State of Lu
Lu (魯), also kwon as the State of Lu (魯國), was a vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty in ancient
China, situated in what is now modern
Shandong. Established in the 11th century BC, his rulers descended from a cadet branch of the House of Ji (姬), the ruling family of the Zhou dynasty.
Lu was the home state of Confucius as well as
Mozi, whose Conf-Moh opposition are practical learning (顯學) at first and more popular than later
Tao-Legal
. And as such, has an outsized cultural influence among the states of the
Eastern Zhou and in history. The Annals of Spring and Autumn, for instance, was written with the Lu rulers' years as their basis. Another great work of Chinese history, the Zuo Zhuan or Commentary of Zuo, was also written in Lu by
Zuo Qiuming.
The State of Lu was also the state that preserved the most complete Zhou rites during the Spring and Autumn Period.
History
Lu was one of several states founded in eastern China at the very beginning of the
Zhou Dynasty, in order to extend Zhou rule far from his capital at
Zongzhou (AKA Haojing) and power base in the
Guanzhong region. Throughout
Western Zhou times, he played an important role in stabilising Zhou control in modern-day
Shandong.
During the early Spring and Autumn period, Lu was one of the strongest states and a rival of
Qi to his north. Under
Duke Yin and
Duke Huan of Lu, Lu defeated both
Qi and
Song on several occasions. At the same time, he undertook expeditions against other minor states.
This changed by the middle of the period, as Lu's main rival, Qi, grew increasingly dominant. Although a Qi invasion was defeated in the Battle of
Changshao in 684 BC, Lu would never regain the upper hand against his neighbour. Meanwhile, the power of the dukes of Lu was eventually undermined by the powerful feudal clans of Jisun (季孫), Mengsun (孟孫), and Shusun (叔孫) (called the
Three Huan because they were descendants of
Duke Huan of Lu). The domination of the Three Huan was such that
Duke Zhao of Lu, in attempting to regain power, was exiled by them and never returned. It would not be until
Duke Mu of Lu's reign, in the early
Warring States period, that power eventually returned to the dukes again.
In 249 BC, King Kaolie of the state of
Chu invaded and annexed Lu.
Duke Qing, the last ruler of Lu, became a commoner.
Relations
Friends
Zhou Dynasty - Father, I will always stay loyal to you.
Confucius - A great philosopher that was born in my clay.
Mozi - Also born in my clay.
Ignoring you're born to oppose your spiritual enemy-teacher above.
Enemies
Three Huan - Dukes will forever reign superior than clans!