Confucius (551–479 BC) was a thinker, statesman, and educator of the late Spring and Autumn period, as well as the founder of the Confucian school of thought. Born Kong Qiu, with the courtesy name Zhongni, he was a native of Zouyi in the State of Lu (located in present-day southeast Qufu, Shandong Province).
Wang Anshi (1021–1086) was a preeminent statesman, reformer, and literary figure of the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Jiefu, and he adopted the sobriquet Banshan (“Half Hill”). Born in Linchuan, Fuzhou (modern-day Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province), Wang passed the imperial civil service examination in 1042 (the second year of the Qingli reign).
Cao Cao (155–220 CE) was a statesman, military strategist, and poet of the late Eastern Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Mengde, and his childhood nickname was Aman. He was born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery (present-day Bozhou, Anhui). At age 20, he was recommended as a “Filially Pious and Incorrupt” official and appointed…