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Chronological Highlights of Confucius’ LifeBy You-Sheng Li551 BC
Confucius was born. Confucius’ father was a low ranking military officer.Confucius’ parents had prayed to gods at a nearby hill to let them have a son, and so theynamed their son after the hill they had prayed,
丘
hill. Confucius’s full name was
孔丘
,
khon chiu
.
549 BC
Confucius’ father died. Confucius’ mother took Confucius and his brother to live with her own family inside the capital of State Lu.
537 BC
15 years old. The Chinese count the number of calendar years one haslived through as one’s age, which is usually one year older than the Western age thatrepresents how long one has lived in terms of year. Confucius once said, “At fifteen, myheart set on learning.”
535 BC
Confucius’s mother died.Lord Ji invited all low ranking aristocrats,
士
 shi
to a dinner. When Confuciuscame for the invitation, he was not allowed in as his status as a low ranking aristocrat wasnot recognized.
533 BC
Married to a girl who was native of State Song.
532 BC
Confucius’ son was born. The duke of State Lu, Zhao, sent a carp as a present. Confucius named his son after the carp,
鯉
li.
Started to work as a manager for Lord Ji. Confucius managed granary and storage housesfor Lord Ji.
531 BC
Confucius worked as a manager to manage horses, oxen, and other biganimals.
522 BC
Confucius started the first private school in Chinese history, teachingwriting, mathematics, poetry, archery, driving, and music. Schools had been run by thegovernment before Confucius’s time.Duke Jing of State Qi visited State Lu, and he asked to meet with Confucius.Duke Jing asked Confucius why the remote state Qin was able to become a hegemonystate, and Confucius offered some insights on this issue.
518 BC
Some notable lords of State Chu sent their sons to Confucius for education.Confucius travelled to the capital of China and met Lao Tzu there.
 
517 BC
Political crisis in State Lu, and the duke, Zhao, ran away on exile in StateQi. After the crisis, Confucius also left State Lu and came to State Qi, looking for a jobopportunity there.
516 BC
Duke Jing of State Qi asked Confucius for ideas how to run the state.Confucius gave the famous political principle: “Let the ruler be a ruler, the minister be aminister, the father be a father, and the son be a son.” Duke Jing had the intention to offer Confucius an important position but his prime minister opposed to this appointment.Confucius spent three months listening to the ancient classic music, and he was soenthralled that he lost his taste for any delicious food.
515 BC
Returned to State Lu.A famous sage figure, Jiza, died, and Confucius went to his funeral.
513 BC
State Jin cast a huge metal vessel, ding with criminal codes and lawinscribed on it. Confucius opposed to it, and said, “State Jin is about to perish, and it haslost its way.”
510 BC
Duke Zhao died on exile in State Qi, and his brother became the next dukeof State Lu, Ding.
504 BC
Confucius dedicated to his private school, and the numbers of his students became more and more. Many students came from far away.Yanghu, a powerful politician, urged Confucius to work for the government butConfucius did not give a clear reply.
502 BC
Gongshan rebelled and controlled a city and its surrounding area. Heasked Confucius to be his minister. Confucius had the intention to accept the offer but hisstudent, Zilu, stopped Confucius.
501 BC
Worked as the governor of the capital area of State Lu, and Confuciusaccomplished a good deal within one year. The capital area became orderly and becamethe model for the rest of State Lu.
500 BC
Appointed as the Security Minister but worked as the prime minister of State Lu. Confucius accompanied Duke Ding of State Lu to meet the duke of State Qi.Confucius acted bravely and properly on this formal occasion that State Qi returnedseveral cities and towns to State Lu.
498 BC
As the acting prime minister of State Lu, Confucius planned to destroy thewalls of three major cities in order to prevent the local power from rebelling against thestate. But he succeeded only on two of the three but met invincible resistance from thethird city.
 
497 BC
State Qi gave 80 beautiful girls to State Lu, and the duke and his ministersindulged in entertainment. They failed to hold a court meeting for three days in a roll.Confucius and his disciples left State Lu for their fourteen year travelling over many states in hope to put their political ideology, Confucianism, on practice. Theyentered their neighbouring state, State Wei, in 497 BC when Confucius was fifty five.They were welcomed by Duke Ling of State Wei and stayed there for several months.When they left State Wei on the way to State Chen in October, they were surrounded byhostile armed peasants for several days twice and they had no choice but returned to thecapital of State Wei.
496 BC
The wife of Duke Ling of State Wei met with Confucius. Since this beautiful young wife had a licentious reputation, Confucius’ disciple Zilu was unhappywith this meeting. Confucius had to take an oath before his disciples saying, “If I havedone something indecent, the Heavens will condemn me! The Heavens will condemnme!”
493 BC
Confucius and his disciples left State Wei, and visited States Cao andSong. The military leader of State Song said that he would try to harm them, Confuciusand his disciples had to travel in disguise.
492 BC
Confucius and his disciples visited States Zheng and Chen. In the StateChen, the local people said, “He (Confucius) looked like a homeless dog!” Confuciusreplied, “Yes, I do, and I do like one.”
491 BC
Confucius and his disciples were in State Cai.
490 BC
Confucius and his disciples were in State Chu, which would become amajor state in the Warring States Period from 476 to 221 BC. Confucius met and talkedto a famous governor, Ye.
489 BC
During a violent conflict among three neighbouring states, Confucius andhis disciples were surrounded by hostile soldiers for several days. The only food availableto them was grass or weed.
488 BC
Confucius and his disciples were once again in State Wei.
485 BC
Confucius’ wife died.
484 BC
One of Confucius disciples led the army of State Lu to fight against aninvasion by its neighbouring state, Qi, which was much larger than State Lu. State Luwon this war. This disciple said that it was Confucius who taught him the knowledge andskills to win this war. Confucius and his disciples were invited to come back to their native state, Lu. They were home again after 14 years travelling abroad.
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