Lu

Lu (simplified Chinese: 鲁; traditional Chinese: 魯; pinyin: Lǔ) was an ancient state in China during the Spring and Autumn Period. Founded in the 10th century BC, its dukes used Ji as their family name. The first duke was Ji Boqin, son of Ji Dan, the then Prime Minister of Zhou. The state's capital was in Qufu and its territory mainly covered the central and southwest regions of what is now Shandong Province. It was bordered to the north by the powerful state of Qi and to the south by the powerful state of Chu. Although a Qi invasion was defeated in the Battle of Changshao in 684 BC, the state was in decline during the Spring and Autumn Period. The political power of Lu was eventually split between the three powerful landlords Jisun, Mengsun and Shusun (all of them were descendants of Duke Huan of Lu) until Duke Mu of Lu made a reform, while the land of Mengsun and Shusun was occupied by Qi and the House of Jisun founded their own state named Bi(费). Lu was annexed in 256 BC by the state of Chu.

Lu was the home state of Confucius. The Annals of Spring and Autumn was written to record the history of Lu. Another great work of Chinese history, Zuo Zhuan or Annals of Zuo was also written in Lu.