Duke Jing Seeks Advice on Governance
From his twenties, Confucius had aspired to enter public service to realize his ambitions, and thus he paid close attention to major state affairs. He frequently pondered issues related to governance and often shared his insights. By the age of thirty, Confucius had gained some renown. In the twentieth year of Duke Zhao of Lu (522 BCE), when Duke Jing of Qi visited the State of Lu, he summoned Confucius for a discussion about Duke Mu of Qin’s rise to hegemony. Duke Jing posed a question to Confucius: “In the past, the State of Qin was small and located in a remote region. Why was Duke Mu of Qin able to dominate the other feudal lords and become their leader?” Confucius replied, “Although the territory of Qin was small, its aspirations were great; though its location was remote, it excelled in employing capable individuals. Duke Mu of Qin had a discerning eye for talent, promoting Baili Xi from prison. Not only that, but Duke Mu also boldly entrusted this formerly imprisoned foreigner with the governance of the State of Qin. This single act demonstrates Duke Mu’s breadth of vision and courage—traits that would have sufficed to rule the entire world.”
In the twenty-fifth year of Duke Zhao of Lu (517 BCE), internal turmoil erupted in the State of Lu, prompting Confucius to leave for the State of Qi. There, he once again met with Duke Jing of Qi. This time, Duke Jing sought Confucius’s advice on governance, specifically asking how to effectively rule his state. Confucius said, “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be a minister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.” These eight words essentially encapsulated the requirements for the entire social ethical system. In simple terms, they meant: if the ruler acts as a ruler should, the ministers will act as ministers should; if the father acts as a father should, the son will act as a son should. There must be strict adherence to defined roles and boundaries, without overstepping or losing one’s place, for the state to thrive. At the time, both the States of Lu and Qi were controlled by powerful ministers, where rulers did not act like rulers and ministers did not act like ministers. Thus, Confucius made this statement.
The aging Duke Jing, primarily concerned with consolidating his own position, repeatedly praised the idea, saying, “These words are exceedingly profound. If indeed the ruler is not a ruler, the minister not a minister, the father not a father, and the son not a son, I fear I would not even have food to eat.” However, these eight words were clearly only a grand blueprint and an ideal goal—not even a concrete policy framework. How could they be implemented in reality? Dissatisfied with this answer, Duke Jing once again “sought advice on governance from Confucius,” this time hoping for specific methods to govern the state. Confucius said, “Governance lies in economising expenditures.” At the time, Duke Jing lived extravagantly, and his example was followed by his officials, leading to widespread extravagance and moral decay among the ministers of Qi. The erosion of ethical norms between rulers and subjects, fathers and sons, also resulted in mutual struggles for power and profit. Thus, Confucius offered this advice. This proposal directly addressed the current state of Qi and was relatively practical and feasible. Duke Jing deeply agreed and felt that Confucius possessed considerable talent for governance. He even considered employing Confucius and once planned to enfeoff him with land in the Nixi area. However, Yan Ying advised against appointing Confucius to a high position, arguing that the Confucian emphasis on adhering to old systems, complex rituals, and outdated practices made it unsuitable for governing the state. At the time, the government of Qi was controlled by the Chen family, so despite Duke Jing’s appreciation for Confucius’s ideas, he could not employ him. Confucius and his disciples stayed in Qi for about two years. During this time, Confucius discussed music with the state’s music master (Taishi). He listened to the ancient music “Shao,” passed down from Emperor Shun, and learned to play and sing it. He devoted himself so wholeheartedly that for a long time, he ate food without tasting its flavour.
Duke Jing said to Confucius, “I cannot treat you, Master, as the State of Lu treated Ji Pingzi by making you a high minister, nor can I bear to make you a low minister. I can offer you a position between that of the Ji and Meng families.” But a few days later, some officials of Qi plotted to harm Confucius. Upon hearing this, Confucius sought help from Duke Jing, who said, “I am already old and cannot employ you.” Feeling imminent danger, Confucius had no choice but to hastily leave Qi and return once again to the State of Lu.
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