was also in charge of the meeting ceremony. He said to Duke Ding,""I heard that one must have armed preparations for diplomacy and diplomatic cooperation for military affairs. In the past, when dukes and marquises went out of their own borders, they had to bring all the necessary officials with them. Please arrange for the left and right Sima to go together.”"Alright," replied Duke Ding. So he took the left and right Sima with him.
Duke Ding of Lu met Duke Ping of Qi in Jiagu. The official in charge of the Qi Kingdom quickly stepped forward and asked,""Please begin to play the dances of the four races.”"Alright," replied Duke Jing of Qi.
The band of the Qi State followed with flags as the leader. Some wore feather crowns and leather clothes, while others held spears, halberds, swords, shields, and other weapons. They rushed up the stage noisily. Seeing this, Confucius hurriedly ran over and stepped onto the stage. When he was one step away, he waved his sleeves and said,""Our two monarchs have come to meet for peace. Why are they playing the dance of the barbarians here? Please order the steward to ask them to leave!”The official in charge told the band to leave, but they refused to move. They looked left and right at Yan Ying and Qi Jinggong. Qi Jinggong felt very ashamed and waved his hand to dismiss the band.
After a while, the official in charge of the Qi Kingdom ran over and said,"" Please play the music from the palace." "Alright," replied Jing Gong. Therefore, some acrobats and dwarves came to perform. When Confucius saw this, he rushed over and said,""Ordinary people who dare to cause trouble to confuse the dukes should be killed! Please order the official in charge to carry it out!" Therefore, the official in charge cut them in half according to the law.
Duke Jing of Qi was deeply moved and knew that he was not as reasonable as him. After returning to the country, he was very panicked and told the ministers,"The State of Lu used the principles of a gentleman to assist their monarch, but you used the methods of the barbarians to teach me, causing me to offend the monarch of the State of Lu. What should I do?”The official in charge stepped forward and replied,"When a gentleman has made a mistake, he will use practical actions to apologize to others and admit his mistakes." When a villain made a mistake, he would use flowery words to apologize. If you are heartbroken, then use your actions to apologize.”Therefore, Duke Jing of Qi returned the land of Yun, Wenyang and Guiyin that he had invaded in the past to apologize and repent to the State of Lu.
In the summer of 497 B.C., Confucius said to Duke Ding of Lu,""A minister's home cannot store weapons, and a doctor's fief cannot build a city wall that is three thousand feet tall and three hundred feet long.”Thus, he sent Zhong You to be the steward of the Ji family, planning to demolish the city walls of Ji Sun, Meng Sun, and Shu Sun's fiefs.
The Shusun family first demolished the city wall of the city of Hedong (now Houting Village, Pengji Town, Dongping County, Shandong Province). Ji Sunshi also prepared to tear down the city walls of Feiyi (now Feiting, southwest of Yutai County, Jining City, Shandong Province). Gongshan Bukuang and Shusunnuo led the people of Feiyi to attack the capital of Lu. Duke Ding of Lu, Ji Sun, Meng Sun, and Shu Sun hid in Ji Sun's residence and climbed onto Ji Sun's altar. Gongshan Bukuang led the Feiyi people to attack them, but they were unable to break in. However, some people had already broken into the vicinity of Duke Lu Ding's high altar.
Confucius ordered Shen Juxu and Yue Qi to step down and attack them. The people of Feiyi failed and fled. The people of Lu pursued the victory and completely defeated them in Gumie (now the old Tangxi County of Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, Lanxi Xixiang and Quzhou). Gongshan Bukuang and Shusunnuo fled to Qi State, and the city wall of Fei Yi was finally demolished.
Then, they prepared to demolish the city wall of Chengyi (now southeast of Tai 'an City, Shandong Province). Meng Sun's retainer, Gonglian Chufu, told Meng Sun,"Once we demolish the city walls of Chengyi, the Qi Kingdom will definitely force their way to our northern gate. Moreover, the Cheng City is the barrier of your Meng Clan. Without the Cheng City, there would be no Meng Clan. I don't plan to demolish it." In December, Duke Ding of Lu led his troops to surround Chengyi but failed to capture it.
In the year 496 B.C., Confucius was 56 years old. He was appointed Minister of State by the Great Minister of Justice, and his face was filled with joy. His disciple said,"I heard that the county magistrate is not afraid of a disaster, and he is not happy when a great blessing comes." Confucius said,"There is such a saying, but isn't there another saying,'Happiness lies in being in a high position and treating the virtuous and the corporal with courtesy?'"”Then, he killed the doctor Shao Zhengmao.
Confucius had been involved in state affairs for three months, and merchants selling pigs and sheep did not dare to ask for exorbitant prices. Men and women walked separately, and no one picked up the things that fell on the road. Travelers from all over the world came to the cities of the State of Lu. They did not need to beg for mercy or give gifts to the officials. They were all taken care of satisfactorily, as if they had returned home.
When Qi heard the news, he became afraid and said,""If Confucius continues to rule in the Lu Kingdom, he will definitely dominate. Once the Lu Kingdom becomes dominant, we will be the closest to him and will definitely be the first to annex us. Why not give them some land first?”
"Let's try to stop them first. If we can't, we'll give them the land. Isn't that too late?"”
So he selected 80 beautiful women from the State of Qi, all dressed in gorgeous clothes, taught them how to dance the dance of "Kangle," and gave 120 horses with patterns to the King of Lu. First, they placed the female musicians and the painted horse float outside the high gate in the south of Lu City. Ji Huanzi dressed in casual clothes and went to watch it again and again. He intended to accept it, so he told the King of Lu to take the opportunity to go to the south gate all day to watch the beautiful women and horses of Qi in the name of traveling around and inspecting. He was even too lazy to manage the state affairs.
Seeing this, Zilu said to Confucius,""Teacher, can we leave this place now?”Confucius said," The State of Lu is going to hold a sacrifice in the suburbs. If the roasted meat after the ceremony can be distributed to the doctors according to the etiquette, then I can stay.”
Ji Huanzi accepted the women's orchestra sent by Qi State and did not ask about government affairs for three days. After the sacrifice in the suburbs, he violated the usual etiquette and did not share the roasted meat with the doctors.
Confucius then left the State of Lu and spent the night in Tundi. A musician from Lu called Shiji came to see him off and said,""Sir, you're not at fault." Confucius said,"Shall I sing a song?"”And he sang,"The mouths of those women can drive away ministers and confidants; Getting close to those women could ruin things and kill people. Leisurely ah, leisurely, this is the only way I can live my life peacefully!”
After Shiji returned, Huanzi asked him,""What did Confucius say?" Shiji told him the truth. Ji Huanzi let out a long sigh and said,"Sir, you're blaming us for accepting the group of female musicians from Qi!"”
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