Duke Wen (Years 1 to 18)

【經】元年春王正月，公即位。二月癸亥，日有食之。天王使叔服來會葬。

[Classic] In the first year, in spring, the first month by the Zhou calendar, Duke Wen took the throne. In the second month, on the guihai day, there was a solar eclipse. The Son of Heaven sent Shu Fu to attend the funeral.

夏四月丁巳，葬我君僖公。天王使毛伯來錫公命。晉侯伐衛。叔孫得臣如京師。

In summer, in the fourth month, on the dingsi day, our ruler Duke Xi was buried. The Son of Heaven sent the Earl of Mao to bestow the jade tablet of investiture on Duke Wen. The Marquis of Jin attacked Wey. Shusun Dechen went to the capital.

衛人伐晉。秋，公孫敖會晉侯於戚。冬十月丁未，楚世子商臣弒其君頵。公孫敖如齊。

Men of Wey attacked Jin. In autumn Gongsun Ao met the Marquis of Jin at Qi. In winter, in the tenth month, on the dingwei day, Shangchen, heir of Chu, murdered his ruler Jun. Gongsun Ao went to Qi.

【傳】元年春，王使內史叔服來會葬。公孫敖聞其能相人也，見其二子焉。

[Commentary] In the spring of the first year, the Son of Heaven sent the Inner Historian Shu Fu to attend the funeral. Gongsun Ao heard that he could read physiognomy and had his two sons come out to see him.

叔服曰：“谷也食子，難也收子。谷也豐下，必有後於魯國。”

Shu Fu said: "Gu can support you, and Nan can bury you. Gu has a full jaw and will surely have descendants in Lu."

於是閏三月，非禮也。先王之正時也，履端於始，舉正於中，歸餘於終。履端於始，序則不愆。舉正於中，民則不惑。歸餘於終，事則不悖。

At that time there was an intercalary third month, which was contrary to ritual. The former kings set right the seasons by putting the beginning at the start of the year, the middle qi in the middle of the month, and the remainder at the end of the year. With the beginning at the start of the year, the order is not confused. With the middle qi in the middle of the month, the people are not bewildered. With the remainder at the end of the year, affairs are not disordered.

夏四月丁巳，葬僖公。

In summer, in the fourth month, on the dingsi day, Duke Xi was buried.

王使毛伯衛來錫公命。叔孫得臣如周拜。

The Son of Heaven sent Mao Bo Wei to bestow the jade tablet of investiture on Duke Wen. Shusun Dechen went to the Zhou court to give thanks.

晉文公之季年，諸侯朝晉。衛成公不朝，使孔達侵鄭，伐綿、訾，及匡。晉襄公既祥，使告於諸侯而伐衛，及南陽。先且居曰：“效尤，禍也。請君朝王，臣從師。”晉侯朝王於溫，先且居、胥臣伐衛。五月辛酉朔，晉師圍戚。六月戊戌，取之，獲孫昭子。

In the late years of Duke Wen of Jin, the feudal lords paid court to Jin. Duke Cheng of Wey did not go to pay court and sent Kong Da to invade Zheng, attacking Mian and Zi and reaching Kuang. Duke Xiang of Jin had already passed the first anniversary rites and, having informed the feudal lords, attacked Wey and reached Nanyang. Xian Qieju said: "To follow a fault is a misfortune. Please pay court to the Son of Heaven, and I will follow with the army." The Marquis of Jin paid court to the Son of Heaven at Wen, and Xian Qieju and Xu Chen attacked Wey. In the fifth month, on the xinyou day, the first of the month, the Jin army besieged Qi. In the sixth month, on the wuxu day, they took Qi and captured Sun Zhaozi.

衛人使告於陳。陳共公曰：“更伐之，我辭之。”衛孔達帥師伐晉，君子以為古。古者越國而謀。

Men of Wey sent word to Chen. Duke Gong of Chen said: "Attack them in return, and I will plead for you." Kong Da of Wey led an army to attack Jin. The gentleman considered this in accordance with ancient practice. In ancient times one might cross over another state to deliberate.

秋，晉侯疆戚田，故公孫敖會之。

In autumn, the Marquis of Jin defined the boundaries of the land of Qi, and so Gongsun Ao went to the meeting.

初，楚子將以商臣為大子，訪諸令尹子上。子上曰：“君之齒未也。而又多愛，黜乃亂也。楚國之舉，恆在少者。且是人也，蜂目而豺聲，忍人也，不可立也。”弗聽。既又欲立王子職而黜大子商臣。商臣聞之而未察，告其師潘崇曰：“若之何而察之？”潘崇曰：“享江羋而勿敬也。”從之。江羋怒曰：“呼，役夫！宜君王之慾殺女而立職也。”告潘崇曰：“信矣。”潘崇曰：“能事諸乎？”曰：“不能。”“能行乎？”曰：“不能。”“能行大事乎？”曰：“能。”

Earlier, the Viscount of Chu intended to set up Shangchen as crown prince and consulted Zishang, the prime minister. Zishang said: "Your Majesty's years are not yet many, and you have many favorites; if you depose him there will be disorder. When Chu sets up an heir, it is often a young one. Moreover this man has eyes like a bee and a voice like a jackal; he is a cruel man and must not be set up." The Viscount of Chu did not listen. Later he again wanted to set up Prince Zhi and depose the crown prince Shangchen. Shangchen heard of it but had not confirmed it, and told his teacher Pan Chong: "How can I confirm it?" Pan Chong said: "Give a banquet for Jiang Mi but show her no respect." Shangchen did so. Jiang Mi became angry and said: "Ah, you slave! No wonder His Majesty wants to kill you and set up Zhi." Shangchen told Pan Chong: "It is confirmed." Pan Chong said: "Can you serve him?" He said: "No." "Can you flee?" He said: "No." "Can you do a great deed?" He said: "I can."

冬十月，以宮甲圍成王。王請食熊蹯而死。弗聽。丁未，王縊。諡之曰：“靈”，不瞑；曰：“成”，乃瞑。穆王立，以其為大子之室與潘崇，使為大師，且掌環列之尹。

In winter, in the tenth month, he surrounded King Cheng with the palace guards of the Eastern Palace. King Cheng asked to eat bear paw before dying. They did not listen. On the dingwei day King Cheng hanged himself. He was given the posthumous title 'Ling', but his eyes would not close; when it was changed to 'Cheng', they closed. King Mu took the throne, gave Pan Chong the household property from the time he was crown prince, made him Grand Tutor, and also put him in charge of the guards ranged around the palace.

穆伯如齊，始聘焉，禮也。凡君即位，卿出並聘，踐修舊好，要結外授，好事鄰國，以衛社稷，忠信卑讓之道也。忠，德之正也；信，德之固也；卑讓，德之基也。

Mubo went to Qi, which was the first visit after the accession, and this was in accordance with ritual. In all cases when a ruler takes the throne, ministers go out on visits everywhere, carrying out former friendships, forming outside support and serving neighbors in friendship, in order to protect the altars of the soil and grain; this is the principle of loyalty, good faith and humility. Loyalty is the uprightness of virtue; good faith is the firmness of virtue; humility is the foundation of virtue.

殽之役，晉人既歸秦帥，秦大夫及左右皆言於秦伯曰：“是敗也，孟明之罪也，必殺之。”秦伯曰：“是孤之罪也。周芮良夫之詩曰；‘大風有隧，貪人敗類，聽言則對，誦言如醉，匪用其良，覆俾我悖。’是貪故也，孤之謂矣。孤實貪以禍夫子，夫子何罪？”復使為政。

At the battle of Xiao, the men of Jin had already released the Qin commanders, and the grand officers and attendants of Qin all said to the Earl of Qin: "This defeat was Meng Ming's fault, and he must be killed." The Earl of Qin said: "This was my fault. The poem of Rui Liangfu of the Zhou court says: 'The great wind has its path; the greedy ruin their own kind. When they hear agreeable words they answer; when they hear admonition they are as if drunk. They do not use those good men, and instead make me act perversely.' It is because of greed, and it speaks of me. In truth I was greedy and harmed that man, so what crime has that man?" He restored him to office.

【經】二年春王二月甲子，晉侯及秦師戰於彭衙，秦師敗績。丁丑，作僖公主。三月乙巳，及晉處父盟。夏六月，公孫敖會宋公、陳侯、鄭伯、晉士縠盟於垂隴。自十有二月不雨，至於秋七月。八月丁卯，大事於大廟，躋僖公。冬，晉人、宋人、陳人、鄭人伐秦。公子遂如齊納幣。

[Classic] In the second year, in spring, in the second month, on the jiazi day, the Marquis of Jin fought with the Qin army at Pengya, and the Qin army was greatly defeated. On the dingchou day, the spirit tablet of Duke Xi was made. In the third month, on the yisi day, a covenant was made with Chufu of Jin. In summer, in the sixth month, Gongsun Ao made a covenant at Chuilong with the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Earl of Zheng, and Shi Hu of Jin. From the twelfth month there was no rain, until the seventh month of autumn. In the eighth month, on the dingmao day, the great sacrifice was held in the Grand Temple and Duke Xi's tablet was raised in position. In winter, men of Jin, Song, Chen and Zheng attacked Qin. Prince Sui went to Qi to deliver betrothal gifts.

【傳】二年春，秦孟明視帥師伐晉，以報殽之役。二月，晉侯御之。先且居將中軍，趙衰佐之。王官無地御戎，狐鞫居為右。甲子，及秦師戰於彭衙。秦師敗績。晉人謂秦“拜賜之師”。

[Commentary] In the spring of the second year, Meng Mingshi of Qin led an army to attack Jin, in revenge for the battle of Xiao. In the second month the Marquis of Jin resisted. Xian Qieju commanded the Central Army, assisted by Zhao Cui. Wangguan Wudi drove the war chariot, and Hu Juju served as spearman on the right. On the jiazi day he fought the Qin army at Pengya. The Qin army was greatly defeated. The men of Jin called the Qin army 'the army that came to give thanks'.

戰於殽也，晉梁弘御戎，萊駒為右。戰之明日，晉襄公縛秦囚，使萊駒以戈斬之。囚呼，萊駒失戈，狼瞫取戈以斬囚，禽之以從公乘，遂以為右。箕之役，先軫黜之而立續簡伯。狼瞫怒。其友曰：“盍死之？”瞫曰：“吾未獲死所。”

At the battle of Xiao, Liang Hong of Jin had driven the war chariot and Lai Ju had been the spearman on the right. On the day after the battle, Duke Xiang of Jin had the Qin prisoner bound and had Lai Ju cut him down with a spear. The prisoner cried out, and Lai Ju dropped the spear; Lang Shen picked up the spear and cut down the prisoner, seized Lai Ju and caught up with Duke Xiang's chariot, and so was made spearman on the right. In the battle of Ji, Xian Zhen deposed him and set up Xu Jianbo. Lang Shen became angry. His friend said: "Why not die over this?" Lang Shen said: "I have not yet found the place to die."

其友曰：“吾與女為難。”瞫曰；“《周志》有之，‘勇則害上，不登於明堂。’死而不義，非勇也。共用之謂勇。吾以勇求右，無勇而黜，亦其所也。謂上不我知，黜而宜，乃知我矣。子姑待之。”及彭衙，既陳，以其屬馳秦師，死焉。晉師從之，大敗秦師。君子謂：“狼瞫於是乎君子。詩曰：‘君子如怒，亂庶遄沮。’又曰：‘王赫斯怒，爰整其旅。’怒不作亂而以從師，可謂君子矣。”

His friend said: "I will start the trouble with you." Lang Shen said: "The Zhou Records have this saying: 'Bravery that harms one's superiors cannot ascend the Bright Hall.' To die in a way contrary to righteousness is not bravery. To be used by the state is what is called bravery. I sought the post of spearman on the right through bravery; being deposed for lack of bravery is also as it should be. If you say that those above do not understand me, then if the deposition was appropriate, they have understood me. Wait a while." When they reached Pengya, the ranks were already formed, and he led his men to charge the Qin army and died there. The Jin army followed and greatly defeated the Qin army. The gentleman said: "In this matter Lang Shen was a gentleman. The Book of Songs says: 'If the gentleman is angry, disorder will probably soon be stopped.' It also says: 'The Son of Heaven is aflame with wrath, and so puts his army in order.' To be angry without causing disorder, and to use it in following the army, can be called a gentleman."

秦伯猶用孟明。孟明增修國政，重施於民。趙成子言於諸大夫曰：“秦師又至，將必闢之，懼而增德，不可當也。詩曰：‘毋念爾祖，聿修厥德。’孟明念之矣，念德不怠，其可敵乎？”丁丑，作僖公主，書，不時也。

The Earl of Qin still employed Meng Ming. Meng Ming further improved the government and increased his generosity toward the people. Zhao Chengzi said to the grand officers: "If the Qin army comes again, we must avoid it; they have increased in virtue through fear and cannot be resisted. The Book of Songs says: 'Do not forget your ancestors, cultivate their virtue.' Meng Ming has thought of this. One who thinks of virtue without slackening, can he be resisted?" On the dingchou day, the tablet of Duke Xi was made; the Annals records this because it was not in season.

晉人以公不朝來討，公如晉。夏四月己巳，晉人使陽處父盟公以恥之。書曰：“及晉處父盟。”以厭之也。適晉不書，諱之也。公未至，六月，穆伯會諸侯及晉司空士縠盟於垂隴，晉討衛故也。書士縠，堪其事也。

The men of Jin came to punish Duke Wen because he had not gone to pay court, and Duke Wen went to Jin. In summer, in the fourth month, on the jisi day, the men of Jin had Yang Chufu make a covenant with Duke Wen to humiliate him. The Annals records: "Made a covenant with Chufu of Jin." This shows disapproval. His going to Jin is not recorded, as a matter of avoiding mention. Before Duke Wen had returned, in the sixth month, Mubo made a covenant at Chuilong with the feudal lords and Shi Hu, Minister of Works of Jin, because Jin was punishing Wey. The Annals records Shi Hu because he was competent for the matter.

陳侯為衛請成於晉，執孔達以說。

The Marquis of Chen asked Jin for peace on behalf of Wey, and seized Kong Da in order to explain and curry favor.

秋八月丁卯，大事於大廟，躋僖公，逆祀也。於是夏父弗忌為宗伯，尊僖公，且明見曰：“吾見新鬼大，故鬼小。先大後小，順也。躋聖賢，明也。明、順，禮也。”

In autumn, in the eighth month, on the dingmao day, the great sacrifice was held in the Grand Temple and Duke Xi's tablet was raised, which was a reversal of the order of sacrifice. At that time Xia Fu Fuji was Master of Ancestral Rites, and exalted Duke Xi, saying openly: "I saw that the new ghost is big and the old ghost is small. To put the big first and the small after is in accord. To raise up the sage and worthy is enlightened. Enlightenment and accord are ritual."

君子以為失禮。禮無不順。祀，國之大事也，而逆之，可謂禮乎？子雖齊聖，不先父食久矣。故禹不先鯀，湯不先契，文、武不先不窋。宋祖帝乙，鄭祖厲王，猶上祖也。是以《魯頌》曰：“春秋匪解，享祀不忒，皇皇后帝，皇祖后稷。”

The gentleman considered this a breach of ritual. Ritual is never out of accord. Sacrifice is the great affair of the state, yet it was reversed; can it be called ritual? Even if a son is intelligent and sage, it has long been that he does not partake of offerings before his father. So Yu did not come before Gun, Tang did not come before Qi, and King Wen and King Wu did not come before Buzhu. Song took Di Yi as its ancestor, and Zheng took King Li as its ancestor, and still they honored their ancestors. Therefore the Odes of Lu say: "In spring and autumn not slackening, the offerings without error, the great Lord on High, the great ancestor Hou Ji."

君子曰禮，謂其後稷親而先帝也。《詩》曰：“問我諸姑，遂及伯姊。”君子曰禮，謂其姊親而先姑也。仲尼曰：“臧文仲，其不仁者三，不知者三。下展禽，廢六關，妾織蒲，三不仁也。作虛器，縱逆祀，祀爰居，三不知也。”

The gentleman said it was in accordance with ritual, because although Hou Ji was kin, the sacrifice was first made to the Lord on High. The Book of Songs says: "Ask my aunts, and then ask my eldest sister." The gentleman said it was in accordance with ritual, because although the elder sister was close, one asked the aunts first. Zhongni said: "Zang Wenzhong had three unbenevolent acts and three unwise acts. Keeping Zhan Qin in a low position, abolishing the six passes, and having his concubines weave rush mats were the three unbenevolent acts. Making vessels with no real use, tolerating the reversed sacrifice, and sacrificing to the sea bird Yuanju were the three unwise acts."

冬，晉先且居、宋公子成、陳轅選、鄭公子歸生伐秦，取汪，及彭衙而還，以報彭衙之役。卿不書，為穆公故，尊秦也，謂之崇德。

In winter, Xian Qieju of Jin, Prince Cheng of Song, Yuan Xuan of Chen and Prince Gui Sheng of Zheng attacked Qin, took Wang, and returned after reaching Pengya, in revenge for the battle of Pengya. The Annals does not record the names of the ministers, because of Duke Mu; honoring Qin is called valuing virtue.

襄仲如齊納幣，禮也。凡君即位，好舅甥，修昏姻，娶元妃以奉粢盛，孝也。

Xiangzhong went to Qi to deliver betrothal gifts, which was in accordance with ritual. In all cases when a ruler takes the throne, he renews relations with the uncle and nephew states, cultivates marriage alliances, and takes a principal wife to serve the grain offerings; this is filial piety.

孝，禮之始也。

Filial piety is the beginning of ritual.

【經】三年春王正月，叔孫得臣會晉人、宋人、陳人、衛人、鄭人伐沈。沈潰。夏五月，王子虎卒。秦人伐晉。秋，楚人圍江。雨螽於宋。冬，公如晉。十有二月己巳，公及晉侯盟。晉陽處父帥師伐楚以救江。

[Classic] In the third year, in spring, the first month by the Zhou calendar, Shusun Dechen joined men of Jin, Song, Chen, Wey and Zheng to attack Shen. Shen collapsed. In summer, in the fifth month, Prince Hu died. Men of Qin attacked Jin. In autumn men of Chu besieged Jiang. Locusts fell like rain on Song. In winter Duke Wen went to Jin. In the twelfth month, on the jisi day, Duke Wen made a covenant with the Marquis of Jin. Yang Chufu of Jin led an army to attack Chu to rescue Jiang.

【傳】三年春，莊叔會諸侯之師伐沈，以其服於楚也。沈潰。凡民逃其上曰潰，在上曰逃。

[Commentary] In the spring of the third year, Zhuangshu joined the armies of the feudal lords to attack Shen, because it had submitted to Chu. Shen collapsed. In all cases when the people flee from their superiors it is called 'collapse', and when those above flee it is called 'escape'.

衛侯如陳，拜晉成也。

The Marquis of Wey went to Chen to thank Jin for agreeing to peace.

夏四月乙亥，王叔文公卒，來赴吊如同盟，禮也。

In summer, in the fourth month, on the yihai day, Wang Shu Wen Gong died, and the announcement came, with condolence as for a fellow member of a covenant, which was in accordance with ritual.

秦伯伐晉，濟河焚舟，取王官，及郊。晉人不出，遂自茅津濟，封殽屍而還。

The Earl of Qin attacked Jin, crossed the Yellow River and burned the boats, took Wangguan, and reached Jiao. The men of Jin did not come out to fight, so he crossed the river at Maojin and, after raising a mound as a marker over the bones of Xiao, returned.

遂霸西戎，用孟明也。君子是以知“秦穆公之為君也，舉人之周也，與人之壹也；孟明之臣也，其不解也，能懼思也；子桑之忠也，其知人也，能舉善也。《詩》曰：‘於以采蘩，於沼於沚，於以用之公侯之事’，秦穆有焉。‘夙夜匪解，以事一人’，孟明有焉。‘詒闕孫謀，以燕翼子’，子桑有焉。”

Thereupon he became hegemon over the western Rong, because he had employed Meng Ming. The gentleman therefore knew: "Duke Mu of Qin as ruler was thorough in recommending men and single-minded in employing them; Meng Ming as a subject did not slacken and could think because of fear; Zisang's loyalty lay in being able to understand people and recommend good men. The Book of Songs says: 'Where to gather the white mugwort? In the ponds, on the islets; take it to use in the sacrifices of the dukes and marquises.' Duke Mu of Qin had this virtue. 'Morning and night without slackening, in order to serve one man,' Meng Ming had this virtue. 'To leave to one's descendants a plan, in order to settle and protect them,' Zisang had this virtue."

秋，雨螽於宋，隊而死也。

In autumn, locusts fell like rain on Song, falling and dying.

楚師圍江。晉先僕伐楚以救江。

The Chu army besieged Jiang. Xian Pu of Jin attacked Chu to rescue Jiang.

冬，晉以江故告於周。王叔桓公、晉陽處父伐楚以救江，門於方城，遇息公子朱而還。

In winter, Jin informed the Zhou court on account of Jiang. Wang Shu Huan Gong and Yang Chufu of Jin attacked Chu to rescue Jiang, attacked Fangcheng, and returned after meeting Prince Zhu of Xi.

晉人懼其無禮於公也，請改盟。公如晉，及晉侯盟。晉侯饗公，賦《菁菁者莪》。莊叔以公降，拜，曰：“小國受命於大國，敢不慎儀。君貺之以大禮，何樂如之。抑小國之樂，大國之惠也。”晉侯降，辭。登，成拜。公賦《嘉樂》。

The men of Jin feared that they had been discourteous to Duke Wen and asked to revise the covenant. Duke Wen went to Jin and made a covenant with the Marquis of Jin. The Marquis of Jin gave a banquet for Duke Wen and recited "Luxuriant Is the Southernwood". Zhuangshu had Duke Wen go down the steps and bow in thanks, saying: "A small state receives commands from a large state, and dares not be careless about ritual. Your lordship rewards us with a great ritual; what joy is there like this? The joy of a small state is the kindness of a great state." The Marquis of Jin went down the steps to decline. They ascended the hall and completed the bows. Duke Wen recited "Jia Le".

【經】四年春，公至自晉。夏，逆婦姜於齊。狄侵齊。秋，楚人滅江。晉侯伐秦。衛侯使寧俞來聘。冬十有一月壬寅，夫人風氏薨。

[Classic] In the fourth year, in spring, Duke Wen returned from Jin. In summer he went to Qi to welcome Fu Jiang. The Di invaded Qi. In autumn men of Chu destroyed Jiang. The Marquis of Jin attacked Qin. The Marquis of Wey sent Ning Yu to make a visit. In winter, in the eleventh month, on the renyin day, the lady Feng died.

【傳】四年春，晉人歸孔達於衛，以為衛之良也，故免之。

[Commentary] In the spring of the fourth year, the men of Jin sent Kong Da back to Wey, considering him a worthy man of Wey, and so pardoned him.

夏，衛侯如晉拜。曹伯如晉，會正。

In summer, the Marquis of Wey went to Jin to give thanks. The Earl of Cao went to Jin and they met to determine tribute.

逆婦姜於齊，卿不行，非禮也。君子是以知出姜之不允於魯也。曰：“貴聘而賤逆之，君而卑之，立而廢之，棄信而壞其主，在國必亂，在家必亡。不允宜哉？《詩》曰：‘畏天之威，於時保之。’敬主之謂也。”

In welcoming Fu Jiang from Qi, no minister went, which was contrary to ritual. The gentleman therefore knew that Chu Jiang would not come to a good end in Lu. He said: "The betrothal gifts were valuable but she was welcomed lowly; she was the ruler's consort but was despised, set up and then deposed, abandoning good faith and ruining her host; in the state there will surely be disorder, and in the household surely ruin. Is it not fitting that she not come to a proper end? The Book of Songs says: 'Fearing the awe of Heaven, thereby preserve it.' This speaks of revering one's host."

秋，晉侯伐秦，圍刓、新城，以報王官之役。

In autumn, the Marquis of Jin attacked Qin, besieged Wan and Xincheng, in revenge for the battle of Wangguan.

楚人滅江，秦伯為之降服、出次、不舉、過數。大夫諫，公曰：“同盟滅，雖不能救，敢不矜乎！吾自懼也。”君子曰：“《詩》云：‘惟彼二國，其政不獲，惟此四國，爰究爰度。’其秦穆之謂矣。”

Men of Chu destroyed Jiang, and for this the Earl of Qin lowered his dress, moved out of his bedchamber, reduced his meals and removed music, exceeding the prescribed rites. The grand officers admonished him, and the Earl of Qin said: "When an allied state is destroyed, even if we cannot rescue it, dare we not grieve for it! I am warning myself." The gentleman said: "The Book of Songs says: 'Those two states, their government did not win the hearts of the people; these four states, then they studied and planned.' It speaks of Duke Mu of Qin."

衛甯武子來聘，公與之宴，為賦《湛露》及《彤弓》。不辭，又不答賦。使行人私焉。對曰：“臣以為肄業及之也。昔諸侯朝正於王，王宴樂之，於是乎賦《湛露》，則天子當陽，諸侯用命也。諸侯敵王所愾而獻其功，王於是乎賜之彤弓一，彤矢百，玈弓矢千，以覺報宴。今陪臣來繼舊好，君辱貺之，其敢幹大禮以自取戾。”

Ning Wuzi of Wey came to make a visit, and Duke Wen feasted him and recited for him "Heavy Dew" and "The Red Bow". He did not decline or reply with a recitation. The envoy was sent to ask him privately. He answered: "I thought it was practice of lessons reaching these poems. In former times the feudal lords paid court to the Son of Heaven in the first month, and the Son of Heaven feasted them with music and recited 'Heavy Dew'; that is, the Son of Heaven faces the sun and the feudal lords listen to his commands. When the feudal lords resist those whom the Son of Heaven hates and present their achievements, the Son of Heaven then bestows a red bow, a hundred red arrows, and a thousand sets of black bows and arrows, to make clear the reward and the feast. Now a subordinate official comes to continue the old friendship, and Your Lordship condescends to reward him; how dare I violate the great ritual and bring blame on myself?"

冬，成風薨。

In winter, Cheng Feng died.

【經】五年春王正月，王使榮叔歸含，且賵。三月辛亥，葬我小君成風。王使召伯來會葬。夏，公孫敖如晉。秦人入鄀。秋，楚人滅六。冬十月甲申，許男業卒。

[Classic] In the fifth year, in spring, the first month by the Zhou calendar, the Son of Heaven sent Rong Shu to bring jade for the mouth of the deceased, and also brought funeral gifts. In the third month, on the xinhai day, our lady Cheng Feng was buried. The Son of Heaven sent the Earl of Shao to attend the funeral. In summer, Gongsun Ao went to Jin. Men of Qin entered Ruo. In autumn men of Chu destroyed Liu. In winter, in the tenth month, on the jiashen day, Ye, Baron of Xu, died.

【傳】五年春，王使榮叔來含且賵，召昭公來會葬，禮也。

[Commentary] In the spring of the fifth year, the Son of Heaven sent Rong Shu to present jade for the mouth and funeral gifts, and sent Duke Zhao of Shao to attend the funeral, which was in accordance with ritual.

初，鄀叛楚即秦，又貳於楚。夏，秦人入鄀。

Earlier, Ruo had rebelled against Chu to draw close to Qin, and was also two-faced toward Chu. In summer, men of Qin entered Ruo.

六人叛楚即東夷。秋，楚成大心、仲歸帥師滅六。

The men of Liu rebelled against Chu to draw close to the eastern Yi. In autumn Cheng Daxin and Zhong Gui of Chu led an army and destroyed Liu.

冬，楚公子燮滅蓼，臧文仲聞六與蓼滅，曰：“皋陶庭堅不祀忽諸。德之不建，民之無援，哀哉！”晉陽處父聘於衛，反過寧，寧嬴從之，及溫而還。其妻問之，嬴曰；“以剛。

In winter, Prince Xie of Chu destroyed the state of Liao. Zang Wenzhong, hearing that Liu and Liao were destroyed, said: "Gao Yao and Ting Jian suddenly have no one to sacrifice to them. When virtue cannot be established, the people have no help; how sad!" Yang Chufu of Jin made a visit to Wey, and on his return passed through Ning; Ning Ying followed him and went back from Wen. His wife asked the reason, and Ying said: "Because he is stubborn.

《商書》曰：‘沈漸剛克，高明柔克。’夫子壹之，其不沒乎。天為剛德，猶不幹時，況在人乎？且華而不實，怨之所聚也，犯而聚怨，不可以定身。餘懼不獲其利而離其難，是以去之。”

(Ning Ying continued:) "The Book of Shang says: 'The deep is overcome by hardness, the lofty is overcome by softness.' That man has only one of the two, and I fear he will not come to a good end. Heaven, though of the virtue of hardness, still does not disturb the seasons; how much less men? Moreover, to be showy and without substance is where resentment gathers. To offend others and gather resentment cannot bring security to oneself. I fear that I will gain no benefit but suffer calamity, so I left him."

晉趙成子，欒貞子、霍伯、臼季皆卒。

Zhao Chengzi, Luan Zhenzi, Huo Bo and Jiu Ji of Jin all died.

【經】六年春，葬許僖公。夏，季孫行父如陳。秋，季孫行父如晉。八月乙亥，晉侯歡卒。冬十月，公子遂如晉。葬晉襄公。晉殺其大夫陽處父。晉狐射姑出奔狄。閏月不告月，猶朝於廟。

[Classic] In the sixth year, in spring, Duke Xi of Xu was buried. In summer, Jisun Xingfu went to Chen. In autumn Jisun Xingfu went to Jin. In the eighth month, on the yihai day, Huan, Marquis of Jin, died. In winter, in the tenth month, Prince Sui went to Jin. Duke Xiang of Jin was buried. Jin killed its grand officer Yang Chufu. Hu Shegu of Jin fled to the Di. The intercalary month was not announced, but court was still held in the ancestral temple.