Qu State had suffered repeated blows from Qi State and was now a small state less than two hundred li across. Though its ruler's rank had not been reduced to that of lord, it had already become a vassal of a great state.
Kong Qiu was renowned for his virtue in Qu State. He had studied at the Academy of Luo State, and no one surpassed his understanding of the Luo Discourses.
"Marquis of Luo, the Sage King established the world's institutions of rites and music, bringing Zhou State five hundred years of prosperity.
"Even now, only Luo State still strictly observes rites and music. This is why Luo State has always prospered.
"But why do you not reestablish rites and music throughout the world? I do not understand!
"If everyone in the world observed the rites, rulers practiced benevolence, and ministers practiced loyalty, would the world not be at peace?"
This was the question Kong Qiu put to Luo Ci. He was puzzled; he did not understand. He had grasped the principles of benevolence from the ancient classics, yet discovered that even Luo State did not promote them.
And so he wished to leave Luo State and seek a ruler willing to accept his teachings.
"Zhongni, you are a man of great virtue. The Way of the King in the Luo Discourses will flourish because of you. Remain at the Academy. Expound your Way of Benevolence, and the Luo Clan will record it and pass it down for you.
"Two thousand years have passed since the Three Kings and Five Emperors, and the world to come holds countless more spans of two thousand years. Your teachings are so magnificent and so closely aligned with the great way of human nature that they are certain to flourish sooner or later.