This was a turbulent time, where human life was cheap and dignity was at a premium. Wandering in a strange land, Confucius’ intrepid troops encountered myriad difficulties, humiliations and dangers almost every day. But nothing could damage Confucius’ indomitable belief.
In 496 BC, in Kuang City in the State of Wei, Confucius was mistaken by the locals for a man called Yanghu, a deeply unpopular local tyrant. Confucius and his disciples were pursued and manhandled.
Unperturbed, Confucius observed, “We come here to spread benevolence. I don’t believe they will hurt us. Who does not want to live a good life?”
In 493 BC, Confucius and disciples were performing their rituals under a big tree while traveling in the State of Song, when Sima Hengtui from Song led a gang of men to cut down the shady tree and in the course of this operation threatened to slay Confucius. His disciples eventually persuaded Confucius to leave, but the philosopher was undaunted. He fearlessly remarked: “I must fulfill my mission. Heaven will bless me. What could a mere Hengtui do to me!”
In 489 BC, on the way to the Chu State, the unfortunate group found themselves besieged by a totally undisciplined troop and for seven days couldn’t even prepare a meal. Absolutely undaunted and uncowed, Confucius continued his teaching, playing his qin, and singing. He explained, “A gentleman of morality and learning will always encounter hardships, but they persevere; men of low character always crumble when faced with difficulties.”
Confucius often likened himself and his disciples to a herd of wild animals roving in the vast wilderness as in an ancient poem, full of idealism and learning, but never knowing when they would eventually reach their home.
The wandering group of disciples and followers that surrounded Confucius on his travels undoubtedly drew the attention and the interest of many local rulers. However, opportunities for him to exert any political influence proved frustratingly elusive. Chuzhaowang, the king of the Chu State, then the most powerful state in the south, expressed an interest in inviting Confucius to formally implement his policies of benevolence in the Chu state, but eventually because of a combination of intense opposition from the king’s ministers and Chuzhaowang’s early death, Confucius’ hopes of putting his ideals to the practical test in the Chu State were dashed.
During these 14 years of constant wandering, Confucius broadened his idealistic vision, and refined and strengthened his thoughts and beliefs. He also greatly increased his “international influence” among the states of a disintegrated China. It was this widespread foundation across a wide geographical area that made it possible for the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) to impose the doctrine of Confucius as the empire’s orthodox ideology.
At the age of 68, Confucius finally bade farewell to life on the road. Though during this time, no king or ruler ever appointed him to high position and not even one nobleman ever completely identified with his beliefs and practices, he had succeeded in disseminating his thoughts and wisdom across the vast lands of China. These seeds would come to glorious fruition many years after the diligent planter had departed from the earth.