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鄭世家

House of Zheng

Chapter 42 of 史記 ✓ Translated
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Chapter 42
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1
便 便 西
Zheng Huan Gong You was King Li of Zhou's youngest son and King Xuan of Zhou's younger brother by a concubine. In King Xuan's twenty-second year, You was initially enfeoffed at Zheng. Enfeoffed for thirty-three years, all the common people found him convenient and loved him. King You made him Minister of the Masses. He harmonized and gathered the Zhou people. The Zhou people were all pleased. Between the He and Luo rivers, people conveniently thought of him. As Minister of the Masses for one year, King You, because of the affair with Bao Hou, had much evil in the royal chamber's governance. Some feudal lords rebelled against it. Thereupon Huan Gong asked Tai Shi Bo, saying: 'The royal chamber has many troubles. Where can I escape death?' Tai Shi Bo replied, saying: 'Only the eastern land of Luo, south of the He and Ji rivers, can be resided in.' The duke said: 'Why is this?' He replied, saying: 'The land is near Guo and Xu. The lords of Guo and Xu are greedy and fond of profit. The common people do not attach themselves to them. Now the duke is Minister of the Masses. The people all love the duke. If the duke sincerely requests to reside there, the lords of Guo and Xu, seeing the duke just in power, will lightly divide land for the duke. If the duke sincerely resides there, the people of Guo and Xu will all be the duke's people.' The duke said: 'I desire to go south to the region of the Jiang. What is it like?' He replied, saying: 'Formerly Zhu Rong was the fire official of Gao Xin Shi. His merit was great, but he had not yet prospered at Zhou. Chu is his descendant. When Zhou declines, Chu will certainly prosper. If Chu prospers, it is not to Zheng's profit.' The duke said: 'I desire to reside in the west. What is it like?' He replied, saying: 'The people of the west are greedy and fond of profit. It is difficult to reside there for long.' The duke said: 'When Zhou declines, which states will prosper?' He replied, saying: 'Qi, Qin, Jin, and Chu? Indeed Qi, of the Jiang surname, is Bo Yi's descendant. Bo Yi assisted Yao in managing rites. Qin, of the Ying surname, is Bo Yi's descendant. Bo Yi assisted Shun in pacifying and soothing the hundred things. And Chu's ancestors all once had merit in the world. But after King Wu of Zhou conquered Zhou, King Cheng enfeoffed Shu Yu at Tang. His land is obstructed and dangerous. With this virtue, together with the decline of Zhou, it will also certainly prosper.' Huan Gong said: 'Good.' Thereupon he finally spoke to the king and moved his people east of Luo. Guo and Xu indeed offered ten cities and completed the state.
2
After two years, the Quan Rong killed King You below Mount Li and also killed Huan Gong. The Zheng people together established his son Jue Tu. This was Wu Gong.
3
In Wu Gong's tenth year, he took the Marquis of Shen's daughter as his lady, named Wu Jiang. She gave birth to the crown prince Wu Sheng. The birth was difficult. When he was born, the lady did not love him. Later she gave birth to a young son Shu Duan. Duan's birth was easy. The lady loved him. In the twenty-seventh year, Wu Gong fell ill. The lady requested the duke, desiring to establish Duan as crown prince. The duke did not listen. In this year, Duke Wu died. Wu Sheng was established as the duke. This was Duke Zhuang.
4
穿
In Zhuang Gong's first year, he enfeoffed his younger brother Duan at Jing, naming him Tai Shu. Ji Zhong said: 'Jing is larger than the state. This is not what to use for enfeoffing a concubine's son.' Zhuang Gong said: 'Wu Jiang desires it. I dare not take the matter away from her.' Duan arrived at Jing and repaired and prepared armor and troops. With his mother Wu Jiang he plotted to raid the state of Zheng. In the twenty-second year, Duan indeed raided Zheng. Wu Jiang provided inner support. Zhuang Gong mobilized troops to attack Duan. Duan fled. He attacked Jing. The Jing people rebelled against Duan. Duan fled out to Yan. Yan collapsed. Duan fled out to Gong. Thereupon Zhuang Gong moved his mother Wu Jiang to Cheng Ying and swore, saying: 'Not until we reach the yellow springs shall we meet.' After residing more than a year, he already regretted and thought of his mother. Kou Shu of Ying Gu had an offering to the duke. The duke granted him food. Kou Shu said: 'Your minister has a mother. Please, lord, grant the food to your minister's mother.' Zhuang Gong said: 'I very much think of my mother, but I hate to break the oath. What is to be done?' Kou Shu said: 'Dig through the earth to reach the yellow springs, then you will meet.' Thereupon he then followed it and saw his mother.
5
In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Mu of Song died. Gong zi Feng fled to Zheng. Zheng invaded Zhou land and took grain. In the twenty-fifth year, Wei's Zhou Xu assassinated his lord Duke Huan and established himself. With Song he attacked Zheng, because of Feng's reason. In the twenty-seventh year, he began to attend King Huan of Zhou. King Huan was angered by his taking of grain and did not treat him with courtesy. In the twenty-ninth year, Zhuang Gong was angered that Zhou showed no courtesy. With Lu he exchanged the fields of Beng and Xu. In the thirty-third year, Song killed Kong Fu. In the thirty-seventh year, Zhuang Gong did not attend Zhou. King Huan of Zhou led Chen, Cai, Guo, and Wei to attack Zheng. Zhuang Gong with Ji Zhong and Gao Qu Mi mobilized troops to rescue themselves. The king's troops were greatly defeated. Zhu Kui shot and hit the king's arm. Zhu Kui requested to pursue it. Zheng Bo stopped him, saying: 'To offend an elder is moreover difficult. How much more dare we bully the Son of Heaven?' They then stopped. At night he commanded Ji Zhong to ask about the king's illness.
6
使 使
In the thirty-eighth year, the northern Rong attacked Qi. Qi sent a request for aid. Zheng sent crown prince Hu to lead troops and save Qi. Duke Xi of Qi desired to marry him. Hu declined, saying: 'I am from a small state. I am not a match for Qi.' At that time Ji Zhong was with him and urged him to take it, saying: 'The lord has many inner favorites. The crown prince has no great support and will not be established. The three gong zi are all lords.' What are called the three gong zi are: crown prince Hu, his younger brother Tu, and the next younger brother Wei.
7
使 使
In the forty-third year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng died. Initially, Ji Zhong very much had favor with Zhuang Gong. Zhuang Gong made him a minister. The duke made him take a Deng woman. She gave birth to crown prince Hu. Therefore Ji Zhong established him. This was Duke Zhao.
8
使
Zhuang Gong moreover took a Song Yong clan woman. She gave birth to Duke Li Tu. The Yong clan had favor in Song. Duke Zhuang of Song heard that Ji Zhong had established Hu. He then sent a person to lure and summon Ji Zhong and seized him, saying: 'If you do not establish Tu, you will die.' He also seized Tu to seek a bribe there. Ji Zhong agreed with Song and allied with Song. He returned with Tu and established him. Duke Zhao Hu heard that Ji Zhong, under duress from Song, had established his younger brother Tu. On the ninth month, day Ding Hai, Hu fled out to Wei. On day Ji Hai, Tu arrived at Zheng and was established. This was Duke Li.
9
使婿
In Duke Li's fourth year, Ji Zhong monopolized the state's governance. Duke Li worried about the matter and secretly made his son-in-law Yong Jiu desire to kill Ji Zhong. Jiu's wife, who was Ji Zhong's daughter, knew of the plot and told her mother, saying: 'Between a father and a husband, which is closer?' Her mother said: 'A father is only one, but people can all be husbands.' The woman then told Ji Zhong. Ji Zhong instead killed Yong Jiu and executed him in the market. Duke Li could do nothing about Ji Zhong. He was angered at Jiu and said: 'To plot with a woman, death is certainly fitting!' In summer, Duke Li went out and resided in the border city of Li. Ji Zhong welcomed Duke Zhao Hu. On the sixth month, day Yi Hai, he again entered Zheng and took the position.
10
In autumn, Duke Li Tu of Zheng, because the Li people killed his grandee Shan Bo, then resided there. The feudal lords heard that Duke Li had fled out. They attacked Zheng but did not conquer it and departed. Song rather gave Duke Li troops. He defended himself at Li. Zheng, because of this reason, also did not attack the city of Li.
11
In Duke Zhao's second year, from when Duke Zhao was crown prince, his father Duke Zhuang desired to make Gao Qu Mi a minister. Crown prince Hu hated it. Duke Zhuang did not listen and finally used Qu Mi as minister. When Duke Zhao took the position, Qu Mi feared that Duke Zhao would kill him. In winter, tenth month, day Xin Mao, Qu Mi went hunting with Duke Zhao and shot and killed Duke Zhao in the fields. Ji Zhong and Qu Mi did not dare to bring in Duke Li. They then again established Duke Zhao's younger brother Wei as the lord. This was Zi Wei. He had no posthumous name.
12
使
In Zi Wei's first year, seventh month, Duke Xiang of Qi assembled the feudal lords at Shou Zhi. Zheng Zi Wei went to the assembly. Gao Qu Mi assisted and followed. Ji Zhong claimed illness and did not go. The reason was that Zi Wei, from when Duke Xiang of Qi was a gong zi, once assembled and fought, becoming mutual enemies. When assembling the feudal lords, Ji Zhong requested that Zi Wei not go. Zi Wei said: 'Qi is strong, and Duke Li resides at Li. If I do not go, this will lead the feudal lords to attack me and bring in Duke Li. I had better go. Why would going hastily certainly bring humiliation? Moreover, what would reach such a point!' He finally went. Thereupon Ji Zhong feared that Qi would moreover kill him. Therefore he claimed illness. Zi Wei arrived and did not thank the Marquis of Qi. The Marquis of Qi was angered and then hid armored troops and killed Zi Wei. Gao Qu Mi fled and returned. He returned and plotted with Ji Zhong. They summoned Zi Wei's younger brother Gong Zi Ying from the state of Chen and established him. This was Zheng Zi. This year, Duke Xiang of Qi made Peng Sheng get drunk and pull and kill Duke Huan of the state of Lu.
13
In Zheng Zi's eighth year, the Qi people Guan Zhi Fu and others made chaos and assassinated their lord Duke Xiang. In the twelfth year, the Song people Chang Wan assassinated their lord Duke Min. Zheng's Ji Zhong died.
14
使
In the fourteenth year, the former Zheng who had fled, Duke Li Tu at Li, sent a person to lure and kidnap Zheng grandee Fu Jia, demanding to seek entry. Jia said: 'Release me, and I will for the lord kill Zheng Zi and bring in the lord.' Duke Li allied with him and then released him. On the sixth month, day Jia Zi, Jia killed Zheng Zi and his two sons and welcomed Duke Li Tu. Tu from Li again entered and took the position. Initially, the inner snake and outer snake fought in the middle of Zheng's south gate. The inner snake died. After residing six years, Duke Li indeed again entered. When he entered, he reproached his paternal uncle Yuan, saying: 'I fled the state and resided outside. My paternal uncle had no intention to bring me in. This is also excessive.' Yuan said: 'To serve a lord with no two hearts is a person minister's duty. Yuan knows his crime.' He then committed suicide. Duke Li thereupon told Fu Jia, saying: 'In your service to the lord, you have had two hearts.' He then executed him. Jia said: 'Heavy virtue is not repaid. This is truly so!'
15
In the year after Duke Li Tu, Duke Huan of Qi began his hegemony.
16
In the fifth year, Yan and Wei with King Hui of Zhou's younger brother Sui attacked the king. The king fled out to Wen. They established younger brother Sui as king. In the sixth year, King Hui urgently informed Zheng. Duke Li mobilized troops to attack Zhou's prince Sui. He did not conquer. Thereupon he returned with King Hui of Zhou. The king resided at Li. In the seventh year spring, Duke Li of Zheng with Guo Shu raided and killed prince Sui and brought King Hui into Zhou.
17
In autumn, Duke Li died. His son Duke Wen Jie was established. Duke Li was initially established for four years. He fled and resided at Li for seventeen years. He again entered and was established for seven years. With the fleeing, altogether twenty-eight years.
18
In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Wen's humble concubine named Yan Ji dreamed that heaven gave her an orchid, saying: 'I am Bo Tao. I am your ancestor. With this be your son. The orchid has the fragrance of the state.' She told the dream to Duke Wen. Duke Wen favored her and gave her a grass orchid as a tally. She then gave birth to a son, named Lan.
19
使
In the thirty-sixth year, Jin's gong zi Chong Er passed through. Duke Wen did not treat him with courtesy. Duke Wen's younger brother Shu Zhan said: 'Chong Er is worthy, and moreover of the same surname. He is poor and passes through the lord. One cannot be without courtesy.' Duke Wen said: 'Fled gong zi who pass through the feudal lords are many. How can I show courtesy to all of them!' Zhan said: 'If the lord does not show courtesy, then kill him; If you do not kill him, make him immediately return to his country, and he will become Zheng's worry.' Duke Wen did not listen.
20
使 祿
In the thirty-seventh year spring, Jin's gong zi Chong Er returned to his country and was established. This was Duke Wen. In autumn, Zheng entered Hua. Hua obeyed the command, but already then turned and allied with Wei. Thereupon Zheng attacked Hua. King Xiang of Zhou sent Bo Fu to request Hua. Duke Wen of Zheng resented that King Hui had fled and resided at Li, and that Duke Wen's father Duke Li had brought him in, but King Hui did not grant Duke Li rank and emolument. He moreover resented King Xiang allying with the states of Wei and Hua. Therefore he did not listen to King Xiang's request and imprisoned Bo Fu. The king was angered and with the Di people attacked Zheng. He did not conquer it. In winter, the Di attacked King Xiang. King Xiang fled out to Zheng. Duke Wen of Zheng housed the king at Fan. In the thirty-eighth year, Duke Wen of Jin brought King Xiang into Cheng Zhou.
21
使
In the forty-first year, he assisted Chu in attacking Jin. Because Duke Wen of Jin had passed through without courtesy, he therefore turned his back on Jin and assisted Chu. In the forty-third year, Duke Wen of Jin with Duke Mu of Qin together surrounded Zheng, punishing those who assisted Chu in attacking Jin, and Duke Wen's passing without courtesy at that time. Initially, Duke Wen of Zheng had three ladies and five favored sons. All of the favored sons died early because of their crimes. The duke was angered and hastily drove away the group of gong zi. Zi Lan fled to Jin and followed Duke Wen of Jin in surrounding Zheng. At the time Lan served Duke Wen of Jin very respectfully. Duke Wen loved and favored him. He then privately allied with Jin to seek entering Zheng as crown prince. Jin thereupon desired to obtain Shu Zhan for punishment. Duke Wen of Zheng feared and did not dare to tell Shu Zhan. Zhan heard and spoke to the lord of Zheng, saying: 'Your minister told the lord, but the lord did not listen to your minister. Jin finally became a calamity. However, the reason Jin surrounded Zheng was because of Zhan. If Zhan dies and then Zheng state is pardoned, that is Zhan's wish.' He then committed suicide. The Zheng people gave Zhan's corpse to Jin. Duke Wen of Jin said: 'I certainly desire to once see the lord of Zheng, humiliate him, and then depart.' The Zheng people worried about it and then sent a person privately to Qin, saying: 'To break Zheng benefits Jin. This is not to Qin's profit.' The Qin troops were dismissed. Duke Wen of Jin desired to bring in Lan as crown prince and told Zheng this. Zheng grandee Shi Gui said: 'I have heard that the Ji surname was Hou Ji's primary consort. Their descendants ought to have those who prosper. Zi Lan's mother is their descendant. Moreover the lady's sons have all already died. Among the remaining concubine sons, none are as worthy as Lan. Now the siege is urgent. If we use Jin's request, what profit is greater than this!' They then permitted Jin and allied with them. They finally established Zi Lan as crown prince. The Jin troops then dismissed and departed.
22
In the forty-fifth year, Duke Wen died. Zi Lan was established. This was Duke Mu.
23
使
In Duke Mu's first year spring, Duke Mu of Qin sent three generals leading troops desiring to raid Zheng. They arrived at Hua and met the Zheng merchant Xian Gao who deceived them with twelve oxen to labor the army. Therefore the Qin troops did not arrive but returned. Jin defeated them at Xiao. Initially, in the previous year when Duke Wen of Zheng died, Zheng's Si Cheng Zeng He sold the Zheng situation to them. The Qin troops therefore came. In the third year, Zheng mobilized troops and followed Jin to attack Qin. They defeated the Qin troops at Wang.
24
使穿
In the previous year, Chu's crown prince Shang Chen assassinated his father King Cheng and replaced him as established. In the twenty-first year, with Song's Hua Yuan they attacked Zheng. Hua Yuan killed a sheep to feed the officers but did not give any to his charioteer Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen was angered and galloped to Zheng. Zheng imprisoned Hua Yuan. Song ransomed Hua Yuan. Yuan also fled and departed. Jin sent Zhao Chuan with troops to attack Zheng.
25
黿 黿
In Duke Ling's first year spring, Chu offered a turtle to Duke Ling. Zi Jia and Zi Gong were about to attend Duke Ling. Zi Gong's index finger moved, and he told Zi Jia, saying: 'On other days when the finger moves, I will certainly eat different things.' When they entered, they saw Duke Ling advancing the turtle soup. Zi Gong laughed and said: 'Indeed!' Duke Ling asked the reason for his laugh. He fully told Duke Ling. Duke Ling summoned them but alone did not give them soup. Zi Gong was angered, dipped his finger, tasted it, and departed. The duke was angered and desired to kill Zi Gong. Zi Gong plotted with Zi Jia to act first. In summer, they assassinated Duke Ling. The Zheng people desired to establish Duke Ling's younger brother Qu Ji. Qu Ji declined, saying: 'If it must be by worthiness, then Qu Ji is unworthy; if it must be by order, then Gong Zi Jian is elder.' Jian was Duke Ling's concubine younger brother and Qu Ji's elder brother. Thereupon they established Zi Jian. This was Duke Xiang.
26
When Duke Xiang was established, he was about to completely remove the Mu clan. The Mu clan were the clan family who assassinated Duke Ling and Zi Gong. Qu Ji said: 'If you must remove the Mu clan, I will leave.' He then stopped. He made them all grandees.
27
In Duke Xiang's first year, Chu was angered that Zheng had received a bribe from Song and released Hua Yuan. They attacked Zheng. Zheng turned its back on Chu and befriended Jin. In the fifth year, Chu again attacked Zheng. Jin came and saved them. In the sixth year, Zi Jia died. The state people again drove out his clan because they had assassinated Duke Ling.
28
使 使
In the seventh year, Zheng allied with Jin at Yan Ling. In the eighth year, King Zhuang of Chu, because Zheng had allied with Jin, came to attack. He surrounded Zheng for three months. Zheng surrendered the city to Chu. The king of Chu entered from the Huang gate. Duke Xiang of Zheng, baring his flesh and leading a sheep, welcomed him, saying: 'I cannot serve the border cities, causing the lord king to harbor anger and reach this crippled city. This is my crime. How dare I not obey only the command. If the lord king moves us to Jiang Nan, and grants us to the feudal lords, we also obey only the command. If the lord king does not forget King Li and King Xuan, Duke Huan and Duke Wu, and pities us, not enduring to cut off their altars and lands, granting barren land so we may again obtain to change and serve the lord king—that is my wish, however not what I dare hope for. How dare I spread my innermost thoughts. I obey only the command.' King Zhuang retreated thirty li and then camped. The Chu ministers said: 'From Ying to here, the officers have also long labored. Now that we have obtained the state, to abandon it—what do you think?' King Zhuang said: 'The reason for attacking is to attack those who do not submit. Now they have already submitted. What more do we seek?' They finally departed. Jin heard that Chu had attacked Zheng and mobilized troops to save Zheng. Their coming held both ends, therefore they were slow. By the time they arrived at the river, the Chu troops had already gone. The Jin generals, some desired to cross, some desired to return. They finally crossed the river. King Zhuang heard and returned to attack Jin. Zheng instead assisted Chu and greatly broke the Jin army on the river. In the tenth year, Jin came to attack Zheng because they had turned their backs on Jin and befriended Chu.
29
使 使
In the eleventh year, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Song. Song urgently informed Jin. Duke Jing of Jin desired to mobilize troops to save Song. Bo Zong admonished the Jin lord, saying: 'Heaven is just prospering Chu. We cannot yet attack.' They then sought a strong man and obtained Jie Yang of Huo, styled Zi Hu, to deceive Chu and command Song not to surrender. He passed through Zheng. Zheng was close with Chu, so they seized Jie Yang and offered him to the king of Chu. The king of Chu thickly granted him and made an agreement with him, making him reverse his words and command Song to hurry and surrender. After three demands he permitted. Thereupon Chu mounted Jie Yang on a tower chariot and commanded him to call to Song. Then he violated the Chu agreement and conveyed his Jin lord's command, saying: 'Jin is just now mobilizing all the state's troops to save Song. Song, though urgent, be careful not to surrender to Chu. The Jin troops have now arrived!' King Zhuang of Chu was greatly angered and was about to kill him. Jie Yang said: 'The lord is able to determine commands as righteousness. The minister is able to receive commands as faith. I received my lord's command to go out. I have death, not disgrace.' King Zhuang said: 'You permitted me, and then already betrayed me. Where is the faith in that?' Jie Yang said: 'The reason I permitted the king was to desire to complete my lord's command.' About to die, he looked back and told the Chu army, saying: 'As a minister, do not forget to exhaust loyalty and obtain death!' The king of Chu's various younger brothers all admonished the king to pardon him. Thereupon he pardoned Jie Yang and made him return. Jin enfeoffed him as an upper minister.
30
In the eighteenth year, Duke Xiang died. His son Duke Dao Fei was established.
31
使
In Duke Dao's first year, Duke Mao slandered Zheng at the court of Chu. Duke Dao sent his younger brother Gai to Chu to argue on his own behalf. The argument was not just. Chu imprisoned Gai. Thereupon Duke Dao of Zheng came and made peace with Jin, then became close. Gai was privately close with Chu's Zi Fan. Zi Fan spoke and returned Gai to Zheng.
32
In the second year, Chu attacked Zheng. Jin troops came to save them. In this year, Duke Dao died. They established his younger brother Gai as the lord. This was Duke Cheng.
33
使 使
In Duke Cheng's third year, King Gong of Chu said: 'Duke Cheng of Zheng, I have virtue toward him.' He sent a person to come and ally. Duke Cheng privately allied. In autumn, Duke Cheng attended Jin. Jin said: 'Zheng has privately made peace with Chu.' They seized the duke. They sent Luan Shu to attack Zheng. In the fourth year spring, Zheng worried about the Jin siege. Gong Zi Ru then established Duke Cheng's concubine elder brother Xu as lord. In its fourth month, Jin heard that Zheng had established a lord and then returned Duke Cheng. The Zheng people heard that Duke Cheng had returned. They also killed lord Xu and welcomed Duke Cheng. The Jin troops departed.
34
In the tenth year, they turned their backs on the Jin alliance and allied with Chu. Duke Li of Jin was angered and mobilized troops to attack Zheng. King Gong of Chu saved Zheng. Jin and Chu battled at Yan Ling. The Chu troops were defeated. Jin shot and injured King Gong of Chu's eye. Both dismissed and departed. In the thirteenth year, Duke Dao of Jin attacked Zheng with troops at Wei Shang. Zheng defended the city. Jin also departed.
35
In the fourteenth year, Duke Cheng died. His son Yun was established. This was Duke Xi.
36
使
In Duke Xi's fifth year, Zheng's chancellor Zi Si attended Duke Xi. Duke Xi did not treat the chancellor with courtesy. Zi Si was angered and made a cook poison and kill Duke Xi. He announced to the feudal lords, saying: 'Duke Xi died of a sudden illness.' They established Duke Xi's son Jia. Jia was five years old at the time. This was Duke Jian.
37
使
In Duke Jian's first year, the various gong zi plotted to execute chancellor Zi Si. Zi Si became aware of it and instead completely executed the various gong zi. In the second year, Jin attacked Zheng. Zheng allied with them. Jin departed. In winter, they moreover allied with Chu. Zi Si feared execution, therefore he befriended both Jin and Chu. In the third year, chancellor Zi Si desired to establish himself as lord. Gong Zi Zi Kong made Wei Zhi kill chancellor Zi Si and replace him. Zi Kong moreover desired to establish himself. Zi Chan said: 'Zi Si did what could not be done, and we executed him. Now if we moreover imitate it, the chaos will have no time to rest.' Thereupon Zi Kong followed this and became chancellor to Duke Jian of Zheng.
38
使
In the fourth year, Jin was angered that Zheng had allied with Chu. They attacked Zheng. Zheng allied with them. King Gong of Chu saved Zheng and defeated the Jin troops. Duke Jian desired peace with Jin. Chu moreover imprisoned the Zheng envoy.
39
使
In the twelfth year, Duke Jian was angered that chancellor Zi Kong monopolized state authority. He executed him and made Zi Chan a minister. In the nineteenth year, Duke Jian went to Jin and requested the Wei lord's return. He enfeoffed Zi Chan with six cities. Zi Chan declined but received three of the cities. In the twenty-second year, Wu sent Yan Ling Ji Zi to Zheng. He saw Zi Chan like an old friend and told Zi Chan, saying: 'Zheng's governing officials are extravagant. Calamity will arrive. Governance will reach you. When you govern, you must use rites; otherwise, Zheng will be defeated.' Zi Chan treated Ji Zi generously. In the twenty-third year, the various gong zi contended for favor and killed each other. They moreover desired to kill Zi Chan. Some gong zi admonished, saying: 'Zi Chan is a benevolent person. The reason Zheng exists is because of Zi Chan. Do not kill him!' They then stopped.
40
使
In the twenty-fifth year, Zheng sent Zi Chan to Jin to inquire about Duke Ping's illness. Duke Ping said: 'The divination said that Shi Shen and Tai Tai caused the calamity. The historians know nothing of this. I dare to ask?' He replied, saying: 'Gao Xin Shi had two sons. The elder was called Yan Bo, the younger was called Shi Shen. They resided in a vast forest and were not compatible. Daily they grasped spear and shield and mutually attacked each other. Hou Di did not approve. He moved Yan Bo to Shang Qiu to rule Chen. The Shang people followed this. Therefore Chen became the Shang star. He moved Shi Shen to Da Xia to rule Shen. The Tang people followed this. They served Xia and Shang. Their later generations were called Tang Shu Yu. When King Wu's Yi Jiang was just pregnant with Da Shu, she dreamed that Di told her: 'I name your son Yu, then give him Tang, attach him to the constellation Shen, and multiply and nurture his descendants.' When he was born, there was writing on his palm that said 'Yu'. They then named him with the name Yu. When King Cheng extinguished Tang, he then enfeoffed Da Shu there. Therefore Shen is the Jin star. From this observation, Shi Shen is the Shen spirit. Formerly Jin Tian Shi had a descendant son called Mei who was the Xuan Ming teacher. He gave birth to Yun Ge and Tai Tai. Tai Tai was able to manage his office. He drained the Fen and Tao, blocked the great marsh, to reside in Tai Yuan. Di praised him and enfeoffed him at Fen Chuan. Shen, Si, Ru, and Huang truly guarded his sacrifices. Now Jin rules Fen Chuan but has extinguished them. From this observation, Tai Tai is the Fen and Tao spirit. However, these two do not harm the lord's body. For the spirits of mountains and rivers, one sacrifices to them when there are drought and flood calamities; for the spirits of sun, moon, and stars, one sacrifices to them when snow, frost, wind, and rain are not timely; if the lord's illness is produced by eating, drinking, sorrow, joy, and female beauty.' Duke Ping and Shu Xiang said: 'Good! A broadly learned gentleman!' They made generous rites for Zi Chan.
41
使
In the twenty-seventh year summer, Duke Jian of Zheng attended Jin. In winter, fearing King Ling of Chu's strength, he moreover attended the court of Chu. Zi Chan followed. In the twenty-eighth year, the Zheng lord was ill. He sent Zi Chan to assemble the feudal lords and ally with King Ling of Chu at Shen. They executed Qi's Qing Feng.
42
In the thirty-sixth year, Duke Jian died. His son Duke Ding Ning was established. In autumn, Duke Ding attended Duke Zhao of Jin.
43
In Duke Ding's first year, Chu's Gong Zi Qi Ji assassinated the lord King Ling and established himself as king, becoming King Ping. He desired to practice virtue among the feudal lords. He returned the lands that King Ling had invaded from Zheng back to Zheng.
44
In the fourth year, Duke Zhao of Jin died. His six ministers were strong, the ducal chamber lowly. Zi Chan told Han Xuan Zi, saying: 'In governing, you must use virtue. Do not forget the reason you were established.' In the sixth year, Zheng had a fire. The duke desired to exorcise it. Zi Chan said: 'It is not as good as cultivating virtue.'
45
In the eighth year, Chu's crown prince Jian came fleeing. In the tenth year, crown prince Jian plotted with Jin to raid Zheng. Zheng killed Jian. Jian's son Sheng fled to Wu.
46
In the eleventh year, Duke Ding went to Jin. Jin plotted with Zheng, executed Zhou's chaotic ministers, and brought in King Jing to the court of Zhou.
47
In the thirteenth year, Duke Ding died. His son Duke Xian Juan was established. Duke Xian died in the thirteenth year. His son Duke Sheng Sheng was established. At this time, Jin's six ministers were strong. They invaded and seized from the state of Zheng. Zheng then became weak.
48
In Duke Sheng's fifth year, Zheng's chancellor Zi Chan died. All the Zheng people wept and grieved him like lost relatives. Zi Chan was Duke Cheng of Zheng's younger son. As a person he was benevolent and loved people. He served his lord with loyal generosity. Kong Qiu once passed through Zheng and was like brothers with Zi Chan, they say. When he heard that Zi Chan had died, Kong Qiu wept and said: 'A legacy of love from ancient times!'
49
In the eighth year, Jin's Fan and Zhong Xing clans rebelled against Jin. They urgently informed Zheng. Zheng saved them. Jin attacked Zheng and defeated the Zheng army at Tie.
50
In the fourteenth year, Duke Jing of Song extinguished Cao. In the twentieth year, Qi's Tian Chang assassinated his lord Duke Jian, and Chang became chancellor at Qi. In the twenty-second year, King Hui of Chu extinguished Chen. Kong Qiu died.
51
In the thirty-sixth year, Jin's Zhi Bo attacked Zheng and took nine cities.
52
In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Sheng died. His son Duke Ai Yi was established. In Duke Ai's eighth year, the Zheng people assassinated Duke Ai and established Duke Sheng's younger brother Chou. This was Duke Gong. In Duke Gong's third year, the three Jin extinguished Zhi Bo. In the thirty-first year, Duke Gong died. His son Duke You Ji was established. In Duke You's first year, Han Wu Zi attacked Zheng and killed Duke You. The Zheng people established Duke You's younger brother Tai. This was Duke Xu.
53
In Duke Xu's fifteenth year, Marquis Jing of Han attacked the state of Zheng and took Yong Qiu. Zheng fortified Jing.
54
In the sixteenth year, Zheng attacked Han and defeated the Han troops at Fu Shu. In the twentieth year, Han, Zhao, and Wei were ranked as feudal lords. In the twenty-third year, Zheng surrounded Han's Yang Di.
55
In the twenty-fifth year, the Zheng lord killed his chancellor Zi Yang. In the twenty-seventh year, Zi Yang's party together assassinated Duke Xu Tai and established Duke You's younger brother Yi as lord. This was the Zheng lord. Zheng lord Yi was established for two years. Zheng's Fu Shu rebelled and again returned to the state of Han. In the eleventh year, Han attacked Zheng and took Yang Cheng.
56
In the twenty-first year, Marquis Ai of Han extinguished Zheng and annexed its state.
57
The Grand Historian said: There is a saying: 'Those who unite by power and profit, when power and profit are exhausted, their relations become distant.' Fu Xia is such a case. Although Fu Xia, through kidnapping and killing Zheng Zi, brought in Duke Li, Duke Li finally turned back and killed him. What difference is there between this and the case of Jin's Li Ke? One who guarded integrity like Xun Xi died but could not preserve Xi Qi. The sources from which changes come are also many and complex!
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