Fu Buqi

Fu Buqi (Chinese: 宓不齊; Wade–Giles: Fu Pu-ch'i; born 521 BC), also pronounced Mi Buqi, was a major disciple of Confucius. He was also known by his courtesy name Zijian (Chinese: 子賤; Wade–Giles: Tzu-chien). He was known as a capable governor and was also a writer.

Life

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Fu Buqi (Zijian) was born in 521 BC, 30 years younger than Confucius, He was from the State of Lu, Confucius' native state.

Fu Buqi served as magistrate of Shanfu County (present-day Shan County, Shandong) in Lu, and governed the county well without putting in much effort. Wuma Shi, another disciple of Confucius, had served in the same position and succeeded only with very hard work. Wuma asked Fu Buqi how he managed it so easily, Fu replied: "I employ men; you employ men's strength." Several ancient texts, including the Records of the Grand Historian, the Lüshi Chunqiu, and the Han Shi Waizhuan, record anecdotes demonstrating Fu Buqi's good governance.

Confucius praised Fu Buqi's governing ability, and thought he was fit for higher positions such as a king's or lord's adviser. In the Analects, Confucius called Fu Buqi a junzi (gentleman), and cited him as evidence of the high moral standard of the people of Lu. Throughout the Analects, Confucius praised only two of his disciples as junzi, the other being Nangong Kuo.