State of Lu
Lu (魯) 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, 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 Dynasty 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 its 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.
Enemies
Three Huan - Dukes will forever reign superior than clans!
