Duke Cheng (Years 1 to 18)

【經】九年春王正月，杞伯來逆叔姬之喪以歸。公會晉侯、齊侯、宋公、衛侯、鄭伯、曹伯、莒子、杞伯，同盟於蒲。公至自會。二月伯姬歸於宋。夏，季孫行父如宋致女。晉人來媵。秋七月丙子，齊侯無野卒。晉人執鄭伯。晉欒書帥師伐鄭。冬十有一月，葬齊頃公。楚公子嬰齊帥師伐莒。庚申，莒潰。楚人入鄆。

[Classic] In the ninth year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, the Earl of Ji came to take the coffin of Shu Ji back. Duke Cheng joined the Marquis of Jin, the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Earl of Cao, the Viscount of Ju, and the Earl of Ji, and they made a covenant together at Pu. Duke Cheng returned from the meeting. In the second month, Bo Ji was married to Song. In summer, Jisun Xingfu went to Song to escort the bride. The men of Jin came to accompany her with secondary wives. In autumn, in the seventh month, on bingzi, Wuye, Marquis of Qi, died. The men of Jin seized the Earl of Zheng. Luan Shu of Jin led an army to attack Zheng. In winter, in the eleventh month, Duke Qing of Qi was buried. Prince Yingqi of Chu led an army to attack Ju. On gengshen, Ju collapsed. The men of Chu entered Yun.

秦人、白狄伐晉。鄭人圍許。城中城。

The men of Qin and the White Di attacked Jin. The men of Zheng besieged Xu. The Middle City was fortified.

【傳】九年春，杞桓公來逆叔姬之喪，請之也。杞叔姬卒，為杞故也。逆叔姬，為我也。

[Commentary] In the ninth year, in spring, Duke Huan of Ji came to take Shu Ji's coffin, and this was done at his request. Shu Ji of Ji died on account of Ji; the coffin was taken back for the sake of our state.

為歸汶陽之田故，諸侯貳於晉。晉人懼，會於蒲，以尋馬陵之盟。季文子謂範文子曰：“德則不競，尋盟何為？”範文子曰：“勤以撫之，寬以待之，堅強以御之，明神以要之，柔服而伐貳，德之次也。”是行也，將始會吳，吳人不至。

Because the fields north of the River Wen had been returned, the feudal lords had double hearts toward Jin. The men of Jin were afraid and met at Pu to renew the covenant of Maling. Ji Wenzi said to Fan Wenzi, "If we can no longer contend in virtue, what is the use of renewing the covenant?" Fan Wenzi said, "To comfort with diligence, to treat with generosity, to resist with firmness, and to bind with the spirits, comforting those who submit and attacking those who are double-minded, is a second-grade virtue." On this occasion they were about to begin meeting Wu, but the men of Wu did not come.

二月，伯姬歸於宋。

In the second month, Bo Ji was married to Song.

楚人以重賂求鄭，鄭伯會楚公子成於鄧。

The men of Chu sought Zheng with generous gifts, and the Earl of Zheng met Prince Cheng of Chu at Deng.

夏，季文子如宋致女，覆命，公享之。賦《韓奕》之五章，穆姜出於房，再拜，曰：“大夫勤辱，不忘先君以及嗣君，施及未亡人。先君猶有望也！敢拜大夫之重勤。”又賦《綠衣》之卒章而入。

In summer, Ji Wenzi went to Song to escort the bride, and on returning reported, and Duke Cheng gave a banquet for him. He recited the fifth stanza of "Han Yi," and Mu Jiang came out of her chamber, bowed twice, and said, "The grand officer has toiled and borne disgrace, and has not forgotten the former ruler and the successor ruler, extending this to me, who should have died. The former ruler also had this hope! I dare to thank the grand officer for his double diligence." She then recited the last stanza of "Lü Yi" and went in.

晉人來媵，禮也。

The men of Jin came to accompany the bride with secondary wives, which accorded with ritual.

秋，鄭伯如晉。晉人討其貳於楚也，執諸銅鞮。

In autumn, the Earl of Zheng went to Jin. The men of Jin punished him for being double-minded toward Chu and seized him at Tongdi.

欒書伐鄭，鄭人使伯蠲行成，晉人殺之，非禮也。兵交，使在其間可也。楚子重侵陳以救鄭。

Luan Shu attacked Zheng, and the men of Zheng sent Bo Juan to seek peace, but the men of Jin killed him, which was contrary to ritual. When armies are in contact, it is acceptable to have envoys between them. Zichong of Chu invaded Chen to relieve Zheng.

晉侯觀于軍府，見鍾儀，問之曰：“南冠而縶者，誰也？”有司對曰：“鄭人所獻楚囚也。”使稅之，召而吊之。再拜稽首。問其族，對曰：“泠人也。”

The Marquis of Jin inspected the army storehouse and saw Zhong Yi, and asked, "Who is that, bound and wearing a southern cap?" The officials replied, "A Chu prisoner presented by the men of Zheng." He had him unbound and summoned to be consoled. Zhong Yi bowed twice and touched his head to the ground. He asked about his family, and he replied, "I am a music officer."

公曰：“能樂乎？”對曰：“先父之職官也，敢有二事？”使與之琴，操南音。

The Marquis of Jin said, "Can you play music?" He replied, "It was my late father's post; would I dare have another occupation?" He gave him a zither, and he played southern melodies.

公曰：“君王何如？”對曰：“非小人之所得知也。”固問之，對曰：“其為大子也，師保奉之，以朝於嬰齊而夕於側也。不知其他。”公語範文子，文子曰：“楚囚，君子也。言稱先職，不背本也。樂操土風，不忘舊也。稱大子，抑無私也。名其二卿，尊君也。不背本，仁也。不忘舊，信也。無私，忠也。尊君。敏也。仁以接事，信以守之，忠以成之，敏以行之。事雖大，必濟。君盍歸之，使合晉、楚之成。”公從之，重為之禮，使歸求成。

The Marquis of Jin said, "What is your king like?" He replied, "That is not something a petty man can know." Asked again and again, he replied, "When he was heir, his tutors and guardians served him; in the morning he consulted Yingqi, and in the evening he consulted Ce. I know nothing else." The Marquis of Jin told Fan Wenzi. Wenzi said, "The Chu prisoner is a gentleman. In speaking, he mentions his forebears' occupation, which is not abandoning his root. In music, he plays the tunes of his homeland, which is not forgetting old ties. In calling him 'heir,' he suppresses private feeling. In naming the two ministers, he honors his ruler. Not abandoning one's root is humaneness. Not forgetting old ties is good faith. Having no private motive is loyalty. Honoring the ruler is quickness. With humaneness one takes on a matter, with good faith one guards it, with loyalty one accomplishes it, with quickness one carries it out. Even a great matter will surely succeed. Why does Your Lordship not send him back, to help bring about peace between Jin and Chu?" The Marquis of Jin followed this advice, treated him with great ceremony, and sent him back to seek peace.

冬十一月，楚子重自陳伐莒，圍渠丘。渠丘城惡，眾潰，奔莒。戊申，楚入渠丘。莒人囚楚公子平，楚人曰：“勿殺！吾歸而俘。”莒人殺之。楚師圍莒。

In winter, in the eleventh month, Zichong of Chu attacked Ju from Chen and besieged Quqiu. The wall of Quqiu fell, the people scattered and fled to Ju. On wushen, the men of Chu entered Quqiu. The men of Ju imprisoned Prince Ping of Chu, and the men of Chu said, "Do not kill him! We will return your captives." The men of Ju killed him. The Chu army besieged Ju.

莒城亦惡，庚申，莒潰。楚遂入鄆，莒無備故也。

The wall of Ju also fell, and on gengshen Ju collapsed. The men of Chu then entered Yun, because Ju had made no preparations.

君子曰：“恃陋而不備，罪之大者也；備豫不虞，善之大者也。莒恃其陋，而不修城郭，浹辰之間，而楚克其三都，無備也夫！《詩》曰：‘雖有絲、麻，無棄菅、蒯；雖有姬、姜，無棄蕉萃。凡百君子，莫不代匱。’言備之不可以已也。”

The gentleman said, "To rely on one's poverty and crudeness and not guard is the greatest of faults; to prepare in advance against the unexpected is the greatest of goods. Ju relied on its crudeness and did not repair its walls, and within twelve days Chu took three of its cities; this is lack of preparation! The Odes say: 'Though you have silk and hemp, do not discard the rushes and reeds; though you have Ji and Jiang ladies, do not discard the careworn. Among all gentlemen, there is none who will not come to want.' This says that preparation must never stop."

秦人、白狄伐晉，諸侯貳故也。

The men of Qin and the White Di attacked Jin because the feudal lords were double-minded.

鄭人圍許，示晉不急君也。是則公孫申謀之，曰：“我出師以圍許，為將改立君者，而紓晉使，晉必歸君。”

The men of Zheng besieged Xu to show Jin that they were not eager to get their ruler back. This was Gongsun Shen's plan, who said, "If we send out troops to besiege Xu, pretending we are about to install another ruler, and delay sending envoys to Jin, Jin will surely return our ruler."

城中城，書，時也。

The fortification of the Middle City is recorded in the Spring and Autumn because it was in accord with the season.

十二月，楚子使公子辰如晉，報鍾儀之使，請修好結成。

In the twelfth month, the Viscount of Chu sent Prince Chen to Jin, returning the mission of Zhong Yi and asking to make friendship and conclude a peace pact.

【經】十年春，衛侯之弟黑背帥師侵鄭。夏四月，五卜郊，不從，乃不郊。

[Classic] In the tenth year, in spring, Heibei, younger brother of the Marquis of Wei, led an army to invade Zheng. In summer, in the fourth month, divination was made five times for the suburban sacrifice, and all were unfavorable, so the suburban sacrifice was not held.

五月，公會晉侯、齊侯、宋公、衛侯、曹伯伐鄭。齊人來媵。丙午，晉侯獳卒。

In the fifth month, Duke Cheng joined the Marquis of Jin, the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, and the Earl of Cao in attacking Zheng. The men of Qi came to accompany the bride with secondary wives. On bingwu, Nu, Marquis of Jin, died.

秋七月，公如晉。冬十月。

In autumn, in the seventh month, Duke Cheng went to Jin. In winter, the tenth month.

【傳】十年春，晉侯使糴伐如楚，報大宰子商之使也。

[Commentary] In the tenth year, in spring, the Marquis of Jin sent Di Fa to Chu, returning the mission of the Grand Steward Zishang.

衛子叔黑背侵鄭，晉命也。

Zishu Heibei of Wei invaded Zheng by the order of Jin.

鄭公子班聞叔申之謀。三月，子如立公子繻。夏四月，鄭人殺繻，立髡頑。

Prince Ban of Zheng heard of Shu Shen's plan. In the third month, Ziru installed Prince Yi. In summer, in the fourth month, the men of Zheng killed Yi and installed Kunwan.

子如奔許。欒武子曰：“鄭人立君，我執一人焉，何益？不如伐鄭而歸其君，以求成焉。”晉侯有疾。五月，晉立大子州蒲以為君，而會諸侯伐鄭。鄭子罕賂以襄鍾，子然盟於修澤，子駟為質。辛巳，鄭伯歸。

Ziru fled to Xu. Luan Wuzi said, "The men of Zheng have installed a ruler; what benefit is there in our seizing one man? It would be better to attack Zheng and return their ruler, to seek peace." The Marquis of Jin was ill. In the fifth month, Jin installed the heir Zhoupu as ruler, and joined the feudal lords in attacking Zheng. Zihan of Zheng bribed with the bells of Duke Xiang, Ziran made a covenant at Xiuze, and Zisi was given as hostage. On xinsi, the Earl of Zheng returned.

晉侯夢大厲，被髮及地，搏膺而踴，曰：“殺餘孫，不義。餘得請於帝矣！”壞大門及寢門而入。公懼，入於室。又壞戶。公覺，召桑田巫。巫言如夢。公曰：“何如？曰：“不食新矣。”公疾病，求醫於秦。秦伯使醫緩為之。未至，公夢疾為二豎子，曰：“彼，良醫也。懼傷我，焉逃之？”其一曰：“居肓之上，膏之下，若我何？”醫至，曰：“疾不可為也。在肓之上，膏之下，攻之不可，達之不及，藥不至焉，不可為也。”公曰：“良醫也。”厚為之禮而歸之。六月丙午，晉侯欲麥，使甸人獻麥，饋人為之。召桑田巫，示而殺之。將食，張，如廁，陷而卒。小臣有晨夢負公以登天，及日中，負晉侯出諸廁，遂以為殉。

The Marquis of Jin dreamed of a great evil ghost with hair hanging to the ground, beating his breast and stamping, who said, "You killed my descendants, which is unrighteous. I have already asked the Lord on High and been granted it!" It smashed the great gate and the inner gate and entered. The Marquis of Jin was afraid and went into the inner chamber. It smashed the door too. The Marquis of Jin woke and summoned the shaman of Sangtian. The shaman said what was in the dream. The Marquis of Jin said, "What will happen?" The shaman said, "You will not eat the new wheat." The Marquis of Jin became gravely ill and asked Qin for a physician. The Earl of Qin sent the physician Huan to treat him. Before he arrived, the Marquis of Jin dreamed that the illness became two boys, who said, "That man is a good physician. I fear he will harm us; where can we flee?" One of them said, "If we stay above the huang and below the gao, what can he do to us?" The physician arrived and said, "The illness cannot be treated. It is above the huang and below the gao; moxibustion will not do, needles cannot reach it, and medicine cannot get there; it cannot be treated." The Marquis of Jin said, "A good physician." He gave him generous gifts and sent him back. In the sixth month, on bingwu, the Marquis of Jin wished to eat wheat, and had the field officer offer wheat, and the cook prepared it. He summoned the shaman of Sangtian, showed it to him and had him killed. About to eat, his belly swelled; he went to the privy and fell in and died. A minor attendant had dreamed that morning of carrying the Marquis of Jin up to heaven, and at midday carried the Marquis of Jin out of the privy, and so was made to die with him as a sacrifice.

鄭伯討立君者，戊申，殺叔申、叔禽。君子曰：“忠為令德，非其人猶不可，況不令乎？”秋，公如晉。晉人止公，使送葬。於是糴伐未反。

The Earl of Zheng punished those who had installed a ruler, and on wushen killed Shu Shen and Shu Qin. The gentleman said, "Loyalty is a virtue, but if directed at the wrong object it is still not acceptable, how much more if one is himself not good?" In autumn, Duke Cheng went to Jin. The men of Jin detained Duke Cheng and made him attend the funeral. At this time Di Fa had not yet returned.

冬，葬晉景公。公送葬，諸侯莫在。魯人辱之，故不書，諱之也。

In winter, Duke Jing of Jin was buried. Duke Cheng attended the funeral, and no feudal lords were present. The men of Lu took this as a disgrace, and so the Spring and Autumn does not record it, as a matter of avoidance.

【經】十有一年春王三月，公至自晉。晉侯使郤犨來聘，己丑，及郤犨盟。

[Classic] In the eleventh year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Cheng returned from Jin. The Marquis of Jin sent Xi Chou on a mission, and on jichou he made a covenant with Xi Chou.

夏，季孫行父如晉。秋，叔孫僑如如齊。冬十月。

In summer, Jisun Xingfu went to Jin. In autumn, Shusun Qiaoru went to Qi. In winter, the tenth month.

【傳】十一年春，王三月，公至自晉。晉人以公為貳於楚，故止公。公請受盟，而後使歸。

[Commentary] In the eleventh year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Cheng returned from Jin. The men of Jin thought Duke Cheng was double-minded toward Chu, and so detained him. Duke Cheng asked to accept the covenant, and then they let him go back.

郤犨來聘，且蒞盟。

Xi Chou came on a mission, and also attended the covenant in person.

聲伯之母不聘，穆姜曰：“吾不以妾為姒。”生聲伯而出之，嫁於齊管於奚。

The mother of Sheng Bo had not had the betrothal rites performed, and Mu Jiang said, "I do not regard a concubine as a sister-in-law." After she bore Sheng Bo, she was divorced and married to Guan Yuxi of Qi.

生二子而寡，以歸聲伯。聲伯以其外弟為大夫，而嫁其外妹於施孝叔。郤犨來聘，求婦於聲伯。聲伯奪施氏婦以與之。婦人曰：“鳥獸猶不失儷，子將若何？”曰：“吾不能死亡。”婦人遂行，生二子於郤氏。郤氏亡，晉人歸之施氏，施氏逆諸河，沉其二子。婦人怒曰：“己不能庇其伉儷而亡之，又不能字人之孤而殺之，將何以終？”遂誓施氏。

After bearing two children she was widowed and returned to Sheng Bo. Sheng Bo made her younger half-brother a grand officer and married his younger half-sister to Shi Xiaoshu. Xi Chou came on a mission and asked Sheng Bo for a wife. Sheng Bo took away Shi's wife and gave her to him. The woman said, "Even birds and beasts do not lose their mates; what will you do?" He said, "I cannot die for this." The woman then left, and bore two children in the Xi house. When the Xi house was destroyed, the men of Jin returned her to the Shi house. Shi met her at the Yellow River and drowned her two children in it. The woman was angry and said, "You could not protect your spouse and let her be lost, and you cannot love another's orphans but kill them; how will you come to a good end?" So she swore to cut off from the Shi house.

夏，季文子如晉報聘，且蒞盟也。

In summer, Ji Wenzi went to Jin to return the mission and also attended the covenant in person.

周公楚惡惠、襄之逼也，且與伯與爭政，不勝，怒而出。及陽樊，王使劉子復之，盟於鄄而入。三日，復出奔晉。

Chu, Duke of Zhou, hated the pressure of the kin of Kings Hui and Xiang, and also contended with Boyu for government, and, unable to win, left in anger. He reached Yangfan, and the Son of Heaven sent Liuzi to bring him back, and after making a covenant at Juan he entered the city. After three days he fled again to Jin.

秋，宣伯聘於齊，以修前好。

In autumn, Xuan Bo came on a mission to Qi, to renew the old friendship.

晉郤至與周爭鄇田，王命劉康公、單襄公訟諸晉。郤至曰：“溫，吾故也，故不敢失。”劉子、單子曰：“昔周克商，使諸侯撫封，蘇忿生以溫為司寇，與檀伯達封於河。蘇氏即狄，又不能於狄而奔衛。襄王勞文公而賜之溫，狐氏、陽氏先處之，而後及子。若治其故，則王官之邑也，子安得之？”晉侯使郤至勿敢爭。

Xi Zhi of Jin contended with the Zhou royal house over the fields of Hou, and the Son of Heaven ordered Liu Kanggong and Shan Xianggong to go to Jin to argue the case. Xi Zhi said, "Wen is our old possession, and so we dare not lose it." Liuzi and Shanzi said, "Formerly, when Zhou conquered Shang, the feudal lords were made to settle their borders; Su Fensheng held Wen as Minister of Crime and was enfeoffed with Tan Bo Da on the banks of the Yellow River. The Su clan was close to the Di and could not get on with them, and fled to Wei. King Xiang rewarded Duke Wen by giving Wen to him; the Hu and Yang clans lived there first, and only then did it come to you. If one traces back old possession, it was a city of the royal officials; how could you obtain it?" The Marquis of Jin told Xi Zhi not to dare to contend further.

宋華元善於令尹子重，又善於欒武子。聞楚人既許晉糴伐成，而使歸覆命矣。

Hua Yuan of Song was on good terms with the Chancellor Zichong and also with Luan Wuzi. He heard that the men of Chu had already agreed to peace with Di Fa of Jin and sent him back to report.

冬，華元如楚，遂如晉，合晉、楚之成。

In winter, Hua Yuan went to Chu, and then to Jin, and helped bring about peace between Jin and Chu.

秦、晉為成，將會於令狐。晉侯先至焉，秦伯不肯涉河，次於王城，使史顆盟晉侯於河東。晉郤犨盟秦伯於河西。範文子曰：“是盟也何益？齊盟，所以質信也。會所，信之始也。始之不從，其何質乎？”秦伯歸而背晉成。

Qin and Jin made peace and were to meet at Linghu. The Marquis of Jin arrived first, but the Earl of Qin would not cross the river and encamped at Wangcheng, and sent Shi Ke to make a covenant with the Marquis of Jin east of the river. Xi Chou of Jin made a covenant with the Earl of Qin west of the river. Fan Wenzi said, "What benefit is there in this covenant? Swearing together is to bear witness to good faith. The place of the meeting is the beginning of good faith. If it is not followed at the beginning, what is there to bear witness to?" After the Earl of Qin returned, he broke the peace with Jin.

【經】十有二年春，周公出奔晉。夏，公會晉侯、衛侯於瑣澤。秋，晉人敗狄於交剛。冬十月。

[Classic] In the twelfth year, in spring, the Duke of Zhou fled to Jin. In summer, Duke Cheng met the Marquis of Jin and the Marquis of Wei at Suoze. In autumn, the men of Jin defeated the Di at Jiaogang. In winter, the tenth month.

【傳】十二年春，王使以周公之難來告。書曰：“周公出奔晉。”凡自周無出，周公自出故也。

[Commentary] In the twelfth year, in spring, the Son of Heaven sent a man to report the Duke of Zhou's misfortune. The Spring and Autumn records: "The Duke of Zhou fled to Jin." When someone leaves the Zhou house it is not called "fleeing," but the Duke of Zhou is so recorded because he left on his own.

宋華元克合晉、楚之成。夏五月，晉士燮會楚公子罷、許偃。癸亥，盟於宋西門之外，曰：“凡晉、楚無相加戎，好惡同之，同恤菑危，備救兇患。若有害楚，則晉伐之。在晉，楚亦如之。交贄往來，道路無壅，謀其不協，而討不庭。

Hua Yuan of Song finally brought about peace between Jin and Chu. In summer, in the fifth month, Shi Xie of Jin met Prince Ba and Xu Yan of Chu. On guihai, they made a covenant outside the west gate of Song, saying, "Jin and Chu shall not use arms against each other, shall share likes and dislikes, shall together relieve disaster and danger, and shall guard and aid in times of calamity. If anyone harms Chu, Jin will attack him; in Jin's case, Chu shall do likewise. Envoys shall come and go, the roads shall not be blocked, those who plot against harmony shall be punished, and those who do not come to the Son of Heaven shall be attacked.

有渝此盟，明神殛之，俾隊其師，無克胙國。”鄭伯如晉聽成，會於瑣澤，成故也。

(The text of the covenant continued:) Whoever violates this covenant, the spirits shall slay him, cause his army to fall, and he shall not possess his state." The Earl of Zheng went to Jin to hear the peace agreement and met at Suoze, because of the peace.

狄人間宋之盟以侵晉，而不設備。秋，晉人敗狄於交剛。

The Di took advantage of the covenant in Song to invade Jin, but did not set up defenses. In autumn, the men of Jin defeated the Di at Jiaogang.

晉郤至如楚聘，且蒞盟。楚子享之，子反相，為地室而縣焉。郤至將登，金奏作於下，驚而走出。子反曰：“日雲莫矣，寡君須矣，吾子其入也！”賓曰：“君不忘先君之好，施及下臣，貺之以大禮，重之以備樂。如天之福，兩君相見，何以代此。下臣不敢。”子反曰：“如天之福，兩君相見，無亦唯是一矢以相加遺，焉用樂？寡君須矣，吾子其入也！”賓曰：“若讓之以一矢，禍之大者，其何福之為？世之治也，諸侯鬧於天子之事，則相朝也，於是乎有享宴之禮。享以訓共儉，宴以示慈惠。共儉以行禮，而慈惠以佈政。政以禮成，民是以息。百官承事，朝而不夕，此公侯之所以扞城其民也。故《詩》曰：‘赳赳武夫，公侯干城。’及其亂也，諸侯貪冒，侵欲不忌，爭尋常以盡其民，略其武夫，以為己腹心股肱爪牙。故《詩》曰：‘赳赳武夫，公侯腹心。’天下有道，則公侯能為民干城，而制其腹心。亂則反之。今吾子之言，亂之道也，不可以為法。然吾子，主也，至敢不從？”遂入，卒事。歸，以語範文子。文子曰：“無禮必食言，吾死無日矣夫！”冬，楚公子罷如晉聘，且蒞盟。十二月，晉侯及楚公子罷盟於赤棘。

Xi Zhi of Jin went to Chu on a mission and also attended the covenant in person. The Viscount of Chu gave a banquet for him, with Zifan as master of ceremonies, and a chamber was dug in the ground in which instruments were hung. As Xi Zhi was about to go up into the hall, the music of bells and chimes was struck up below, and, startled, he ran out. Zifan said, "The day is already late, and our humble ruler is waiting; please go in!" The guest said, "His Majesty has not forgotten the friendship of our former rulers, extends it to your servant, bestows on me a great ritual, and adds complete music. If Heaven bestows blessing and the two rulers meet, what would replace this? I do not dare." Zifan said, "If Heaven bestows blessing and the two rulers meet, they would do no more than exchange a single arrow; what need is there of music? Our humble ruler is waiting; please go in!" The guest said, "If the two rulers yield to each other with a single arrow, that is the greatest of calamities; what blessing would that be? When the world is well governed, the feudal lords complete the Son of Heaven's affairs and then visit one another, and so there are the rites of banquet and feast. In the base text the character 'nao' is read 'jian' (interval). The banquet is used to instruct in respectfulness and frugality, and the feast to show kindness and generosity. Respect and frugality are used to carry out ritual, and kindness and generosity to carry out government. When government is completed through ritual, the people are therefore at rest. The hundred officials bear their duties, appear at court in the morning and do not return in the evening; this is how dukes and marquises defend the people. Therefore the Odes say: 'Valiant warriors, the shield and wall of dukes and marquises.' When disorder comes, the feudal lords are greedy and rapacious, their desire to encroach knows no scruple, they fight over a foot of land and use up the people, and seize those warriors to make them their own belly and heart, limbs, claws and teeth. Therefore the Odes say: 'Valiant warriors, the belly and heart of dukes and marquises.' When the world has the Way, dukes and marquises can be the shield and wall of the people and keep their own belly and heart in check. When there is disorder it is the reverse. Now what you say is the principle of disorder and cannot be taken as a norm. But you are the host; how could I dare not follow?" So he went in and completed the matter. On returning he told Fan Wenzi. Wenzi said, "Without ritual, one's words will surely not be kept; we shall not have many days to live!" In winter, Prince Ba of Chu came to Jin on a mission and attended the covenant in person. In the twelfth month, the Marquis of Jin and Prince Ba of Chu made a covenant at Chiji.

【經】十有三年春，晉侯使郤錡來乞師。三月，公如京師。夏五月，公自京師，遂會晉侯、齊侯、宋公、衛侯、鄭伯、曹伯、邾人、滕人伐秦。曹伯盧卒於師。秋七月，公至自伐秦。冬，葬曹宣公。

[Classic] In the thirteenth year, in spring, the Marquis of Jin sent Xi Qi to ask for troops. In the third month, Duke Cheng went to the capital. In summer, in the fifth month, Duke Cheng set out from the capital and then joined the Marquis of Jin, the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Earl of Cao, the men of Zhu, and the men of Teng in attacking Qin. Lu, Earl of Cao, died in the army. In autumn, in the seventh month, Duke Cheng returned from the attack on Qin. In winter, Duke Xuan of Cao was buried.

【傳】十三年春，晉侯使郤錡來乞師，將事不敬。孟獻子曰：“郤氏其亡乎！禮，身之幹也。敬，身之基也。郤子無基。且先君之嗣卿也，受命以求師，將社稷是衛，而惰，棄君命也。不亡何為？”三月，公如京師。宣伯欲賜，請先使，王以行人之禮禮焉。孟獻子從。王以為介，而重賄之。

[Commentary] In the spring of the thirteenth year, the Marquis of Jin sent Xi Qi to ask for troops, and he conducted the business without respect. Meng Xianzi said: "The Xi clan will probably perish! Ritual is the trunk of the body. Reverence is the foundation of the body. Xi Zi has no foundation. Moreover, he is a successor minister of the former ruler, who received a command to ask for troops, which is to protect the altars of the state, yet he is lax; this is abandoning the ruler's command. What will he do if not perish?" In the third month, Duke Cheng went to the royal capital. Xuan Bo wished to obtain a reward and asked to go first as envoy, and the Son of Heaven received him with the ritual for a traveling envoy. Meng Xianzi followed. The Son of Heaven treated him as a deputy envoy and gave generous gifts of goods.

公及諸侯朝王，遂從劉康公、成肅公會晉侯伐秦。成子受脤於社，不敬。劉子曰：“吾聞之，民受天地之中以生，所謂命也。是以有動作禮義威儀之則，以定命也。能者養以之福，不能者敗以取禍。是故君子勤禮，小人盡力，勤禮莫如致敬，盡力莫如敦篤。敬在養神，篤在守業。國之大事，在祀與戎，祀有執膰，戎有受脤，神之大節也。今成子惰，棄其命矣，其不反乎？”夏四月戊午，晉侯使呂相絕秦，曰：“昔逮我獻公，及穆公相好，戮力同心，申之以盟誓，重之以昏姻。天禍晉國，文公如齊，惠公如秦。無祿，獻公即世，穆公不忘舊德，俾我惠公用能奉祀於晉。又不能成大勳，而為韓之師。亦悔於厥心，用集我文公，是穆之成也。文公躬擐甲冑，跋履山川，逾越險阻，征東之諸侯，虞、夏、商、周之胤，而朝諸秦，則亦既報舊德矣。鄭人怒君之疆埸，我文公帥諸侯及秦圍鄭。秦大夫不詢於我寡君，擅及鄭盟。諸侯疾之，將致命於秦。

Duke Cheng and the feudal lords paid court to the Son of Heaven, and then followed Duke Kang of Liu and Duke Su of Cheng in joining the Marquis of Jin to attack Qin. Chengzi, receiving the sacrificial meat at the altar, was not respectful. Master Liu said: "I have heard that people are born receiving the balanced vital energy of heaven and earth, which is what is called destiny. Therefore there are standards of ritual, righteousness, and dignified conduct in action, to settle destiny. Those who are able nurture it and obtain blessing, and those who are unable ruin it and bring on calamity. So the gentleman is diligent in ritual and the petty man exerts his strength; for diligence in ritual nothing is better than showing reverence, and for exerting strength nothing is better than being sincere and solid. Reverence lies in serving the spirits, and sincerity in guarding one's basic work. The great affairs of a state are in sacrifice and war; in sacrifice there is the distribution of sacrificial meat, and in war there is the receiving of sacrificial meat, which are the great observances of serving the spirits. Now Chengzi is lax and has abandoned his destiny; will he not fail to return?" In summer, on the wuwu day of the fourth month, the Marquis of Jin sent Lu Xiang to break relations with Qin, saying: "Formerly, from our Duke Xian onward, we were on good terms with Duke Mu, joined in strength and unity of heart, made it clear by oaths, and reinforced it by marriage. Heaven sent calamity down upon Jin; Duke Wen went to Qi and Duke Hui went to Qin. Unfortunately, Duke Xian died, but Duke Mu did not forget the old kindness and enabled our Duke Hui to carry out the sacrifices in Jin. But he could not achieve great success, and there was the dispatch of troops at Han. Afterward he also repented in his heart, and so he brought about the accomplishment of our Duke Wen; this was Duke Mu's making. Duke Wen himself put on armor, crossed mountains and rivers, passed over dangerous obstacles, summoned the feudal lords of the east, the descendants of Yu, Xia, Shang, and Zhou, to pay court to Qin, and thereby already repaid the old kindness. The men of Zheng offended against Your Majesty's frontier, and our Duke Wen led the feudal lords and Qin in besieging Zheng. The high officers of Qin did not consult our ruler but on their own made a covenant with Zheng. The feudal lords hated it, and were prepared to fight Qin to the death.

文公恐懼，綏靜諸侯，秦師克還無害，則是我有大造於西也。無祿，文公即世，穆為不弔，蔑死我君，寡我襄公，迭我淆地，奸絕我好，伐我保城，殄滅我費滑，散離我兄弟，撓亂我同盟，傾覆我國家。我襄公未忘君之舊勳，而懼社稷之隕，是以有殽之師。猶願赦罪於穆公，穆公弗聽，而即楚謀我。天誘其衷，成王殞命，穆公是以不克逞志於我。穆、襄即世，康、靈即位。康公，我之自出，又欲闕翦我公室，傾覆我社稷，帥我蝥賊，以來蕩搖我邊疆。我是以有令狐之役。康猶不悛，入我河曲，伐我涑川，俘我王官，翦我羈馬，我是以有河曲之戰。東道之不通，則是康公絕我好也。

(Lu Xiang continued:) Duke Wen was afraid, and pacified the feudal lords, and the army of Qin was able to go back without being harmed; this is the great merit we have toward the west. Unfortunately, Duke Wen died, and Duke Mu did not offer condolences properly, despised our deceased ruler, bullied our Duke Xiang, suddenly invaded our Xiao (the base text has a variant character here, meaning Xiao), broke off our friendship, attacked our fortresses, destroyed our Fei and Hua, scattered our brothers, disturbed our allies, and overturned our state. Our Duke Xiang did not forget Your Majesty's former merit, but feared that the altars of the state would fall, and so there was the battle at Xiao. He was still willing to confess his fault to Duke Mu, but Duke Mu did not listen, and instead drew close to Chu to plot against us. Heaven guided his intentions, and King Cheng lost his life, and so Duke Mu could not have his way with us. Duke Mu and Duke Xiang died, and Duke Kang and Duke Ling took the throne. Duke Kang was born from our house, but he again wished to diminish and cut down our ducal house, overturn our altars, and, leading our vermin, to shake our frontier. We therefore had the battle at Linghu. Duke Kang still did not repent, but entered our Hequ, attacked our Su River, plundered our Wangguan, and cut down our Jima, and so we had the battle at Hequ. The road to the east was cut off, because Duke Kang severed our friendship.

及君之嗣也，我君景公引領西望曰：‘庶撫我乎！’君亦不惠稱盟，利吾有狄難，入我河縣，焚我箕、郜，芟夷我農功，虔劉我邊陲。我是以有輔氏之聚。

(Lu Xiang continued:) When Your Majesty came to the succession, our ruler Duke Jing craned his neck toward the west and said: 'He will probably comfort us!' Your Majesty also did not show kindness by holding a covenant, but took advantage of our calamity with the Di, entered our counties by the Yellow River, burned our Ji and Gao, cut off our harvest, and killed along our borders. We therefore had the assembly at Fu.

“君亦悔禍之延，而欲徼福於先君獻、穆，使伯車來，命我景公曰：‘吾與女同好棄惡，復修舊德，以追念前勳，’言誓未就，景公即世，我寡君是以有令狐之會。君又不祥，背棄盟誓。白狄及君同州，君之仇讎，而我之昏姻也。君來賜命曰：‘吾與女伐狄。’寡君不敢顧昏姻，畏君之威，而受命於吏。君有二心於狄，曰：‘晉將伐女。’狄應且憎，是用告我。楚人惡君之二三其德也，亦來告我曰：‘秦背令狐之盟，而來求盟於我：“昭告昊天上帝、秦三公、楚三王曰：‘餘雖與晉出入，餘唯利是視。’不穀惡其無成德，是用宣之，以懲不壹。”諸侯備聞此言，斯是用痛心疾首，暱就寡人。寡人帥以聽命，唯好是求。君若惠顧諸侯，矜哀寡人，而賜之盟，則寡人之願也。其承寧諸侯以退，豈敢徼亂。君若不施大惠，寡人不佞，其不能以諸侯退矣。敢盡布之執事，俾執事實圖利之！”秦桓公既與晉厲公為令狐之盟，而又召狄與楚，欲道以伐晉，諸侯是以睦於晉。晉欒書將中軍，荀庚佐之。士燮將上軍，郤錡佐之。韓厥將下軍，荀罃佐之。

(Lu Xiang continued:) "Your Majesty also regretted the prolongation of the calamity, and wished to seek blessing from the former rulers Duke Xian and Duke Mu, and sent Bo Che to come and command our Duke Jing: 'I and you shall be on good terms together, abandon enmity, restore the old virtue, and remember the former merit.' The oath had not yet been completed when Duke Jing died, and our ruler therefore had the meeting at Linghu. Your Majesty again acted badly and broke the oath. The White Di share a province with Your Majesty and are Your Majesty's enemies, yet are our relatives by marriage. Your Majesty came to give the command: 'I and you shall attack the Di.' Our ruler dared not think of the marriage tie, feared Your Majesty's majesty, and received the orders from the officials. Your Majesty had a divided heart toward the Di, saying: 'Jin will attack you.' The Di agreed on the surface but hated it inwardly, and therefore told us. The men of Chu also disliked Your Majesty's wavering virtue, and came to tell us as well: 'Qin broke the covenant of Linghu and came to ask us for a covenant: "They clearly prayed to August Heaven, the Lord on High, the three dukes of Qin, and the three kings of Chu: 'Although I have dealings with Jin, I look only at advantage.' I, the unworthy one, hated that he had no settled virtue, and therefore make this known, to warn against double-dealing."' The feudal lords all heard these words, and so were aggrieved and grew close to me. I led them to listen to your commands, seeking only friendship. If Your Majesty would favor the feudal lords, have pity on me, and grant a covenant, that is my wish. I will retire the troops, bearing the pacification of the feudal lords; how dare I seek disorder. If Your Majesty does not show great kindness, I am untalented and will not be able to lead the feudal lords back. I venture to state it all to your officials, so that they may truly consider the advantage and harm!" Duke Huan of Qin had already made the Linghu covenant with Duke Li of Jin, and again summoned the Di and Chu, wishing to induce them to attack Jin, and so the feudal lords became friendly with Jin. Luan Shu of Jin commanded the central army, with Xun Geng assisting. Shi Xie commanded the upper army, with Xi Qi assisting. Han Jue commanded the lower army, with Xun Ying assisting.