Shi Yu (also known as Qiu and Tuo, styled Ziyu) was a high-ranking official of the State of Wei (capital near southwestern Puyang) during the Spring and Autumn Period. Serving as a prayer master under Duke Ling of Wei, he was responsible for the state's sacrifices to the gods of land and grain, and was thus also called Zhu Tuo (Prayer Master Tuo). Upright and resolute, he was a pillar of the state. Confucius once praised him, saying, "What a straight man Ziyu is! When the state's governance is clear, he is straight as an arrow; when the state's governance is dark, he is still straight as an arrow."
At that time, Duke Ling of Wei doted on Mi Zixia (a favored courtier) and often allowed him to do as he pleased. Zi Yu (the remonstrating official) repeatedly advised Duke Ling to discipline Mi Zixia and recommended the virtuous Qu Boyu, but the Duke refused to listen. When Zi Yu fell gravely ill, he called his son to his bedside and said: "I am a remonstrating official of the state. Qu Boyu is virtuous yet Duke Ling does not employ him; Mi Zixia is a petty and treacherous man, yet the Duke trusts him. I have admonished him many times to no avail. As a minister unable to correct the ruler's faults, I have failed in my duty. If I cannot rectify this in life, I will not rest in death. After I die, place my body beneath the window outside the house, and do not enshroud me according to the rites of a high official."
After Shi Yu (a senior official of Wei State known for his integrity) died, his son followed his dying wishes. Duke Ling of Wei came to pay respects and, seeing Shi Yu's body lying by the window uncoffined, found it strange and asked Shi Yu's son why. Shi Yu's son told the Duke what his father had said before death. The Duke suddenly realized his error and said, "This is all my fault, my fault!" He then ordered Shi Yu's son to properly encoffin the body according to the rites for a Grand Master. Returning to court, he appointed Qu Boyu (a virtuous minister) and dismissed his favored minister Mi Zixia.
After learning of this, Confucius said to his disciples: “Throughout history, there have been countless remonstrating officials, and many who were devoted to their duties, but once they died, that was the end. No one has been like Zi Yu (a loyal official of the State of Wei), who even after death used his own body to admonish the ruler. With such devotion to duty, what task could not be accomplished?”