委質

Yang (1965) accepts the interpretation of 質 (OC *tids, *tjid) as alternative of 贄 (OC *tjibs, “ceremonial gift”). Between peers, the gifts were meant to be ceremonially returned. Unlike that, the complete entrustment of the gifts – 委 (OC *qrolʔ) – signified the loyalty and obligations of the homage-payer, and their material acceptance was an expression of superiority.

委質

1. (literary) to pledge one's loyalty; to swear allegiance; to pay homage (as subject or disciple)

   • 臣委質于狄之鼓，未委質于晉之鼓也。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     臣委质于狄之鼓，未委质于晋之鼓也。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE

     Chén wěizhì yú Dí zhī Gǔ, wèi wěizhì yú Jìn zhī Gǔ yě. [Pinyin]

     This vanquished man swore allegiance to (the land of) Gu of Di but never did so to Gu of Jin.

   • 孔子設禮稍誘子路，子路後儒服委質，因門人請爲弟子。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     孔子设礼稍诱子路，子路后儒服委质，因门人请为弟子。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

     Kǒngzǐ shè lǐ shāo yòu Zǐlù, Zǐlù hòu rúfú wěizhì, yīn ménrén qǐng wéi dìzǐ. [Pinyin]

     Confucius exhibited some of the proper ceremonies to Zilu to whet his appetite in the Confucian way. Afterwards, Zilu donned the clothing of a scholar, pledged his loyalty, and requested admission as a disciple via the students.