When Confucius could not be put in important positions in Wei state, he left to visit Zhao Jianzi of Jin state. When he came to the bank of the Yellow River, he heard that ministers Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua of Jin were killed by Zhao Jianzi. Facing the Yellow River, Confucius sighed and said, "The river is so choppy that I can't cross it. It's my destiny!" Zigong came forward and asked why he said that. Confucius replied, "Dou Mingdu and Shun Hua are both virtuous ministers of Jin state. Zhao Jianzi relied on their help when he was not in power. But he killed them when he sat on his throne. Even a beast will be free from such unrighteous business. A gentleman should avoid harming his own kind." So he returned to Wei state.