If you were to describe Confucius using three words, which would you choose?
Many might mention “serious,” “upright,” or even “The Analects,” while others might think of “rigid,” “restrictive,” and “dull.” But let me tell you, Confucius is not what you imagine. The real Confucius in history was actually quite “fun.”
The “Unfortunate” Kong Qiu
Confucius came from a prominent family. His ancestors were part of the royal family of the ancient Yin Shang dynasty in China. However, following a court power struggle, his fifth-generation ancestor was exiled and settled in the state of Lu, where the family continued to thrive.
In the generation of Confucius’s father, the family prospered relatively smoothly. His father, Shuliang He, was a renowned general. Unfortunately, he had no son to carry on the family line, only nine daughters and a lame daughter born to a concubine. During that time, social norms dictated that men inherit the family business, so Shuliang He was under significant pressure.
At the age of 66, he married a young woman from the Yan clan. In 551 BCE, Kong Qiu was born, the Confucius we know today. But his life wasn’t easy. When he was three, his father died, and the family gradually declined. A few years later, his mother also passed away. Young Kong Qiu was…
