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Once, Confucius's disciple Zi Gong redeemed a person from Lu Country abroad and refused to accept the national compensation after returning home. After learning about this, Confucius said, "Zi Gong, you made a mistake."
"From now on, people from Lu Country won't redeem their compatriots from other countries. Receiving compensation from the state won't compromise your integrity; but if you decline it, no one from Lu Country will redeem their unfortunate compatriots anymore."
Zi Lu saved a drowning person, who thanked him by giving him an ox, and Zi Lu accepted it. Confucius said happily, "From now on, people from Lu Country will surely be brave in rescuing those drowning."
The Master was keen in his observations, excelling at understanding human nature; he was truly remarkable.
The stories of "Zi Gong redeeming a person and Zi Lu receiving an ox" are quite thought-provoking.
