This passage tells Gongshan Furao, a rebel lord, summoned Confucius, who planned to go despite Zilu’s strong opposition. Confucius hoped to revive Zhou rituals in Lu, showing his urge to realize the Kingly Way amid chaos, though he finally declined out of prudence.
This passage recounts Yang Huo’s etiquette trap to force Confucius into office: sending a steamed piglet, then cornering him with Ren (benevolence), wisdom, and “time waits for no one.” It reveals Confucius’ moral dilemma between avoiding a usurper minister and his enduring ideal of practicing the Way (Dao) to save the world.
Han Feizi tells Eastern Zhou hesitated sending Han Jiu’s brother home amid unsettled royal succession. Advisor Qiwu Hui suggested dispatching one hundred chariots with dual excuses for either outcome, a shrewd diplomatic hedge against all risks.
Han Feizi tells a man from Wen quoted the Book of Songs to argue he was the king’s subject, not a stranger, winning release.