Stories of Confucius’ Student Zigong (Part 1)

(Minghui.org) When people attended school in ancient China, they deeply respected their teachers. It was because they believed that if a person wanted to improve themselves, they must approach the learning process with a sincere heart. According to an old Chinese proverb, “A teacher for a day is a father for life” —this is a testament to the level of respect that students had for their teachers.

Zigong, one of Confucius’ students, is an exemplar of this. His reverence and loyalty for his teacher, as well as his support of righteous values, have earned him a prominent place in the annals of Chinese history.

Respecting His Teacher

Zigong, surnamed Duanmu (circa 520 B.C. – 456 B.C.), was one of Confucius’ most accomplished students. Although he was not Confucius’ favorite disciple, he respected Confucius the most.

Zigong was born in the state of Wei during the late Spring and Autumn Period. He became Confucius’ student when he was 17. He was approxiamtely 31 years younger than his teacher.

Zigong inherited his family business in his 20s, and later served as the prime minister in both the states of Lu and Wei. Throughout all of his roles, he was very eloquent, capable, and well-versed in handling affairs. Even Confucius once described him as a man of extraordinary talent who could handle great responsibilities.

Confucius quit his official position when he was around 50 years old and left the state of Lu. In the 14 years following his retirement, he traveled to various states, including Wei, Chen, Song, Cao, Zheng, Cai, and Chu to teach his doctrines, and Zigong sponsored Confucius so that he could set up schools throughout his sojourns. In the Historical Records Sima Qian mentioned that Zigong was the wealthiest of Confucius’ more than 70 accomplished disciples.

Unlike what we see in today’s society, where people always seek to maximize the return on their investment, Zigong sponsored his teacher purely out of his respect for Confucius and his commitment to spreading principles that would better society.

Zigong was very intelligent, and even Confucius himself often said that Zigong was smarter than he was. Some people claimed that Zigong was more worthy than Confucius.

Duke Jing of Qi once asked Zigong about Confucius’ virtue and talents. Zigong said, “Confucius is a sage, not just a virtuous man.”

“In what way is he a sage?” the Duke asked.

“I do not know,” Zigong replied, which really surprised the Duke.

Zigong continued, “All my life, I have had the sky over my head, but I know not its height; I have had the earth under my feet, but I know not its depth. In my service to Confucius, I am like a thirsty man who goes with his pitcher to the river, where I drink my fill without ever knowing the river’s depth.”

Duke Jing sighed with emotion after hearing what Zigong said about his teacher. Zigong compared Confucius’ holiness to heaven and earth, to rivers and seas, while implying that Zigong himself, with all his knowledge, was just a drop in the ocean.

Shusun Wushu, who served as Sima in the Lu state, once told the court officials, “Zigong is more knowledgeable than Confucius.”

Zifu Jingbo, an official who overheard the comment, told Zigong about it. Zigong’s response once again demonstrated his reverence for his teacher.

“The wall around my house is only as high as my shoulder, so anyone can see what’s inside, while the wall around my teacher’s house is dozens of feet high,” he said. “Those who cannot find the door will certainly be unable to see the magnificence of the ancestral temple within.”

Later, when Shusun Wushu attempted to discredit Confucius again, Zigong said to him in a very serious tone, “Don’t do this, for no one can succeed in doing so. Other people’s virtue is like a small hill that can be overcome, but Confucius’ brilliance is like that of the sun and the moon. How could one surpass him?”

After Confucius passed away, all of his disciples observed a three-year period of mourning—except for Zigong, who mourned for six years.

Observing the Tao of Doing Business

In ancient China, morality was valued over profit. Confucius said, “The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain.” He seldom mentioned “gain” in his teachings. Yet, among his disciples was one of the progenitors of businessmen, and this person was none other than Zigong.

How did he become one of the few wealthy and powerful merchants during the Spring and Autumn period? And how was the accumulation of his wealth connected with Confucianism?

Zigong used to do business between the states of Cao and Lu, and made a fortune from it. He was known as the richest among Confucius’ disciples. Later generations often talked about the “legacy of Duanmu,” which referred to how Zigong set the bar for a prudent businessman’s sense of integrity and trustworthiness.

According to Historical Records by Sima Qian, Zigong once led a fleet of hundred carriages, loaded with gold and treasures, to meet with monarchs of various states. Wherever he went, he was treated with great courtesy and respect. He was indeed a man with enormous wealth.

It is said that one of Zigong’s secrets to success was that he would “take what others abandon, and abandon what others take.”

Fan Li (536 B.C. – 448 B.C.), an ancient military strategist, politician, and businessman from the Spring and Autumn period, also followed a similar train of thought. He said that boats should be purchased during droughts, and that wagons should be bought during floods. With this insight, he became so successful that people posthumously worshipped him as a “God of Wealth.”

Sima Qian’s Historical Records confirm how Zigong made money doing business between Cao and Lu. It also notes that he often traveled between states to do business, and worked tirelessly. He treated his clients with sincerity and trust, and made sure that he was always true in word and resolute in deed. His style of conduct won him a very good reputation and his business soon expanded. According to Sima Qian, among the ancient Confucian merchants, Fan Li was the most skilled, with Zigong a close second.

Being Wealthy Without Being Arrogant

What happened when a person became rich in ancient China? It varied from person to person. Some might go after good horses and extravagant carriages, others indulged in drinking and feasts, and still others surrounded themselves with numerous concubines. They might also consider themselves superior to others, curry favor with those in power to pull political strings, or deceive the public with lies. Such people very often ended up miserable.

There was a wealthy man named Shi Chong in the Western Jin dynasty (265 – 317). His household had countless servants and was furnished like an opulent palace. However, he died tragically at the age of 52, and all 15 of his family members were also executed—a tragic end for someone who was wealthy but cruel.

In contrast, Zigong always kept in mind the teachings of Confucius and conducted himself by the traditional virtues of “gentleness, kindness, courtesy, thriftiness, and magnanimity.” He prospered in business by putting Confucius’ teachings into action, by being loyal and trustworthy. He made profit with righteousness and restraint, and never cheated anyone. After he became wealthy, he never acted unkindly and always tried to benefit society and help the poor.

There is a story in Lüshi Chunqiu—or Master Lü’s Spring and Autumn Annals—about Zigong redeeming a slave. According to a regulation in the state of Lu at the time, if a native from Lu became a slave in another state, anyone who redeemed them could be reimbursed by the state treasury.

Once, Zigong redeemed a man from Lu who had been enslaved elsewhere. Zigong refused the compensation as he believed he acted on the basis of morality and justice. Such an act, he said, didn’t need to be compensated.

Of course, Zigong’s fine demeanor was not something he was born with. Instead, it was the result of continuous self-cultivation in daily life.

According to Historical Records, one day, while riding on a tall horse and dressed in luxurious clothes, Zigong got stuck at the entrance of an alley that was too narrow for his carriage.

Just then, he saw his former classmate Yuan Xian, who was in rags and hobbling along with the help of a walking stick. Zigong couldn’t help but laugh. “Long time no see, old buddy,” he said. “How did you manage to get into such an embarrassing state?”

Yuan Xian said with dignity, “I’ve heard that having no money only makes one’s pockets empty, but failing to pursue the righteous way is what’s truly embarrassing! I’m only a bit poor at the moment, so how could you say I’m in an embarrassing state?”

Upon hearing this, Zigong felt truly ashamed of himself.

(To be continued.)