(Act V) - Confucius’ Self-exile to Ch’iThus at 36 Confucius followed his Duke in exile reluctantly.                                                                                     His beloved Lu was but a small provincial country                                                                                                 While Ch’i’s capital on the other hand was arguably                                                                                                 the largest metropolis of the Zhōu dynasty.Having immense strides in commercial and industrial development made.And long before, Ch’i impression had made                                                                                                         in her Duke Huan providing,                                                                                                                                        one of the Northern League’s leaders most outstanding,                                                                                     it had for many a generation                                                                                                                                            in Lu’s affairs been meddling                                                                                                                                          as well as open military conflict with it engaging.                                                                       Confucius the interference of Ch’i notwithstanding,                                                                                                was excited at setting foot in her capital Lin-tse, finally                                                                                             for of its sounds, sights and attractions, many a tale heard he                                                                               that in him had evoked wonderment and fascination.And so we find Confucius in Lin-tse’s enchantment,                                                                                          wandering and wondering in amazement                                                                                                                      at all the hustle and bustle of the metropolis so busy                                                                                                   It was quite a thing leaving his village to go to Qu’fu to study                                                                                 but this was on a scale altogether granderwhich his mind could not quite untangle clear.Confucius: O Confucius, so many people, did you ever see                                                                                   all teeming about their business busy.To his right were many stalls                                                                                                                                   selling all manner of fruit and vegetables,                                                                                                               whilst on the opposite side there were a few butchers                                                                                            with meat and live poultry.                                                                                                                                           Next came the spice sellers                                                                                                                                           with their vivid hues and intoxicating scents, spicy.                                                                                         Confucius’ head and eyes were spinning                                                                                                                      as he took in the wonders of his surrounding.                                                                                                            As he walked to the end of the street                                                                                                                                                                                                    to his right he found himself in a street Full of silk drapers                                                        selling the finest silks- a myriad of colours.                                                                                Confucius: Well Confucius, all-consuming has become your thirst and hunger…                                             you better a place to drink and eat soon discover                                                                                                        before you lose control of your senses here.                                                                                                             But where to find a place to sate my stomach’s desire?(Confucius asks a passer-by)Confucius: Excuse me friend, but where may a traveller                                                                                             to this fair city find a place to sate his hunger?Passer-by: Well friend, Jing’s I have found always to be                                                                                               a place fair of price and food mmm delicious mouth-wateringly.                                                                                                                                                                                               Just turn left at the next street and miss it will not your nose,                                                                                        for the smell of the mian tiao[1] will lead you to it close.Confucius: Most kind of you to come to the aid of this stranger,                                                                                                                                                                                               For the hunger pangs cannot be delayed any longer.                                 (They both laugh and part their way)Confucius: Mmmmm what a delicious smell indeed                                                      He walks into Jing’s place resting his weary feet                                                                                                       and orders a bowl of vegetable mian tiao most mouth-watering indeedConfucius: A most appetizing bowl                                                                                                                                of mian tiao I must say landlord,                                                                                                                                     the like of which I have not tasted                                                                                                                                since my mother parted.Landlord: Thank you kindly.Confucius: Tell me good sir, where may one find a place to sleep.Landlord: Well I do a few rooms keep.Confucius: That would be wonderful, as I am most weary.The landlord shows Confucius to his chamber                                                                                               Confucius enters and is most happy                                                                                                                              to lay on the straw bed most comfy.                                                                                                                           And as soon as his head rests, he is in deepest slumber.The next morning having breakfasted                                                                                                              Confucius resolves to discover the wonders of the city.As he walks the streets soon he hears the most mellifluous melody                                                               leading Confucius captivated                                                                                                                                          to the College of Musicians’ door,                                                                                                       Seeing something that he had never experienced before,an orchestra with many a student the Eight Sounds[2] playingConfucius under its hex, is lost in his musingConfucius: O what Heavenly melody                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       do practice the Ch’i!                                                                                                                                                        Such sublime sounds that transport the soul                                                                                                                                                                                      to heights never experienced before…And finally when the music ended awoke he from his slumber Entering he went up to the Music MasterConfucius: Forgive me Master                                                                                                                                                                                                but I am to your city, a humble traveller                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                never before have I heard music so enchanting.                                                                                                                                                                                           Pray tell me what is this music that you were playing?                                                                                                                                                                                 I never imagined music’s beauty                                                                                                                                could reach a pitch so heavenly.Music Master: This enchantment is Shao Music young man                                                                                                                                                                                                   a gift of the Emperor Shun to man.Confucius: It is of Empyrean origin indeed?                                                                                                                                                                                     I play the lute and se but not like that of your students here.Would it be possible to be taught by you Master?Music Master: It would be possible indeed.                                                                                                                                                                                  It is always a pleasure to teach the soul’s nourishment                                                                                                 to those truly seeking Heaven’s allurement.Confucius: That I am Master,                                                                                                                                       you shall find me a most diligent learner.And so it was for three months studied he assiduously                                                                                             under its trance falling                                                                                                                                                     all thoughts of food and sleep forgetting                                                                                                           devoting to his lessons utterly                                                                                                                                      For what Confucius learnt in Qu’fu                                                                                                                            from the pre-eminent Music Master of Lu,                                                                                                                   by contrast old-fashioned did appear,and now naïve to the ear.                                                                                                            Lauded by all was his extreme devotion,                                                                                                                       his Master, fellow students and soon all in the city                                                                                                                                                                                              were talking about his dedication.                                                                                                                   Eventually news of Confucius assiduity                                                                                                                   even reached the ears of Duke Ching                                                                                                                        Who wished this earnest learner from Lu to discover                                                                                              and so summoned Confucius to his court did Duke ChingConfucius arrives at the resplendent palace’s gate                                                                                               Where the captain of the guards did him expectantly await                                                                                        to the duke’s private chamberDid he Confucius usher                                                                                      (Confucius enters and bows)The Duke looks at Confucius and finds himself in awe of this imposing figure                                                   who appeared to have more in common with a soldier                                              Duke: So you are Confucius of Lu                                                                                                                                the man who has intrigued in this city quite a few.                                                                                              Although, from your appearance I must declare                                                                                                           you appear to have more in common                                                                                                                            with my captain                                                                                                                                                               than a man of musical flair.Confucius: My stature sire I owe to my father                                                                                                                                                                                           Captain in rank a soldier.Duke: That certainly explains your frame,                                                                                                                  pray tell me what was his name?Confucius: Hu-Liang Ho of Tsou sire,was my father.Duke: Hu Liang, mmm I am sure of that name I am familiar…                                                                                                                                                                                             Surely not Hu Liang Ho                                                                                                                                                      who distinguished himself sowith his might and valour                                                                                                                                                   at the siege of the forts Pi-yang                                                                                                                   and Fang!Confucius: I believe the very same sire.Duke: A braver man I have yet to discover.                                                                                               The siege of Fang I do well remember.                                                                                                                  Though we had it surrounded,  your father boldly escortedunder darkness’ cover                                                                                                                                                          Lord Tsang-sun Ho his masterthrough our besieging army’s mightand immediately retraced his steps back insidemuch to our humiliation.Confucius: Of my father I have little recollectionas he died when I was an infant, sire.Duke: Your father was a courageous and mighty officer,you obviously possess his stature.But tell me how is the son of such a distinguished soldiercome to offer our music such devotion?Confucius: Well Highness, music is a divine gift from Heaven.It is the manna of the soul                                                                                                                                                     that refreshes and nourishes it to its core.Duke: Well I must say, I have never heard of music in such description,                                       (He affectionately smiles)                                                                                                                         Tell me, are you a man of music or do you follow any other profession?Confucius: Well sire I have practiced many a professionbut before I came here I did teach the young of Luthe Way of Kings Wen and Wu.Duke: Pray enlighten me as to what exactly you mean?

 Confucius: Well sire I try teach to those learners most keen                                                                                 a love of certain qualities of nobility                                                                                                                            prized by Kings Wen and Wu highly,                                                                                                                         such as Xin – honesty and trustworthiness;                                                                                                              Shù[3] – selflessness and faithfulness                                                                                                                        towards all friends, family and strangers;                                                                                                                   Lǐ the norms of proper social behavior                                                                                                                       as taught by fathers, village elders and government officials;                                                                                   Yì – the ability to be righteous and act in a just manner;                                                                                       Jén – practice of benevolence and humanity;                                                                                                         and Xiào – love for one’s family, parents and country.                                                                                              If one develops these in the young, then I believe                                                                                              society as a whole, shall from such upstanding citizens benefit reap. 

Duke: Confucius, you are a most interesting character                                                                                        and I find your thoughts most compelling in nature. 

Confucius: My Lord is most gracious. 

Duke: I have not been intrigued by any for a long time Confucius.                                                                      Pray what is your opinion                                                                                                                                              on the secret of good administration? 

Confucius: Well sire, it consists in the prince                                                                                                          being prince,                                                                                                                                                                    the servant                                                                                                                                                                   being servant,                                                                                                                                                                                       father being father                                                                                                                                                            and son                                                                                                                                                                                              being son.

Duke: Excellent! Indeed when the ruler

is not a ruler,                                                                                                                                                                    the minister                                                                                                                                                                                               is not a minister,                                                                                                                                                            the father                                                                                                                                                                         not a father,                                                                                                                                                                    the son                                                                                                                                                                                            not a son,                                                                                                                                                               although I may have all the grain I need,                                                                                                                 shall I ever get, to it eat?  Pray what is the duty proper of the ruler? 

Confucius: For that sire, One need only to Heaven’s Mandate consider:                                                               to rule Justly Fairly and   Wisely                                                                                                                                                                                            in the interests of the citizenry.                         

[1] Noodles in soup[2] (八音)  silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd and hide instruments [3] Reciprocity, altruism, consideration for others etc… ‘what you do not want yourself, do not do to others’