Gongbo Liao (dates unknown, courtesy name Zizhou, a native of the State of Lu) served as a retainer of the Ji family alongside Zi Lu (a bold and straightforward disciple of Confucius). He is mentioned once in The Analects. When Confucius served as Grand Minister of Justice (Da Sikou) in Lu, he appointed Zi Lu as steward of the powerful Ji family, overseeing the plan to "dismantle the three fortified cities" (a campaign to weaken the powerful noble houses and strengthen the ducal authority). However, due to fierce resistance from the powerful noble houses, the plan to dismantle the three cities was abandoned midway.
In the "Xian Wen" chapter of The Analects, it is recorded that Gongbo Liao slandered Zi Lu (a disciple of Confucius) before Ji Sun (a powerful noble of the State of Lu). Zi Fu Jingbo (an official of Lu) reported this to Confucius, saying: "Ji Sun has indeed been misled by Gongbo Liao, but I still have the power to have Gongbo Liao killed and his body displayed in the marketplace." Confucius replied: "If the Way (Dao) is to prevail, it is by fate (Ming). If the Way is to be abandoned, it is also by fate. What can Gongbo Liao do against fate?" This passage necessarily involves the political plans of Confucius and his disciples. Ji Sun, having been deceived by Gongbo Liao, began to lose trust in Confucius and Zi Lu, thereby increasing the obstacles to Confucius's efforts to promote benevolent governance and rule by virtue in the State of Lu.