During the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius, facing ostracism in the State of Lu, embarked on a journey across various states with dozens of his disciples. Upon reaching the State of Wey, he found Duke Ling of Wey to be elderly, and the political scene dominated by the fierce power struggle between Crown Prince Kuai Kui and Lady Nanzi.

Unable to involve himself in Wey's politics, Confucius and his disciples made their encampment at the home of Yan Zhuozou, who was the brother-in-law of Zilu, one of Confucius's prominent disciples. Despite Yan Zhuozou's rough and unrefined demeanor, Confucius, adhering steadfastly to his principle of 'education for all without social distinctions,' accepted him as a student.