King of the Kong family

The Qufu region has been occupied by invaders of different ethnic groups at different times, from the Jurchens in the 12th century and the Mongols in the 13th century to the Manchurians in the 17th century and the Japanese from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s. All the occupiers, however, took good care of the temple because they acknowledged the importance of Confucianism despite committing atrocities in places nearby.

The non-Han rulers needed to show their appreciation of Confucius and his teachings and master the art of Chinese-style governance in order to rule such a large nation. As such, they protected and renovated the Temple of Confucius as an icon to soothe the subjects and prevent them from rising in rebellion.