ministerial responsibility

  • The Analects – Chapter 16.1

    The Ji family (a powerful ministerial clan in Lu) planned to attack Zhuanyu, a small state subordinate to Lu. Ran You and Zilu went to see Confucius and said, “The Ji family is about to take military action against Zhuanyu.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.21

    Chen Chengzi (also known as Chen Heng) assassinated Duke Jian of Qi. Upon hearing this, Confucius bathed, dressed in formal court attire, and went to court to report to Duke Ai of Lu: “Chen Heng has murdered his ruler. I request that you launch a punitive expedition against him.”Duke Ai replied, “Report this to…