Read the following passage from the Analects.

Question

“The Master said: ‘In ruling a state of a thousand chariots, approach your duties with reverence and be trustworthy in what you say; avoid excesses in expenditures and love your fellow men; employ the labor of the common people only in the right seasons.’”

What conclusion can be drawn about how Confucianism influenced the social class system between Zhou rulers and their subjects?(1 point)
Responses

Rulers understood that the military existed so that it could intimidate peasant farmers to produce food for the general population.
Rulers understood that the military existed so that it could intimidate peasant farmers to produce food for the general population.

Rulers understood that they had the power to force peasant farmers to work at all times of the year.
Rulers understood that they had the power to force peasant farmers to work at all times of the year.

Rulers understood that peasant farmers had to be treated respectfully so that they could produce enough food to feed the general population.
Rulers understood that peasant farmers had to be treated respectfully so that they could produce enough food to feed the general population.

Rulers understood that they could execute peasant farmers who did not do their duty to raise enough food for the general population.

Answer 1

The appropriate conclusion drawn from the passage about how Confucianism influenced the social class system between Zhou rulers and their subjects is:

Rulers understood that peasant farmers had to be treated respectfully so that they could produce enough food to feed the general population.

This conclusion aligns with the emphasis in the passage on reverence, trustworthiness, and the importance of treating fellow men with care, as well as the idea of employing the labor of common people at the right times to ensure a stable food supply.