Duke Xuan (Years 1 to 18)

申叔時使於齊，反，覆命而退。王使讓之曰：“夏徵舒為不道，弒其君，寡人以諸侯討而戮之，諸侯、縣公皆慶寡人，女獨不慶寡人，何故”對曰：“猶可辭乎？”王曰：“可哉”曰：夏徵舒弒其君，其罪大矣，討而戮之，君之義也。

Shen Shushi was sent on a mission to Qi, and after returning to report, withdrew. The King of Chu sent someone to reproach him: "Xia Zhengshu did lawless things and murdered his ruler. I led the feudal lords to attack and kill him, and the feudal lords and the county dukes all congratulated me; you alone did not congratulate me. What is the reason?" Shen Shushi replied: "May I explain?" The King said: "You may." Shen Shushi said: "Xia Zhengshu murdered his ruler, and his guilt was great; to attack and kill him was my lord's righteousness.

抑人亦有言曰：‘牽牛以蹊人之田，而奪之牛。’牽牛以蹊者，信有罪矣；而奪之牛，罰已重矣。諸侯之從也，曰討有罪也。今縣陳，貪其富也。以討召諸侯，而以貪歸之，無乃不可乎？王曰：“善哉！”吾未之聞也。反之，可乎？對曰：“可哉！吾儕小人所謂取諸其懷而與之也。”乃復封陳，鄉取一人焉以歸，謂之夏州。故書曰：“楚子入陳，納公孫寧、儀行父於陳。”書有禮也。

(Shen Shushi continued:) "Yet people also have a saying: 'He who leads an ox across another's field has his ox seized.' One who leads an ox across a field is indeed guilty, but seizing his ox is already too heavy a punishment. The feudal lords followed, saying it was to attack the guilty. Now to make Chen a county is to covet its wealth. To summon the feudal lords on the pretext of punishment and end by greed, surely that is not acceptable?" The King of Chu said: "Well said! I had not heard this. If I give it back, is that acceptable?" He replied: "It is! What we petty men say is: take it from his bosom and give it back to him." And so Chen was re-established, and one man was taken from each district, which was called Xiazhou. Therefore the Annals records: "The Viscount of Chu entered Chen and restored Gongsun Ning and Yi Xingfu to Chen," recording that he acted with propriety.

厲之役，鄭伯逃歸，自是楚未得志焉。鄭既受盟於辰陵，又徼事於晉。

In the battle at Li, the Earl of Zheng fled back, and from then on Chu did not gain its will over Zheng. Zheng had already accepted the covenant at Chenling and again sought to serve Jin.

【經】十有二年春，葬陳靈公。楚子圍鄭。夏六月乙卯，晉荀林父帥師及楚子戰於邲，晉師敗績。秋七月。冬十有二月戊寅，楚子滅蕭。晉人、宋人、衛人、曹人同盟於清丘。宋師伐陳。衛人救陳。

[Classic] In the twelfth year, spring, Duke Ling of Chen was buried. The Viscount of Chu besieged Zheng. In summer, on the yimao day of the sixth month, Xun Linfu of Jin led troops and fought the Viscount of Chu at Bi, and the army of Jin was greatly defeated. In autumn, the seventh month. In winter, on the wuyin day of the twelfth month, the Viscount of Chu destroyed Xiao. The men of Jin, Song, Wei and Cao made a covenant together at Qingqiu. The army of Song attacked Chen. The men of Wei rescued Chen.

【傳】十二年春，楚子圍鄭。旬有七日，鄭人卜行成，不吉。卜臨於大宮，且巷出車，吉。國人大臨，守陴者皆哭。楚子退師，鄭人修城，進復圍之，三月克之。入自皇門，至於逵路。鄭伯肉袒牽羊以逆，曰：“孤不天，不能事君，使君懷怒以及敝邑，孤之罪也。敢不唯命是聽。其俘諸江南以實海濱，亦唯命。其翦以賜諸侯，使臣妾之，亦唯命。若惠顧前好，徼福於厲、宣、桓、武，不泯其社稷，使改事君，夷於九縣，君之惠也，孤之願之，非所敢望也。敢布腹心，君實圖之。”左右曰：“不可許也，得國無赦。”王曰：“其君能下人，必能信用其民矣，庸可幾乎？”退三十里而許之平。潘尫入盟，子良出質。

[Commentary] In the twelfth year, spring, the Viscount of Chu besieged Zheng. After seventeen days, the men of Zheng divined about making peace, and it was not auspicious. They divined about wailing in the Grand Temple and lining up the war chariots in the lanes, and it was auspicious. The people of the capital wailed greatly, and those guarding the battlements all wept. The Viscount of Chu withdrew his troops; the men of Zheng repaired the walls, and the army of Chu advanced again and besieged them, taking the city in three months. They entered by the Huang Gate and reached the main road. The Earl of Zheng, stripped to the waist and leading a sheep, came to meet them and said: "I could not serve Heaven and could not serve my lord, so that my lord came to my humble state in anger; this is my fault. I dare not do other than obey your command. If you resettle the captives south of the Yangzi to fill the coast, I also obey. If, after wiping us out, you give us to the feudal lords to be their servants and concubines, I also obey. If you remember the former friendship and seek blessings from Kings Li and Xuan and Dukes Huan and Wu, and do not destroy the altars of our state, and let us change to serve my lord as one of your nine counties, that would be my lord's kindness and also my wish, but I do not dare to hope for it. I venture to lay out what is in my heart; I ask my lord to consider." Those around the King said: "We cannot agree; once we have the state, we should not pardon it." The King of Chu said: "Their ruler can place himself below others and surely can win the trust of and make use of his people; can we then destroy him?" He withdrew thirty li and permitted peace. Pan Wang entered to conclude the covenant, and Ziliang went out as hostage.

夏六月，晉師救鄭。荀林父將中軍，先縠佐之。士會將上軍，郤克佐之。趙朔將下軍，欒書佐之。趙括、趙嬰齊為中軍大夫。鞏朔、韓穿為上軍大夫。荀首、趙同為下軍大夫。韓厥為司馬。及河，聞鄭既及楚平，桓子欲還，曰：“無及於鄭而剿民，焉用之？楚歸而動，不後。”隨武子曰：“善。會聞用師，觀釁而動。

In summer, in the sixth month, the army of Jin went to rescue Zheng. Xun Linfu commanded the Central Army, with Xian Hu as his assistant. Shi Hui commanded the Upper Army, with Xi Ke as assistant. Zhao Shuo commanded the Lower Army, with Luan Shu as assistant. Zhao Kuo and Zhao Yingqi were grandees of the Central Army. Gong Shuo and Han Chuan were grandees of the Upper Army. Xun Shou and Zhao Tong were grandees of the Lower Army. Han Jue was Marshal. When they reached the Yellow River, they heard that Zheng had already made peace with Chu. Huanzi (Xun Linfu) wished to turn back, saying: "If we have not arrived in time to rescue Zheng and yet toil the people, what use is it? Even if we act after the army of Chu returns, it will not be too late." Sui Wuzi said: "Good. I have heard that in using the army one should observe the gaps and then act.

德刑政事典禮不易，不可敵也，不為是徵。楚軍討鄭，怒其貳而哀其卑，叛而伐之，服而舍之，德刑成矣。伐叛，刑也；柔服，德也。二者立矣。昔歲入陳，今茲入鄭，民不罷勞，君無怨讟，政有經矣。荊尸而舉，商農工賈不敗其業，而卒乘輯睦，事不奸矣。蒍敖為宰，擇楚國之令典，軍行，右轅，左追蓐，前茅慮無，中權，後勁，百官象物而動，軍政不戒而備，能用典矣。其君之舉也，內姓選於親，外姓選於舊；舉不失德，賞不失勞；老有加惠，旅有施捨；君子小人，物有服章，貴有常尊，賤有等威；禮不逆矣。德立，刑行，政成，事時，典從，禮順，若之何敵之？見可而進，知難而退，軍之善政也。兼弱攻昧，武之善經也。子姑整軍而經武乎，猶有弱而昧者，何必楚？仲虺有言曰：‘取亂侮亡。’兼弱也。

(Sui Wuzi continued:) "If virtue, punishment, government, affairs, statutes and ritual are not altered, one cannot be resisted, and one should not campaign against such a state. In attacking Zheng, the army of Chu was angry that it had a divided mind, but also pitied its humility; they attacked it when it rebelled and released it when it submitted, so virtue and punishment were both established. Attacking the rebellious is punishment, and pacifying the obedient is virtue; both were set up. Last year they entered Chen, this year they entered Zheng, yet the people were not wearied or toiled and the ruler had no complaints, so government had its regular norms. They set out with the Jingshi formation, and merchants, farmers, craftsmen and traders did not damage their trades; the infantry and chariot troops were in harmony, and affairs did not interfere with each other. Wei Ao (Sun Shuao) served as Prime Minister and selected the good statutes of Chu; in the army's march, on the right they follow the shafts, on the left they look for fodder, the vanguard holds the reed banner to guard against surprises, the central army weighs matters, the rear army is the elite, and the hundred officials act according to the flags and emblems; military administration is complete without waiting for orders, which is being able to use the statutes. In the selection by their ruler, among those of the same surname he chooses from the close kin, and among those of other surnames from old ministers; in recommending he does not overlook the virtuous, and in rewarding he does not overlook the meritorious; the aged receive extra kindness, travelers receive alms; among gentlemen and common people, objects have their own colors and patterns, the noble have fixed honor, and the humble have graded dignity; ritual is not violated. With virtue established, punishment carried out, government accomplished, affairs timely, statutes followed and ritual in order, how can one resist them? Seeing what is possible, advance; knowing difficulty, retreat: this is good governance in using the army. To annex the weak and attack the benighted is the good constant rule of military affairs. You may as well reorganize the army and manage military preparedness; there are still weak and benighted states, so why must it be Chu? Zhong Hui has a saying: 'Seize those in confusion, and bully those about to perish.' This means annexing the weak.

《汋》曰：‘於鑠王師，遵養時晦。’耆昧也。《武》曰：‘無競惟烈。’撫弱耆昧以務烈所，可也。”彘子曰：“不可。晉所以霸，師武臣力也。今失諸侯，不可謂力。有敵而不從，不可謂武。由我失霸，不如死。且成師以出，聞敵強而退，非夫也。命為軍師，而卒以非夫，唯群子能，我弗為也。”以中軍佐濟。

(Sui Wuzi continued:) The Zhuo says: 'Brilliant is the king's army, following the times to deal with the benighted.' This means attacking the benighted. The Wu says: 'None is stronger than merit.' To pacify the weak and attack the benighted, in order to pursue what lies in merit, is enough." Zhizi (Xian Hu) said: "Not so. The reason Jin became hegemon is that its army was valiant and its ministers gave their strength. Now we have lost the feudal lords, and that cannot be called strength. Having an enemy and not following him cannot be called valor. To lose the hegemony through me, I would rather die. Moreover, to set out with an assembled army and retreat on hearing that the enemy is strong is not the act of a real man. Having received the commission to be army commander, if in the end I am not like a real man, only you gentlemen can do so; I will not." He led the troops under his command as assistant of the Central Army across the river.

知莊子曰：“此師殆哉。《周易》有之，在《師》三之《臨》三，曰：‘師出以律，否臧兇。’執事順成為臧，逆為否，眾散為弱，川壅為澤，有律以如己也，故曰律。否臧，且律竭也。盈而以竭，夭且不整，所以兇也。不行謂之《臨》，有帥而不從，臨孰甚焉！此之謂矣。果遇，必敗，彘子屍之。雖免而歸，必有大咎。”韓獻子謂桓子曰：“彘子以偏師陷，子罪大矣。子為元師，師不用命，誰之罪也？失屬亡師，為罪已重，不如進也。事之不捷，惡有所分，與其專罪，六人同之，不猶愈乎？”師遂濟。

Zhi Zhuangzi said: "This army is in danger. The Changes has a saying about this, in Shi changing into Lin: 'In sending out the army, there must be discipline; if not good, it is ill-omened.' To act in accord with reason and succeed is good; to act perversely is not good. When the people scatter, that is weakness; when a river is blocked, it becomes a marsh; only with discipline can the multitude be made like oneself, and so it is called discipline. If not good, the discipline is exhausted. Full yet exhausted, blocked and disordered, therefore ill-omened. To be unable to move is called Lin (approaching); having a commander but not obeying him, is there anything more approaching than that? That is what this means. If we really meet the enemy, we will certainly be defeated, and Zhizi will bear the blame. Even if he escapes death and returns, he will certainly suffer great disaster." Han Xianzi said to Huanzi: "If Zhizi leads a detachment into the enemy's ranks, your guilt will be great. You are commander-in-chief, and if the army does not obey orders, whose guilt is it? To lose a dependent state and lose the army is already a heavy offense; it is better to advance. If the matter fails, the evil name is shared. Rather than bearing the guilt alone, would it not be better for six men to bear it together?" The army then crossed the river.

楚子北，師次於郔，沈尹將中軍，子重將左，子反將右，將飲馬於河而歸。

The Viscount of Chu advanced north, and the army camped at Ying. Shen Yin commanded the Central Army, Zichong the Left Army and Zifan the Right Army, planning to water the horses in the Yellow River and then return.

聞晉師既濟，王欲還，嬖人伍參欲戰。令尹孫叔敖弗欲，曰：“昔歲入陳，今茲入鄭，不無事矣。戰而不捷，參之肉其足食乎？”參曰：“若事之捷，孫叔為無謀矣。不捷，參之肉將在晉軍，可得食乎？”令尹南轅反旆，伍參言於王曰：“晉之從政者新，未能行令。其佐先縠剛愎不仁，未肯用命。其三帥者專行不獲，聽而無上，眾誰適從？此行也，晉師必敗。且君而逃臣，若社稷何？”王病之，告令尹，改乘轅而北之，次於管以待之。

Hearing that the army of Jin had already crossed the river, the King of Chu wished to return, but his favorite Wu Can wished to fight. The Prime Minister Sun Shuao did not wish to, saying: "Last year we entered Chen, this year we entered Zheng; it is not that we are without affairs. If we fight and do not win, would Can's flesh be enough to eat?" Can said: "If things go well and we win, Sun Shu will be shown to have had no plan. If we do not win, Can's flesh will be in the army of Jin; could you get to eat it?" The Prime Minister turned the chariot shafts and turned the great banner around. Wu Can said to the King of Chu: "The man in charge in Jin has newly taken up office and cannot yet enforce his orders. His assistant Xian Hu is stubborn and unkind and will not obey orders. The three commanders wish to act on their own but cannot, and wish to obey but have no superior; whom will the troops listen to? This time, the army of Jin will certainly be defeated. Moreover, for the ruler to avoid his ministers, what will become of the altars of the state?" The King of Chu was troubled by this and told the Prime Minister, and turned the shafts north again and camped at Guan to wait.

晉師在敖、鄗之間。鄭皇戌使如晉師，曰：“鄭之從楚，社稷之故也，未有貳心。楚師驟勝而驕，其師老矣，而不設備，子擊之，鄭師為承，楚師必敗。”

The army of Jin was between Ao and Hao. Huang Xu of Zheng sent a man to the army of Jin to say: "Zheng follows Chu for the sake of its altars and has no divided mind. The army of Chu, having won repeatedly, is arrogant, and its troops are already weary, yet they set up no defenses. If you attack them, with the army of Zheng following up, the army of Chu will surely be defeated."

彘子曰：“敗楚服鄭，於此在矣，必許之。”欒武子曰：“楚自克庸以來，其君無日不討國人而訓之於民生之不易，禍至之無日，戒懼之不可以怠。在軍，無日不討軍實而申儆之於勝之不可保，紂之百克，而卒無後。訓以若敖、蚡冒，篳路藍縷，以啟山林。箴之曰：‘民生在勤，勤則不匱。’不可謂驕。先大夫子犯有言曰：‘師直為壯，曲為老。’我則不德，而徼怨於楚，我曲楚直，不可謂老。

Zhizi said: "To defeat Chu and make Zheng submit depends on this one occasion; we must agree." Luan Wuzi said: "Since Chu conquered Yong, their ruler has not for a single day failed to inspect the people of the state and instruct them: the people's livelihood is not easy, calamity may arrive on any day, and vigilance must not slacken. In the army, not a day goes by without inspecting military stores and repeatedly warning: victory cannot be taken for granted, Zhou won a hundred battles and in the end had no heirs. He instructs them with the example of Ruo Ao and Fenmao, who rode in brushwood carts and wore ragged clothes to open up the mountains and forests. The admonition says: 'The people's livelihood lies in diligence, and with diligence there is no want.' They cannot be called arrogant. The former grandee Zifan had a saying: 'An army with right on its side has strong spirit; one in the wrong is what is called weary.' We ourselves do not cultivate virtue but seek grievance from Chu; we are in the wrong and Chu is in the right, so they cannot be called weary.

其君之戎，分為二廣，廣有一卒，卒偏之兩。右廣初駕，數及日中；左則受之，以至於昏。內官序當其夜，以待不虞，不可謂無備。子良，鄭之良也。師叔，楚之崇也。師叔入盟，子良在楚，楚、鄭親矣。來勸我戰，我克則來，不克遂往，以我卜也，鄭不可從。”趙括、趙同曰：“率師以來，唯敵是求。克敵得屬，又何矣？必從彘子。”知季曰：“原、屏，咎之徒也。”趙莊子曰：“欒伯善哉，實其言，必長晉國。”

(Luan Wuzi continued:) "Their ruler's war chariots are divided into two Guang, each Guang has a company, and each company has its sub-units. The Right Guang harnesses first and counts until noon; the Left Guang takes over and continues until dusk. The close ministers keep night watch in order, guarding against surprises; they cannot be called without defenses. Ziliang is a worthy man of Zheng. Shishu is honored in Chu. Shishu entered to conclude the covenant, and Ziliang is in Chu, so Chu and Zheng are close. They come to urge us to fight: if we win, they will come to us; if we do not win, they will go away, using us for divination. Zheng cannot be listened to." Zhao Kuo and Zhao Tong said: "We have come leading an army only to seek the enemy. To defeat the enemy and gain a dependent state, what are we waiting for? We must obey Zhizi." Zhi Ji said: "Yuan and Ping are of the kind that brings on disaster." Zhao Zhuangzi said: "Lord Luan speaks well; one who carries out his words will surely long hold the government of Jin."

楚少宰如晉師，曰：“寡君少遭閔凶，不能文。聞二先君之出入此行也，將鄭是訓定，豈敢求罪於晉。二三子無淹久。”隨季對曰：“昔平王命我先君文侯曰：‘與鄭夾輔周室，毋廢王命。’今鄭不率，寡君使群臣問諸鄭，豈敢辱候人？敢拜君命之辱。”彘子以為諂，使趙括從而更之，曰：“行人失辭。寡君使群臣遷大國之跡於鄭，曰：‘無闢敵。’群臣無所逃命。”

The Junior Minister of Chu arrived at the army of Jin and said: "My lord in his youth met with misfortune and cannot have eloquence. We have heard that the two former rulers went back and forth on this road in order to instruct and pacify Zheng; how dare we seek blame from Jin? You gentlemen should not stay long." Sui Ji replied: "Formerly King Ping commanded our former ruler Marquis Wen: 'With Zheng, assist the Zhou house on the left and right, and do not abandon the king's command.' Now Zheng does not comply, and my lord has sent his ministers to reproach Zheng; how would we dare dishonor your scouts? We dare to bow in thanks that your lord's command has humbled itself to come." Zhizi thought this was flattery and sent Zhao Kuo to catch up and correct it, saying: "The envoy spoke wrongly. My lord sent his ministers to move the footprints of the great state out of Zheng, saying: 'Do not avoid the enemy.' The ministers have no place to flee from the command."

楚子又使求成於晉，晉人許之，盟有日矣。楚許伯御樂伯，攝叔為右，以致晉師，許伯曰：“吾聞致師者，御靡旌摩壘而還。”樂伯曰：“吾聞致師者，左射以菆，代御執轡，御下兩馬，掉鞅而還。”攝叔曰：“吾聞致師者，右入壘，折馘，執俘而還。”皆行其所聞而復。晉人逐之，左右角之。樂伯左射馬而右射人，角不能進，矢一而已。麋興於前，射麋麗龜。晉鮑癸當其後，使攝叔奉麋獻焉，曰：“以歲之非時，獻禽之未至，敢膳諸從者。”鮑癸止之，曰：“其左善射，其右有辭，君子也。”既免。

The Viscount of Chu again sent men to Jin seeking peace, and the men of Jin agreed, and a date for the covenant had already been set. Xu Bo of Chu drove the chariot for Yue Bo, with She Shu as chariot-right, to come and challenge the army of Jin. Xu Bo said: "I have heard that for a challenger, the driver grazes the camp wall with the banner slanting and then returns." Yue Bo said: "I have heard that for a challenger, the left man shoots with good arrows, takes the reins in place of the driver, and the driver gets down to tidy the two horses and straighten their breast straps, and then returns." She Shu said: "I have heard that for a challenger, the right man enters the camp, cuts off a left ear, seizes a prisoner and then returns." Each did as he had heard and returned. The men of Jin pursued them, pressing in from left and right in a pincer. Yue Bo shot the horses on the left and the men on the right; those in the pincer could not advance, and he had only one arrow left. A deer appeared ahead, and he shot it squarely in the back. Bao Gui of Jin blocked the way behind, and Yue Bo had She Shu hold up the deer and present it, saying: "Because the season is not right, the game offered has not yet arrived; I dare to give it to your attendants as food." Bao Gui stopped and said: "Their chariot-left is good at archery and their chariot-right has fine speech; they are gentlemen." And so they escaped capture.

晉魏錡求公族未得，而怒，欲敗晉師。請致師，弗許。請使，許之。遂往，請戰而還。楚潘黨逐之，及熒澤，見六麋，射一麋以顧獻曰：“子有軍事，獸人無乃不給於鮮，敢獻於從者。”叔黨命去之。趙旃求卿未得，且怒於失楚之致師者。請挑戰，弗許。請召盟，許之。與魏錡皆命而往。郤獻子曰：“二憾往矣，弗備必敗。”彘子曰：“鄭人勸戰，弗敢從也。楚人求成，弗能好也。師無成命，多備何為。”士季曰：“備之善。若二子怒楚，楚人乘我，喪師無日矣。不如備之。楚之無惡，除備而盟，何損於好？若以惡來，有備不敗。且雖諸侯相見，軍衛不徹，警也。”彘子不可。

Wei Qi of Jin sought to become a head of a ducal clan but did not get it, and in anger wished to make the army of Jin fail. He asked to challenge and was not allowed; he asked to go as an envoy and was permitted. So he went, and returned having asked for battle. Pan Dang of Chu chased him, and at Yingze he saw six deer, shot one, and turned back to present it, saying: "You are on military affairs, and the gamekeepers may not be able to supply fresh game; I dare to offer it to your attendants." Shudang ordered that he be let go. Zhao Zhan sought to become a minister but did not get it, and was also resentful at losing the Chu challengers. He asked to challenge and was not allowed; he asked to summon them for a covenant and was permitted. He and Wei Qi were both ordered to go. Xi Xianzi said: "Two men with grievances are going; if we do not take precautions we shall surely be defeated." Zhizi said: "The men of Zheng urged us to fight and we dared not listen. The men of Chu seek peace and we cannot make friends. The army has no fixed order, so why make many precautions?" Shi Ji said: "Precaution is good. If these two men enrage Chu and the men of Chu take advantage and strike, the loss of the army will be only days away. It is better to take precautions. If Chu has no ill intent, we can remove the defenses and then conclude the covenant; what harm is there to friendship? If they come with ill intent, with precautions we will not be defeated. Besides, even when feudal lords meet, the military guard is not removed; this is vigilance." Zhizi did not agree.

士季使鞏朔、韓穿帥七覆於敖前，故上軍不敗。趙嬰齊使其徒先具舟於河，故敗而先濟。

Shi Ji sent Gong Shuo and Han Chuan to lead seven ambushes in front of Mount Ao, and so the Upper Army was not defeated. Zhao Yingqi had his men prepare boats at the Yellow River in advance, and so after the defeat he crossed the river first.

潘黨既逐魏錡，趙旃夜至於楚軍，席于軍門之外，使其徒入之。楚子為乘廣三十乘，分為左右。右廣雞鳴而駕，日中而說。左則受之，日入而說。許偃御右廣，養由基為右。彭名御左廣，屈蕩為右。乙卯，王乘左廣以逐趙旃。趙旃棄車而走林，屈蕩搏之，得其甲裳。晉人懼二子之怒楚師也，使軘車逆之。潘黨望其塵，使騁而告曰：“晉師至矣。”楚人亦懼王之入晉軍也，遂出陳。孫叔曰：“進之。寧我薄人，無人薄我。《詩》云：‘元戎十乘，以先啟行。’先人也。

After Pan Dang had driven off Wei Qi, Zhao Zhan arrived at the army of Chu at night, spread a mat outside the camp gate, and sent his men to break in. The Viscount of Chu had set up thirty chariots of the royal guard, divided into left and right. The Right Guang harnessed at cockcrow and unharnessed at noon. The Left Guang took over and unharnessed at sunset. Xu Yan drove the Right Guang with Yang Youji as chariot-right. Peng Ming drove the Left Guang with Qu Dang as chariot-right. On the yimao day, the King of Chu rode in the Left Guang and chased Zhao Zhan. Zhao Zhan abandoned his chariot and ran into the woods, and Qu Dang seized him and got his armor skirt. The men of Jin feared that these two men would enrage the army of Chu and sent the stationed chariots to meet them. Pan Dang saw the dust raised and sent a man galloping to report: "The army of Jin is coming." The men of Chu also feared that the King would fall into the army of Jin, and so they came out and formed ranks. Sun Shu said: "Advance. Better that we press upon others than that others press upon us. The Odes say: 'Ten great war chariots, to lead the way first.' This means getting ahead of others.

《軍志》曰：‘先人有奪人之心’。薄之也。”遂疾進師，車馳卒奔，乘晉軍。

(Sun Shu continued:) "The Records of Military Affairs says: 'Striking first can take away the enemy's morale.' This means pressing upon them." So they advanced rapidly, chariots racing and soldiers running, and struck the army of Jin.

桓子不知所為，鼓于軍中曰：“先濟者有賞。”中軍、下軍爭舟，舟中之指可掬也。

Huanzi did not know what to do and beat the drum in the army, saying: "Those who cross the river first will be rewarded." The Central Army and the Lower Army fought over boats, and the severed fingers in the boats could be scooped up by the handful.

晉師右移，上軍未動。工尹齊將右拒卒以逐下軍。楚子使唐狡與蔡鳩居告唐惠侯曰：“不穀不德而貪，以遇大敵，不穀之罪也。然楚不克，君之羞也，敢藉君靈以濟楚師。”使潘黨率遊闕四十乘，從唐侯以為左拒，以從上軍。駒伯曰：“待諸乎？”隨季曰：“楚師方壯，若萃於我，吾師必盡，不如收而去之。分謗生民，不亦可乎？”殿其卒而退，不敗。

The army of Jin moved to the right, and the Upper Army did not move. Gongyin Qi led the soldiers of the right wing in pursuit of the Lower Army. The Viscount of Chu sent Tang Jiao and Cai Jiuju to tell Marquis Hui of Tang: "I, the Bugu, am without virtue and greedy, and having met a great enemy, this is my fault. Yet if Chu cannot win, it will be my lord's shame; I dare to borrow my lord's majesty to help complete the army of Chu." He sent Pan Dang to lead forty reserve chariots to follow the Marquis of Tang as the left wing to pursue the Upper Army. Ju Bo said: "Shall we wait for them?" Sui Ji said: "The army of Chu is at its peak of morale; if they concentrate on us, our army will be wiped out, so it is better to gather the troops and leave. To share the criticism and keep the soldiers intact, is that not acceptable?" He himself took the rear guard and withdrew with the soldiers, and they were not defeated.

王見右廣，將從之乘。屈蕩屍之，曰：“君以此始，亦必以終。”自是楚之乘廣先左。

The King of Chu saw the Right Guang and was about to change chariots. Qu Dang stopped him and said: "My lord began from this side and must also end on this side." From then on, the royal guard of Chu gave priority to the left.

晉人或以廣隊不能進，楚人惎之脫扃，少進，馬還，又惎之拔旆投衡，乃出。

Some of the men of Jin, whose war chariot had fallen into a pit and could not advance, were taught by the men of Chu to pull out the crossbar in front of the chariot; they advanced slightly, but the horses circled again, and they were taught to pull out the flagpole and throw it on the yoke, and only then did they get out.

顧曰：“吾不如大國之數奔也。”

Looking back, they said: "We are not like your great state, which often runs away."

趙旃以其良馬二，濟其兄與叔父，以他馬反，遇敵不能去，棄車而走林。逢大夫與其二子乘，謂其二子無顧。顧曰：“趙傁在後。”怒之，使下，指木曰：“屍女於是。”授趙旃綏，以免。明日以表屍之，皆重獲在木下。

Zhao Zhan used his two good horses to let his elder brother and uncle cross the river, and himself returned with other horses; meeting the enemy and unable to escape, he abandoned his chariot and ran into the woods. The Grandee Feng and his two sons were in a chariot, and he instructed his two sons not to look back. They looked back and said: "Old Man Zhao is behind us." The Grandee Feng was angry and made them get down, pointed at a tree and said: "I will collect your corpses here." He handed the reins to Zhao Zhan, thereby saving him from disaster. The next day, they went by the marker to collect the corpses, and found them lying piled up and dead beneath the tree.

楚熊負羈囚知犖。知莊子以其族反之，廚武子御，下軍之士多從之。每射，抽矢，菆，納諸廚子之房。廚子怒曰：“非子之求而蒲之愛，董澤之蒲，可勝既乎？”知季曰：“不以人子，吾子其可得乎？吾不可以苟射故也。”射連尹襄老，獲之，遂載其屍。射公子谷臣，囚之。以二者還。

Xiong Fuji of Chu captured Zhi Ying. Zhi Zhuangzi led his clan back, with Chu Wuzi driving the chariot, and many soldiers of the Lower Army followed. Each time he shot an arrow, he picked out a good arrow and put it into the cook's quiver. The cook got angry and said: "You do not seek others' sons but cherish willow reeds; of the willows at Dongze, could you ever use them up?" Zhi Ji said: "If I do not use others' sons, could I get my own son? That is why I cannot shoot at random." He hit Lianyin Xianglao, got his corpse, and put it on the chariot. He hit Gongzi Guchen and captured him. He returned with those two.

及昏，楚師軍於邲，晉之餘師不能軍，宵濟，亦終夜有聲。

By dusk, the army of Chu camped at Bi, and the rest of the army of Jin could not form up, and crossed the river at night, and there was noise all through the night.

丙辰，楚重至於邲，遂次於衡雍。潘黨曰：“君盍築武軍，而收晉屍以為京觀。臣聞克敵必示子孫，以無忘武功。”楚子曰：“非爾所知也。夫文，止戈為武。武王克商。作《頌》曰：‘載戢干戈，載櫜弓矢。我求懿德，肆於時夏，允王保之。’又作《武》，其卒章曰‘耆定爾功’。其三曰：‘鋪時繹思，我徂求定。’其六曰：‘綏萬邦，屢豐年。’夫武，禁暴、戢兵、保大、定功、安民、和眾、豐財者也。故使子孫無忘其章。今我使二國暴骨，暴矣；觀兵以威諸侯，兵不戢矣。暴而不戢，安能保大？猶有晉在，焉得定功？所違民欲猶多，民何安焉？無德而強爭諸侯，何以和眾？利人之幾，而安人之亂，以為己榮，何以豐財？武有七德，我無一焉，何以示子孫？其為先君宮，告成事而已。武非吾功也。古者明王伐不敬，取其鯨鯢而封之，以為大戮，於是乎有京觀，以懲淫慝。今罪無所，而民皆盡忠以死君命，又可以為京觀乎？”祀於河，作先君宮，告成事而還。

On the bingchen day, the supply train of Chu arrived at Bi and camped at Hengyong. Pan Dang said: "Why does my lord not build a fortification and collect the bodies of the men of Jin to make a victory mound? I have heard that when one defeats an enemy one must show it to one's descendants, so that they do not forget military achievement." The Viscount of Chu said: "You do not know. The character for 'martial' is made of 'stop' and 'spear.' When King Wu conquered Shang, he composed a Hymn saying: 'Put away the shields and spears, store the bows and arrows. I seek fine virtue and spread it through this Xia realm, and the true king will preserve it.' He also composed the Wu, and the last section says 'Complete your merit.' The third section says: 'Spread out and extend the former kings' achievement; I go to seek peace.' The sixth section says: 'Pacify the myriad states, and repeatedly gain bountiful years.' Martial prowess is that which forbids violence, puts away weapons, preserves strength, secures achievement, pacifies the people, harmonizes the multitude and increases wealth. Therefore descendants are made not to forget those pieces. Now I have caused the bones of two states to be exposed, which is violence; reviewing the army to awe the feudal lords means the weapons are not put away. Being violent and not putting away weapons, how can I preserve strength? And with Jin still there, how can I speak of securing achievement? What goes against the people's wishes is still much, so how can the people be pacified? Without virtue yet contending forcefully for the feudal lords, with what shall I harmonize the multitude? To exploit others' danger and take comfort in others' disorder as my own glory, with what shall I increase wealth? Martial prowess has seven virtues, and I have not a single one; what shall I show my descendants? Better only to build a palace for the former rulers and report that the matter is complete. Martial prowess is not my achievement. In ancient times when the enlightened kings attacked the disrespectful, they took the chief evildoers, buried them in mounds of earth, and made it a great execution, and so there came to be victory mounds, to warn against licentiousness and evil. Now the guilt has no place to fall, and yet the people have all died faithfully for their ruler's command; can we make a victory mound?" He sacrificed at the Yellow River, built a palace for the former rulers, reported the matter complete, and returned.

是役也，鄭石制實入楚師，將以分鄭而立公子魚臣。辛未，鄭殺僕叔及子服。

In this campaign, it was actually Shi Zhi of Zheng who drew in the army of Chu, planning to divide Zheng and set up Gongzi Yuchen. On the xinwei day, Zheng killed Pu Shu and Zifu.

君子曰：“史佚所謂毋怙亂者，謂是類也。《詩》曰：‘亂離瘼矣，爰其適歸？’歸於怙亂者也夫。”

The gentleman said: "What Shi Yi said, about not profiting from disorder, refers to this kind of thing. The Odes say: 'In the suffering of disorder and separation, where shall I return to?' That is, return to those who profit from disorder."

鄭伯、許男如楚。

The Earl of Zheng and the Baron of Xu went to Chu.

秋，晉師歸，桓子請死，晉侯欲許之。士貞子諫曰：“不可。城濮之役，晉師三日谷，文公猶有憂色。左右曰：‘有喜而憂，如有憂而喜乎？’公曰：‘得臣猶在，憂未歇也。困獸猶鬥，況國相乎！’及楚殺子玉，公喜而後可知也，曰：‘莫余毒也已。’是晉再克而楚再敗也。楚是以再世不競。今天或者大警晉也，而又殺林父以重楚勝，其無乃久不競乎？林父之事君也，進思盡忠，退思補過，社稷之衛也，若之何殺之？夫其敗也，如日月之食焉，何損於明？”晉侯使復其位。

In autumn, the army of Jin returned, and Huanzi asked to be put to death, and the Marquis of Jin was inclined to agree. Shi Zhenzi remonstrated: "Not so. At the battle of Chengpu, the army of Jin rested for three days eating the captured grain, and Duke Wen still had a look of worry. Those around him said: 'You have cause for joy yet you worry; would you be glad at cause for worry?' Duke Wen said: 'Deichen is still alive, and the worry is not ended. A cornered beast still fights, how much more the chief minister of a state!' When Chu killed Ziyu, Duke Wen's joy could then be seen, and he said: 'No one can harm me now.' This was Jin winning twice and Chu being defeated twice. Because of this Chu could not contend for victory for two generations. Now Heaven may be giving Jin a great warning, and yet if you kill Linfu you add to Chu's victory; I fear Jin will long be unable to contend for victory. Linfu served the ruler, in advancing thinking of how to be loyal and in retreating thinking of how to repair his faults; he is the guardian of the altars of the state, so why kill him? His defeat is like an eclipse of the sun and moon; what harm does it do to their brightness?" The Marquis of Jin restored him to his post.

冬，楚子伐蕭，宋華椒以蔡人救蕭。蕭人囚熊相宜僚及公子丙。王曰：“勿殺，吾退。”蕭人殺之。王怒，遂圍蕭。蕭潰。申公巫臣曰：“師人多寒。”王巡三軍，拊而勉之。三軍之士，皆如挾纊。遂傅於蕭。還無社與司馬卯言，號申叔展。叔展曰：“有麥曲乎？”曰：“無”。“有山鞠窮乎？”曰：“無”。

In winter, the Viscount of Chu attacked Xiao, and Hua Jiao of Song led the men of Cai to rescue Xiao. The men of Xiao captured Xiong Xiangyiliao and Gongzi Bing. The King of Chu said: "Do not kill them, and I will withdraw." The men of Xiao killed them. The King of Chu was angry, and so besieged Xiao. Xiao collapsed. Shengong Wuchen said: "Many of the soldiers are cold." The King of Chu toured the three armies, comforted and encouraged them. The officers and men of the three armies felt as if they had put on silk padding. And so they pressed up to the city of Xiao. Huan Wushe spoke to the Marshal Mao, and called out to Shen Shuzhan. Shuzhan said: "Do you have wheat yeast?" He said: "No." "Do you have mountain mallow?" He said: "No."

“河魚腹疾奈何？”曰：“目於眢井而拯之。”“若為茅絰，哭井則己。”明日蕭潰，申叔視其井，則茅絰存焉，號而出之。

(Shen Shuzhan continued:) "What if the fish in the river have a sick belly?" Huan Wushe said: "Look at the dry well and save me." "Make a bundle of reeds as a mourning band and just weep by the well." The next day Xiao collapsed, and Shen Shu looked at that well, saw the reed mourning band there, and called out and rescued him.

晉原縠、宋華椒、衛孔達、曹人同盟於清丘。曰：“恤病討貳。”於是卿不書，不實其言也。宋為盟故，伐陳。衛人救之。孔達曰：“先君有約言焉，若大國討，我則死之。”

Yuan Gu of Jin, Hua Jiao of Song, Kong Da of Wei and the men of Cao made a covenant together at Qingqiu, saying: "Care for the sick, and attack those with a divided mind." At this time the names of the ministers are not recorded in the Annals, because they did not carry out their words. Song, because of the covenant, attacked Chen. The men of Wei rescued it. Kong Da said: "The former ruler left a word of agreement; if a great state comes to attack, I will die for it."

【經】十有三年春，齊師伐莒。夏，楚子伐宋。秋，螽。冬，晉殺其大夫先縠。

[Classic] In the thirteenth year, spring, the army of Qi attacked Ju. In summer, the Viscount of Chu attacked Song. In autumn, there was a plague of locusts. In winter, Jin killed its grandee Xian Hu.

【傳】十三年春，齊師伐莒，莒恃晉而不事齊故也。

[Commentary] In the thirteenth year, spring, the army of Qi attacked Ju, because Ju relied on Jin and did not serve Qi.

夏，楚子伐宋，以其救蕭也。君子曰：“清丘之盟，唯宋可以免焉。”

In summer, the Viscount of Chu attacked Song, because it had rescued Xiao. The gentleman said: "Of the covenant of Qingqiu, only Song can escape reproach."

秋，赤狄伐晉，及清，先縠召之也。

In autumn, the Red Di attacked Jin and reached Qing, summoned by Xian Hu.

冬，晉人討邲之敗，與清之師，歸罪於先縠而殺之，盡滅其族。君子曰：“惡之來也，己則取之，其先縠之謂乎。”

In winter, the men of Jin investigated the defeat at Bi and the campaign at Qing, laid the blame on Xian Hu and killed him, exterminating his whole clan. The gentleman said: "Disaster comes by one's own seeking; this refers to Xian Hu."

清丘之盟，晉以衛之救陳也討焉。使人弗去，曰：“罪無所歸，將加而師。”

On account of the covenant of Qingqiu, Jin censured Wei for rescuing Chen. The envoys sent were unwilling to leave, saying: "If the guilt has no place to fall, we will use arms against you."

孔達曰：“苟利社稷，請以我說。罪我之由。我則為政而亢大國之討，將以誰任？我則死之。”

Kong Da said: "If it benefits the altars of the state, please use me to explain. The guilt began with me. I held the government and resisted the attack of a great state; who else could bear it? I will die for this."

【經】十有四年春，衛殺其大夫孔達。夏五月壬申，曹伯壽卒。晉侯伐鄭。

[Classic] In the fourteenth year, spring, Wei killed its grandee Kong Da. In summer, on the renshen day of the fifth month, Shou, Earl of Cao, died. The Marquis of Jin attacked Zheng.

秋九月，楚子圍宋。葬曹文公。冬，公孫歸父會齊侯於谷。

In autumn, in the ninth month, the Viscount of Chu besieged Song. Duke Wen of Cao was buried. In winter, Gongsun Guifu met the Marquis of Qi at Gu.

【傳】十四年春，孔達縊而死。衛人以說於晉而免。遂告於諸侯曰：“寡君有不令之臣達，構我敝邑於大國，既伏其罪矣，敢告。”衛人以為成勞，復室其子，使復其位。

[Commentary] In the fourteenth year, spring, Kong Da hanged himself. The men of Wei used this to explain to Jin and escaped disaster. They then announced to the feudal lords: "Our ruler had a bad minister, Da, who made our humble state incur the resentment of a great state; he has already atoned for it, and we venture to announce it." The men of Wei thought he had rendered service, and again arranged a marriage for his son and restored him to his post.

夏，晉侯伐鄭，為邲故也。告於諸侯，蒐焉而還。中行桓子之謀也。曰：“示之以整，使謀而來。”鄭人懼，使子張代子良於楚。鄭伯如楚，謀晉故也。

In summer, the Marquis of Jin attacked Zheng, because of Bi. He announced it to the feudal lords, held a great hunt and returned. This was the plan of Zhonghang Huanzi, who said: "Show them our good order and let them plan for what comes after." The men of Zheng were afraid and sent Zizhang in Chu to replace Ziliang. The Earl of Zheng went to Chu to plan how to deal with Jin.

鄭以子良為有禮，故召之。

Zheng thought Ziliang had shown propriety, and so summoned him back.

楚子使申舟聘於齊，曰：“無假道於宋。”亦使公子馮聘於晉，不假道於鄭。

The Viscount of Chu sent Shen Zhou on a courtesy visit to Qi, saying: "Do not borrow passage from Song." He also sent Gongzi Feng on a courtesy visit to Jin, without borrowing passage from Zheng.

申舟以孟諸之役惡宋，曰：“鄭昭宋聾，晉使不害，我則必死。”王曰：“殺女，我伐之。”見犀而行。及宋，宋人止之，華元曰：“過我而不假道，鄙我也。鄙我，亡也。殺其使者必伐我，伐我亦亡也。亡一也。”乃殺之。楚子聞之，投袂而起，屨及於窒皇，劍及於寢門之外，車及於蒲胥之市。秋九月，楚子圍宋。

Shen Zhou, because of the hostility from the battle at Mengzhu, had a grudge with Song, and said: "Zheng is clear-sighted and Song is deaf; one who is sent to Jin will not be harmed, but I will certainly die." The King of Chu said: "If they kill you, I will attack them." Shen Zhou presented his son Xi to the King of Chu and then set out. When he reached Song, the men of Song detained him. Hua Yuan said: "To pass through our state without borrowing passage is to treat us as a border town. To treat us as a border town is to make us a ruined state. If we kill the envoy they will surely attack us, and being attacked is also ruin. Ruin is the same either way." And so they killed him. When the Viscount of Chu heard of it, he flung up his sleeve and rose; his shoes were put on only when his attendants caught up with him at the passage of the bedchamber gate, his sword was put on only when they caught up outside the bedchamber gate, and he boarded his chariot only when they reached the market of Puxu. In autumn, in the ninth month, the Viscount of Chu besieged Song.

冬，公孫歸父會齊侯於谷。見晏桓子，與之言魯樂。桓子告高宣子曰：“子家其亡乎，懷於魯矣。懷必貪，貪必謀人。謀人，人亦謀己。一國謀之，何以不亡？”孟獻子言於公曰：“臣聞小國之免於大國也，聘而獻物，於是有庭實旅百。

In winter, Gongsun Guifu met the Marquis of Qi at Gu. On seeing Yan Huanzi, he spoke to him of the joys of Lu. Huanzi told Gao Xuanzi: "Zijia will probably have to flee; he is already at ease in Lu. Being at ease must lead to greed, and greed must lead to scheming against others. Scheming against others, others also scheme against him. When the people of a whole state scheme against him, how could he not flee?" Meng Xianzi said to Duke Xuan: "I have heard that a small state escapes the calamity from a great state by courtesy visits and presenting gifts of wealth, so that the gifts displayed in the courtyard number in the hundreds.

朝而獻功，於是有容貌採章嘉淑，而有加貨。謀其不免也。誅而薦賄，則無及也。

(Meng Xianzi continued:) "They pay court and present their merits, and so there are fine items of fitting appearance and pattern, and also extra gifts of wealth. This is planning to escape a calamity that might not be escaped. Once one is blamed and punished and then sends gifts, it is too late."

今楚在宋，君其圖之。”公說。

(Meng Xianzi continued:) "Now Chu is in Song; I ask my lord to consider." Duke Xuan was pleased.

【經】十有五年春，公孫歸父會楚子於宋。夏五月，宋人及楚人平。六月癸卯，晉師滅赤狄潞氏，以潞子嬰兒歸。秦人伐晉。王札子殺召伯、毛伯。秋，螽。

[Classic] In the fifteenth year, spring, Gongsun Guifu met the Viscount of Chu in Song. In summer, in the fifth month, the men of Song made peace with the men of Chu. On the guimao day of the sixth month, the army of Jin destroyed the Lu clan of the Red Di and returned with the infant Viscount of Lu. The men of Qin attacked Jin. Wang Zhazi killed the Duke of Shao and the Duke of Mao. In autumn, there was a plague of locusts.

仲孫蔑會齊高固於無婁。初稅畝。冬，蝝生。飢。

Zhongsun Mie met Gao Gu of Qi at Wulou. For the first time taxes were levied by acreage of fields. In winter, locust nymphs appeared. There was famine.

【傳】十五年春，公孫歸父會楚子於宋。

[Commentary] In the fifteenth year, spring, Gongsun Guifu met the Viscount of Chu in Song.