Duke Yin (Years 1-11)

【傳】十六年春，隕石於宋五，隕星也。六鷁退飛過宋都，風也。周內史叔興聘於宋，宋襄公問焉，曰；“是何祥也？吉凶焉在？”對曰：“今茲魯多大喪，明年齊有亂，君將得諸侯而不終。”退而告人曰：“君失問。是陰陽之事，非吉凶所生也。吉凶由人，吾不敢逆君故也。”

[Commentary] In the sixteenth year, in spring, five stones fell in Song; they were falling stars. Six yi birds flew backward past the capital of Song because of the wind. Shu Xing, Interior Historian of the Zhou house, was visiting Song on a mission, and Duke Xiang of Song asked him: "What omen is this? Where do the good and bad fortune lie?" Shu Xing answered: "This year Lu will have many great mourning events, next year Qi will have disorder, and you will gain the feudal lords but will not be able to keep them to the end." He withdrew and told others: "The ruler asked the wrong question. These are matters of yin and yang, not the cause of good or bad fortune. Good and bad fortune come from men. I did not dare contradict the ruler, so I answered thus."

夏，齊伐厲不克，救徐而還。

In summer, Qi attacked Li and did not take it, and returned after relieving Xu.

秋，狄侵晉，取狐、廚、受鐸，涉汾，及昆都，因晉敗也。

In autumn, the Di invaded and attacked Jin, seized Hu, Chu and Shouduo, crossed the Fen River and reached Kundu, taking advantage of Jin's defeat.

王以戎難告於齊，齊徵諸侯而戍周。

The Son of Heaven reported the Rong trouble to Qi, and Qi called up the feudal lords to garrison the Zhou house.

冬，十一月乙卯，鄭殺子華。

In winter, in the eleventh month, on the yimao day, Zheng killed Zihua.

十二月會於淮，謀鄶，且東略也。城鄫，役人病。有夜登丘而呼曰：“齊有亂。”不果城而還。

In the twelfth month a meeting was held at Huai to plan against Zeng and also to extend control to the east. (The base text has a variant name here; the later "walled Zeng" shows it means Zeng.) They built the wall of Zeng, and the laborers fell ill. Someone climbed a hill at night and cried out: "Qi has disorder." So they went back without finishing the wall.

【經】十有七年春，齊人、徐人伐英氏。夏，滅項。秋，夫人姜氏會齊侯於卞。九月，公至自會。冬十有二月乙亥，齊侯小白卒。

[Classic] In the seventeenth year, in spring, the men of Qi and Xu attacked the Ying clan. In summer, Xiang was destroyed. In autumn, the lady Jiang met the Marquis of Qi at Bian. In the ninth month Duke Xi returned from the meeting. In winter, in the twelfth month, on the yihai day, Xiaobai, Marquis of Qi, died.

【傳】十七年春，齊人為徐伐英氏，以報婁林之役也。

[Commentary] In the seventeenth year, in spring, the men of Qi attacked the Ying clan on behalf of Xu, to avenge the battle at Loulin.

夏，晉大子圉為質於秦，秦歸河東而妻之。惠公之在梁也，梁伯妻之。梁贏孕，過期，卜招父與其子卜之。其子曰：“將生一男一女。”招曰：“然。男為人臣，女為人妾。”故名男曰圉，女曰妾。及子圉西質，妾為宦女焉。

In summer, Yu, crown prince of Jin, was a hostage in Qin, and Qin returned Hedong and gave him a daughter in marriage. When Duke Hui was in Liang, the Earl of Liang had given his daughter to him. Liang Ying was pregnant and went past her due date; Bu Zhaofu and his son divined about it. The son said: "She will bear a boy and a girl." Zhaofu said: "Yes. The male will be a servant and the female a concubine." So the boy was named Yu (groom) and the girl was named Qie (concubine). When Ziyu went west as a hostage, Qie became a palace maidservant.

師滅項。淮之會，公有諸侯之事，未歸而取項。齊人以為討，而止公。

The army destroyed Xiang. At the meeting at Huai, Duke Xi had business with the feudal lords, and before he returned Xiang was taken. The men of Qi therefore called him to account and detained Duke Xi.

秋，聲姜以公故，會齊侯於卞。九月，公至。書曰：“至自會。”猶有諸侯之事焉，且諱之也。

In autumn, Sheng Jiang met the Marquis of Qi at Bian on account of Duke Xi. In the ninth month, Duke Xi arrived. The Spring and Autumn Annals records: "Arrived from the meeting," because there was still business with the feudal lords, and to avoid mentioning this matter.

齊侯之夫人三：王姬，徐嬴，蔡姬，皆無子。齊侯好內，多內寵，內嬖如夫人者六人：長衛姬，生武孟；少衛姬，生惠公；鄭姬，生孝公；葛嬴，生昭公；密姬，生懿公；宋華子，生公子雍。公與管仲屬孝公於宋襄公，以為太子。雍巫有寵於衛共姬，因寺人貂以薦羞於公，亦有寵，公許之立武孟。

The Marquis of Qi had three principal wives: Wang Ji, Xu Ying and Cai Ji, none of whom had a son. The Marquis loved his inner favorites, and there were many; six were favored like principal wives: Elder Wei Ji, who bore Wumeng; Younger Wei Ji, who bore Duke Hui; Zheng Ji, who bore Duke Xiao; Ge Ying, who bore Duke Zhao; Mi Ji, who bore Duke Yi; and Song Huazi, who bore Prince Yong. Duke Huan and Guan Zhong entrusted Duke Xiao to Duke Xiang of Song and set him up as crown prince. Yong Wu gained the favor of Wei Gong Ji and, through the eunuch Diao, presented fine food to Duke Huan and was also favored, and Duke Huan promised to set up Wumeng.

管仲卒，五公子皆求立。冬十月乙亥，齊桓公卒。易牙入，與寺人貂因內寵以殺群吏，而立公子無虧。孝公奔宋。十二月乙亥赴。辛巳夜殯。

Guan Zhong died, and the five princes all sought the succession. In winter, in the tenth month, on the yihai day, Duke Huan of Qi died. Yi Ya entered the palace and, together with the eunuch Diao, relying on the inner favorites, killed many officials and set up Prince Wukui. Duke Xiao fled to Song. In the twelfth month, on the yihai day, the death was announced. On the night of the xinsi day the body was placed in the coffin.

【經】十有八年春王正月，宋公、曹伯、衛人、邾人伐齊。夏，師救齊。五月戊寅，宋師及齊師戰於甗，齊師敗績。狄救齊。秋八月丁亥，葬齊桓公。冬，邢人，狄人伐衛。

[Classic] In the eighteenth year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, the Duke of Song, the Earl of Cao, the men of Wei and the men of Zhu attacked Qi. In summer, the army of Lu relieved Qi. In the fifth month, on the wuyin day, the armies of Song and Qi fought at Yan, and the Qi army was greatly defeated. The Di relieved Qi. In autumn, in the eighth month, on the dinghai day, Duke Huan of Qi was buried. In winter, the men of Xing and the Di attacked Wei.

【傳】十八年春，宋襄公以諸侯伐齊。三月，齊人殺無虧。

[Commentary] In the eighteenth year, in spring, Duke Xiang of Song led the feudal lords to attack Qi. In the third month, the men of Qi killed Wukui.

鄭伯始朝於楚，楚子賜之金，既而悔之，與之盟曰：“無以鑄兵。”故以鑄三鍾。

The Earl of Zheng first went to court in Chu, and the Viscount of Chu gave him bronze, then regretted it and made a covenant with him, saying: "Do not use it to cast weapons." So he used it to cast three bells.

齊人將立孝公，不勝，四公子之徒遂與宋人戰。夏五月，宋敗齊師於甗，立孝公而還。

The men of Qi were about to set up Duke Xiao but could not prevail, and so the partisans of the four princes fought with the men of Song. In summer, in the fifth month, Song defeated the Qi army at Yan, set up Duke Xiao and returned.

秋八月，葬齊桓公。

In autumn, in the eighth month, Duke Huan of Qi was buried.

冬，邢人、狄人伐衛，圍菟圃。衛侯以國讓父兄子弟及朝眾曰：“苟能治之，燬請從焉。”眾不可，而後師於訾婁。狄師還。

In winter, the men of Xing and the Di attacked Wei and besieged Tupu. The Marquis of Wei offered the state to his fathers, elder brothers, younger brothers and sons and the men of the court, saying: "If anyone can govern it, I (Hui) request to follow him." The people did not agree, and then they sent out troops at Zilou. The Di army withdrew.

梁伯益其國而不能實也，命曰新裡，秦取之。

The Earl of Liang expanded his territory but could not fill it with people; he called the place Xinli, and Qin seized it.

【經】十有九年春王三月，宋人執滕子嬰齊。夏六月，宋公、曹人、邾人盟於曹南。鄫子會盟於邾。己酉，邾人執鄶子，用之。秋，宋人圍曹。衛人伐邢。

[Classic] In the nineteenth year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, the men of Song seized Ying Qi, Viscount of Teng. In summer, in the sixth month, the Duke of Song, the men of Cao and the men of Zhu made a covenant at Caonan. The Viscount of Zeng took part in the covenant at Zhu. On the jiyou day, the men of Zhu seized the Viscount of Kuai and used him as a sacrifice. In autumn, the men of Song besieged Cao. The men of Wei attacked Xing.

冬，會陳人、蔡人、楚人、鄭人盟於齊。梁亡。

In winter, there was a meeting with the men of Chen, Cai, Chu and Zheng, and a covenant was made on the land of Qi. Liang was destroyed.

【傳】十九年春，遂城而居之。

[Commentary] In the nineteenth year, in spring, they then built a wall and lived there.

宋人執滕宣公。

The men of Song seized Duke Xuan of Teng.

夏，宋公使邾文公用鄫子於次睢之社，欲以屬東夷。司馬子魚曰：“古者六畜不相為用，小事不用大牲，而況敢用人乎？祭祀以為人也。民，神之主也。

In summer, the Duke of Song had Duke Wen of Zhu kill the Viscount of Zeng as a sacrifice at the altar of the earth god at Cisui, hoping thereby to bring the eastern Yi to submit. Sima Ziyu said: "In ancient times the six domestic animals were not used in place of one another, and in minor sacrifices large animals were not used; how dare one use a human being? Sacrifice exists for the sake of people. The people are the masters of the spirits.

用人，其誰饗之？齊桓公存三亡國以屬諸侯，義士猶曰薄德。今一會而虐二國之君，又用諸淫昏之鬼，將以求霸，不亦難乎？得死為幸！”秋，衛人伐邢，以報菟圃之役。於是衛大旱，卜有事于山川，不吉。甯莊子曰：“昔周飢，克殷而年豐。今邢方無道，諸侯無伯，天其或者欲使衛討邢乎？”從之，師興而雨。

(Ziyu continued:) "If people are used as sacrifices, who will come to enjoy them? Duke Huan of Qi preserved three destroyed states in order to unite the feudal lords, and yet righteous men still said his virtue was insufficient. Now at a single meeting he has harmed the rulers of two states, and moreover used one as a sacrifice to licentious and confused spirits; hoping to gain hegemony by this, is it not also difficult? He will be lucky to die a natural death!" In autumn, the men of Wei attacked Xing, to avenge the battle at Tupu. At that time Wei had a great drought, and divination about sacrificing to the mountains and rivers was inauspicious. Ning Zhuangzi said: "Formerly the Zhou house suffered famine, but after defeating Shang the harvest was good. Now Xing is without the Way and the feudal lords have no leader; perhaps Heaven wishes Wei to attack Xing?" They followed him, and as soon as the army moved it rained.

宋人圍曹，討不服也。子魚言於宋公曰：“文王聞崇德亂而伐之，軍三旬而不降，退修教而復伐之，因壘而降。《詩》曰：‘刑于寡妻，至於兄弟，以御於家邦。’今君德無乃猶有所闕，而以伐人，若之何？盍姑內省德乎？無闕而後動。”

The men of Song besieged Cao, punishing it for not submitting. Ziyu said to the Duke of Song: "King Wen heard that Chong's virtue was confused and attacked it; the army besieged it for thirty days but it did not surrender; he withdrew, cultivated his teaching and attacked again, and they surrendered while he was still at the old camp. The Odes say: 'Set an example for his own principal wife, extend it to his brothers, and thereby govern family and state.' Now your virtue is perhaps still lacking, yet you attack others; what can come of it? Why not examine your virtue inwardly for now? When there is no lack, then act."

陳穆公請修好於諸侯，以無忘齊桓之德。冬，盟於齊，修桓公之好也。

Duke Mu of Chen asked to restore friendship with the feudal lords so as not to forget the virtue of Duke Huan of Qi. In winter, a covenant was made on the land of Qi, restoring the friendship of Duke Huan's time.

梁亡，不書其主，自取之也。初，梁伯好土功，亟城而弗處，民罷而弗堪，則曰：“某寇將至。”乃溝公宮，曰：“秦將襲我。”民懼而潰，秦遂取梁。

Liang was destroyed. The Spring and Autumn Annals does not record who destroyed it, because it brought about its own destruction. Earlier, the Earl of Liang was fond of earthworks and repeatedly built walls without anyone living in them; the people were exhausted and could not bear it, and he said: "Such-and-such an enemy army is coming." He then dug a ditch around the ducal palace and said: "Qin is about to attack us." The people were frightened and scattered, and Qin then seized Liang.

【經】二十年春，新作南門。夏，郜子來朝。五月乙巳，西宮災。鄭人入滑。

[Classic] In the twentieth year, in spring, the South Gate was newly built. In summer, the Viscount of Gao came to court. In the fifth month, on the yisi day, the West Palace caught fire. The men of Zheng entered Hua.

秋，齊人、狄人盟於邢。冬，楚人伐隨。

In autumn, the men of Qi and the Di made a covenant at Xing. In winter, the men of Chu attacked Sui.

【傳】二十年春，新作南門。書，不時也。凡啟塞從時。

[Commentary] In the twentieth year, in spring, the South Gate was newly built. The Spring and Autumn Annals records this because it was not in season. Whenever city gates are opened or blocked, it must be according to the season.

滑人叛鄭而服於衛。夏，鄭公子士、洩堵寇帥師入滑。

The men of Hua rebelled against Zheng and submitted to Wei. In summer, Prince Shi and Xie Du Kou of Zheng led an army into Hua.

秋，齊、狄盟於邢，為邢謀衛難也。於是衛方病邢。

In autumn, Qi and the Di made a covenant at Xing, to plan for Xing against the troubles from Wei. At that time Wei was distressing Xing.

隨以漢東諸侯叛楚。冬，楚鬥穀於菟帥師伐隨，取成而還。君子曰：“隨之見伐，不量力也。量力而動，其過鮮矣。善敗由己，而由人乎哉？《詩》曰：‘豈不夙夜，謂行多露。’”宋襄公欲合諸侯，臧文仲聞之，曰：“以欲從人，則可；以人從欲，鮮濟。”

Sui led the feudal lords east of the Han River in rebellion against Chu. In winter, Dou Gu Wutu of Chu led an army to attack Sui, obtained peace and returned. The gentleman said: "Sui was attacked because it did not measure its own strength. If one measures one's strength before acting, there will be few faults. Success or failure lies with oneself; does it lie with others? The Odes say: 'Do I not wish to travel early and late? Only the dew on the road is too heavy.'" Duke Xiang of Song wished to bring the feudal lords together, and when Zang Wenzhong heard of it he said: "To make one's own desires follow others is possible; to make others follow one's desires seldom succeeds."

【經】二十有一年春，狄侵衛。宋人、齊人、楚人盟於鹿上。夏，大旱。秋，宋公、楚子、陳侯、蔡侯、鄭伯、許男、曹伯會於盂。執宋公以伐宋。冬，公伐邾。楚人使宜申來獻捷。十有二月癸丑，公會諸侯盟於薄。釋宋公。

[Classic] In the twenty-first year, in spring, the Di invaded and attacked Wei. The men of Song, Qi and Chu made a covenant at Lushang. In summer, there was a great drought. In autumn, the Duke of Song, the Viscount of Chu, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Cai, the Earl of Zheng, the Baron of Xu and the Earl of Cao met at Yu. They seized the Duke of Song and attacked Song. In winter, Duke Xi attacked Zhu. The men of Chu sent Yi Shen to present captives. In the twelfth month, on the guichou day, Duke Xi made a covenant with the feudal lords at Bo. The Duke of Song was released.

【傳】二十一年春，宋人為鹿上之盟，以求諸侯於楚。楚人許之。公子目夷曰：“小國爭盟，禍也。宋其亡乎，幸而後敗。”

[Commentary] In the twenty-first year, in spring, the men of Song held the covenant at Lushang and asked Chu to obtain the backing of the feudal lords. The men of Chu agreed. Prince Mu Yi said: "For a small state to compete to be the leader is a disaster. Song will probably be destroyed; it would be fortunate if its defeat comes a little later."

夏，大旱。公欲焚巫兀。臧文仲曰：“非旱備也。修城郭，貶食省用，務穡勸分，此其務也。巫兀何為？天欲殺之，則如勿生；若能為旱，焚之滋甚。”公從之。是歲也，飢而不害。

In summer, there was a great drought. Duke Xi wished to burn the shamaness who was a cripple (wu wang). (The base text has a variant form of this term.) Zang Wenzhong said: "This is not a way to guard against drought. Repair the inner and outer walls, reduce food and economize in expenses, devote effort to farming and urge people to share their wealth; this is what should be done. What can a wu wang do? If Heaven wished to kill them, it would have been better not to let them be born; and if they could cause a drought, burning them would only make it worse." Duke Xi followed this advice. That year there was famine but no great harm.

秋，諸侯會宋公於盂。子魚曰：“禍其在此乎！君欲已甚，其何以堪之？”於是楚執宋公以伐宋。

In autumn, the feudal lords met the Duke of Song at Yu. Ziyu said: "Disaster is probably here! The ruler's desires are too excessive; how can others bear it?" Then Chu seized the Duke of Song and attacked Song.

冬，會於薄以釋之。子魚曰：“禍猶未也，未足以懲君。”

In winter, they met at Bo and released him. Ziyu said: "The disaster is not over, and this is not yet enough to warn the ruler."

任、宿、須句、顓臾，風姓也。實司大皞與有濟之祀，以服事諸夏。邾人滅須句，須句子來奔，因成風也。成風為之言於公曰：“崇明祀，保小寡，周禮也；蠻夷猾夏，周禍也。若封須句，是崇皞、濟而修祀，紓禍也。”

Ren, Su, Xugou and Zhuanyu were all of the Feng clan, in charge of the sacrifices to Taihao and to the Ji River, and served the Central States. The men of Zhu destroyed Xugou, and the Viscount of Xugou came to take refuge, because of Cheng Feng. Cheng Feng spoke to Duke Xi on his behalf: "To honor the sacrifices to the bright ones and to protect the small and weak is the rite of Zhou; for the barbarians to disturb the Central States is a disaster for Zhou. If you restore Xugou, it means honoring Hao and Ji, cultivating the sacrifices and easing disaster."

【經】二十有二年春，公伐邾，取須句。夏，宋公、衛侯、許男、滕子伐鄭。

[Classic] In the twenty-second year, in spring, Duke Xi attacked Zhu and took Xugou. In summer, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Baron of Xu and the Viscount of Teng attacked Zheng.

秋八月丁未，及邾人戰於升陘。冬十有一月己巳朔，宋公及楚人戰於泓，宋師敗績。

In autumn, in the eighth month, on the dingwei day, there was a battle with the men of Zhu at Shengjing. In winter, in the eleventh month, on the jisi day, the first of the month, the Duke of Song fought the men of Chu at the Hong River, and the Song army was greatly defeated.

【傳】二十二年春，伐邾，取須句，反其君焉，禮也。

[Commentary] In the twenty-second year, in spring, they attacked Zhu and took Xugou and sent its ruler back; this accords with ritual.

三月，鄭伯如楚。

In the third month, the Earl of Zheng went to Chu.

夏，宋公伐鄭。子魚曰：“所謂禍在此矣。”

In summer, the Duke of Song attacked Zheng. Ziyu said: "The disaster I spoke of is here."

初，平王之東遷也，辛有適伊川，見被髮而祭於野者，曰：“不及百年，此其戎乎！其禮先亡矣。”秋，秦、晉遷陸渾之戎於伊川。

Earlier, when King Ping moved east, Xin You went to the Yi River and saw someone with his hair let down sacrificing in the open fields, and said: "In less than a hundred years this place will become a Rong land! Their rites have perished first." In autumn, Qin and Jin moved the Rong of Lu Hun to the Yi River.

晉大子圉為質於秦，將逃歸，謂嬴氏曰：“與子歸乎？”對曰：“子，晉大子，而辱於秦，子之慾歸，不亦宜乎？寡君之使婢子侍執巾櫛，以固子也。從子而歸，棄君命也。不敢從，亦不敢言。”遂逃歸。

Prince Yu of Jin, a hostage in Qin, was about to flee home, and said to Lady Ying: "Will you go back with me?" Lady Ying answered: "You are the crown prince of Jin and have been humbled in Qin; it is only right that you wish to return. My lord ordered me to serve you with towel and comb in order to keep you steady. To follow you back would be to abandon the ruler's command. I dare not follow you, and I dare not make it known." So the crown prince fled back.

富辰言於王曰：“請召大叔。《詩》曰：‘協比其鄰，昏姻孔雲。’吾兄弟之不協，焉能怨諸侯之不睦？”王說。王子帶自齊復歸於京師，王召之也。

Fu Chen said to the Son of Heaven: "Please recall Dashu. The Odes say: 'Be in harmony and close with your neighbors, and marriages will be very good.' If we brothers are not in harmony, how can we blame the feudal lords for being at odds?" The Son of Heaven was pleased. Prince Dai returned again to the capital from Qi, because the Son of Heaven recalled him.

邾人以須句故出師。公卑邾，不設備而御之。臧文仲曰：“國無小，不可易也。無備，雖眾不可恃也。《詩》曰：‘戰戰兢兢，如臨深淵，如履薄冰。’又曰：‘敬之敬之，天惟顯思，命不易哉！’先王之明德，猶無不難也，無不懼也，況我小國乎！君其無謂邾小。蜂蠆有毒，而況國乎？”弗聽。

The men of Zhu sent out troops on account of Xugou. Duke Xi looked down on Zhu and went to meet them without preparation. Zang Wenzhong said: "No state is too small to be slighted. Without preparation, even many people cannot be relied on. The Odes say: 'Fearful and cautious, as if facing a deep abyss, as if treading on thin ice.' And: 'Be reverent, be reverent; Heaven is bright and awesome, and the Mandate is not easily kept!' Even the former kings with such bright virtue never did not feel difficulty and never did not feel fear; how much more so we, a small state! Do not say that Zhu is small. Bees and scorpions have poison; how much more a state?" Duke Xi did not listen.

八月丁未，公及邾師戰於升陘，我師敗績。邾人獲公胄，縣諸魚門。

In the eighth month, on the dingwei day, Duke Xi fought the Zhu army at Shengjing, and our army was greatly defeated. The men of Zhu took Duke Xi's helmet and hung it on the Fish Gate.

楚人伐宋以救鄭。宋公將戰，大司馬固諫曰：“天之棄商久矣，君將興之，弗可赦也已。”弗聽，冬十一月己巳朔，宋公及楚人戰於泓。宋人既成列，楚人未既濟。司馬曰：“彼眾我寡，及其未既濟也請擊之。”公曰：“不可。”既濟而未成列，又以告。

The men of Chu attacked Song in order to relieve Zheng. The Duke of Song was about to fight, and the Grand Marshal Gu remonstrated: "Heaven abandoned the people of Shang long ago; you wish to revive them, but the offense cannot be pardoned." The Duke of Song did not listen. In winter, in the eleventh month, on the jisi day, the first of the month, the Duke of Song fought the men of Chu at the Hong River. The Song men had already drawn up in formation, but the men of Chu had not yet all crossed the river. The Marshal said: "They are many and we are few; before they have all crossed, please attack them." The Duke of Song said: "No." When the men of Chu had finished crossing but had not yet formed ranks, the Marshal reported again.

公曰：“未可。”既陳而後擊之，宋師敗績。公傷股，門官殲焉。

The Duke of Song said: "Not yet." Only after the men of Chu had formed their ranks did he attack, and the Song army was greatly defeated. The Duke of Song was wounded in the thigh, and his guards were wiped out.

國人皆咎公。公曰：“君子不重傷，不禽二毛。古之為軍也，不以阻隘也。

The people of the state all blamed the Duke of Song. The Duke of Song said: "The gentleman does not wound those already wounded and does not capture those with grey hair. In ancient times when armies were used, they did not rely on narrow and dangerous passes.