0444_Bk

40 THE ANALECTS i INTRODUCTION.
to have observed in him many marks of the sage, river
eyes, dragon forehead, long arms, tortoise back. exceptional
stature, manner, memory and information.
On his return to Lu his following greatly increased,
with which conservative statement Chutzfi contents him-
self, but other recorders possessed of a more_ vivid -
inmgination have fixed the number at three thousand.
That he may have had so many from first to last is
possible, especially as many would count themselves his
discipIes who never had permanent residence with him, or
attended regularly in his school, but who came for special
information.
The year after our Philosopher's return to Lu, B. C.
517 and in h(s 35th year, Duke Chao of Lu in the 25th
year of his rule, asserted himself against the three powerful
chieftains Chi L-_, Shu ;_, and M_ng _ who had
kept him in tutelage throughout his reign, had usurped
his prerogatives, taxed his revenues and maintained him as
a mere figurehead. Failure attended his effort to throw
off the intolerable yoke, and worsted in his resistance he
fled to the State of Ch'i _, which adjoined Lu on the
north. Seven years later he died a fugitive in the State
of Chin _i_ Ch'i's western neighbour.
Lu being in a condition of rebellion Confucius also
Mthdrew to Ch'i, then ruled over by Duke Ching
XVI. I2 ; XII. II, "XVIII. 3 Here he heard for the
first time the ancient music of the Emperor Shun, which
-so affected him that he lost interest even in his food.
VII. 13 ;III. 25. The Duke offered him the control of
a township, but he elected to decline the offer. Later the