Duke Xuan (Years 1 to 18)

【經】元年春王正月，公即位。公子遂如齊逆女。三月，遂以夫人婦姜至自齊。夏，季孫行父如齊。晉放其大夫胥甲父於衛。公會齊侯於平州。公子遂如齊。

[Classic] In the first year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Xuan took the throne. Gongzi Sui went to Qi to meet the duke's wife. In the third month, Sui returned from Qi with the duke's wife, Fu Jiang. In summer, Jisun Xingfu went to Qi. Jin banished its high official Xu Jiafu to Wei. Duke Xuan met the Marquis of Qi at Pingzhou. Gongzi Sui went to Qi.

六月，齊人取濟西田。秋，邾子來朝。楚子、鄭人侵陳，遂侵宋。晉趙盾帥師救陳。宋公、陳侯、衛侯、曹伯會晉師於棐林，伐鄭。冬，晉趙穿帥師侵崇。晉人、宋人伐鄭。

In the sixth month, the people of Qi took the fields west of the Ji River. In autumn, the Viscount of Zhu came to court. The Viscount of Chu and the people of Zheng invaded Chen, and then invaded Song. Zhao Dun of Jin led an army to relieve Chen. The Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wei and the Earl of Cao joined the Jin army at Feilin and attacked Zheng. In winter, Zhao Chuan of Jin led an army to invade Chong. The people of Jin and Song attacked Zheng.

【傳】元年春，王正月，公子遂如齊逆女，尊君命也。三月，遂以夫人婦姜至自齊，尊夫人也。

[Commentary] In the first year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Gongzi Sui went to Qi to meet the duke's wife; the Spring and Autumn Annals writes it this way in respect for the ruler's command. In the third month, Sui returned from Qi with the duke's wife, Fu Jiang, which shows respect for the duke's wife.

夏，季文子如齊，納賂以請會。

In summer, Ji Wenzi went to Qi, presenting goods and asking for an audience.

晉人討不用命者，放胥甲父於衛，而立胥克。先辛奔齊。

The people of Jin punished those who did not follow orders, banished Xu Jiafu to Wei, and installed Xu Ke. Xian Xin fled to Qi.

會於平州，以定公位。東門襄仲如齊拜成。

The meeting at Pingzhou was to secure Duke Xuan's position as ruler. Dongmen Xiang Zhong went to Qi to thank them for accomplishing the matter.

六月，齊人取濟西之田，為立公故，以賂齊也。

In the sixth month, the people of Qi took the fields west of the Ji River, because they had installed Duke Xuan, and Lu bribed Qi with the fields.

宋人之弒昭公也，晉荀林父以諸侯之師伐宋，宋及晉平，宋文公受盟於晉。

When the people of Song killed Duke Zhao, Xun Linfu of Jin led the armies of the feudal lords to attack Song; Song made peace with Jin, and Duke Wen of Song received the covenant in Jin.

又會諸侯於扈，將為魯討齊，皆取賂而還。鄭穆公曰：“晉不足與也。”遂受盟於楚。陳共公之卒，楚人不禮焉。陳靈公受盟於晉。

They also assembled the feudal lords at Hu, intending to attack Qi on Lu's behalf, but all accepted goods and went home. Duke Mu of Zheng said: "Jin is not worth allying with." So he received a covenant in Chu. Duke Gong of Chen died, and the people of Chu did not treat him with ritual. Duke Ling of Chen received a covenant in Jin.

秋，楚子侵陳，遂侵宋。晉趙盾帥師救陳、宋。會於棐林，以伐鄭也。楚蒍賈救鄭，遇於北林。囚晉解揚，晉人乃還。

In autumn, the Viscount of Chu invaded Chen and then invaded Song. Zhao Dun of Jin led an army to relieve Chen and Song. They joined forces at Feilin in order to attack Zheng. Wei Jia of Chu relieved Zheng, and the two armies met at Beilin. They captured Jie Yang of Jin, and the people of Jin then went back.

晉欲求成於秦，趙穿曰：“我侵崇，秦急崇，必救之。吾以求成焉。”冬，趙穿侵崇，秦弗與成。

Jin wished to make peace with Qin. Zhao Chuan said: "If we invade Chong, Qin will be anxious for Chong and will certainly relieve it. We shall use this to make peace." In winter, Zhao Chuan invaded Chong, but Qin did not make peace with Jin.

晉人伐鄭，以報北林之役。於是，晉侯侈，趙宣子為政，驟諫而不入，故不競於楚。

The people of Jin attacked Zheng, to avenge the battle at Beilin. At that time the Marquis of Jin was extravagant and Zhao Xuanzi was in charge of government; he remonstrated repeatedly but was not heeded, and so Jin could not contend with Chu for victory.

【經】二年春王二月壬子，宋華元帥師及鄭公子歸生帥師，戰於大棘，宋師敗績，獲宋華元。秦師伐晉。夏，晉人、宋人、衛人、陳人侵鄭。秋九月乙丑，晉趙盾弒其君夷皋。冬十月乙亥，天王崩。

[Classic] In the second year, in spring, in the second month of the Zhou calendar, on the day renzi, Hua Yuan of Song led an army and Gongzi Gui Sheng of Zheng led an army, and they fought at Daji; the Song army was greatly defeated, and Hua Yuan of Song was captured. The Qin army attacked Jin. In summer, the people of Jin, Song, Wei and Chen invaded Zheng. In autumn, in the ninth month, on the day yichou, Zhao Dun of Jin killed his ruler Yi Gao. In winter, in the tenth month, on the day yihai, the Son of Heaven died.

【傳】二年春，鄭公子歸生受命於楚，伐宋。宋華元、樂呂御之。二月壬子，戰於大棘，宋師敗績，囚華元，獲樂呂，及甲車四百六十乘，俘二百五十人，馘百人。狂狡輅鄭人，鄭人入於井，倒戟而出之，獲狂狡。君子曰：“失禮違命，宜其為禽也。戎，昭果毅以聽之之謂禮，殺敵為果，致果為毅。易之，戮也。”

[Commentary] In the second year, in spring, Gongzi Gui Sheng of Zheng received Chu's command and attacked Song. Hua Yuan and Yue Lu of Song resisted. In the second month, on the day renzi, they fought at Daji; the Song army was greatly defeated, Hua Yuan was captured, Yue Lu was taken, and four hundred and sixty chariots were seized, with two hundred and fifty prisoners and one hundred left ears cut off. Kuang Jiao met a man of Zheng in battle; the man of Zheng fell into a well, and Kuang Jiao turned his halberd around and pulled him out, and was in turn captured by the man of Zheng. The gentleman said: "To lose ritual and disobey orders, being captured is deserved. In warfare, to display resolve and decisiveness in obedience is called ritual. To kill the enemy is resolve, and to carry resolve through to the end is decisiveness. To do the opposite is to deserve punishment and execution."

將戰，華元殺羊食士，其御羊斟不與。及戰，曰：“疇昔之羊，子為政，今日之事，我為政。”與入鄭師，故敗。君子謂：“羊斟非人也，以其私憾，敗國殄民。於是刑孰大焉。《詩》所謂‘人之無良’者，其羊斟之謂乎，殘民以逞。”

As battle was about to begin, Hua Yuan slaughtered a sheep to feed the soldiers, but his charioteer Yang Zhen did not get a share. When the battle came, Yang Zhen said: "The sheep of the other day was your decision; today's affair is my decision." He drove the chariot into the Zheng army, and so they were defeated. The gentleman said: "Yang Zhen is not a human being; because of a private grudge he ruined the state and brought harm to all the people. In such circumstances, what punishment could be greater than this? The Ode says of those 'who have no conscience'; it speaks of someone like Yang Zhen, who injures the people to gratify himself."

宋人以兵車百乘、文馬百駟以贖華元於鄭。半入，華元逃歸，立於門外，告而入。見叔佯，曰：“子之馬然也。”對曰：“非馬也，其人也。”既合而來奔。

The people of Song offered one hundred war chariots and four hundred patterned horses to ransom Hua Yuan from Zheng. Only half had been delivered when Hua Yuan escaped back; he stood outside the gate, announced himself, and entered the city. Seeing Shu Yang, he said: "It was your horses that were like this." Shu Yang replied: "It was not the horses, it was the men." Having agreed, he came to take refuge with him.

宋城，華元為植，巡功。城者謳曰：“睅其目，皤其腹，棄甲而復。于思于思，棄甲復來。”使其驂乘謂之曰：“牛則有皮，犀兕尚多，棄甲則那？”役人曰：“從其有皮，丹漆若何？”華元曰：“去之，夫其口眾我寡。”

When Song was repairing its city wall, Hua Yuan was in charge and inspected the work. The wall builders sang: "Bulging eyes and a swollen belly, he abandoned his armor and ran back. Whiskers, oh whiskers all over his face, he abandoned his armor and came back." Hua Yuan had the man at his side say to them: "Oxen have hides, and rhinoceroses and wild oxen are plentiful; what does it matter if we lose the armor?" The laborers said: "Even if there are hides, what about the red lacquer?" Hua Yuan said: "Go on, they have many mouths and we have few."

秦師伐晉，以報崇也，遂圍焦。夏，晉趙盾救焦，遂自陰地，及諸侯之師侵鄭，以報大棘之役。楚鬥椒救鄭，曰：“能欲諸侯而惡其難乎？”遂次於鄭以待晉師。趙盾曰：“彼宗競於楚，殆將斃矣。姑益其疾。”乃去之。

The Qin army attacked Jin to avenge the battle at Chong, and so besieged Jiao. In summer, Zhao Dun of Jin relieved Jiao, then set out from Yinde and invaded Zheng with the armies of the feudal lords, to avenge the battle at Daji. Dou Jiao of Chu relieved Zheng and said: "Can one think of the feudal lords and yet hate suffering hardship for it?" So he encamped in Zheng awaiting the Jin army. Zhao Dun said: "Their clan is contending for strength in Chu and will probably be destroyed soon. Let us for now add to his sickness." So he withdrew.

晉靈公不君：厚斂以雕牆；從臺上彈人，而觀其闢丸也；宰夫腸熊蹯不熟，殺之，置諸畚，使婦人載以過朝。趙盾、士季見其手，問其故，而患之。將諫，士季曰：“諫而不入，則莫之繼也。會請先，不入則子繼之。”三進，及溜，而後視之。曰：“吾知所過矣，將改之。”稽首而對曰：“人誰無過？過而能改，善莫大焉。《詩》曰：‘靡不有初，鮮克有終。’夫如是，則能補過者鮮矣。君能有終，則社稷之固也，豈唯群臣賴之。又曰：‘袞職有闕，惟仲山甫補之。’能補過也。君能補過，兗不廢矣。”猶不改。宣子驟諫，公患之，使鉏麑賊之。

Duke Ling of Jin did not behave as a ruler should: he levied heavy taxes to decorate the walls; he shot pellets at people from a tower and watched them dodge; when the cook did not stew a bear's paw until done, he killed him, put him in a basket, and had women carry him in a cart through the court. Zhao Dun and Shi Ji saw the hand and asked the reason, and were troubled by it. As they were about to remonstrate, Shi Ji said: "If we remonstrate and he does not listen, there will be no one to follow up. Let Hui go first, and if he does not listen, you can follow." He advanced three times, reaching the eaves, before the duke saw him. The duke said: "I know my fault and will correct it." Shi Ji bowed his head and replied: "Who is without fault? To have a fault and be able to correct it, there is no greater good. The Ode says: 'There is none without a beginning, but few can have an end.' If it is so, those who can make up for their faults are few. If Your Lordship can have an end, it will be the stability of the state altars, not only something the ministers rely on. The Ode also says: 'If the Son of Heaven's duties have a gap, only Zhong Shanfu can mend it.' This is being able to make up for faults. If Your Lordship can make up for your faults, the ceremonial robes will not be abandoned." [Note: the original text has a variant character for "gun", the ceremonial robe.] Duke Ling still did not change. Xuanzi remonstrated repeatedly, and Duke Ling hated him and sent Chu Ni to assassinate him.

晨往，寢門闢矣，盛服將朝，尚早，坐而假寐。麑退，嘆而言曰：“不忘恭敬，民之主也。賊民之主，不忠。棄君之命，不信。有一於此，不如死也。”觸槐而死。

He went in the early morning; the door of the bedchamber was already open, and Zhao Dun, fully dressed, was ready to go to court, but since it was still early he sat dozing. Ni withdrew and sighed, saying: "One who does not forget reverence is the master of the people. To kill the master of the people is disloyal. To abandon the ruler's command is faithless. If I have either one, it is better to die." He struck his head against a locust tree and died.

秋九月，晉侯飲趙盾酒，伏甲將攻之。其右提彌明知之，趨登曰：“臣侍君宴，過三爵，非禮也。”遂扶以下，公嗾夫獒焉。明搏而殺之。盾曰：“棄人用犬，雖猛何為。”鬥且出，提彌明死之。

In autumn, in the ninth month, the Marquis of Jin invited Zhao Dun to drink and hid armed men to attack him. His chariot-guard Ti Mi knew of it, hurried up to the hall and said: "Your servant attends the ruler's banquet; to go beyond three cups is contrary to ritual." So he helped him down from the hall. Duke Ling summoned out his fierce dog. Ti Mi fought it and killed it. Zhao Dun said: "To abandon a man and use a dog, however fierce, what use is it?" He fought as he made his way out, and Ti Mi died for him.

初，宣子田於首山，舍於翳桑，見靈輒餓，問其病。曰：“不食三日矣。”

Earlier, Xuanzi had been hunting on Mount Shou and lodged at Yisang, where he saw Ling Zhe starving and asked about his illness. Ling Zhe said: "I have not eaten for three days."

食之，舍其半。問之，曰：“宦三年矣，未知母之存否，今近焉，請以遺之。”

He gave him food, and he kept half back. Asked about it, he said: "I have been away studying for service for three years and do not know whether my mother is still alive; now that I am close to home, please let me leave this for her."

使盡之，而為之簞食與肉，置諸橐以與之。既而與為公介，倒戟以御公徒，而免之。問何故。對曰：“翳桑之餓人也。”問其名居，不告而退，遂自亡也。

He let him finish eating, and also prepared for him a basket of rice and meat, put in a bag and gave to him. Later Ling Zhe became one of Duke Ling's armed guards, turned his halberd around and held off Duke Ling's men, so that Zhao Dun escaped disaster. Asked why, he replied: "I am the starving man of Yisang." Asked his name and where he lived, he did not tell and withdrew, and then fled by himself.

乙丑，趙穿攻靈公於桃園。宣子未出山而復。大史書曰：“趙盾弒其君。”

On the day yichou, Zhao Chuan attacked Duke Ling in the Peach Garden. Xuanzi had not yet crossed the mountain border when he came back. The Grand Historian recorded: "Zhao Dun killed his ruler."

以示於朝。宣子曰：“不然。”對曰：“子為正卿，亡不越竟，反不討賊，非子而誰？”宣子曰：“烏呼，‘我之懷矣，自詒伊戚’，其我之謂矣！”孔子曰：“董孤，古之良史也，書法不隱。趙宣子，古之良大夫也，為法受惡。惜也，越竟乃免。”

He showed it to everyone at court. Xuanzi said: "It is not so." The Grand Historian replied: "You are the chief minister; in fleeing you did not cross the border, and on returning you did not punish the assassin. If not you, then who?" Xuanzi said: "Alas, 'because I had something I cherished, I left myself sorrow' it speaks of me!" Confucius said: "Dong Hu was a good historian of ancient times, whose rule of recording was not to conceal. Zhao Xuanzi was a good high official of ancient times, who bore a bad name for the sake of the norm. It is a pity; had he crossed the border, he would have been spared."

宣子使趙穿逆公子黑臀於周而立之。壬申，朝於武宮。

Xuanzi sent Zhao Chuan to the Zhou royal house to welcome Gongzi Heitun and install him. On the day renshen, he held court at the Martial Temple.

初，麗姬之亂，詛無畜群公子，自是晉無公族。及成公即位，乃宦卿之適子而為之田，以為公族，又宦其餘子亦為餘子，其庶子為公行。晉於是有公族、餘子、公行。趙盾請以括為公族，曰：“君姬氏之愛子也。微君姬氏，則臣狄人也。”

Earlier, at the disorder of Li Ji, they had sworn not to keep the princes, and from then on Jin had no ducal clan. When Duke Cheng took the throne, he had the legitimate sons of the ministers take office and gave them fields as the ducal clan, and also had the other sons take office, called the remaining sons, with the sons of concubines made the ducal retinue. From then on Jin had the ducal clan, the remaining sons and the ducal retinue. Zhao Dun asked that Kuo be made part of the ducal clan, saying: "He is the beloved son of Lady Jun Ji. Without Lady Jun Ji, your servant would be a Di barbarian."

公許之。

Duke Cheng agreed.

冬，趙盾為旄車之族。使屏季以其故族為公族大夫。

In winter, Zhao Dun took charge of the clan of the banner chariots. He had Ping Ji lead his former clansmen as high officials of the ducal clan.

【經】三年春王正月，郊牛之口傷，改卜牛。牛死，乃不郊。猶三望。葬匡王。楚子伐陸渾之戎。夏，楚人侵鄭。秋，赤狄侵齊。宋師圍曹。冬十月丙戌。

[Classic] In the third year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, the ox for the suburban sacrifice had its mouth wounded, so another ox was divined. The ox died, and so the suburban sacrifice was not held. The three sacrifices to the mountains and rivers were still held. King Kuang was buried. The Viscount of Chu attacked the Lu-Hun Rong. In summer, the people of Chu invaded Zheng. In autumn, the Red Di invaded Qi. The Song army besieged Cao. In winter, in the tenth month, on the day bingxu.

鄭伯蘭卒。葬鄭穆公。

Earl Lan of Zheng died. Duke Mu of Zheng was buried.

【傳】三年春，不郊而望，皆非禮也。望，郊之屬也。不郊亦無望，可也。

[Commentary] In the third year, in spring, to hold the sacrifices to mountains and rivers without holding the suburban sacrifice was contrary to ritual in both. The sacrifices to mountains and rivers belong with the suburban sacrifice. If the suburban sacrifice is not held, the sacrifices to mountains and rivers may also be omitted.

晉侯伐鄭，及郔。鄭及晉平，士會入盟。

The Marquis of Jin attacked Zheng and reached Yan. Zheng made peace with Jin, and Shi Hui entered to make the covenant.

楚子伐陸渾之戎，遂至於洛，觀兵於周疆。定王使王孫滿勞楚子。楚子問鼎之大小輕重焉。對曰：“在德不在鼎。昔夏之方有德也，遠方圖物，貢金九牧，鑄鼎象物，百物而為之備，使民知神、奸。故民入川澤山林，不逢不若。螭魅罔兩，莫能逢之，用能協於上下以承天休。桀有昏德，鼎遷於商，載祀六百。商紂暴虐，鼎遷於周。德之休明，雖小，重也。其奸回昏亂，雖大，輕也。天祚明德，有所厎止。成王定鼎於郟鄏，卜世三十，卜年七百，天所命也。周德雖衰，天命未改，鼎之輕重，未可問也。”

The Viscount of Chu attacked the Lu-Hun Rong, and then reached the Luo River, reviewing his army on the border of the Zhou royal domain. King Ding sent Wangsun Man to console the Viscount of Chu. The Viscount of Chu asked about the size and weight of the tripods. Wangsun Man replied: "It lies in virtue, not in the tripods. In the past, when the Xia dynasty had virtue, distant lands drew pictures of things, the governors of the nine provinces offered metal, and tripods were cast with the images of things, all kinds of things being included, so that the people knew spirits and evil things. Therefore when the people entered rivers, marshes, mountains and forests, they did not meet anything harmful. The chimei and wangliang demons could not meet them, and so they were able to harmonize those above and below and receive Heaven's blessing. Jie had a confused and disordered virtue, and the tripods moved to Shang, where they stayed for six hundred years. Shang's Zhou was cruel, and the tripods moved to Zhou. If virtue is bright and good, even small, the tripods are heavy. If wickedness and disorder prevail, even large, they are light. Heaven's blessing on bright virtue has a fixed limit. King Cheng set the tripods in Jiaru and divined that the dynasty would pass down thirty generations and last seven hundred years; this was the mandate of Heaven. Although the virtue of Zhou has declined, the mandate of Heaven has not changed; the weight of the tripods is not yet to be asked about."

夏，楚人侵鄭，鄭即晉故也。

In summer, the people of Chu invaded Zheng, because Zheng was close to Jin.

宋文公即位三年，殺母弟須及昭公子。武氏之謀也，使戴、桓之族攻武氏於司馬子伯之館。盡逐武、穆之族。武、穆之族以曹師伐宋。秋，宋師圍曹，報武氏之亂也。

In the third year of Duke Wen of Song, he killed his younger brother Xu, born of the same mother, and the son of Duke Zhao. It was the plot of the Wu clan, and he had the Dai and Huan clans attack the Wu clan at the residence of the Minister of War Zibo. He drove out all of the Wu and Mu clans. The Wu and Mu clans used the army of Cao to attack Song. In autumn, the Song army besieged Cao, to avenge the Wu clan's rebellion.

冬，鄭穆公卒。

In winter, Duke Mu of Zheng died.

初，鄭文公有賤妾曰燕姞，夢天使與己蘭，曰：“餘為伯鯈。餘，而祖也，以是為而子。以蘭有國香，人服媚之如是。”既而文公見之，與之蘭而御之。辭曰：“妾不才，幸而有子，將不信，敢徵蘭乎。”公曰：“諾。”生穆公，名之曰蘭。

Earlier, Duke Wen of Zheng had a lowly concubine named Yan Ji, who dreamed that a messenger of Heaven gave her an orchid, saying: "I am Bo You. I am your ancestor; take this as your son. Because the orchid has the fragrance of a state, those who wear it will be loved like this." Later Duke Wen saw her, gave her an orchid and slept with her. She declined, saying: "Your handmaid has no talent; if by good fortune I have a son, others will not believe it; may I dare to use the orchid as proof?" Duke Wen said: "Good." She gave birth to Duke Mu, and he named him Lan (Orchid).

文公報鄭子之妃，曰陳媯，生子華、子臧。子臧得罪而出。誘子華而殺之南里，使盜殺子臧於陳、宋之間。又娶於江，生公子士。朝於楚，楚人鴆之，及葉而死。又娶於蘇，生子瑕、子俞彌。俞彌早卒。洩駕惡瑕，文公亦惡之，故不立也。公逐群公子，公子蘭奔晉，從晉文公伐鄭。石癸曰：“吾聞姬、姞耦，其子孫必蕃。姞，吉人也，后稷之元妃也，今公子蘭，姞甥也。天或啟之，必將為君，其後必蕃，先納之可以亢寵。”與孔將鋤、侯宣多納之，盟於大宮而立之。以與晉平。

Duke Wen had an affair with the consort of Zi of Zheng, who was called Chen Gui, and she bore Zi Hua and Zi Zang. Zi Zang committed an offense and fled. Duke Wen lured Zi Hua and killed him at Nanli, and sent bandits to kill Zi Zang between Chen and Song. He also took a wife in Jiang and had Gongzi Shi. When he went to Chu to pay court, the people of Chu gave him poisoned wine, and he died on reaching Ye. He also took a wife in Su and had Zi Xia and Zi Yumi. Yumi died early. Xie Jia hated Xia, and Duke Wen also hated him, and so he was not made heir. Duke Wen drove out the various princes, and Gongzi Lan fled to Jin and followed Duke Wen of Jin in attacking Zheng. Shi Gui said: "I have heard that when Ji and Ji are matched, the descendants are certain to flourish. Ji is the family of the auspicious, the first consort of Hou Ji. Now Gongzi Lan is a nephew of the Ji family. Perhaps Heaven is about to open the way for him; he will certainly become ruler, and his descendants will certainly flourish. If we take him in first, we can keep lasting favor." With Kong Jiangchu and Hou Xuanduo he took him in, made a covenant in the Great Palace and installed him. With this he made peace with Jin.

穆公有疾，曰：“蘭死，吾其死乎，吾所以生也。”刈蘭而卒。

Duke Mu was ill and said: "If the orchid dies, I shall probably die too, for I was born by it." After the orchid was cut down, he died.

【經】四年春王正月，公及齊侯平莒及郯。莒人不肯。公伐莒，取向。秦伯稻卒。夏六月乙酉，鄭公子歸生弒其君夷。赤狄侵齊。秋，公如齊。公至自齊。

[Classic] In the fourth year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Xuan and the Marquis of Qi mediated between Ju and Tan. The people of Ju refused. Duke Xuan attacked Ju and took Xiang. Earl Dao of Qin died. In summer, in the sixth month, on the day yiyou, Gongzi Gui Sheng of Zheng killed his ruler Yi. The Red Di invaded Qi. In autumn, Duke Xuan went to Qi. Duke Xuan returned from Qi.

冬，楚子伐鄭。

In winter, the Viscount of Chu attacked Zheng.

【傳】四年春，公及齊侯平莒及郯，莒人不肯。公伐莒，取向，非禮也。平國以禮不以亂，伐而不治，亂也。以亂平亂，何治之有？無治，何以行禮？楚人獻黿於鄭靈公。公子宋與子家將見。子公之食指動，以示子家，曰：“他日我如此，必嘗異味。”及入，宰夫將解黿，相視而笑。公問之，子家以告，及食大夫黿，召子公而弗與也。子公怒，染指於鼎，嘗之而出。公怒，欲殺子公。

[Commentary] In the fourth year, in spring, Duke Xuan and the Marquis of Qi mediated between Ju and Tan, and the people of Ju refused. Duke Xuan attacked Ju and took Xiang, which was contrary to ritual. To mediate between states one uses ritual and not disorder; to attack and then be unable to administer is disorder. If one uses disorder to settle disorder, what administration is there? Without administration, on what basis can one practice ritual? The people of Chu presented a large turtle to Duke Ling of Zheng. Gongzi Song and Zi Jia were about to have an audience. Zi Gong's index finger twitched, and he showed it to Zi Jia, saying: "On past occasions when this happened, I was certain to taste something unusual." When they went in, the cook was about to cut up the turtle, and the two looked at each other and smiled. Duke Ling asked the reason, and Zi Jia told him. When the turtle was served to the high officials, he summoned Zi Gong but did not give him any. Zi Gong was angered, dipped his finger in the cauldron, tasted it and went out. Duke Ling was angered and wished to kill Zi Gong.

子公與子家謀先。子家曰：“畜老，猶憚殺之，而況君乎？”反譖子家，子家懼而從之。夏，弒靈公。書曰：“鄭公子歸生弒其君夷。”權不足也。君子曰：“仁而不武，無能達也。”凡弒君，稱君，君無道也；稱臣，臣之罪也。

Zi Gong and Zi Jia plotted to strike first. Zi Jia said: "Even when an animal is old, one cannot bear to kill it; how much more a ruler?" Zi Gong in turn threatened to accuse Zi Jia, and Zi Jia was afraid and went along. In summer, they killed Duke Ling. The Spring and Autumn Annals records: "Gongzi Gui Sheng of Zheng killed his ruler Yi," because his power was insufficient. The gentleman said: "Benevolence without courage cannot be carried out." In every case of killing a ruler, if only the ruler is named, the ruler was without the Way; if the minister's name is given, it is the minister's fault.

鄭人立子良，辭曰：“以賢則去疾不足，以順則公子堅長。”乃立襄公。襄公將去穆氏，而舍子良。子良不可，曰：“穆氏宜存，則固願也。若將亡之，則亦皆亡，去疾何為？”乃舍之，皆為大夫。

The people of Zheng wished to install Zi Liang, but Zi Liang declined, saying: "In terms of ability, Qu Ji is not sufficient; in terms of order, Gongzi Jian is older." So they installed Duke Xiang. Duke Xiang wished to remove the Mu clan and keep Zi Liang. Zi Liang did not agree, saying: "The Mu clan should be kept; that is originally my wish. If you want them to flee, then let all flee; what use is it to keep Qu Ji?" So he kept them, and they all became high officials.

初，楚司馬子良生子越椒，子文曰：“必殺之。是子也，熊虎之狀，而豺狼之聲，弗殺，必滅若敖氏矣。諺曰：‘狼子野心。’是乃狼也，其可畜乎？”子良不可。子文以為大戚，及將死，聚其族，曰：“椒也知政，乃速行矣，無及於難。”且泣曰：“鬼猶求食，若敖氏之鬼，不其餒而？”及令尹子文卒，鬥般為令尹，子越為司馬。蒍賈為工正，譖子揚而殺之，子越為令尹，己為司馬。子越又惡之，乃以若敖氏之族圄伯嬴於轑陽而殺之，遂處烝野，將攻王。王以三王之子為質焉，弗受，師於漳澨。秋七月戊戌，楚子與若敖氏戰於皋滸。伯棼射王，汰輈，及鼓跗，著於丁寧。又射汰輈，以貫笠轂。師懼，退。王使巡師曰：“吾先君文王克息，獲三矢焉。伯棼竊其二，盡於是矣。”鼓而進之，遂滅若敖氏。

Earlier, when Zi Liang, the Minister of War of Chu, had a son Zi Yue Jiao, Zi Wen said: "He must be killed. This child has the form of a bear and tiger and the voice of a jackal and wolf; if he is not killed, he will certainly destroy the Ruoao clan. The proverb says: 'A wolf cub has a wild heart.' This is a wolf; can it be raised?" Zi Liang did not agree. Zi Wen was greatly troubled by this, and when about to die he gathered his clansmen and said: "If Jiao takes charge of government, then leave quickly and do not be caught in the disaster." And he wept and said: "Even ghosts ask for food; will the ghosts of the Ruoao clan not go hungry?" When the Prime Minister Zi Wen died, Dou Ban became Prime Minister and Zi Yue became Minister of War. Wei Jia was Overseer of Works, slandered Zi Yang and had him killed, and Zi Yue became Prime Minister, making himself Minister of War. Zi Yue also hated him, and so he led the Ruoao clansmen to surround Bo Ying at Liaoyang and kill him, and then lived at Zhengye, preparing to attack the king of Chu. The king of Chu offered the descendants of the three former kings as hostages, but he did not accept, and encamped at Zhangshi. In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day wuxu, the Viscount of Chu fought the Ruoao clan at Gaohu. Bofen shot at the king of Chu; the arrow grazed the chariot shaft, reached the drum stand, and struck the bronze gong. He shot again, grazed the shaft, and pierced the hub of the chariot canopy. The army was frightened and drew back. The king of Chu had someone patrol the army, saying: "When our former ruler King Wen conquered Xi, he obtained three arrows. Bofen stole two, and they are used up here." Drums were beaten for the attack, and the Ruoao clan was destroyed.

初，若敖娶於雲阝，生鬥伯比。若敖卒，從其母畜於雲阝，淫於雲阝子之女，生子文焉。雲阝夫人使棄諸夢中，虎乳之。雲阝子田，見之，懼而歸，以告，遂使收之。楚人謂乳谷，謂虎於菟，故命之曰鬥谷於菟。以其女妻伯比，實為令尹子文。其孫箴尹克黃使於齊，還，及宋，聞亂。其人曰，“不可以入矣。”箴尹曰：“棄君之命，獨誰受之？君，天也，天可逃乎？”遂歸，覆命而自拘於司敗。

Earlier, Ruoao took a wife in Yun and had Dou Bobi. [Note: the original text has a variant form of the character for the state of Yun.] When Ruoao died, Dou Bobi followed his mother and grew up in Yun, had an affair with the daughter of the Viscount of Yun, and Zi Wen was born. The Lady of Yun had someone abandon him in the Yunmeng marsh, where a tiger suckled him. The Viscount of Yun, hunting, saw this, was frightened and went back, told his wife, and so had someone take the child in. The people of Chu call milk "gu" and a tiger "wutu", and so he was named Dou Gu Wutu. The viscount married his daughter to Bobi, and he is the Prime Minister Zi Wen. His grandson Ke Huang, Overseer of Admonition, was sent on a mission to Qi, and on returning reached Song and heard of the disorder. His attendants said: "You cannot go in." The Overseer of Admonition said: "If I abandon the ruler's command, who will take me in? The ruler is Heaven; can one flee from Heaven?" So he went back, reported his mission, and placed himself in detention with the Minister of Justice.

王思子文之治楚國也，曰：“子文無後，何以勸善？”使復其所，改命曰生。

The king of Chu thought of Zi Wen's governing of Chu and said: "If Zi Wen has no descendants, what will we use to encourage people to do good?" He had Ke Huang restored to his former office and changed his name to Sheng.

冬，楚子伐鄭，鄭未服也。

In winter, the Viscount of Chu attacked Zheng, because Zheng had not yet submitted.

【經】五年春，公如齊。夏，公至自齊。秋九月，齊高固來逆叔姬。叔孫得臣卒。冬，齊高固及子叔姬來。楚人伐鄭。

[Classic] In the fifth year, in spring, Duke Xuan went to Qi. In summer, Duke Xuan returned from Qi. In autumn, in the ninth month, Gao Gu of Qi came to receive Shu Ji as his bride. Shusun Dechen died. In winter, Gao Gu of Qi and Zi Shu Ji came. The people of Chu attacked Zheng.

【傳】五年春，公如齊，高固使齊侯止公，請叔姬焉。

[Commentary] In the fifth year, in spring, Duke Xuan went to Qi, and Gao Gu had the Marquis of Qi detain Duke Xuan and asked him for the hand of Shu Ji.

夏，公至自齊，書，過也。

In summer, Duke Xuan returned from Qi; the Spring and Autumn Annals records it because there was a fault.

秋九月，齊高固來逆女，自為也。故書曰：“逆叔姬。”即自逆也。

In autumn, in the ninth month, Gao Gu of Qi came to receive his bride; he was receiving her for himself. Therefore the Spring and Autumn Annals records: "He received Shu Ji." That is, he received her himself.

冬，來，反馬也。

The coming in winter was to return the horses.