The story comes from “Ba Yi” of the Analects of Confucius

The border official of Yi requested an audience, saying, “Whenever a noble man comes to this place, I never miss the opportunity to see him.”

The disciples sent him in.

Upon leaving, he remarked, “Why do you, my companions, fear the loss of the rites? The world has long been without the Way. Heaven shall surely use the Master as its wooden clapper to awaken all.”

“Yi” was a city in the State of Wei, and the term “fong-ren” referred to an official in charge of border territories. This unnamed official from the city of Yi requested to meet Confucius. He said, “Whenever a virtuous and noble person passes through Yi, I never fail to meet them.”

So, Confucius’ students led the border official of Yi to meet him.

The story comes from Confucius’ Family Sayings: Reflections

In the State of Lu, there lived a frugal man who prepared food with a humble pottery vessel and found it pleasing upon tasting his modest fare. The person placed the food in an earthen bowl and offered it to Confucius. Confucius received it with genuine joy, as if it were a sumptuous feast.

Zi Lu remarked, “The bowl is a common vessel, and the food within is plain. Why does my master find such delight in it?”

Confucius responded, “A man who cares deeply for his king is ever mindful of him, and one who savors good food remembers his parents. My joy does not lie in the elegance of the food or the vessel, but the thought of me in one’s moment of enjoyment!”

In the State of Lu, there was a frugal person who used pottery pots to cook his food. Finding the food delicious, he placed some of it in a pottery bowl and offered it to Confucius. Confucius seemed as delighted as if he had received the “three sacrifices”—beef, lamb, and pork.

Zi Lu, one of Confucius’ students, wondered, “The gift was placed in a simple open pottery bowl, which is a rather lowly utensil. The food itself is plain and unsophisticated, too. Why are you so pleased, my teacher?” Confucius replied, “A person who cares deeply about his king and often wishes to offer advice always thinks of his king. Similarly, someone who respects and loves his parents will think of them when enjoying good food. I am happy not because of the richness or quality of the food and the utensil, but because he thought of me when he had something nice to eat.”

The story comes from Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Confucius

Lord Jing of Qi sought counsel from Confucius on governance. Confucius replied, "Let kings be kings, ministers be ministers, fathers be fathers, sons be sons.”

Lord Jing responded, “Wonderful! For if the king is not as a king should be, the minister not as a minister should be, the father not as a father should be, and the son not as a son should be, even though there may be grain in the granary, how would I possibly enjoy it?”

On another day, Lord Jing again inquired Confucius about the principles of governance. Confucius said, “Good governance lies in frugality.” Pleased, Lord Jing considered bestowing upon Confucius the lands of Ni Creek.

This story took place during Confucius’ middle years, a period when the State of Lu was plagued by civil warfare. Lord Zhao of Lu was defeated by the three most powerful families in the state and fled to the State of Qi. Confucius also left Lu and traveled to Qi, where he had the opportunity to meet Lord Jing of Qi.

Lord Jing of Qi consulted Confucius on the principles of ruling a country. Confucius advised, “Let kings be kings, ministers be ministers, fathers be fathers, and sons be sons.” In other words, kings should act like kings, ministers should act like ministers, fathers should act like fathers, and sons should act like sons.

The story comes from Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Confucius

Confucius, finding no favor in the State of Wei, resolved to journey west to seek an audience with Zhao Jianzi. However, as Confucius reached the banks of the Yellow River, tidings of the deaths of Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua fell upon his ears. Standing by the river, he lamented, “How splendid the river is, vast and boundless! That I shall never cross it is indeed my fate!”

Zi Gong stepped forward and inquired, “May I ask, Master, what do you mean?”

Confucius replied, "Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua were virtuous ministers in the land of Jin. Before Zhao Jianzi ascended to his power, he leaned upon these men to govern. But when his ambition was fulfilled, he had them slain. I have heard it said, ‘If a land slays the unborn by cutting open the womb, the Chinese unicorn shall not wander its fields; if the waters be drained and the fish taken, the scaled dragon shall not stir the clouds to rain; if the nests be overturned and the eggs destroyed, the Phoenix shall not grace the skies above. Why so? Because the noble abhor harming their own kind. If even birds and beasts shun injustice, how much more should I!”

And so he returned, taking refuge in the town of Zou, where he composed the Zou Melody to mourn their tragic fate.

Confucius, feeling unappreciated in the State of Wei, decided to head west with the intention of meeting Zhao Jianzi, the Chief Minister of the State of Jin. However, upon reaching the banks of the Yellow River, he unexpectedly heard news that Zhao Jianzi had murdered two virtuous ministers of Jin, Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua. Confucius, gazing at the river, lamented, “How beautiful the Yellow River is! It seems that I am destined never to cross you and journey west!”

Zi Gong took a step forward and asked, “What do you mean, my teacher?”

The story comes from Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Confucius

During a journey from the State of Cao to the State of Song, Confucius and his disciples engaged in the studies of the rites under the boughs of a large tree.

Harboring the thought of slaying Confucius, Commander Huantui ordered the tree to be felled.

Confucius took his leave. A disciple noted, “We should hasten our steps.”

Confucius replied, “Heaven has bestowed virtue upon me; what can Huantui truly bring upon me?”

Confucius traveled across various states, persuading their kings to adopt benevolent and virtuous governance. Although he successfully secured audiences with many kings and ministers, and even convinced rulers such as Lord Jing of Qi, he was never heavily trusted due to ostracism, slander, and defamation. At times, he even faced life-threatening dangers.

During this unsettled journey, Confucius and his disciples continued their studies. In 493 B.C., as they left the State of Cao for the State of Song, Confucius and his students practiced rituals under a large tree. Huantui, a military commander of Song, intended to murder Confucius. He sent someone to chop down the tree which provided shade to Confucius and his students as a gesture of intimidation. A student suggested, “To prevent any unforeseen danger, we should leave quickly!”

The story comes from “Ji Shi” of the Analects of Confucius

Chen Kang inquired of Boyu, “Do you possess any special knowledge?”

Boyu responded, “No. I recall once when my father was standing alone and I passed through the courtyard. He asked, ‘Have you studied the Book of Songs?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Without studying the Book of Songs, one cannot speak with decorum.’ Thus, I withdrew to study the Book of Songs.

On another day, my father was standing alone again, and I passed by the courtyard. He asked, ‘Have you studied propriety?’ I answered, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Without studying propriety, one cannot conduct oneself properly in society.’ So, I withdrew to study propriety. These are the two teachings I received.”

Chen Kang, upon hearing this, was delighted and remarked, “By posing a single query, I have gained three lessons: the significance of the Book of Songs, the importance of propriety, and the fact that a true gentleman refrains from demonstrating favor towards his own offspring.”

Confucius’ son was named Li with a courtesy name of Boyu. One day, Confucius’ disciple Chen Kang asked Boyu, “Have you heard any special teachings from your master (Confucius)?”

Boyu replied, “No. I only remember that once my father (Confucius) was standing in in the hall alone. As I walked by the courtyard, my father asked, ‘Have you studied the Book of Songs?’ I replied, ‘I haven’t.’ My father said, ‘If you don’t study the Book of Songs, you won’t know how to speak properly.’ So I studied the Book of Songs thoroughly.

The story comes from Confucius’ Family Sayings: Explanation of Modesty

One of Confucius’ disciples, Mi Zijian, held office in the State of Lu, presiding over Danfu. After three years, Confucius dispatched Wu Maqi to assess Mi’s administration.

Removing his usual garments at night for a weathered fur coat, Wu Maqi entered the precincts of Danfu.

There, he witnessed a fisherman who, under the cover of night, released every fish he had caught. Intrigued, Wu Maqi inquired, “Most fishermen retain the fish they capture. What compels you to set them free?”

The fisherman replied, “The larger fish, known as ‘chou,’ are cherished by our magistrate. The smaller ones, named ‘sheng,’ are intended by our magistrate to grow. Hence, I release both kinds whenever I catch them.”

Upon his return, Wu Maqi reported to Confucius, “The virtue of Mi Zijian is so widespread that his subjects act as though under stringent laws, even in secrecy. How has he achieved such influence?”

Confucius responded, “I once said to him, ‘Sincerity in one place manifests as if it were strict law in another.’ Mi Zijian has practiced this principle in Danfu.”

Confucius had a student named Mi Zijian, who served as an official managing the town of Danfu in the State of Lu. Mi Zijian governed with an honest mind, practicing benevolence with sincerity and loyalty, which deeply inspired townspeople. After three years, Confucius sent another disciple, Wu Maqi, to Danfu to learn about Mi Zijian’s achievements in governance.

Wu Maqi took off his official attire and, in secret, changed to a tattered leather coat before entering the land of Danfu. There, he saw a man fishing at night, who released the fish he had just caught. Wu Maqi was curious and asked, “Most people keep the fish they catch. Why did you release it at all?” The fisherman explained, “In a group of fish, the larger ones are called ‘chou,’ which means pregnant abalone, while the smaller ones are called ‘sheng.’ Our magistrate Mi Zijian is highly protective of wildlife and cherishes them. He wants us to catch only fully grown fish. The fish I caught fall into both categories, so I released them.”

In Taiwan, there is a “grand temple” in every traditional Han community. It is the center for religion, entertainment, commerce, education, social gatherings, and community governance for locals.

The local “grand temples” have their own primary deities, accompany by other gods. Although Confucius, the Great Sage and Teacher, is the primary deity in official Confucian temples, he is also often enshrined as an accompanying god in other grand temples. Devotees affectionately refer to him as Lord Confucius.

Shanxi Temple is the “grand temple” in Guanziling, Tainan, dedicated to the worship of Saintly Emperor Guan Yu. Within the temple, there is a Confucius Hall that worships Confucius.

The nine shrine paintings behind the statue of Confucius are particularly noteworthy. They are woodblock prints featuring the “plain-sketch” technique by artist Pan Lishui (1914–1995), depicting scenes from the life of Confucius. There are a few noteworthy aspects of this set of artworks:

Wang Wang Lee, a native of Mengli, Niaosong District, married Shizhu Lee at the age of 22 by matchmaker to Zuoying District.Mr. Lee was a steady, honest, law-abiding person. After marriage, the two developed a construction business together.

In 2002, the Taoist priest conveyed the will of Heavenly God of Xuan Tianand to assign Ms. Lee  to build Sianfong Temple for Earth God. She did not have the guts to take this holy impossible mission. She implored the temple authorities to find another powerful and famous male gentry to take the responsibility , she was willing to provide donations. Later, she fell down for no reason while riding a motorcycle, so she consulted the Heavenly God of Xuan Tian who once again instructed her to take charge of this mission.

Ms. Lee was a heroine . Once she took over the responsibility, she would never regret. Under the instructions of the Earth God, she found the land (located in Dashu District,kaohsiung, address: No. 130, Sanhe Road, Sanheli). The landlord told her: "The Earth God has come. A few days before I planned to sell the land, I dreamed of the Earth God several times."

To celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony, Heavenly God of Xuan Tian instructed the time should be at 10 a.m. and ordered all believers to prepare firecrackers. When the time came, the believers were preparing for burning it. Suddenly a tornado blew up. No one touched the firecrackers, but they were lit at the same time. The flames illuminated their hearts and made a loud applause.