When Confucius was unwilling to participate in politics in the State of Wei, Zhao Yang (Zhao Jianzi, also known as Zhao Jianzi), the chief minister of the State of Jin, led troops to attack the Fan and Zhonghang families. Bi Xi (a steward of the Fan family), who originally served as the magistrate of Zhongmou (a town in Jin, located between present-day Xingtai and Handan in Hebei), took this opportunity to rebel locally. Having previously been a student of Confucius, he seized the chance to invite his teacher to come and help.
This invitation reignited Confucius’s hope of realizing his political ideals, so he was inclined to go. However, Zi Lu (a blunt and loyal disciple) felt that his teacher going to Bi Xi (a rebellious official) was clearly aiding a traitor, and questioned Confucius: “I have heard you say before, Master: ‘The Junzi (Exemplary Person) does not enter the company of those who have done evil themselves.’ Now Bi Xi has occupied Zhongmou in rebellion, yet you wish to go help him—how do you explain this?” This meant Confucius was violating his own principle of not entering a state that lacked the Dao (The Way).
Confucius did not deny this principle, saying, "Yes, I did say that. But haven't people also said there is a hard stone that cannot be worn down by grinding? Haven't people also said there is a white stone that cannot be stained by dye? How could I be like a gourd that hangs on a vine and cannot be eaten?" He firmly believed that a Junzi (Exemplary Person) like himself could remain steadfast and unstained by mud, unaffected by his environment in tarnishing his reputation. Therefore, he wanted to seize this opportunity to realize his ambitions. Perhaps due to long years of traveling through various states without a chance to display his talents, and seeing himself growing older day by day, his urgency to implement benevolent governance and reform politics intensified. Confucius was somewhat tempted by Bi Xi's (a rebellious official of the State of Jin) invitation, but ultimately he deemed it improper to accept the summons and did not go.
Later, when Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of Jin State) attacked the Wei State and besieged Zhongmou, Confucius ultimately could not make the journey. He then led his disciples back and forth between the states of Chen and Cai. Walls have ears, and the words and actions of famous people are always the focus of attention, with many spreading them. Thus, the matter of Confucius once intending to go to Zhongmou to help Bi Xi (a rebellious minister of Jin State) eventually reached Zhao Yang's ears. Combined with Confucius's earlier cursing of the Zhao family, these accumulated grievances, old and new, stirred up Zhao Yang's resentment.
Later, it is said that Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of the Jin State) wanted to seize power and told his confidant, "The Zhao clan has Du Chou, Jin has Duo Ming, and Lu has Kong Qiu (Confucius). If I could kill these three men, even ruling the entire realm would be no problem."
Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of the Jin State) falsely claimed he wanted to consult with Du Chou and Duo Ming (two virtuous officials) on governance, summoned them, and then used a pretext to kill them. Zhao Yang then continued to send envoys to invite Confucius to come to the Jin State. Before the envoy departed, Zhao Yang issued an order: if Confucius accepted the invitation and came to Jin, he was to be pushed into the Yellow River and drowned while crossing by boat. Because Zhao Yang acted in secrecy, news of Du Chou and Duo Ming's deaths did not reach Confucius's ears. So at first, Confucius suspected no deception and sincerely agreed. When the party reached the banks of the Yellow River, Confucius heard of the murders of Du Chou and Duo Ming, sighed and said, "How beautiful this water, vast and flowing! That I, Qiu, cannot cross it—this is fate." He then abandoned the plan to cross the river.
He also sang a song: "The Di River overflows, the wind raises waves! Boats and oars are overturned, one after another! Return, return, why stay here!" This was to persuade himself: Go back, go back, why let others harm you here.
Finally, Confucius did not cross the river to the State of Jin to meet Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of Jin). Zhao Yang’s scheme naturally fell through.
There is another account of this matter: Confucius originally traveled westward with great hope, intending to actively seek out Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of the Jin State) in the State of Jin. This was because Confucius had heard that Du Chou and Duo Ming (two worthy ministers) were being heavily employed by Zhao Yang, and that their governance philosophy happened to align with his own.
But when he reached the banks of the Yellow River, a shocking piece of news arrived: the two virtuous ministers had been killed by Zhao Yang (a powerful minister of the Jin State). Confucius then sighed facing the river, saying: "The waters of the Yellow River, vast and magnificent—how splendid they are! Yet I cannot cross it; this is all a matter of fate."
Zigong (a wealthy merchant and eloquent disciple of Confucius) was puzzled by this, so he quickly stepped forward and asked, "May I ask what you are referring to?"
Confucius replied, "Duchou and Duoming (two very worthy senior officials of the Jin State) assisted Zhao Jianzi in gaining power before he achieved his ambitions; but once he succeeded and held authority, he killed them. I have heard that if one rips open a belly and takes a fetus or kills a young animal, the Qilin (a mythical benevolent beast) will not come to that state's outskirts; if one drains a pond to catch all fish, the Jiaolong (a mythical dragon) will not dive into its depths to harmonize yin and yang; if one overturns a nest and breaks eggs, the Fenghuang (a mythical auspicious bird) will not fly there to bring blessings. Why is this? Because the Junzi (Exemplary Person) detests harming his own kind. Even birds and beasts know to avoid such unrighteous acts—how much more so should I?" The death of these two worthy ministers disheartened Confucius, leaving his future uncertain. Considering the principle that a Junzi does not serve in an unrighteous state, he abandoned his plan to go to Jin and turned back. Upon reaching his lodging, he composed a qin (zither) piece to mourn the two murdered virtuous officials.
Huan Tui (a high-ranking military official of Song State) cut down the tree. Confucius, finding no use for himself in the State of Wei, naturally did not wish to remain there any longer and planned to go to the State of Song. Song was where Confucius's ancestors had lived and also the hometown of his wife. Thus, Confucius led his disciples and set off. Upon arriving in Song, Confucius and his disciples changed into formal attire under a large tree and practiced the rituals of Zhou Li (the Rites of Zhou). At that time, the Sima (an official in charge of military affairs and military taxation) of Song was Huan Tui, who had ordered a stone outer coffin to be made for himself, which remained unfinished after three years. Confucius was particularly opposed to extravagance and waste, and criticized this blatant violation of Zhou Li, which wasted both manpower and resources, saying: "With such waste, it would be better to rot away quickly after death!"
Huan Tui (a high-ranking official in the State of Song) deeply detested Confucius's political views, believing they were disadvantageous to him. He had likely also harbored resentment over Confucius's harsh criticism of his construction of a stone outer coffin. When he saw Confucius and his party travel-worn and weary arriving in Song territory, uncertain of their purpose, he sent people to secretly monitor them. After witnessing them practicing Li (ritual propriety) under a large tree, Huan Tui ordered the tree cut down and even threatened to kill Confucius. This was more of an intimidation tactic, signaling that Confucius should take the hint and leave Song quickly. Confucius had been vigilant beforehand and, sensing trouble, immediately changed into plain clothes and quietly departed from Song, a place of conflict. On the way out, a disciple, perhaps frightened, urged Confucius, "Master, we should move faster." Confucius replied unhurriedly, "Since Heaven has given birth to a person who speaks of Ren (Benevolence), it is for me to promote Ren and save the people in this world. What can someone like Huan Tui do to me?" Despite these words, Confucius and his disciples promptly left Song's borders.