To broaden his political perspective and enrich his teaching, Confucius made a special trip to Luo Yi (the capital of the Zhou emperor, located in present-day Luoyang, Henan) to study Zhou rituals and ancient texts. As the largest political and cultural center during the Spring and Autumn Period, Luo Yi preserved comprehensive ritual codes and institutions, housed the world’s richest collection of cultural relics and classics, and gathered talents from all fields. Confucius greatly admired it, but traveling from Qufu to Luo Yi was a long and costly journey. It happened that Meng Yi Zi and Nangong Jing Shu (two sons of the Lu noble Meng Xi Zi) were both studying ritual under Confucius. Therefore, Nangong Jing Shu proposed to Duke Zhao of Lu that the duke sponsor the carriage and travel expenses, offering to accompany Confucius. The duke granted Confucius a carriage, two horses, and a driver, with Nangong Jing Shu accompanying him to Luo Yi.
In Luoyi, Confucius successively visited the Bright Hall and the Grand Temple where the Son of Heaven discussed state affairs and proclaimed policies, thoroughly examining all the ritual systems established by the Duke of Zhou. It is said that in Luoyi, Confucius also met Laozi and consulted him about Li (ritual propriety). Laozi, whose surname was Li, given name Er, and style name Dan, was a native of the State of Chu. His family served as historians for generations, responsible for managing the Zhou royal court'sclassic texts (classical texts), so Confucius sought his guidance on specific ritual systems. Laozi answered him in detail. However, when Confucius last inquired about ancient rites, Laozi did not directly answer his question but instead said to him: "The people you speak of—their persons and bones have already decayed, leaving only their words behind. A Junzi (Exemplary Person) must understand how to assess the times. If the time comes, he should seize the opportunity to rise; if the time has not come, he should drift like tumbleweed (meaning to adapt to circumstances). A great merchant who knows how to do business will deeply conceal his wealth, as if he had nothing. A person of great De (Virtue) appears outwardly foolish and dull. Therefore, you should rid yourself of arrogance, greed, and excessive ambition, for none of these benefit the body or mind."
The Zhou Dynasty adhered to a culture of Li (Ritual Propriety) and Yue (Music), where ritual education and musical education were inherently complementary. Therefore, while seeking instruction on Li from Laozi, Confucius also consulted Chang Hong (a music official of the Zhou court), personally experiencing music's powerful influence and recognizing the relationship between music and governance. This further confirmed his belief that Yue and Li should not be neglected. Confucius said: "Poetry inspires the will, Li establishes character, and music completes the person." Poetry can stir aspirations and enlighten emotions, but excessive emotion can bring harm, and Li rationally regulates emotions. However, over-restraining emotions can also produce negative consequences. In such cases, music rectifies Li's shortcomings, achieving a harmonious unity between sensibility and rationality.
After the investigation concluded, Confucius prepared to return to the State of Lu and went to bid farewell to Laozi. Laozi spoke to him with deep sincerity, saying, "I have heard that the wealthy and noble give gifts of money and goods, while the benevolent and righteous give gifts of good words. I am not wealthy or noble, so I must borrow the name of a benevolent person and offer you these good words: Those who are intelligent and can see through everything are close to death because they delight in discussing right and wrong; those who are eloquent and learned bring harm to themselves because they delight in exposing the ugliness of others. A son should not contend with others, nor should a minister contend with others."
During this trip to the Zhou court, Confucius personally witnessed many cultural relics and classical texts from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods, further deepening his mastery of Li (Propriety) and music. He sincerely praised, "The Zhou dynasty looks back upon the two preceding dynasties; how rich and refined is its culture! I follow the Zhou."
After returning to the State of Lu, his disciples gathered around, asking about his journey. Speaking of Laozi, Confucius sighed and said to his disciples: "I know how birds can fly; I know how fish can swim; I know how beasts can run. What runs can be caught with nets, what swims can be caught with hooks, and what flies can be shot with arrows. As for the dragon, I cannot understand how it rides the wind and clouds, ascending straight to the heavens. The Laozi I have seen is like a dragon. His knowledge is unfathomably deep, his aspirations transcend the mundane; like a snake, he can coil and stretch at will, and like a dragon, he can adapt to the times. Lao Dan—he is truly my teacher!"