Confucius – Guide and Strategy

Intro

Confucius, also known as Kong Fu Zi, emerges in Civilization VII as a leader with a unique blend of philosophical insight and growth-oriented gameplay. Renowned in history for his emphasis on social harmony, moral development, and respectful order, Confucius carries these core principles into his in-game bonuses. Whether you’re completely new to the series or a seasoned player, you’ll find his knack for supporting city growth and leveraging specialists especially rewarding.

Strategy

From the start, Confucius brings an Expansionist and Scientific edge to your civilization. This dual focus makes him a fantastic choice for players who love to see their borders flourish while they steadily outpace rivals in research. Here are some tips for playing as Confucius:

1. Capitalize on Growth: The quicker your population grows, the more specialists you can assign to buildings like Libraries or Universities. This synergy between growth rate and specialist output can give you a head start in both military and cultural dominance.
2. Focus on City Development: Because Confucius’s kit leans into specialist usage, aim to build districts and improvements that allow for specialist assignments early. Districts like the Campus or Commercial Hub also benefit from a large pool of specialists.
3. Use Science to Propel Military: Even if you’re a peaceful leader at heart, a strong scientific foundation can keep your units updated with advanced technology. Feel free to expand confidently, knowing you can maintain a well-equipped army if needed.
4. Protect Your Core Cities: With higher population centers come bigger targets for aggressive neighbors. Don’t neglect your defenses, especially on higher difficulties where AI opponents may test your borders early.
5. Seize Mid-Game Opportunities: As you enter the mid-game, consider building or capturing Wonders that boost specialist yields. Combining these with Confucius’s growth bonus helps you snowball advantages in culture, science, or even production.

Overall, if you prefer a balanced style that emphasizes steady growth, stable borders, and a flourishing scientific or cultural base, Confucius is your go-to leader for weaving a harmonious civilization.

Lines

Like many leaders in the game, Confucius greets you and interacts in memorable ways, showcasing his philosophical perspective. Here are some of his lines and voice interactions:

• Greeting: “Have you come to me, Kong Fu Zi, seeking knowledge? That already is knowledge.”
• Attacked: “Heaven is against you; you shall see.”
• Declares War: “One must know when one can fight. And now we can.”
• Accepts Deal: “Yes, this is wise.”
• Rejects Deal: “This is unadvised. Reconsider.”
• Defeated: “Death! What a blessing! The righteous man can rest, and villains’ tricks end.”

Civilopedia Entry

Confucius, a statesman and philosopher of ancient China, championed ideals of rational governance, personal morality, and steadfast adherence to tradition. He originally served in local administrative posts before devoting himself to writing. Frustrated by leaders consumed by power and luxury, Confucius advocated for a structured society where both rulers and subjects recognized their responsibilities.

He lived during a tumultuous period as the Zhou Dynasty gave way to smaller states vying for dominance. This chaotic environment fueled his philosophy, which emphasized harmonious relationships, dutiful loyalty, and sincere respect for family and community. Confucius believed that if individuals behaved ethically and upheld time-honored rites, society as a whole would flourish.

Over centuries, his teachings spread throughout East Asia and deeply influenced governance, social norms, and ethical conduct. In Civilization VII, these historical foundations are translated into game mechanics that reward well-managed cities, robust specialist usage, and a science-forward approach.

Unique Ability: Confucius

Confucius’s Unique Ability is called Keju, named after the imperial examination system historically used for selecting candidates for state bureaucracy. In gameplay terms, Keju grants:

• Increased Growth Rate in Cities: Grow your population faster, creating the potential to work more tiles and assign more specialists.
• Increased Science from Specialists: Every specialist adds additional research output, empowering you to keep your technological edge.

These bonuses make a significant impact over the entire course of the game, particularly when combined with the right Wonders, policies, and district improvements. If you manage your cities well, you’ll quickly see your empire pulling ahead in both population and technological achievements.

Agendas

Confucius’s main agenda is Guanxi. In the real world, guanxi represents the network of influential personal relationships crucial to social and business success. In Civ 7, it translates to:

• Positive Bias: Confucius increases his diplomatic regard for players with the most specialists in their empires. This means if you prioritize specialist assignments and develop high-population cities, your relations with him will naturally improve.
• Negative Bias: If you’re the player with the fewest specialists, he’ll look upon you less favorably. This penalty is relatively small but can add up if you neglect city planning and district development.

To keep him on your good side, ensure that your empire continues to expand its scientific and cultural base—emphasizing specialists will go a long way in avoiding unnecessary conflict.

Trivia

• “Keju” references the famous Chinese civil service examination system, which sought to recruit officials by merit rather than birthright.
• The term “Guanxi” signifies complex social networks in Chinese culture, underscoring Confucius’s focus on personal relationships and societal roles.
• Historically, Confucius’s teachings heavily influenced governance and culture in countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
• In Civ 7, he starts with a bias toward Grassland tiles, reflecting the agricultural hubs of his homeland that supported thriving populations.

TL;DR

Confucius in Civ 7 is all about harmonious development. His unique Keju ability promotes growth and boosts science from specialists, making him an excellent choice for a balanced, research-driven civilization. Meanwhile, his Guanxi agenda encourages strong specialist use if you want to stay on his good side. Focus on city expansion, district development, and consistently assigning specialists to maintain both scientific momentum and favorable diplomatic relations.