Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature
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King Xuan of Qi received Mencius in the Snow Palace and asked, “Does a virtuous man also enjoy such a thing as this palace?”
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From 501 to 497 BCE, Confucius held successive posts – Magistrate of Zhongdu, Minister of Works (Sikong), Minister of Justice (Da Sikou), and finally Chancellor-in-charge – marking the closest he ever came to realizing his political ideals.
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At thirty-five, Confucius witnessed political chaos in Lu state: Duke Zhao was driven into exile by the powerful Three Huan clans – Jisun, Mengsun, and Shusun – who vied for control, destabilizing the state. Disillusioned, Confucius traveled to Qi, hoping Duke Jing of Qi – who aspired to emulate the legendary hegemon Duke Huan…
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By the time of Duke Ping of Jin (r. 557–532 BCE), the once-mighty state of Jin – restored to hegemony under Duke Dao and Zhao Wu – had begun to wane.
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5.17 The Master said,”Yan Pingzhong is a good example of what one’s intercourse with one’s fellowmen should be. However long he has known anyone he always maintains the same scrupulous courtesy.”