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Gong Wei and Wang Qi

Excerpt from "The Teachings of Confucius, Chapter 10":1

The armies of Qi invaded the Kingdom of Lu. Gongshu Wuren (Gongwei, son of King Zhao) came across refugees entering the city of Bao. They were resting with their staffs across their backs. Wuren wept as he spoke, "Even now, our bureaucracy is weak, and the draft is a burden on the people, but the king who receives our taxes is unable to make plans and the soldiers are not willing to face death. Things should not be so. Since I have spoken thus, do I dare refuse to do all that I canω" Gongwei, with his boy-favorite Wang Qi beside him, rode to meet the enemy in his war chariot. The two died in battle and their wakes were held at the same time. The people of Lu considered not giving the lad Wang Qi a funeral. They consulted Confucius who said, "If someone can wield the lance to protect his country, how can you not give him a funeralω"

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