← Back to 史記

衛康叔世家

House of Wei Kang Shu

Chapter 37 of 史記 ✓ Translated
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 37
Next Chapter →
1
Wei Kang Shu, named Feng, was King Wu of Zhou's younger brother from the same mother. Next there was still Ran Ji, who was the youngest.
2
祿 祿 祿 祿
King Wu had already conquered Yin Zhou, and again enfeoffed Zhou's son Wu Geng Lu Fu with Yin's remnant people, making him equal to the feudal lords, to continue their ancestor sacrifices without ending them. Because Wu Geng had not yet gathered support, fearing he had treacherous intentions, King Wu then commanded his younger brothers Guan Shu and Cai Shu to tutor and assist Wu Geng Lu Fu, to harmonize the people. King Wu had already passed away. King Cheng was young. The Duke of Zhou Dan governed in place of King Cheng and held the state. Guan Shu and Cai Shu doubted the Duke of Zhou, so they made rebellion with Wu Geng Lu Fu, desiring to attack Cheng Zhou. The Duke of Zhou Dan, with King Cheng's command, raised troops to attack Yin, killed Wu Geng Lu Fu and Guan Shu, banished Cai Shu, and with Wu Geng's Yin remnant people enfeoffed Kang Shu as lord of Wei, residing between the He and Qi rivers in the former Shang ruins.
3
The Duke of Zhou Dan feared that Kang Shu was too young, so he repeatedly admonished Kang Shu, saying: 'You must seek the worthy people, gentlemen, and elders of Yin, and ask them why Yin rose and why it perished, and diligently love the people.' He admonished that Zhou perished because he was licentious with wine. The harm of wine was that women were employed, so Zhou's chaos began from this. He made the 'Zi Cai' to show gentlemen the rules they could model themselves after. Therefore these were called the 'Kang Gao', 'Jiu Gao', and 'Zi Cai' to command him. Kang Shu went to his state. With this command, he could harmonize and gather his people, and the people were greatly pleased.
4
King Cheng grew up and handled affairs. He raised Kang Shu to be Zhou's Minister of Crime, granted Wei precious sacrificial vessels, to display the virtue of Kang Shu.
5
Kang Shu died, and his son Kang Bo succeeded him. Kang Bo died, and his son Kao Bo succeeded him. Kao Bo died, and his son Si Bo succeeded him. Si Bo died, and his son You Bo succeeded him. You Bo died, and his son Jing Bo succeeded him. Jing Bo died, and his son Zhen Bo succeeded him. Zhen Bo died, and his son Duke Qing succeeded him.
6
Duke Qing heavily bribed King Yi of Zhou. King Yi commanded Wei to be a marquis. Duke Qing reigned for twelve years and died. His son Duke Xi succeeded him.
7
In the thirteenth year of Duke Xi's reign, King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi, and the Gong He administered government. In the twenty-eighth year, King Xuan of Zhou ascended the throne.
8
In the forty-second year, Duke Xi died, and Crown Prince Gong Bo Yu succeeded him as lord. Gong Bo's younger brother He had favor with Duke Xi, and Duke Xi gave him many bribes; He used his bribes to bribe warriors, to suddenly attack Gong Bo at the tomb. Gong Bo entered Duke Xi's burial chamber and committed suicide. The Wei people therefore buried him beside Duke Xi, gave him the posthumous name Gong Bo, and established He as the marquis of Wei, who became Duke Wu.
9
Duke Wu ascended the throne and restored Kang Shu's policies. The people were harmonious and gathered together. In the forty-second year, the Quan Rong killed King You of Zhou. Duke Wu led troops to assist Zhou in pacifying the Rong, and had great merit. King Ping of Zhou commanded Duke Wu to be a duke. In the fifty-fifth year, he died, and his son Duke Zhuang Yang succeeded him.
10
使 使
In the fifth year of Duke Zhuang's reign, he married a Qi woman as his wife. He loved her but she had no son. He again married a Chen woman as his wife. She gave birth to a son, but he died early. The Chen woman's younger sister was also favored by Duke Zhuang, and gave birth to a son named Wan. Wan's mother died. Duke Zhuang commanded his wife, the Qi woman, to raise him and established him as crown prince. Duke Zhuang had a favored concubine who gave birth to a son named Zhou Xu. In the eighteenth year, Zhou Xu had grown up. He liked warfare, and Duke Zhuang made him a general. Shi Que admonished Duke Zhuang, saying: 'If a concubine's son likes warfare and you make him a general, chaos will arise from this.' He did not listen. In the twenty-third year, Duke Zhuang died, and Crown Prince Wan succeeded him, becoming Duke Huan.
11
使
In the second year of Duke Huan's reign, his younger brother Zhou Xu was arrogant and extravagant. Duke Huan demoted him, and Zhou Xu fled. In the thirteenth year, Zheng Bo's younger brother Duan attacked his elder brother, was not victorious, fled, and Zhou Xu sought to befriend him. In the sixteenth year, Zhou Xu gathered Wei fugitives to suddenly kill Duke Huan, and Zhou Xu established himself as Wei's lord. For Zheng Bo's younger brother Duan, who desired to attack Zheng, he requested Song, Chen, and Cai to go with him. The three states all promised Zhou Xu. Zhou Xu was newly established, liked warfare, and had assassinated Duke Huan—the people of the state of Wei all did not love him. Shi Que then used Duke Huan's mother's family in the state of Chen and pretended to be friendly to Zhou Xu. They arrived at Zheng's outskirts. Shi Que plotted together with the marquis of Chen, had the right prime minister Chou advance food, and took advantage to kill Zhou Xu at Pu. They welcomed Duke Huan's younger brother Jin from Xing and established him, who became Duke Xuan.
12
In the seventh year of Duke Xuan's reign, Lu assassinated their lord Duke Yin. In the ninth year, Song's Du assassinated their lord Duke Shang, and also Kong Fu. In the tenth year, Jin's Qu Wo Zhuang Bo assassinated their lord Duke Ai.
13
使
In the eighteenth year, initially Duke Xuan loved his wife Yi Jiang. Yi Jiang gave birth to a son named Ji, whom he made crown prince, and commanded the right prince to tutor him. The right prince took a Qi woman for the crown prince. She had not yet entered the chamber, but Duke Xuan saw that the one desired to be the crown prince's wife was beautiful, was pleased and took her himself, and changed to take another woman for the crown prince. Duke Xuan obtained the Qi woman and she gave birth to sons Shou and Shuo. He commanded the left prince to tutor them. Crown Prince Ji's mother died. Duke Xuan's proper wife together with Shuo slandered and hated the crown prince Ji. Duke Xuan himself, because he had seized the crown prince's wife, hated the crown prince in his heart and desired to depose him. And when he heard their slander, he was greatly angered. He then sent Crown Prince Ji to Qi and commanded robbers to block him at the border and kill him. He gave the crown prince a white banner, and told the border robbers to kill whoever held the white banner. About to go, Shuo's elder brother Shou, the crown prince's half-brother, knew that Shuo hated the crown prince and the lord desired to kill him, so he told the crown prince: 'Border robbers will see the crown prince's white banner and immediately kill the crown prince. The crown prince should not go.' The crown prince said: 'To go against my father's command to seek life is not permissible.' He then went. Shou saw that the crown prince would not stop, so he stole his white banner and galloped first to the border. The border robbers saw the token and immediately killed him. Shou was already dead, and Crown Prince Ji arrived again, and told the robbers: 'The one who should be killed is me.' The robbers together killed Crown Prince Ji, to report to Duke Xuan. Duke Xuan then made Shuo the crown prince. In the nineteenth year, Duke Xuan died, and Crown Prince Shuo succeeded him, becoming Duke Hui.
14
The left and right princes were not content with Shuo's establishment. In the fourth year of Duke Hui's reign, the left and right princes resented Duke Hui for slandering and killing the previous Crown Prince Ji to replace him. They then made rebellion, attacked Duke Hui, established Crown Prince Ji's younger brother Qian Mou as lord, and Duke Hui fled to Qi.
15
Wei lord Qian Mou reigned for eight years. Duke Xiang of Qi led the feudal lords who received the king's command to together attack Wei, received Duke Hui of Wei, and executed the left and right princes. Wei lord Qian Mou fled to Zhou, and Duke Hui ascended again. Duke Hui reigned for three years and went into exile. He was exiled for eight years and entered again. With the previous continuous years, altogether thirteen years.
16
In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Hui resented Zhou for harboring Qian Mou, and together with Yan attacked Zhou. King Hui of Zhou fled to Wen. Wei and Yan established King Hui's younger brother Kui as the king. In the twenty-ninth year, Zheng again received King Hui. In the thirty-first year, Duke Hui died, and his son Duke Yi Chi succeeded him.
17
Duke Yi ascended the throne. He liked cranes and was licentious, pleasure-loving, and extravagant. In the ninth year, the Di attacked Wei. Duke Yi of Wei desired to raise troops, but some of the troops rebelled. The grand ministers said: 'The lord likes cranes, so the cranes can be commanded to strike the Di.' The Di therefore then entered and killed Duke Yi.
18
When Duke Yi was established, the common people and grand ministers all did not submit. From Duke Yi's father Duke Hui Shuo, who slandered and killed Crown Prince Ji to replace him, until Duke Yi, they often desired to overthrow them. They finally extinguished Duke Hui's descendants and changed to establish Qian Mou's younger brother Zhao Bo Wan's son Shen as the lord, who became Duke Dai.
19
Duke Dai Shen died in the first year of his reign. Duke Huan of Qi, because Wei was frequently in chaos, then led the feudal lords to attack the Di. For Wei he built Chu Qiu and established Duke Dai's younger brother Hui as Wei's lord, who became Duke Wen. Duke Wen, because of the chaos, had fled to Qi, and the Qi people brought him in.
20
Initially, when the Di killed Duke Yi, the Wei people pitied him and thought to again establish Duke Xuan's previously deceased Crown Prince Ji's descendants. Ji's son had also died, and the one who died in Ji's place, Shou, also had no son. Crown Prince Ji had two half-brothers from the same mother: one was called Qian Mou. Qian Mou once replaced Duke Hui as lord, and after eight years again left; The second was called Zhao Bo. Zhao Bo and Qian Mou had both already died previously, so they established Zhao Bo's son Shen as Duke Dai of the state of Wei. Duke Dai died, and they again established his younger brother Hui as Duke Wen.
21
Duke Wen was first established. He lightened taxes and equalized punishments, labored with his own body, shared the same bitterness with the common people, to gather the people of Wei.
22
In the sixteenth year, Jin's Prince Chong Er passed through, without proper ritual. In the seventeenth year, Duke Huan of Qi died. In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Wen died, and his son Duke Cheng Zheng succeeded him.
23
使
In the third year of Duke Cheng's reign, Jin desired to borrow passage through Wei to save Song, but Duke Cheng did not permit it. Jin changed course and crossed from the south river to save Song. They summoned troops from Wei. Wei's grand officers desired to permit it, but Duke Cheng of the state of Wei was not willing. The grand officer Yuan Tiao attacked Duke Cheng, and Duke Cheng fled. Duke Wen of Jin Chong Er attacked Wei, divided its land and gave it to Song, punishing the previous passing without proper ritual and not saving Song's calamity. Duke Cheng of Wei then fled to Chen. After two years, he went to Zhou to seek entry and met with Duke Wen of Jin. Jin had people poison Duke Cheng of Wei. Duke Cheng privately bribed Zhou's poison master and commanded the poison to be weak, so he did not die. Then Zhou requested on his behalf to Duke Wen of Jin. He finally entered the state of Wei, and executed Yuan Tiao. Wei lord Xia fled. In the seventh year, Duke Wen of Jin died. In the twelfth year, Duke Cheng paid court to Duke Xiang of Jin. In the fourteenth year, Duke Mu of Qin died. In the twenty-sixth year, Bing Chan of Qi assassinated their lord Duke Yi. In the thirty-fifth year, Duke Cheng died, and his son Duke Mu Suo succeeded him.
24
In the second year of Duke Mu's reign, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Chen and killed Xia Zheng Shu. In the third year, King Zhuang of Chu surrounded Zheng. Zheng surrendered, and he again freed them. In the eleventh year, Sun Liang Fu saved Lu and attacked Qi, again obtaining the invaded land. Duke Mu died, and his son Duke Ding Zang succeeded him. Duke Ding died in the twelfth year of his reign, and his son Duke Xian Kan succeeded him.
25
宿 使
In the thirteenth year of Duke Xian's reign, the duke commanded Teacher Cao to teach the palace concubine to play the zither. The concubine was not good, and Cao whipped her. The concubine, using her favor, slandered Cao to the duke. The duke also whipped Cao three hundred times. In the eighteenth year, Duke Xian summoned Sun Wen Zi and Ning Hui Zi to eat, and they all went. The day grew late without summons, and the duke went to shoot geese in the park. The two men followed him. The duke did not remove his hunting clothes and spoke with them. The two men were angered and went to Su. Sun Wen Zi's son often served the duke drinks and made Shi Cao sing the final stanza of the 'Clever Words' song. Shi Cao was also angered that the duke had once whipped him three hundred times. He then sang it, desiring to anger Sun Wen Zi and repay Duke Xian of Wei. Wen Zi told Qu Bo Yu, and Bo Yu said: 'I, your minister, do not know of the matter.' They then attacked and expelled Duke Xian. Duke Xian fled to Qi. Qi placed Duke Xian of Wei at the city of Ju. Sun Wen Zi and Ning Hui Zi together established Duke Ding's younger brother Qiu as the lord of Wei, who became Duke Shang.
26
宿 使
Duke Shang Qiu ascended and enfeoffed Sun Wen Zi Lin Fu at Su. In the twelfth year, Ning Xi and Sun Lin Fu contended for favor and mutually hated each other. Duke Shang made Ning Xi attack Sun Lin Fu. Lin Fu fled to Jin and again sought to restore the former Duke Xian of Wei. Duke Xian was in Qi. Duke Jing of Qi heard of it and together with Duke Xian of Wei went to the state of Jin to seek entry. Jin attacked Wei on his behalf and lured them with an alliance. Duke Shang of Wei met with Duke Ping of Jin. Duke Ping seized Duke Shang and Ning Xi and again restored Duke Xian of Wei to the state of Wei. Duke Xian, who had been in exile for twelve years, then entered.
27
In Duke Xian's first year after returning, he executed Ning Xi.
28
使 宿使
In the third year, the envoy of Wu's Yanling Jizi passed through Wei, saw Qu Bo Yu and Shi, and said: 'Wei has many noblemen, and their state has no calamity.' When he passed Su, Sun Lin Fu struck the qing for him, and said: 'Not happy, the sound is greatly sad. This will make Wei fall into chaos.' In this year, Duke Xian died, and his son Duke Xiang Wu succeeded him.
29
In the sixth year of Duke Xiang's reign, King Ling of Chu assembled the feudal lords. Duke Xiang claimed illness and did not go.
30
In the ninth year, Duke Xiang died. Initially, Duke Xiang had a lowly concubine whom he favored, and she became pregnant. She dreamed that someone said to her: 'I am Kang Shu. I command that your son will surely have Wei. Name your son 'Yuan'.' The concubine was astonished and asked Kong Cheng Zi. Cheng Zi said: 'Kang Shu is the ancestor of Wei.' And when she gave birth to a son, she told Duke Xiang. Duke Xiang said: 'Heaven has placed this.' They named him Yuan. Duke Xiang's wife had no son. They then established Yuan as the heir, who became Duke Ling.
31
In the spring of the forty-second year, Duke Ling toured the suburbs and commanded Zi Ying to drive the chariot. Ying was Duke Ling's youngest son, with the courtesy name Zi Nan. Duke Ling resented that the crown prince had fled, and told Ying: 'I will establish you as my successor.' Ying replied: 'Ying is not sufficient to disgrace the altars of soil and grain. My lord, please plan further.' In the summer, Duke Ling died. The wife commanded Zi Ying to be crown prince, saying: 'This is Duke Ling's command.' Ying said: 'The exiled crown prince Kuai Kui's son Zhe is here. I dare not accept.' Then Wei established Zhe as lord, who became Duke Chu.
32
宿
In the sixth month, on the day Yi You, Zhao Jian Zi desired to enter Kuai Kui. He then commanded Yang Hu to falsely command over ten Wei people in mourning hemp to return. Jian Zi sent Kuai Kui. The Wei people heard of it and raised troops to attack Kuai Kui. Kuai Kui could not enter. He entered Su and defended it. The Wei people also stopped their troops.
33
In the fourth year of Duke Chu Zhe's reign, Tian Qi of Qi assassinated their lord Duke Ru. In the eighth year, Bao Zi of Qi assassinated their lord Duke Dao.
34
Confucius entered Wei from Chen. In the ninth year, Kong Wen Zi asked about warfare from Zhong Ni. Zhong Ni did not answer. After that, Lu welcomed Zhong Ni, and Zhong Ni returned to Lu.
35
宿使 輿 使
In the twelfth year, initially Kong Yu Wen Zi married the crown prince Kuai Kui's sister and she gave birth to Pei. The Kong clan's attendant Hun Liang Fu was beautiful and good. Kong Wen Zi died, and Liang Fu had relations with Pei's mother. The crown prince was in Su. Pei's mother sent Liang Fu to the crown prince. The crown prince spoke with Liang Fu, saying: 'If you are able to enter my state, I will repay you with riding in a xuan carriage, exempt you from three deaths, and give you anything.' He made an alliance with him and promised to make Pei's mother his wife. In the leap month, Liang Fu entered with the crown prince and resided in the Kong clan's outer garden. At dusk, the two people covered themselves with clothes and rode. The eunuch Luo drove, and they went to the Kong clan. The Kong clan's elder Luan Ning asked him, and he called the marriage concubine to tell him. They then entered and went to the Bo Ji clan. Having eaten, Pei's mother held a ge spear and went first. The crown prince, with five armored men and carrying Xi, followed them. Bo Ji coerced Pei at the toilet and forced him to ally. They then coerced him to ascend the tower. Luan Ning was about to drink wine. The roast was not ready when he heard of the chaos and had someone tell Zhong You. He summoned protection and harnessed the chariot. They circulated wine and ate roast, and served Duke Chu Zhe who fled to Lu.
36
祿 使
Zhong You was about to enter when he met Zi Gao, who was about to exit, and Zi Gao said: 'The gate is already closed.' Zi Lu said: 'I have just arrived.' Zi Gao said: 'You cannot make it. Do not step into their difficulty.' Zi Lu said: 'If I eat there, I cannot avoid their difficulty.' Zi Gao then exited. Zi Lu entered and reached the gate. Gong Sun Gan closed the gate and said: 'Do not enter to do it!' Zi Lu said: 'Is this Gong Sun?' He seeks profit and flees their difficulty. You are not so. I profit from his salary, so I must save him from his calamity.' An envoy exited, and Zi Lu then obtained entry. He said: 'Why does the crown prince use Kong Pei?' Even if you kill him, someone must succeed him.' Moreover, he said: 'The crown prince has no courage. If you burn the tower, you must abandon Kong Shu.' The crown prince heard it and feared. He descended with Shi Qi and Yu Mi to oppose Zi Lu. They struck him with ge spears and cut his tassel. Zi Lu said: 'When a gentleman dies, his cap is not removed.' He tied his tassel and died. Confucius heard of the chaos in Wei and said: 'Alas!' Chai will come, will he not?' You will die.' Kong Pei finally established Crown Prince Kuai Kui, who became Duke Zhuang.
37
Duke Zhuang Kuai Kui was Duke Chu's father. He resided outside and resented that none of the grand officers welcomed and established him. In the first year of his reign, he desired to completely execute the ministers, saying: 'I resided outside for a long time. Have you also heard of it?' The multitude of ministers desired to make rebellion, so he stopped.
38
In the second year, Kong Qiu of Lu died.
39
In the third year, Duke Zhuang ascended the city wall and saw Rong state. He said: 'Why are the Rong captives here?' Rong state was angered by it. In the tenth month, Rong state told Zhao Jian Zi, and Jian Zi surrounded Wei. In the eleventh month, Duke Zhuang fled, and the Wei people established Prince Ban Shi as Wei's lord. Qi attacked Wei, captured Ban Shi, and changed to establish Prince Qi as the lord of Wei.
40
In the first year of Wei lord Qi's reign, Wei's Shi Man Duo expelled his lord Qi, and Qi fled to Qi. Wei Duke Chu Zhe from Qi again returned and was established. Initially, Duke Chu reigned for twelve years and fled. He was in exile for four years and again entered the state of Wei. In Duke Chu's first year after returning, he rewarded those who had followed him in flight. He reigned for twenty-one years and died. Duke Chu's younger uncle Qian attacked Duke Chu's son and established himself, becoming Duke Dao of the state of Wei.
41
Duke Dao died in the fifth year of his reign, and his son Duke Jing Fu succeeded him. Duke Jing died in the nineteenth year of his reign, and his son Duke Zhao Jiu succeeded him. At this time the three Jin were strong. Wei was like a small marquis and belonged to them.
42
In the sixth year of Duke Zhao's reign, Prince Wei assassinated him and replaced him, becoming Duke Huai. In the eleventh year of Duke Huai's reign, Prince Kui assassinated Duke Huai and replaced him, becoming Duke Shen. Duke Shen's father was Prince Di; Di's father was Duke Jing. Duke Shen died in the forty-second year of his reign, and his son Duke Sheng Xun succeeded him. Duke Sheng died in the eleventh year of his reign, and his son Marquis Cheng Suo succeeded him.
43
In the eleventh year of Marquis Cheng's reign, Gong Sun Yang entered Qin. In the sixteenth year, Wei changed and demoted its title to marquis.
44
In the twenty-ninth year, Marquis Cheng died, and his son Marquis Ping succeeded him. Marquis Ping died in the eighth year of his reign, and his son Lord Si succeeded him.
45
In the fifth year of Lord Si's reign, they changed and demoted the title to lord, and he alone had Pu Yang.
46
婿
He died in the forty-second year, and his son Lord Huai succeeded him. In the thirty-first year of Lord Huai's reign, he paid court to Wei, and Wei imprisoned and killed Lord Huai. Wei changed and established the heir lord's younger brother, who became Lord Yuan. Lord Yuan was Wei's son-in-law, so Wei established him. In the fourteenth year of Lord Yuan's reign, Qin seized Wei's eastern lands. Qin first established Dong commandery, changed and moved Wei's Ye Wang county, and combined Pu Yang as Dong commandery. In the twenty-fifth year, Lord Yuan died, and his son Lord Jiao succeeded him. In the ninth year of Lord Jiao's reign, Qin united the world and established the First Emperor. In the twenty-first year, the Second Emperor demoted Lord Jiao to a commoner, and Wei's sacrifices ended.
47
The Grand Historian said: I read the hereditary houses' accounts, and arrived at Duke Xuan's crown prince who was executed because of his wife, and his younger brother Shou contended to die to yield to each other. This is the same as Jin's crown prince Shen Sheng, who dared not clarify Li Ji's transgression. Both disliked injuring their father's intention. Yet they finally died. How sad it is! Some fathers and sons kill each other, and brothers extinguish each other. Why is this the case?
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →