State of Lu

State of Lu : 魯國
←      → c. 1042 BC – 249 BC
General Information
Government:	Monarchy
Languages:	Old Chinese
Affiliation:	Zhou Dynasty
Religions:	Chinese Folk Religion Ancestor Worship Taoism
Capital City:	Qufu
Relations and Opinions
Friends:	State of Qi (sometimes) Zhou Dynasty
Enemies:	State of Qi State of Song State of Chu Three Huan
Likes:	Famous people being born in his clay
Historical Information
Preceded By:	Shang Dynasty
Succeeded By:	State of Chu

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, 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.
• Mozi - Also born in my clay.

Enemies

• Three Huan - Dukes will forever reign superior than clans!