Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s9.t2.3.1

v1.c7.s9.t2.3.1

His ancestors had been members of the ducal house of the State of Song, which was descended from the royal house of Shang, the dynasty that had preceded the Chou, and migrated to the State of Lu because of political and social turmoil. His father, named Shu Liangho, was governor of Zou in State of Lu. His mother’s family name was Yan. Confucius was born in Zou Yi, Changpingxiang of State of Lu (Qufu, Shandong present-day) on lunar August 27, the 22nd year of Duke Lu Xiang (551 BCE). When he was a kid, he loved to hold make-believe temple rituals as a game, and when he grew up, he once served the State of Lu, on several occasions, as petty official of the same category like master of ceremony, granary keeper and livestock tender. Later, he was on study tour to other ducal states, learning rituals from Lao-zi, music from Changhong, and lyre from Shixiang. In the 25th year of Duke Lu Zhao (517 BCE) when the State of Lu was in great turmoil and Duke Zhao took refuge in the State of Qi, Confucius fled with him to the State of Qi and became a retainer of Gao Zhaozi who was prime minister to Duke Jing of the State of Qi, and thereby he could be able to be near Duke Jing of the State of Qi.