Gongshan Burao, with the compound surname Gongshan and given name Burao (also written as Furao), styled himself Zixie. He was a steward (family retainer) of Ji Huanzi, the de facto ruler of the State of Lu, and had previously helped Yang Hu and others manage the funeral of Ji Pingzi, earning Ji Huanzi's deep trust. In the fifth year of Duke Ding of Lu's reign (505 BCE), he was sent to serve as the steward of Fei, Ji's private fief. At that time, Ji Huanzi's favored retainer was Zhongliang Huai, who held a grudge against Yang Hu. Yang Hu planned to expel Zhongliang Huai, but Gongshan Burao initially tried to stop him. However, Zhongliang Huai grew increasingly arrogant; once, while accompanying Ji Huanzi on an inspection of the eastern fields, he arrived at Fei and showed no respect to Gongshan Burao. Greatly angered, Gongshan Burao urged Yang Hu to drive Zhongliang Huai out. Yang Hu then started a rebellion, which was quickly suppressed.
After Yang Hu fled to the State of Qi, Gongshan Burao (a steward of the Ji Family) used the city of Fei to rebel against the Ji Family and invited Confucius to assist him. Confucius was already fifty years old at the time, and his political ambitions had never been realized, so he intended to go, saying: "King Wen and King Wu of Zhou rose from Feng and Hao to rule the kingdom as kings; though Fei is small, perhaps there is still hope!" He planned to go. Zi Lu (a disciple known for his straightforwardness) was displeased and stopped Confucius. Confucius said: "They summoned me—how could it be in vain? If they employ me, I will revive the virtuous governance of King Wen and King Wu in the East!" However, in the end, he did not go.
In the twelfth year of Duke Ding of Lu (498 BCE), Confucius, serving as Grand Minister of Justice (Da Sikou), also "acted as prime minister" (she xiang shi), managing state affairs on behalf of the ruling Ji Huanzi (head of the Ji family). He implemented the plan to "dismantle the three fortified cities" (duo san du) in order to weaken the private families and strengthen the ducal house. The Shusun and Jisun families, having suffered greatly from rebellions by their city stewards, supported Confucius's proposal, and the city of Hou was successfully demolished. However, when it came to dismantling Fei, they encountered stubborn resistance from Gongshan Burao (a steward of the Ji family). Seeing Hou dismantled, Gongshan Burao prepared for battle. As Ji Huanzi led a large force to demolish Fei, Gongshan Burao and Shusun Zhe led the men of Fei in an attack on the capital of Lu. Confucius, as Grand Minister of Justice, ordered Shen Juxu and Yue Xin to lead troops in a counterattack, defeating the men of Fei. Gongshan Burao fled to the State of Qi, and the city of Fei was finally dismantled.
After the "Dismantling of the Three Cities" incident, Gongshan Burao fled to Qi State and later to Wu State. In the eighth year of Duke Ai of Lu (487 BCE), Wu State, for the sake of Zhu State, prepared to attack Lu. King of Wu asked Shusun Zhe, who replied, "Lu has a name but no substance; attacking them will surely succeed." After withdrawing, Shusun Zhe told Gongshan Burao. Gongshan Burao stopped him, saying, "This is not in accordance with Li (Propriety). A Junzi (Exemplary Person), when leaving his own state, does not go to an enemy state. Having failed to fulfill his duty as a subject in Lu and then attacking it, running errands for Wu and obeying its orders, one may as well die. One should avoid such assignments. Moreover, when a person leaves his state, he should not harm his homeland due to personal grievances." Although Gongshan Burao rebelled against Lu, his words and actions of "not abandoning one's hometown due to hatred" are still commendable, demonstrating a certain moral integrity.