Zi Lu was bold, upright, courageous, and multi-talented. Legend has it that when Confucius traveled east to Bian, he saw Zi Lu in full military attire, standing with a sword. Confucius asked him, "What is this attire for?" Zi Lu replied that ancient Junzi (Exemplary Persons) always carried swords. Confucius, who opposed reliance on force and advocated governance through Ren (Benevolence) and De (Virtue), disagreed with Zi Lu's martial focus. He said, "Ancient Junzi pursued Zhong (Loyalty) and Yi (Righteousness) as life goals, using Ren (Benevolence) as their shield. Though they stayed within small rooms, they knew events a thousand li away. They transformed the unvirtuous with Zhong (Loyalty) and Xin (Trustworthiness), and pacified the violent with Ren (Benevolence) and Yi (Righteousness). Why then rely on a sword?" Zi Lu admired this deeply and exclaimed, "Ah! I have never heard such words. From now on, I sincerely seek your instruction!" According to the Shuo Yuan, when Zi Lu first met Confucius, Confucius asked, "What do you enjoy?" Zi Lu replied, "I enjoy long swords." Confucius said, "That is not what I meant. With your natural talent and learning, who could surpass you?" Zi Lu doubted whether learning truly improved one, saying, "A bamboo from the Southern Mountain is straight without baking or bending; sharpened, its arrow can pierce a rhino's hide. So why learn?" Confucius guided him: "If you add feathers to the arrow's tail and sharpen its tip, can it not fly deeper and farther?" Convinced, Zi Lu thanked him, saying, "I have truly gained much." Thus, while natural talent matters, post-natal learning and effort are equally important; together, they elevate a scholar's ability and cultivation. Zi Lu followed Confucius all his life, with deep teacher-student affection, becoming one of Confucius's most accomplished disciples.