1
微子開者，殷帝乙之首子而帝紂之庶兄也。 紂既立，不明，淫亂於政，微子數諫，紂不聽。 及祖伊以周西伯昌之修德，滅黎國，懼禍至，以告紂。 紂曰：「我生不有命在天乎？ 是何能為！」 於是微子度紂終不可諫，欲死之，及去，未能自決，乃問於太師、少師曰：「殷不有治政，不治四方。 我祖遂陳於上，紂沈湎於酒，婦人是用，亂敗湯德於下。 殷既小大好草竊姦宄，卿士師師非度，皆有罪辜，乃無維獲，小民乃并興，相為敵讎。 今殷其典喪！ 若涉水無津涯。 殷遂喪，越至于今。」 曰：「太師，少師，我其發出往？ 吾家保于喪？ 今女無故告予，顛躋，如之何其？」 太師若曰：「王子，天篤下菑亡殷國，乃毋畏畏，不用老長。 今殷民乃陋淫神祇之祀。 今誠得治國，國治身死不恨。 為死，終不得治，不如去。」 遂亡。
Wei Zi Kai was the first son of Emperor Yi of Yin and the elder half-brother of Emperor Zhou. Zhou was already on the throne, but he was unenlightened and chaotic in government. Wei Zi repeatedly admonished him, but Zhou would not listen. When Zu Yi saw that Xi Bo Chang, the Lord of the West of Zhou, was cultivating virtue and had destroyed the state of Li, he feared that calamity was approaching and reported it to Zhou. Zhou said: "Do I not have my mandate from Heaven? What can they do to me!" Then Weizi judged that Zhou could no longer be remonstrated with. He considered dying for the cause or leaving, but could not decide. He therefore asked the Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor, saying: "Yin has no orderly government and no longer governs the four quarters. Our ancestor displayed his achievements on high, while Zhou is steeped in wine and given over to women, bringing Tang's virtue to ruin below. From the smallest to the greatest, Yin delights in bandits, thieves, and wicked evildoers. The ministers and officers follow one another without measure, and all share guilt. There is no support left to rely on, and the common people rise up together, becoming enemies to one another. Now Yin has lost its order! It is like fording water with no bank or shore. Yin is therefore losing itself, and the loss has reached the present day." He said: "Grand Tutor, Junior Tutor, should I leave? Can our house be preserved in a doomed state? Now you tell me this without cause, and I stumble in confusion. What should I do?" The Grand Tutor said: "Prince, Heaven has sent down heavy calamity to destroy the Yin state. The king does not fear what should be feared, and he does not employ his elders. Now the Yin people are vulgar and excessive in sacrificing to the spirits. If I truly obtain the chance to govern the state, then even if I die after setting the state in order, I will have no regret. If I die, I will never be able to govern. It is better to depart." He then fled.
2
箕子者，紂親戚也。 紂始為象箸，箕子嘆曰：「彼為象箸，必為玉桮； 為桮，則必思遠方珍怪之物而御之矣。 輿馬宮室之漸自此始，不可振也。」 紂為淫泆，箕子諫，不聽。 人或曰：「可以去矣。」 箕子曰：「為人臣諫不聽而去，是彰君之惡而自說於民，吾不忍為也。」 乃被髪詳狂而為奴。 遂隱而鼓琴以自悲，故傳之曰箕子操。
jizi was Zhou's kinsman. Zhou began to make ivory chopsticks. Jizi sighed and said: "If he makes ivory chopsticks, he will surely make jade cups; Once he makes such cups, he will surely think of precious and strange things from distant places and use them. The slide toward fine carriages and horses, palaces and mansions, begins here and cannot be checked." Zhou abandoned himself to debauchery. Jizi remonstrated with him, but he refused to listen. Someone said: "You may leave." Jizi said: "When a minister remonstrates and is not heard, to leave is to expose the lord's evil and make oneself pleasing to the people. I cannot bear to do that." He then let his hair hang loose, feigned madness, and lived as a slave. He then withdrew and played the zither to express his grief. The piece was therefore handed down as Jizi Cao.
3
王子比干者，亦紂之親戚也。 見箕子諫不聽而為奴，則曰：「君有過而不以死爭，則百姓何辜！」 乃直言諫紂。 紂怒曰：「吾聞聖人之心有七竅，信有諸乎？」 乃遂殺王子比干，刳視其心。
Prince Bi Gan was also Zhou's kinsman. He saw that Jizi had remonstrated without being heard and had reduced himself to slavery, and then said: "If a lord has faults and one does not contend with him even unto death, what wrong have the common people done?" He then bluntly admonished Zhou. Zhou was angry and said: "I have heard that a sage's heart has seven apertures. Is that truly so?" He then killed Prince Bigan and had his body cut open so he could inspect his heart.
4
微子曰：「父子有骨肉，而臣主以義屬。 故父有過，子三諫不聽，則隨而號之； 人臣三諫不聽，則其義可以去矣。」 於是太師、少師乃勸微子去，遂行。
Weizi said: "Father and son are bound by bone and flesh, while minister and lord are joined by righteousness. Therefore, if a father errs and his son remonstrates three times without being heard, the son follows him and weeps for him; If a minister remonstrates three times and is not heard, then by righteousness he may leave." The Senior Tutor and Junior Tutor then urged Wei Zi to flee, and he did so.
5
周武王伐紂克殷，微子乃持其祭器造於軍門，肉袒面縛，左牽羊，右把茅，膝行而前以告。 於是武王乃釋微子，復其位如故。
King Wu of Zhou attacked Zhou and conquered Yin. Wei Zi then took his sacrificial vessels to the camp gate, bared his chest and bound his face, led a sheep with his left hand and held thatch in his right, and knelt forward to submit his petition. King Wu then released Wei Zi and restored him to his old rank.
6
武王封紂子武庚祿父以續殷祀，使管叔、蔡叔傅相之。
King Wu enfeoffed Zhou's son Wu Geng Lufu so the Yin sacrifices could continue, appointing Guan Shu and Cai Shu to guide and support him.
7
武王既克殷，訪問箕子。
After King Wu had conquered Yin, he consulted Jizi.
8
武王曰：「於乎！ 維天陰定下民，相和其居，我不知其常倫所序。」
King Wu said: "Alas! Heaven in hidden ways settles the people below and harmonizes their dwelling places. I do not know the constant order by which they are arranged."
9
箕子對曰：「在昔鯀陻鴻水，汨陳其五行，帝乃震怒，不從鴻範九等，常倫所斁。 鯀則殛死，禹乃嗣興。 天乃錫禹鴻範九等，常倫所序。
Jizi replied: "In former times, Gun dammed the great flood and threw the five phases into confusion. The Emperor then grew wrathful; the Great Plan in its nine divisions was not followed, and the constant order was ruined. Gun was executed, and Yu succeeded him and rose to prominence. Heaven then granted Yu the Great Plan in its nine divisions, by which he arranged the constant order.
10
「初一曰五行； 二曰五事； 三曰八政； 四曰五紀； 五曰皇極； 六曰三德； 七曰稽疑； 八曰庶徵； 九曰嚮用五福，畏用六極。
"The first is the five phases; the second is called the five matters; the third is called the eight governments; the fourth is called the five records; the fifth is called the royal pole; the sixth is called the three virtues; the seventh is called examining doubts; the eighth is called the many signs; the ninth concerns turning toward and using the five blessings, and standing in awe of and using the six extremes.
11
「五行：一曰水，二曰火，三曰木，四曰金，五曰土。 水曰潤下，火曰炎上，木曰曲直，金曰從革，土曰稼穡。 潤下作鹹，炎上作苦，曲直作酸，從革作辛，稼穡作甘。
The five phases: "first is water, second fire, third wood, fourth metal, fifth earth. Water moistens downward. Fire flames upward. Wood bends and straightens. Metal yields and changes. Earth is for sowing and reaping. Moistening downward produces saltiness. Flaming upward produces bitterness. Bending and straightening produce sourness. Yielding and changing produce pungency. Sowing and reaping produce sweetness.
12
「五事：一曰貌，二曰言，三曰視，四曰聽，五曰思。 貌曰恭，言曰從，視曰明，聽曰聰，思曰睿。 恭作肅，從作治，明作智，聰作謀，睿作聖。
The five matters: "first is appearance, second speech, third sight, fourth hearing, fifth thought. Appearance is respectfulness. Speech is compliance. Sight is clarity. Hearing is acuity. Thought is profundity. Respectfulness produces solemnity. Compliance produces order. Clarity produces wisdom. Acuity produces planning. Profundity produces sageliness.
13
「八政：一曰食，二曰貨，三曰祀，四曰司空，五曰司徒，六曰司寇，七曰賓，八曰師。
The eight affairs of government: "first food, second goods, third sacrifices, fourth the Minister of Works, fifth the Minister of Education, sixth the Minister of Justice, seventh guests, eighth the army.
14
「五紀：一曰歲，二曰月，三曰日，四曰星辰，五曰歷數。
The five records: "first the year, second the month, third the day, fourth the stars and planets, fifth calendar calculations.
15
「皇極：皇建其有極，斂時五福，用傅錫其庶民，維時其庶民于女極，錫女保極。 凡厥庶民，毋有淫朋，人毋有比德，維皇作極。 凡厥庶民，有猷有為有守，女則念之。 不協于極，不離于咎，皇則受之。 而安而色，曰予所好德，女則錫之福。 時人斯其維皇之極。 毋侮寡而畏高明。 人之有能有為，使羞其行，而國其昌。 凡厥正人，既富方穀。 女不能使有好于而家，時人斯其辜。 于其毋好，女雖錫之福，其作女用咎。 毋偏毋頗，遵王之義。 毋有作好，遵王之道。 毋有作惡，遵王之路。 毋偏毋黨，王道蕩蕩。 毋黨毋偏，王道平平。 毋反毋側，王道正直。 會其有極，歸其有極。 曰王極之傅言，是夷是訓，于帝其順。 凡厥庶民，極之傅言，是順是行，以近天子之光。 曰天子作民父母，以為天下王。
The royal standard: "the king establishes his standard, gathers the five blessings in due season, and uses them to spread gifts among the common people. The common people then follow your standard, and you are granted preservation of the standard. Among all the common people, let there be no licentious factions and no one setting virtue beside the standard. Only the sovereign establishes the standard. Among all the common people, when some have plans, actions, and constancy, you should keep them in mind. If they do not conform to the standard yet have not fallen into guilt, the sovereign accepts them. Those who are peaceful in demeanor and say, "I love virtue," you then grant blessings. Such people are what uphold the sovereign's standard. Do not insult the few or stand in fear of the high and brilliant. When people have ability and action, let them advance in their conduct, and the state will prosper. All upright people, once enriched, will be good. If you cannot make them love you and your house, then these people bear the fault. If they do not love virtue, then even if you grant them blessings, they will use them to bring calamity upon you. Do not be partial, do not be biased; follow the king's righteousness. Do not indulge private likes; follow the king's way. Do not indulge private hates; follow the king's road. Without partiality and without faction, the kingly way is broad. Without faction and without partiality, the kingly way is level. Without opposition and without leaning aside, the kingly way is straight and upright. Gather them to the standard; return them to the standard. The words spread from the king's standard are balanced and instructive; they accord with the Thearch above. All the common people follow and practice the words spread from the standard, drawing near to the radiance of the Son of Heaven. The text says that the Son of Heaven acts as father and mother to the people and thereby becomes king of the world.
16
「三德：一曰正直，二曰剛克，三曰柔克。 平康正直，彊不友剛克，內友柔克，沈漸剛克，高明柔克。 維辟作福，維辟作威，維辟玉食。 臣無有作福作威玉食。 臣有作福作威玉食，其害于而家，凶于而國，人用側頗辟，民用僭忒。
The three virtues: "first uprightness, second firm mastery, third gentle mastery. In peace and calm, use uprightness. With the strong and unfriendly, use firm mastery. With the inwardly friendly, use gentle mastery. With the deeply sunk, use firm mastery. With the high and brilliant, use gentle mastery. Only the ruler dispenses blessings. Only the ruler wields awe. Only the ruler eats jade-like food. Ministers must not dispense blessings, wield awe, or enjoy jade-like food. If ministers dispense blessings, wield awe, or enjoy jade-like food, it harms your house and brings calamity to your state. The people will follow crooked and partial rulers, and the people will become presumptuous and deviant.
17
「稽疑：擇建立卜筮人。 乃命卜筮，曰雨，曰濟，曰涕，曰霧，曰克，曰貞，曰悔，凡七。 卜五，占之用二，衍貣。 立時人為卜筮，三人占則從二人之言。 女則有大疑，謀及女心，謀及卿士，謀及庶人，謀及卜筮。 女則從，龜從，筮從，卿士從，庶民從，是之謂大同，而身其康彊，而子孫其逢吉。 女則從，龜從，筮從，卿士逆，庶民逆，吉。 卿士從，龜從，筮從，女則逆，庶民逆，吉。 庶民從，龜從，筮從，女則逆，卿士逆，吉。 女則從，龜從，筮逆，卿士逆，庶民逆，作內吉，作外凶。 龜筮共違于人，用靜吉，用作凶。
Examining doubts: "select and appoint diviners. Then command the divination: the signs are called rain, clearing, tears, mist, overcoming, correctness, and regret—seven in all. There are five turtle-shell indications, and two milfoil indications are used with them, extending the set. Appoint these people for turtle-shell and milfoil divination. If three people divine, follow the words of two. When you have great doubts, consult your own heart, consult the qing shi, consult the common people, and consult turtle-shell and milfoil divination. If you agree, the turtle agrees, the milfoil agrees, the qing shi agree, and the common people agree, this is called great concord; your person will be peaceful and strong, and your descendants will meet with good fortune. If you agree, the turtle agrees, and the milfoil agrees, while the qing shi and the common people are opposed, it is auspicious. If the qing shi agree, the turtle agrees, and the milfoil agrees, while you and the common people are opposed, it is auspicious. If the common people agree, the turtle agrees, and the milfoil agrees, while you and the qing shi are opposed, it is auspicious. If you agree and the turtle agrees, while the milfoil, the qing shi, and the common people are opposed, inner affairs are auspicious and outer affairs are inauspicious. If both turtle shell and milfoil go against human judgment, remaining still is auspicious and taking action is inauspicious.
18
「庶徵：曰雨，曰陽，曰奧，曰寒，曰風，曰時。 五者來備，各以其序，庶草繁廡。 一極備，凶。 一極亡，凶。 曰休徵：曰肅，時雨若，曰治，時暘若； 曰知，時奧若； 曰謀，時寒若； 曰聖，時風若。 曰咎徵：曰狂，常雨若； 曰僭，常暘若； 曰舒，常奧若； 曰急，常寒若； 曰霧，常風若。 王眚維歲，卿士維月，師尹維日。 歲月日時毋易，百穀用成，治用明，畯民用章，家用平康。 日月歲時既易，百穀用不成，治用昏不明，畯民用微，家用不寧。 庶民維星，星有好風，星有好雨。 日月之行，有冬有夏。 月之從星，則以風雨。
"The many signs are rain, sunshine, warmth, cold, wind, and seasonableness. When all five arrive in their proper sequence, the grasses flourish in abundance. One extreme prepared—inauspicious. One extreme gone—inauspicious. The auspicious signs are these: solemnity, and timely rain follows; order, and timely sunshine follows; wisdom, and timely warmth follows; planning, and timely cold follows; sageliness, and timely wind follows. The calamitous signs are these: madness, and constant rain follows; usurpation, and constant sunshine follows; laxity, and constant warmth follows; urgency, and constant cold follows; confusion, and constant wind follows. The king's errors affect the year; ministers' errors affect the month; officials' errors affect the day. Year, month, day, and season do not change. The hundred grains mature. Governance is clear. Good people are manifest. Families are peaceful and healthy. Day, month, year, and season have already changed. The hundred grains do not mature. Governance is dark and not clear. Good people are subtle. Families are not peaceful. The common people correspond to the stars: some stars favor wind, and some favor rain. The movement of the sun and moon has winter and has summer. When the moon follows the stars, wind and rain result.
19
「五福：一曰壽，二曰富，三曰康寧，四曰攸好德，五曰考終命。 六極：一曰凶短折，二曰疾，三曰憂，四曰貧，五曰惡，六曰弱。」
The five blessings: "first longevity, second wealth, third health and peace, fourth love of virtue, fifth completing one's allotted lifespan. The six extremes: first misfortune and shortened life, second illness, third worry, fourth poverty, fifth evil, sixth weakness."
20
於是武王乃封箕子於朝鮮而不臣也。
King Wu then enfeoffed Jizi in Joseon, while not treating him as a vassal.
21
其後箕子朝周，過故殷虛，感宮室毀壞，生禾黍，箕子傷之，欲哭則不可，欲泣為其近婦人，乃作麥秀之詩以歌詠之。 其詩曰：「麥秀漸漸兮，禾黍油油。 彼狡僮兮，不與我好兮！」 所謂狡童者，紂也。 殷民聞之，皆為流涕。
Afterward Jizi paid court to Zhou. Passing the former Yin ruins, he was moved by the ruined palaces and halls where millet and grain now grew. Jizi grieved. He wished to wail but could not; he wished to weep, but that seemed too close to women's mourning. He therefore composed the "Wheat Ears" poem and sang it. The poem says: "The wheat ears grow lush; the millet stands thick. That crafty lad—he would not befriend me!" The so-called crafty boy was Zhou. When the people of Yin heard the song, they all wept.
22
武王崩，成王少，周公旦代行政當國。 管、蔡疑之，乃與武庚作亂，欲襲成王、周公。 周公既承成王命誅武庚，殺管叔，放蔡叔，乃命微子開代殷後，奉其先祀，作微子之命以申之，國于宋。 微子故能仁賢，乃代武庚，故殷之餘民甚戴愛之。
After King Wu died, King Cheng was still young, so the Duke of Zhou Dan governed in his stead and held the state together. Guan and Cai doubted it. They then rebelled with Wu Geng, desiring to attack King Cheng and the Duke of Zhou. The Duke of Zhou had received King Cheng's command to execute Wu Geng, kill Guan Shu, and banish Cai Shu. He then ordered Weizi Kai to replace the Yin line, offer sacrifices to its ancestors, and established him in Song, issuing the Charge to Weizi to confirm it. Because Weizi was benevolent and worthy, he replaced Wu Geng, and the remnant people of Yin greatly revered and loved him.
23
釐公十七年，周厲王出奔彘。
In the seventeenth year of Duke Xi, King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi.
24
二十八年，釐公卒，子惠公覵立。 惠公四年，周宣王即位。 三十年，惠公卒，子哀公立。 哀公元年卒，子戴公立。
In the twenty-eighth year, Duke Xi died, and his son Duke Hui Bi succeeded him. In the fourth year of Duke Hui, King Xuan of Zhou ascended the throne. In the thirtieth year, Duke Hui died, and his son Duke Ai succeeded him. Duke Ai died in his first year, and his son Duke Dai succeeded him.
25
戴公二十九年，周幽王為犬戎所殺，秦始列為諸侯。
In Duke Dai's twenty-ninth year, King You of Zhou was killed by the Quanrong. Qin was first ranked among the feudal lords.
26
三十四年，戴公卒，子武公司空立。 武公生女為魯惠公夫人，生魯桓公。 十八年，武公卒，子宣公力立。
In the thirty-fourth year, Duke Dai died, and his son Duke Wu Sikong succeeded him. Duke Wu had a daughter who became the wife of Duke Hui of Lu and gave birth to Duke Huan of Lu. In the eighteenth year, Duke Wu died, and his son Duke Xuan Li succeeded him.
27
宣公有太子與夷。 十九年，宣公病，讓其弟和，曰：「父死子繼，兄死弟及，天下通義也。 我其立和。」 和亦三讓而受之。 宣公卒，弟和立，是為穆公。
Duke Xuan had a crown prince, Yuyi. In the nineteenth year, Duke Xuan fell ill. He yielded the succession to his younger brother He, saying: "When a father dies, the son succeeds; when an elder brother dies, the younger brother follows. This is the common principle of the world. I should establish He." He, too, declined three times before accepting. When Duke Xuan died, his younger brother He succeeded him as Duke Mu.
28
穆公九年，病，召大司馬孔父謂曰：「先君宣公捨太子與夷而立我，我不敢忘。 我死，必立與夷也。」 孔父曰：「群臣皆願立公子馮。」 穆公曰：「毋立馮，吾不可以負宣公。」 於是穆公使馮出居于鄭。 八月庚辰，穆公卒，兄宣公子與夷立，是為殤公。 君子聞之，曰：「宋宣公可謂知人矣，立其弟以成義，然卒其子復享之。
In Duke Mu's ninth year, he fell ill. He summoned Grand Marshal Kong Fu and told him: "The former lord Duke Xuan set aside Crown Prince Yuyi and established me. I dare not forget this. When I die, you must establish Yuyi." Kong Fu said: "The ministers all wish to establish Prince Ping." Duke Mu said: "Do not establish Feng. I cannot betray Duke Xuan." Duke Mu then sent Feng away to reside in Zheng. In the eighth month, on gengchen, Duke Mu died. His elder brother Duke Xuan's son Yuyi ascended; this was Duke Shang. A gentleman heard of it and said: "Duke Xuan of Song may be called one who understood men. He established his younger brother to fulfill righteousness, yet in the end his own son again enjoyed the state.
29
莊公元年，華督為相。 九年，執鄭之祭仲，要以立突為鄭君。 祭仲許，竟立突。 十九年，莊公卒，子湣公捷立。
In the first year of Duke Zhuang, Hua Du became chancellor. In the ninth year, they seized Zheng's Ji Zhong and coerced him to establish Tu as Zheng's lord. Ji Zhong agreed, and Tu was ultimately installed. In the nineteenth year, Duke Zhuang died, and his son Duke Min Jie succeeded him.
30
十年夏，宋伐魯，戰於乘丘，魯生虜宋南宮萬。 宋人請萬，萬歸宋。 十一年秋，湣公與南宮萬獵，因博爭行，湣公怒，辱之，曰：「始吾敬若； 今若，魯虜也。」 萬有力，病此言，遂以局殺湣公于蒙澤。 大夫仇牧聞之，以兵造公門。 萬搏牧，牧齒著門闔死。 因殺太宰華督，乃更立公子游為君。 諸公子奔蕭，公子御說奔亳。 萬弟南宮牛將兵圍亳。 冬，蕭及宋之諸公子共擊殺南宮牛，弒宋新君游而立湣公弟御說，是為桓公。 宋萬奔陳。 宋人請以賂陳。 陳人使婦人飲之醇酒，以革裹之，歸宋。 宋人醢萬也。
In the tenth year, in summer, Song attacked Lu and fought at Chengqiu. Lu captured Song's Nangong Wan alive. The Song people asked for Wan's return, and Wan came back to Song. In the eleventh year, in autumn, Duke Min hunted with Nangong Wan. During a game they argued over the route. Duke Min became angry and humiliated him, saying: "At first I respected you; now you are a captive of Lu." Wan was a powerful man, and the insult stung. At Mengze, he struck Duke Min dead with a game board. The grand officer Qiu Mu heard of it and went to the duke's gate with troops. Wan struck Mu, whose teeth caught in the gate-leaves as he died. He then killed the Grand Steward Hua Du, and changed to establish Prince You as lord. The princes fled to Xiao, while Prince Yuyue fled to Bo. Wan's younger brother Nangong Niu led an army to surround Bo. In winter, Xiao and the princes of Song together attacked and killed Nangong Niu, assassinated Song's new lord You, and established Duke Min's younger brother Yushuo; this was Duke Huan. Song Wan fled to Chen. The Song people asked Chen to hand him over in exchange for a bribe. The Chen people made a woman give him pure wine to drink, wrapped him in leather, and returned him to Song. The Song people minced Wan.
31
襄公七年，宋地茀星如雨，與雨偕下； 六鶂退蜚，風疾也。
In Duke Xiang's seventh year, stars fell over Song like rain, descending together with the rain. Six yi birds were blown backward in flight, for the wind was violent.
32
八年，齊桓公卒，宋欲為盟會。 十二年春，宋襄公為鹿上之盟，以求諸侯於楚，楚人許之。 公子目夷諫曰：「小國爭盟，禍也。」 不聽。 秋，諸侯會宋公盟于盂。 目夷曰：「禍其在此乎？ 君欲已甚，何以堪之！」 於是楚執宋襄公以伐宋。 冬，會于亳，以釋宋公。 子魚曰：「禍猶未也。」 十三年夏，宋伐鄭。 子魚曰：「禍在此矣。」 秋，楚伐宋以救鄭。 襄公將戰，子魚諫曰：「天之棄商久矣，不可。」 冬，十一月，襄公與楚成王戰于泓。 楚人未濟，目夷曰：「彼眾我寡，及其未濟擊之。」 公不聽。 已濟未陳，又曰：「可擊。」 公曰：「待其已陳。」 陳成，宋人擊之。 宋師大敗，襄公傷股。 國人皆怨公。 公曰：「君子不困人於阸，不鼓不成列。」 子魚曰：「兵以勝為功，何常言與！ 必如公言，即奴事之耳，又何戰為？」
In the eighth year, after Duke Huan of Qi died, Song sought to convene an alliance meeting. In the twelfth year, in spring, Duke Xiang of Song made the Lu Shang alliance to seek feudal lords from Chu. The Chu people permitted it. Prince Muyi remonstrated and said: "For a small state to contend for leadership of the alliance is calamity." He did not listen. In autumn, the feudal lords met with Duke Xiang of Song and swore covenant at Yu. Muyi said: "Is calamity perhaps here? The lord's desire is excessive. How can this be endured!" Chu then seized Duke Xiang of Song and used him as leverage in attacking Song. In winter, they assembled at Bo and released the Duke of Song. Ziyu said: "Calamity is still not yet." In the thirteenth year, in summer, Song attacked Zheng. Ziyu said: "Calamity is here." In autumn, Chu attacked Song to relieve Zheng. Duke Xiang was about to fight. Ziyu remonstrated and said: "Heaven abandoned Shang long ago. This must not be done." In winter, in the eleventh month, Duke Xiang battled with King Cheng of Chu at Hong. The Chu troops had not yet crossed. Muyi said: "They are many, we are few. Strike them while they have not yet crossed." The gong did not listen. They had already crossed but were not yet arrayed. He again said: "We can strike." The duke said: "Wait until they are arrayed." Only after the enemy array was complete did the Song men attack. The Song army suffered a great defeat, and Duke Xiang was wounded in the thigh. The state people all resented the gong. The duke said: "A gentleman does not press people in a narrow pass and does not beat the drums against ranks not yet formed." Ziyu said: "In war, victory is the achievement. What fixed sayings are you invoking? If we must follow your words, then we may as well submit and serve them as slaves. What is the use of battle?"
33
楚成王已救鄭，鄭享之； 去而取鄭二姬以歸。 叔瞻曰：「成王無禮，其不沒乎？ 為禮卒於無別，有以知其不遂霸也。」
King Cheng of Chu had already saved Zheng, and Zheng feasted him; He left and took two of Zheng's concubines and returned with them. Shu Zhan said: "King Cheng has no sense of ritual. Will he not perish? When ritual ends with no distinctions, one can know that he will not succeed in becoming hegemon."
34
是年，晉公子重耳過宋，襄公以傷於楚，欲得晉援，厚禮重耳以馬二十乘。
That year, Jin's Prince Chonger passed through Song. Duke Xiang, because he had been wounded by Chu, wished to obtain Jin's aid and treated Chonger generously with twenty teams of horses.
35
十四年夏，襄公病傷於泓而竟卒，子成公王臣立。
In the fourteenth year, in summer, Duke Xiang finally died of the wound he had suffered at Hong. His son Duke Cheng Wangchen succeeded him.
36
十七年，成公卒。 成公弟御殺太子及大司馬公孫固而自立為君。 宋人共殺君御而立成公少子杵臼，是為昭公。
In the seventeenth year, Duke Cheng died. Duke Cheng's younger brother Yu killed the crown prince and Grand Marshal Gongsun Gu and established himself as lord. The people of Song together killed Lord Yu and established Duke Cheng's young son Chujiu; this was Duke Zhao.
37
九年，昭公無道，國人不附。 昭公弟鮑革賢而下士。 先，襄公夫人欲通於公子鮑，不可，乃助之施於國，因大夫華元為右師。 昭公出獵，夫人王姬使衛伯攻殺昭公杵臼。 弟鮑革立，是為文公。
In the ninth year, Duke Zhao governed without principle, and the people of the state felt no loyalty to him. Duke Zhao's younger brother Bao Ge was capable and treated worthy men with humility. Previously, Duke Xiang's wife wished to have an affair with Prince Bao. He would not agree, so she helped him distribute favors throughout the state and secured Grand Officer Hua Yuan as Right Minister. Duke Zhao went hunting. His wife Wang Ji made Wei Bo attack and kill the Duke Zhao Chu Jiu. His younger brother Bao Ge was installed as Duke Wen.
38
四年春，（鄭）［楚］命（楚）［鄭］伐宋。 宋使華元將，鄭敗宋，囚華元。 華元之將戰，殺羊以食士，其御羊羹不及，故怨，馳入鄭軍，故宋師敗，得囚華元。 宋以兵車百乘文馬四百匹贖華元。 未盡入，華元亡歸宋。
In the fourth year, in spring, Chu commanded Zheng to attack Song. Song placed Hua Yuan in command, but Zheng defeated Song and took Hua Yuan prisoner. When Hua Yuan was about to fight, he slaughtered a sheep to feed the soldiers. His driver did not receive any mutton soup and resented it, so he drove straight into the Zheng army. The Song army was therefore defeated, and Zheng captured Hua Yuan. Song ransomed Hua Yuan with a hundred war chariots and four hundred fine horses. They had not all entered. Hua Yuan fled and returned to Song.
39
十四年，楚莊王圍鄭。 鄭伯降楚，楚復釋之。
In the fourteenth year, King Zhuang of Chu laid siege to Zheng. The Earl of Zheng surrendered to Chu, and Chu released him again.
40
十六年，楚使過宋，宋有前仇，執楚使。 九月，楚莊王圍宋。 十七年，楚以圍宋五月不解，宋城中急，無食，華元乃夜私見楚將子反。 子反告莊王。 王問：「城中何如？」 曰：「析骨而炊，易子而食。」 莊王曰：「誠哉言！ 我軍亦有二日糧。」 以信故，遂罷兵去。
In the sixteenth year, a Chu envoy passed through Song. Because of an old grievance, Song detained him. In the ninth month, King Zhuang of Chu laid siege to Song. In the seventeenth year, Chu had besieged Song for five months without releasing it. The Song city was urgent with no food. Hua Yuan then at night privately saw the Chu general Zi Fan. Zi Fan told King Zhuang. The king asked: "What is it like inside the city?" He replied: "They split bones for fuel and exchange children to eat." King Zhuang said: "True words! Our army also has only two days of grain." Because of mutual trust, they then withdrew the army and left.
41
二十二年，文公卒，子共公瑕立。 始厚葬。 君子譏華元不臣矣。
In the twenty-second year, Duke Wen died and was succeeded by his son Xia, Duke Gong. They began thick burials. The gentleman criticized Hua Yuan for failing in a minister's duty.
42
共公（元）［十］年，華元善楚將子重，又善晉將欒書，兩盟晉楚。 十三年，共公卒。 華元為右師，魚石為左師。 司馬唐山攻殺太子肥，欲殺華元，華元奔晉，魚石止之，至河乃還，誅唐山。 乃立共公少子成，是為平公。
In Duke Gong's tenth year, Hua Yuan was friendly with Chu's general Zizhong and also with Jin's general Luan Shu. He made alliances with both Jin and Chu. In the thirteenth year, Duke Gong died. Hua Yuan became Right Master, and Yu Shi became Left Master. Marshal Tangshan attacked and killed Crown Prince Fei and wanted to kill Hua Yuan. Hua Yuan fled to Jin, but Yu Shi stopped him; when he reached the river, he returned. They executed Tangshan. They then installed Cheng, the younger son of Duke Gong, as Duke Ping.
43
平公三年，楚共王拔宋之彭城，以封宋左師魚石。 四年，諸侯共誅魚石，而歸彭城於宋。 三十五年，楚公子圍弒其君自立，為靈王。 四十四年，平公卒，子元公佐立。
In Duke Ping's third year, King Gong of Chu seized Song's Pengcheng and enfeoffed Song's Left Minister Yu Shi there. In the fourth year, the feudal lords together put down Yu Shi and restored Pengcheng to Song. In the thirty-fifth year, Chu's Prince Wei assassinated his lord and established himself as King Ling. In the forty-fourth year, Duke Ping died, and his son Duke Yuan Zuo succeeded him.
44
元公三年，楚公子棄疾弒靈王，自立為平王。 八年，宋火。 十年，元公毋信，詐殺諸公子，大夫華、向氏作亂。 楚平王太子建來奔，見諸華氏相攻亂，建去如鄭。 十五年，元公為魯昭公避季氏居外，為之求入魯，行道卒，子景公頭曼立。
In Duke Yuan's third year, Chu's Prince Qiji assassinated King Ling and established himself as King Ping. In the eighth year, a fire broke out in Song. In the tenth year, Duke Yuan was untrustworthy and falsely killed the princes. The grand officers of the Hua and Xiang clans rebelled. King Ping of Chu's crown prince Jian fled to Song. Seeing the Hua clans attacking each other in chaos, Jian left and went to Zheng. In the fifteenth year, Duke Yuan was living outside Lu on behalf of Duke Zhao of Lu, who had fled the Ji clan, and sought to restore him to Lu. He died while traveling, and his son Duke Jing Touman succeeded him.
45
景公十六年，魯陽虎來奔，已復去。 二十五年，孔子過宋，宋司馬桓魋惡之，欲殺孔子，孔子微服去。 三十年，曹倍宋，又倍晉，宋伐曹，晉不救，遂滅曹有之。 三十六年，齊田常弒簡公。
In Duke Jing's sixteenth year, Lu's Yang Hu fled here, then again left the state. In the twenty-fifth year, Confucius passed through Song. Song's Marshal Huan Tui hated him and wanted to kill him. Confucius disguised himself and left. In the thirtieth year, Cao betrayed Song and then Jin. Song attacked Cao; Jin did not come to its rescue, and Song destroyed Cao and annexed it. In the thirty-sixth year, Tian Chang of Qi assassinated Duke Jian.
46
三十七年，楚惠王滅陳。 熒惑守心。 心，宋之分野也。 景公憂之。 司星子韋曰：「可移於相。」 景公曰：「相，吾之股肱。」 曰：「可移於民。」 景公曰：「君者待民。」 曰：「可移於歲。」 景公曰：「歲饑民困，吾誰為君！」 子韋曰：「天高聽卑。 君有君人之言三，熒惑宜有動。」 於是候之，果徙三度。
In the thirty-seventh year, King Hui of Chu conquered Chen. Ying Huo guarded Xin. Xin was Song's corresponding celestial field. Duke Jing worried about it. The astrologer Ziwei said: "It can be shifted to the chancellor." Duke Jing said: "The chancellor is my arms and legs." He said: "It can be shifted to the people." Duke Jing said: "A lord depends on the people." He said: "It can be shifted to the year." Duke Jing said: "If the year is famine-stricken and the people are distressed, for whom would I be lord!" Zi Wei said: "Heaven is high but hears the low. The lord has spoken three sayings worthy of one who rules the people. Mars should move." They then observed it, and it did indeed move three degrees.
47
六十四年，景公卒。 宋公子特攻殺太子而自立，是為昭公。 昭公者，元公之曾庶孫也。 昭公父公孫糾，糾父公子褍秦，褍秦即元公少子也。 景公殺昭公父糾，故昭公怨殺太子而自立。
In the sixty-fourth year, Duke Jing died. Song's Prince Te attacked and killed the crown prince and established himself; this was Duke Zhao. Duke Zhao was Duke Yuan's great-grandson through a collateral line. Duke Zhao's father was Gongsun Jiu. Jiu's father was Prince Duanqin. Duanqin was Duke Yuan's younger son. Duke Jing had killed Duke Zhao's father Jiu. Duke Zhao therefore resented it, killed the crown prince, and established himself.
48
昭公四十七年卒，子悼公購由立。 悼公八年卒，子休公田立。 休公田二十三年卒，子辟公辟兵立。 辟公三年卒，子剔成立。 剔成四十一年，剔成弟偃攻襲剔成，剔成敗奔齊，偃自立為宋君。
Duke Zhao died in his forty-seventh year, and his son Duke Dao Gou You succeeded him. Duke Dao died in his eighth year, and his son Duke Xiu Tian succeeded him. Duke Xiu Tian died in his twenty-third year, and his son the Duke Bi Bi Bing succeeded him. Duke Bi died in his third year, and his son Ti Cheng succeeded him. In Ti Cheng's forty-first year, Ti Cheng's younger brother Yan attacked Ti Cheng by surprise. Ti Cheng was defeated and fled to Qi. Yan established himself as lord of Song.
49
君偃十一年，自立為王。 東敗齊，取五城； 南敗楚，取地三百里； 西敗魏軍，乃與齊、魏為敵國。 盛血以韋囊，縣而射之，命曰「射天」。 淫於酒婦人。 群臣諫者輒射之。 於是諸侯皆曰「桀宋」。 「宋其復為紂所為，不可不誅」。 告齊伐宋。 王偃立四十七年，齊湣王與魏、楚伐宋，殺王偃，遂滅宋而三分其地。
In Lord Yan's eleventh year, he declared himself king. In the east he defeated Qi and took five cities; In the south he defeated Chu and took land three hundred li; In the west he defeated Wei's army and then became an enemy of Qi and Wei. He filled a leather bag with blood, hung it up, and shot it, calling this "shooting Heaven." He was licentious with wine and women. Whenever ministers tried to remonstrate, he shot them. Then the feudal lords all said, "Song is like Jie." "Song is again doing what Zhou did; it cannot go unpunished." They informed Qi to attack Song. In Wang Yan's forty-seventh year, King Min of Qi, together with Wei and Chu, attacked Song, killed Wang Yan, extinguished Song, and divided its territory into three parts.
50
太史公曰：孔子稱「微子去之，箕子為之奴，比干諫而死，殷有三仁焉」。 春秋譏宋之亂自宣公廢太子而立弟，國以不寧者十世。 襄公之時，修行仁義，欲為盟主。 其大夫正考父美之，故追道契、湯、高宗，殷所以興，作商頌。 襄公既敗於泓，而君子或以為多，傷中國闕禮義，褒之也，宋襄之有禮讓也。」」」」」」」」」」」
The Grand Historian said: Confucius praised them: "Weizi left, Jizi became a slave, and Bi Gan remonstrated and died. Yin had three benevolent men." The Spring and Autumn Annals criticized Song's chaos as beginning when Duke Xuan deposed the crown prince and established his younger brother. For ten generations the state had no peace. In Duke Xiang's time, he cultivated benevolence and righteousness and aspired to lead the interstate alliance. His grand officer Zheng Kao Fu praised this; therefore he traced the way of Qi, Tang, and Gaozong—how Yin rose—and composed the Shang Song. Duke Xiang had already been defeated at Hong, yet some gentlemen considered his courtesy excessive, grieving that the central states lacked ritual and righteousness; they praised him—Duke Xiang of Song had ritual and yielding.”””””””””””