During the Spring and Autumn Period of China  (770-476 BC) the individual states controlled by the dukes knighted by the dynasty Zhou were getting stronger and becoming more and more out of reach by the king of Zhou

One of the states, Lu, where Confucius was born, started to fall into chaos. The power of the state fell into the hands of 3 ministers who were the sons of the duke, Lu Huan Gong.  The 3 ministers were of members of Ji Sun clan 季孫氏、Su Sun clan 叔孫氏、Meng Sun clan 孟孫氏. They are the younger brothers of the then duke of Lu, Lu Zhuang Gong, and the sons of Lu Huan Gong. In Chinese history, they are called 3 Huans. The political power was actually controlled by the three Huans.  Lu Zhao Gong, the duke of Lu, descendent of  Lu Huan Gong, resented that

Dance ritual in the worship of ancestors planted the seed of civil war

According to the law of rituals of Zhou  dynasty:

1. The ritual dance for the "Son of Heaven" (the king), during the worship of ancestors were to be performed by 8 rows of dancers, with 8 dancers to a row..

2. The ritual dance for the dukes during the worship of ancestors were to be performed by 6 rows of dancers, with 8 dancers to a row..

3. The ritual dance for the ministers during the worship of ancestors were to be performed by 4 rows of dancers, with 8 dancers to a row..

During an ancestor worship ritual, a minister from the Ji Sun clan performed the ritual like that for the "son of heaven" (the king),  with 8 rows of dancers, which was illegal but the duke of Lu, Lu Zhao Gong was powerless to stop it because the Ji Sun clan was more powerful than the duke. This created the potential conflict of Ji Sun clan and the duke of Lu, Lu Zhao Gong.

Cock Fighting Incident Resulted Political Chaos of the state of Lu.

During the 9th moon of 25th year of reign of Lu Zhao Gong (517BC). Minister Ji Pin of the Ji Sun clan and Lord Hou Zhao郈昭伯 (a descendant of duke  Lu Xiao Gong) engaged in the gambling game of cock fighting, which was a popular game among the nobles at that time. Ji Pin spiked the wings of his cocks with mustard powder to blind the eyes of the fighting cocks of Lord Hou Zhao 郈昭伯. After many loses, Lord Hou Zhao discovered the secret of Ji Pin and attached bronze spikes to his fighting cocks. Ji Pin was furious about the loses and argument erupted. Ji Pin led an army and took over the knighted land of Lord Hou Zhao. Lord Hou Zhao complained to the duke, Lu Zhao Gong, who sent an army to attack Ji Pin.

Lord Hou Zhao went to persuade the other two ministers from the Su Sun clan 叔孫氏、Meng Sun clan 孟孫氏.

The head of Su Sun clan consulted his family official: "Which is better for us? With Ji Sun Clan or without Ji Sun Clan?"

"Without Ji Sun Clan, we, Su Sun Clan will not be in existence."

Thus the head of Su Sun Clan sent his army to attack the army of Lu.

Meng Sun clan who had been sitting on the fence, killed the visiting Lord Hou Zhao and also sent army to attack Lu Zhao Gong.  Lu Zhao Gong was defeated and fled to the state of Qi.

Recruiting Confucius by Yang Tiger (also Known as Yang Huo)

Yang Tiger was a family official of Ji Sun clan. The political power of Ji Sun clan was actually controlled by their family employee, Yang Tiger. Eventually Yang Tiger took over the Ji Sun clan.

Confucius at that time was well known by the dukes of different states and was highly respected and within his disciples, there were many talented people.  Yang Tiger (Yang Huo) trying to make his control of state of Lu  look legitimate, tried to enlist Confucius. Confucius hated this type of behaviour where the subordinates usurp the power of their superiors. Confucius tried to avoid Yang Huo.

Yang Huo waited when Confucius was not home and sent a gift of cooked small pig to Confucius' home. According to the etiquette at that time, Confucius had to go to Yang Huo's house to thank him but he waited until Yang Huo was not at home and went there to thank him. On the way home Confucius was intercepted by Yang Huo on the street.

Yang Huo said to Confucius: "Come over here! I have to talk to you."  The use of words shows that Yang Huo was arrogant, rude and in command.

 Yang Huo said: " If one possesses the valuable knowledge and let the state to run down, is it humane? No, it is not."

Yang Huo said: "You like to do administrative work, but you let the chances past by many times. Is is wise? No, it is not."

Yang Huo said: " Time passes by fast (meaning people age fast) and it does not wait for us."

 Then Confucius said: "Yes. I will be an official."

Confucius said that to avoid being harmed by Yang Huo, who was in power,  but he did not explicitly say he was going to work for him.
 

Explanation:

" Spring and Autumn Period " is a term often used by Chinese historian referring the period around 770-476 BC, based on a famous literature "Spring and Autumn Period " which describes the events of that period. It is deemed as the first Chinese chronicle.