Confucius ... when he grew up
The line from which Confucius came was a pauperized branch of the Shang dynasty (ruling in the north of China from 1600 to 1046 BCE). Or so the scientist himself claimed. For many generations, the family had fallen to such an extent that its members were among the commoners, bearing the common name of Kong. Nevertheless, they were known and valued as learned and skilled administrators. The father of the most famous member of the family, Shuliang He, broke this tradition.
Confucius' father had a military career behind him. He was praised many times for his strength, courage and bravery. He expressed them in 562 B.C.E., serving in the royal forces during the siege of the rebellious city. Shuliang He was part of the squad at the time, tasked with attacking the unguarded gate, which was in fact a trap set by the defenders. Behind the soldiers' backs, the grate was to fall down and cut their retreat. Confucius' father understood at the last moment what was happening, threw his sword aside and grabbed the falling grate, allowing all his companions to escape. He himself managed to withdraw. Thanks to this heroic deed, he raised his social status. It was the pinnacle of his military career. We can say that it was just in time - Shuliang He was already around 50 years old and less and less strong for the fight.
Where are the nine daughters there… there is no one to make offerings?
The brave soldier's nuisance was, however, the future. His wife, whom he had taken many years earlier, gave birth to nine daughters (who, according to the tradition, were "owned" by the husband's family) and only one, in addition, as the Chinese sources describe a "crippled" son. To make matters worse, she could not give birth to any more descendants. Shuliang He was worried that soon there would be no one to offer sacrifices to his ancestors, including sacrifices for him after his death. It was necessary to get a healthy male heir as soon as possible.
Shuliang He knew he had no other choice and he had to get a second wife, preferably young and strong, who would be able to give him what he needed. Fortunately, there was a house of the Yan family near where he lived, and there were three potential candidates living there.
The fruit of "indecent feedback"? It's hard to believe
The future father of Confucius therefore went to a neighborly visit to look for the potential mother of his future offspring. Very romantic! As you can guess, the potential candidates for a wife were not particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of a quick wedding and the birth of a host of male descendants to a young and fresh boy. Mr. Yan, the father of these women, came to Shuliang He's aid. He announced to his daughters that he wished this marriage and that Mr. Kong had wonderful ancestors of aristocracy, and a notable soldier's biography.
Cheeky Mrs. Kong
The offer to marry Shuliang He Kong and his father's arguments did not particularly convince the three young women. The two older men prudently kept their mouths shut. The youngest could not stand it and abruptly replied to her father that she was asking unnecessarily which of them would want to marry a neighbor, since it was up to him to decide anyway. The girl's name was Zhengzai, meaning a saucy person with a bad tongue. She was the one who became Mrs. Kong.
Shuliang's in-laws took the news of his marriage unfavorably. The relationship with such a huge age difference between the spouses was simply called "indecent coupling" and "wild relationship".
Daffodil had only a few years to enjoy Zhengzai's charms. In the meantime, the woman gave birth to a son (he was named Zhongni, which means second son, although we know him as Confucius), who became an orphan at the age of three. Neither little Confucius nor his mother had been invited to Shuliang's funeral. The boy grew up without any special luxuries, boycotted by his father's first wife and her family, but not deprived of education ...
Source:
- J. Clements, Confucius , Erica Publishing Institute, Warsaw 2007.