Kung Fu Tzu, Confucius, was born on 551 BCE. He lost his father at the age of 3. He didn't grow up wealthy, but got a well enough education. At the age of 23, his mother passed away. Soon after, he opened up his own school and became a teacher. He was so successful, he was promoted to minister of justice of Lu (which is now known as Shantung Province). After a while, he decided to leave to travel China. Confucius traveled for 13 years before going back to his love, teaching. He was never famous until after 479 BCE, when he passed away at the age of 72. His students carried his work with them, and eventually it was found. Soon, it would become some of the most important writings in Chinese history.