仲尼弟子列傳（上）

Confucius said: 'Those who received my instruction and mastered its substance number seventy-seven' — all men of exceptional ability. In moral conduct: Yan Yuan, Min Ziqian, Ran Boniu, Zhonggong. In governance: Ran You, Jilu. In speech and persuasion: Zai Wo, Zigong. In literary learning: Ziyou, Zixia. Shi (Zizhang) was prone to excess; Shen (Zengzi) was slow; Chai (Zigao) was simple; You (Zilu) was blunt. Hui (Yan Yuan) was frequently destitute. Ci (Zigong) would not accept his lot and engaged in commerce — and his predictions of market trends were frequently correct.

Yan Hui was a man of Lu, styled Ziyuan. He was thirty years younger than Confucius.

Yan Yuan asked about humaneness. Confucius said: 'Restrain yourself and return to ritual propriety — then all under Heaven will ascribe humaneness to you.'

Confucius said: 'How worthy is Hui! A single bamboo vessel of rice, a single gourd of water, living in a narrow alley — others could not endure such hardship, yet Hui never abandoned his joy.' 'Hui seems stupid, but when he withdraws and I examine his private conduct, it is fully capable of developing the teaching. Hui is not stupid.' 'If employed, then act; if set aside, then withdraw — only you and I possess this quality!'

At twenty-nine, Hui's hair had turned entirely white. He died young. Confucius wept for him bitterly, saying: 'Since I had Hui, my disciples have drawn closer to me.' When Duke Ai of Lu asked: 'Which of your disciples loved learning?' Confucius replied: 'There was Yan Hui who loved learning. He did not transfer his anger and did not repeat a mistake. Unfortunately, he died young. Now there is no one.'

Min Sun, styled Ziqian, was fifteen years younger than Confucius. Confucius said: 'How filial is Min Ziqian! No one questions what his parents and brothers say of him.'

Ran Geng, styled Boniu, contracted a terrible disease. Confucius went to inquire after him and grasped his hand through the window, saying: 'Fate! That such a man should have such a disease — fate!'

Ran Yong, styled Zhonggong. Confucius considered Zhonggong a man of moral conduct and said: 'Yong could be made to face south' — meaning he was fit to be a ruler.

Zhong You, styled Zilu, was a man of Bian. He was nine years younger than Confucius.

Zilu was rough by nature, loved physical courage, was forthright in purpose, wore a cock's-crest cap and carried a boar-tusk pendant, and bullied Confucius. Confucius gradually drew Zilu in through the attraction of ritual. Zilu later put on Confucian robes, submitted his name-tablet, and through the disciples requested to become a student.

Earlier, Duke Ling of Wey had a favorite consort named Nanzi. Duke Ling's crown prince Kuai Kui offended Nanzi, feared execution, and fled. When Duke Ling died, the duchess wished to install Prince Ying, but Ying refused. Wey then installed Zhe as ruler — this was Duke Chu. Duke Chu reigned twelve years while his father Kuai Kui remained abroad, unable to return. Zilu was serving as steward of the estate of the Wey grandee Kong Kui. Kuai Kui conspired with Kong Kui's followers, entering Kong Kui's household, and with his men launched an attack on Duke Chu. Duke Chu fled to Lu. When the uprising broke out, Zilu was outside the city. Hearing of it, he raced back. He met Zigao leaving the city gate. Zigao told Zilu: 'Duke Chu has already fled and the gates are shut. You may as well go back — do not suffer needlessly.' Zilu said: 'One who eats a man's food does not flee his dangers.' Zigao left. Zilu entered the city, confronted Kuai Kui, who had climbed a tower with Kong Kui. Zilu said: 'What use has the lord for Kong Kui? Let me seize and kill him.' Kuai Kui refused. Zilu then tried to set fire to the tower. Kuai Kui, terrified, sent Shi Qi and Hu Yan down to attack Zilu. They struck and severed Zilu's cap-strings. Zilu said: 'A gentleman dies with his cap on.' He tied his cap-strings and died.

When Confucius heard of the disorder in Wey, he said: 'Alas! You is dead.' And so it proved.

Duanmu Ci, a man of Wey, styled Zigong, was thirty-one years younger than Confucius.

Zigong had a sharp tongue and clever rhetoric. Confucius frequently rebuked his debating.

Tian Chang plotted rebellion in Qi but feared the powerful Gao, Guo, Bao, and Yan clans, so he diverted his forces to attack Lu instead. Confucius heard of this and told his disciples: 'Lu is where our ancestors' graves lie, our parents' homeland. The state is in such peril — why does none of you step forward?' Zilu volunteered, but Confucius stopped him. Zizhang and Zishi asked to go, but Confucius refused. Zigong asked to go, and Confucius permitted it.

Thus through a single mission, Zigong saved Lu, threw Qi into disorder, destroyed Wu, strengthened Jin, and brought Yue to hegemony. One diplomatic mission by Zigong caused the strategic balance to shift, and within ten years five states were each transformed.

Zigong loved to buy low and sell high, turning goods with the times. He delighted in praising others' virtues but was unable to conceal their faults. He repeatedly served as minister of Lu and Wey. His family fortune amounted to a thousand jin of gold. He died in Qi.