Nangong Jingshu, whose clan name was Zhongsun and personal name was Yue (or Shuo), was a noble of the State of Lu with the posthumous title "Jing." He was the son of Meng Xizi and the younger brother of Meng Yizi. Originally named Zhongsun Yue, he adopted "Nangong" as his clan name because he resided in the Nangong area. He is mentioned three times in The Analects. In 518 BCE, on his deathbed, Meng Xizi instructed both Meng Yizi and Nangong Jingshu to become disciples of Confucius. Nangong Jingshu once accompanied Confucius to the Zhou capital of Luoyi to study Zhou rituals and sought instruction on Li (Propriety) from Lao Dan (Laozi). According to the Shuoyuan (Garden of Persuasion), Confucius later praised Nangong Jingshu's assistance, saying, "Since Nangong Jingshu provided me with his carriage, the Way (Dao) has been further advanced."
