In the 20th year of the reign of Duke Zhao of Lu state (522 BC), when Confucius was about 30 years old, Duke Jing of Qi state and his premier Yan Ying went hunting in the border of Qi state and Lu state, and paid a visit to Lu state. Duke Jing asked Confucius, "Qin state is small and remote. But why could it be powerful and prosperous during the reign of Duke Mu?" Confucius replied, "Although Qin state is small, it has great aspirations. Although it is located in a remote place, its administration is in line with justice. Duke Mu personally promoted the slave Baili Xi and granted him the rank of Da fu (a senior official in feudal China). Duke Mu liberated him from imprisonment and talked to him for three days. After that, he let Baili Xi help him with state affairs. With this attitude of appointing people on their merit, he could undoubtedly govern his state and even all the states well! "