Duke Yin

春，滕侯、薛侯來朝。

In spring, the Marquis of Teng and the Marquis of Xue came to court.

（傳）其言朝何？諸侯來曰朝，大夫來曰聘。其兼言之何？微國也。

(Commentary) Why is "court" written? When feudal lords come it is called court, and when grand masters come it is called a visit of inquiry. Why are they written together? Because both were small states.

（經十八）夏，五月，公會鄭伯於祁黎。

(Classic 11.2) In summer, the fifth month, Duke Yin met the Earl of Zheng at Qili.

（經十九）秋，七月壬午，公及齊侯、鄭伯入許。

(Classic 11.3) In autumn, the seventh month, renwu day, Duke Yin with the Marquis of Qi and the Earl of Zheng entered Xu.

（經十十）冬，十有一月壬辰，公薨。

(Classic 11.10) In winter, the eleventh month, renchen day, Duke Yin died.

（傳）何以不書葬？隱之也。何隱爾？弒也。弒則何以不書葬？《春秋》君弒，賊不討，不書葬，以為無臣子也。子沈子曰：「君弒，臣不討賊，非臣也。子不復讎，非子也。葬，生者之事也。《春秋》君弒，賊不討，不書葬，以為不繫乎臣子也。」公薨何以不地？不忍言也。隱何以無正月？隱將讓乎桓，故不有其正月也。

(Commentary) Why is the burial not recorded? Out of sympathy for him. What is there to sympathize with? He was assassinated. Why is the burial of one assassinated not recorded? In the Spring and Autumn Annals, when a ruler was assassinated and the rebel was not punished, the burial is not recorded, treating this as there being no ministers. Master Zishen said: "When a ruler is assassinated and his ministers do not punish the rebel, they are not ministers; when a son does not avenge him, he is not a son. Burial is a matter for the living. In the Spring and Autumn Annals, when a ruler was assassinated and the rebel was not punished, the burial is not recorded, treating this as having no connection with ministers." Why is the place of Duke Yin's death not recorded? Because it was too painful to say. Why does Duke Yin have no "first month"? Duke Yin intended to yield to Duke Huan, so he did not claim the first month as his own.

春，王正月，公即位。

In spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Huan took his seat.

（傳）繼弒君不言即位，此其言即位何？如其意也。

(Commentary) After a ruler who was assassinated, taking his seat is normally not written; why is "took his seat" written here? It follows his own intention.

（經一二）三月，公會鄭伯於垂。鄭伯以璧假許田。

(Classic 1.2) In the third month, Duke Huan met the Earl of Zheng at Chui. The Earl of Zheng used a jade disc to borrow the Xu fields.

（傳）其言以璧假之何？易之也。易之則其言假之何？為恭也。曷為為恭？有天子存，則諸侯不得專地也。許田者何？魯朝宿之邑也。諸侯時朝乎天子，天子之郊，諸侯皆有朝宿之邑焉。此魯朝宿之邑也，則曷為謂之許田？諱取周田也。諱取周田則曷為謂之許田？系之許也。曷為系之許？近許也。此邑也，其稱田何？田多邑少稱田，邑多田少稱邑。

(Commentary) Why is it written "used a jade disc to borrow"? In fact it was an exchange. If it was an exchange, why is "borrow" written? Out of respect. Why respect? Because there is a Son of Heaven above, the feudal lords cannot dispose of land on their own authority. What are the Xu fields? They were the lodging city of Lu when it paid court to the Son of Heaven. When the feudal lords paid court to the Son of Heaven at the appointed times, in the suburbs of the Son of Heaven every feudal lord had a lodging city for court visits. If this was Lu's lodging city for court visits, why is it called the Xu fields? To conceal the seizing of the fields of the Zhou house. If the seizing of Zhou fields is concealed, why is it still called the Xu fields? It is attached to the state of Xu. Why attach it to Xu? Because it was near Xu. This was a city; why is it called "fields"? When there are many fields and few dwellings it is called fields; when there are many dwellings and few fields it is called a city.

（經一三）夏，四月丁未，公及鄭伯盟于越。

(Classic 1.3) In summer, the fourth month, dingwei day, Duke Huan and the Earl of Zheng made a covenant at Yue.

（經一四）秋，大水。

(Classic 1.4) In autumn, there was a great flood.

（傳）何以書？記災也。

(Commentary) Why is it recorded? To record the disaster.

（經一五）冬，十月。

(Classic 1.5) In winter, the tenth month.

春，王正月戊申，宋督弒其君與夷及其大夫孔父。

In spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, wushen day, Hua Du of Song assassinated his ruler Yuyi and his grand master Kong Fu.

（傳）及者何？累也。弒君多矣，舍此無累者乎？曰：有，仇牧，荀息，皆累也。舍仇牧、荀息，無累者乎？曰：有。有則此何以書？賢也。何賢乎孔父？孔父可謂義形於色矣。其義形於色奈何？督將弒殤公，孔父生而存，則殤公不可得而弒也，故於是先攻孔父之家。殤公知孔父死，己必死，趨而救之，皆死焉。孔父正色而立於朝，則人莫敢過而致難於其君者，孔父可謂義形於色矣。

(Commentary) What is meant by "and"? It means being drawn in together. Many rulers have been assassinated; apart from this entry, were there no others who were drawn in? The answer is: there were; Chou Mu and Xun Xi were both drawn in. Apart from Chou Mu and Xun Xi, were there no others? The answer is: there were more. If there were more, why is it recorded here? Because Kong Fu was worthy. How was Kong Fu worthy? Kong Fu can be said to have had righteousness fully shown in his bearing. What is it like for righteousness to be shown in one's bearing? When Hua Du was about to assassinate Duke Shang, as long as Kong Fu was alive Duke Shang could not be assassinated, so he first attacked Kong Fu's house. Duke Shang knew that once Kong Fu died he himself would surely die, and rushed to rescue him, and both died. When Kong Fu stood upright in his bearing at court, no one dared approach to bring calamity on the ruler; Kong Fu can be said to have had righteousness fully shown in his bearing.

（經二二）滕子來朝。三月，公會齊侯、陳侯、鄭伯於稷，以成宋亂。

(Classic 2.2) The Viscount of Teng came to court. In the third month, Duke Huan met the Marquis of Qi, the Marquis of Chen and the Earl of Zheng at Ji, to bring about the disorder in Song.

（傳）內大惡諱，此其目言之何？遠也。所見異辭，所聞異辭，所傳聞異辭。隱亦遠矣，曷為為隱諱？隱賢而桓賤也。

(Commentary) The great wickedness of Lu itself must be concealed, yet here it is written openly; why? Because the time was far in the past. What one saw with one's own eyes is described with one set of wording, what one heard with one's own ears with another, and what had been handed down by report from further back with yet another. Duke Yin was also far enough away; why was it still concealed for Duke Yin? Because Duke Yin was worthy and Duke Huan was base.

（經二三）夏，四月，取郜大鼎於宋。

(Classic 2.3) In summer, the fourth month, the great tripod of Gao was taken from Song.

（傳）此取之宋，其謂之郜鼎何？器從名，地從主人。器何以從名？地何以從主人？器之與人，非有即爾。宋始以不義取之，故謂之郜鼎；至乎地之與人則不然，俄而可以為其有矣。然則為取可以為其有乎？曰：否。何者？若楚王之妻媦，無時焉可也。

(Commentary) It was taken from Song; why is it called the tripod of Gao? Objects keep their original names, and land follows its present owner. Why do objects keep their original names, and land follow its present owner? Objects and people do not become something the moment they are obtained. Song had originally taken it by unrighteous means, so it is still called the tripod of Gao; but land and people are not so, and in a moment they can be reckoned as his. Then can what was seized be reckoned as his? The answer is: no. Why? It is like the King of Chu taking his wife's sister; it cannot be allowed at any time.

（經二四）戊申，納於太廟。

(Classic 2.4) On wushen day, the tripod was placed in the Grand Temple.

（傳）何以書？譏。何譏爾？遂亂受賂，納於太廟，非禮也。

(Commentary) Why is it recorded? It is a criticism. What is criticized? Taking advantage of disorder to accept a bribe and placing it in the Grand Temple is not in accord with ritual.

（經二五）秋，七月，紀侯來朝。蔡侯、鄭伯會於鄧。

(Classic 2.5) In autumn, the seventh month, the Marquis of Ji came to court. The Marquis of Cai and the Earl of Zheng met at Deng.

（傳）離不言會，此其言會何？蓋鄧與會爾。

(Commentary) When two parties meet alone, "meet" is not written; why is "meet" written here? Probably because Deng also took part.

（經二六）九月，入杞。公及戎盟於唐。

(Classic 2.6) In the ninth month, Qi was entered. Duke Huan made a covenant with the Rong at Tang.

（經二七）冬，公至自唐。

(Classic 2.7) In winter, Duke Huan returned from Tang.

春，正月，公會齊侯於嬴。

In spring, the first month, Duke Huan met the Marquis of Qi at Ying.

（經三二）夏，齊侯、衛侯胥命於蒲。

(Classic 3.2) In summer, the Marquis of Qi and the Marquis of Wei gave each other their word at Pu.

（傳）胥命者何？相命也。何言乎相命？近正也。此其為近正奈何？古者不盟，結言而退。

(Commentary) What is meant by "gave each other their word"? It means pledging to each other by word. Why is it written as pledging by word? Because it came close to the right way. How did it come close to the right way? In ancient times they did not swear covenants; once the words were settled they simply withdrew.

（經三三）六月，公會紀侯於盛。

(Classic 3.3) In the sixth month, Duke Huan met the Marquis of Ji at Sheng.

（經三四）秋，七月壬辰朔，日有食之，既。

(Classic 3.4) In autumn, the seventh month, renchen, the first day of the month, there was an eclipse of the sun, total.

（傳）既者何？盡也。

(Commentary) What is meant by "total"? It means it was eaten completely.

（經三五）公子翬如齊逆女。九月，齊侯送姜氏於讙。

(Classic 3.5) Gongzi Hui went to Qi to welcome a bride. In the ninth month, the Marquis of Qi escorted Jiang Shi to Huan.

（傳）何以書？譏。何譏爾？諸侯越竟送女，非禮也。此入國矣，何以不稱夫人？自我言齊，父母之於子，雖為鄰國夫人，猶曰吾姜氏。

(Commentary) Why is it recorded? It is a criticism. What is criticized? A feudal lord escorting his daughter across the border is not in accord with ritual. By this time she had already entered Lu; why is she still not called lady? Speaking from our side toward Qi, parents still call their daughter "our Jiang", even when she is already the lady of a neighboring state.

（經三六）公會齊侯於讙，夫人姜氏至自齊。

(Classic 3.6) Duke Huan met the Marquis of Qi at Huan, and Lady Jiang arrived from Qi.

（傳）翬何以不致？得見乎公矣。

(Commentary) Why is Hui's return to the state not written? Because he had already seen Duke Huan.

（經三七）冬，齊侯使其弟年來聘。有年。

(Classic 3.7) In winter, the Marquis of Qi sent his younger brother Nian on a visit of inquiry. This year there was a harvest.

（傳）有年，何以書？以喜書也。大有年，何以書？亦以喜書也。此其曰有年何？僅有年也。彼其曰大有年何？大豐年也。僅有年亦足以當喜乎？恃有年也。

(Commentary) Why is "there was a harvest" recorded? It is recorded out of joy. Why is "a great harvest" recorded? Also recorded out of joy. Why is it "a harvest" here? It was only a barely adequate harvest. Why is it "a great harvest" there? It was a bumper year. Is a barely adequate harvest worth rejoicing over? Because one depends on that year's harvest.

春，正月，公狩於郎。

In spring, the first month, Duke Huan hunted at Lang.

（傳）狩者何？田狩也，春曰苗，秋曰搜，冬曰狩。常事不書，此何以書？譏。何譏爾？遠也。諸侯曷為必田狩？一曰幹豆，二曰賓客，三百充君之庖。

(Commentary) What is meant by "hunted"? It means field hunting. Spring hunting is called miao, autumn hunting is called sou, and winter hunting is called shou. Ordinary events are not recorded; why is it recorded here? It is a criticism. What is criticized? That it was too far away. Why must feudal lords hunt? First, to make dried meat for sacrifices; second, to entertain guests; third, to fill the ruler's kitchen. (The base text reads "third, a hundred fill the ruler's kitchen", where the character for "hundred" is an error for "said".)

（經四二）夏，天王使宰渠伯糾來聘。

(Classic 4.2) In summer, the Son of Heaven sent Zai Qubo Jiu on a visit of inquiry.

（傳）宰渠伯糾者何？天子之大夫也。其稱宰渠伯糾何？下大夫也。

(Commentary) Who was Zai Qubo Jiu? He was a grand master of the Son of Heaven. Why is he called "Zai Qubo Jiu"? Because he was a lower grand master.

春，正月甲戌、己丑，陳侯鮑卒。

In spring, the first month, jiaxu and jichou days, Bao, Marquis of Chen, died.

（傳）曷為以二日卒之？怴也。甲戌之日亡、己丑之日死而得，君子疑焉，故以二日卒之也。

(Commentary) Why is his death recorded with two days? Because he was out of his mind. He disappeared on the day of jiaxu, and his body was only found on the day of jichou, and the gentleman, having doubt, recorded his death with two days.

（經五二）夏，齊侯、鄭伯如紀。

(Classic 5.2) In summer, the Marquis of Qi and the Earl of Zheng went to Ji.

（傳）外相如不書，此何以書？離不言會。

(Commentary) Visits among other states are normally not recorded; why is it recorded here? When two parties meet alone, "meet" is not written.

（經五三）天王使仍叔之子來聘。

(Classic 5.3) The Son of Heaven sent the son of Reng Shu on a visit of inquiry.

（傳）仍叔之子者何？天子之大夫也。其稱仍叔之子何？譏。何譏爾？譏父老子代從政也。

(Commentary) Who was the son of Reng Shu? He was a grand master of the Son of Heaven. Why is he called "the son of Reng Shu"? It is a criticism. What is criticized? That the father was old and the son took over his position in government.

（經五四）葬陳桓公。

(Classic 5.4) Duke Huan of Chen was buried.

（經五五）城祝丘。

(Classic 5.5) Zhuqiu was built.

（經五六）秋，蔡人、衛人、陳人從王伐鄭。

(Classic 5.6) In autumn, the people of Cai, Wei and Chen followed the Son of Heaven in attacking Zheng.

（傳）其言從王伐鄭何？從王正也。

(Commentary) Why is it written "followed the king in attacking Zheng"? Following the Son of Heaven is in accord with the right way.

（經五七）大雩。

(Classic 5.7) The great rain sacrifice was held.

（傳）大雩者何？旱祭也。然則何以不言旱？言雩則旱見；言旱則雩不見。何以書？記災也。

(Commentary) What is the great rain sacrifice? It is a sacrifice held for drought. Then why is "drought" not written? When "rain sacrifice" is written, the drought can be seen; when "drought" is written, the rain sacrifice cannot be seen. Why is it recorded? To record the disaster.

（經五八）螽。

(Classic 5.8) Locusts did damage.