Duke Xiang (Years 1 to 31)

【經】六年春王三月，壬午，杞伯姑容卒。夏，宋華弱來奔。秋，杞葬桓公。

[Classic] In the sixth year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, on the renwu day, Gurong, Earl of Qi, died. In summer, Hua Ruo of Song came to take refuge. In autumn, Duke Huan of Qi was buried. (The base text has the words in a different order for "Duke Huan of Qi was buried.")

滕子來朝。莒人滅鄫。冬，叔孫豹如邾，季孫宿如晉。十有二月，齊侯滅萊。

The Viscount of Teng came to court. The men of Ju destroyed Zeng. In winter, Shu Sun Bao went to Zhu, and Ji Sun Su went to Jin. In the twelfth month, the Marquis of Qi destroyed Lai.

【傳】六年春，杞桓公卒，始赴以名，同盟故也。

[Commentary] In the sixth year, in spring, Duke Huan of Qi died, and the death was announced by name for the first time, because of the covenant.

宋華弱與樂轡少相狎，長相優，又相謗也。子蕩怒，以弓梏華弱於朝。平公見之，曰：“司武而梏於朝，難以勝矣！”遂逐之。夏，宋華弱來奔。司城子罕曰：“同罪異罰，非刑也。專戮於朝，罪孰大焉！”亦逐子蕩。子蕩射子罕之門，曰：“幾日而不我從！”子罕善之如初。

Hua Ruo and Yue Pei of Song were intimate with each other when young, teased each other when grown, and again slandered each other. Zidang was angry and shackled Hua Ruo in the court with a bow. Duke Ping saw it and said: "A Minister of War who is shackled in the court will find it hard to win!" and drove him out. In summer, Hua Ruo of Song came to take refuge. Zihan, Minister of the City, said: "Different punishments for the same crime are not punishment. To exercise punishment and killing on one's own authority in the court, is there any greater offense!" and he drove out Zidang too. Zidang shot at Zihan's gate and said: "In a few days, will you not follow me!" Zihan treated him well as before.

秋，滕成公來朝，始朝公也。

In autumn, Duke Cheng of Teng came to court, the first court visit to Duke Xiang.

莒人滅鄫，鄫恃賂也。

The men of Ju destroyed Zeng, because Zeng relied on its wealth.

冬，穆叔如邾，聘，且修平。

In winter, Mu Shu went to Zhu on a visit, and also to restore friendship.

晉人以鄫故來討，曰：“何故亡鄫？”季武子如晉見，且聽命。

The men of Jin came to call us to account on account of Zeng, saying: "Why did you destroy Zeng?" Ji Wusi went to Jin to appear before them and also to hear their orders.

十一月，齊侯滅萊，萊恃謀也。於鄭子國之來聘也，四月，晏弱城東陽，而遂圍萊。甲寅，堙之環城，傅於堞。及杞桓公卒之月，乙未，王湫帥師及正輿子、棠人軍齊師，齊師大敗之。丁未，入萊。萊共公浮柔奔棠。正輿子、王湫奔莒，莒人殺之。四月，陳無宇獻萊宗器於襄宮。晏弱圍棠，十一月丙辰，而滅之。遷萊於郳。高厚、崔杼定其田。

In the eleventh month, the Marquis of Qi destroyed Lai, because Lai relied on scheming. When Ziguo of Zheng came on a visit, in the fourth month, Yan Ruo built the wall of Dongyang and then besieged Lai. On the jiayin day, they piled up earth mounds around the city wall and reached the parapets. In the month when Duke Huan of Qi died, on the yiwei day, Wang Qiu led an army with Zheng Yuzi and the men of Tang to resist the Qi army, and the Qi army defeated them utterly. On the dingwei day, they entered Lai. Duke Gong of Lai, Fu Rou, fled to Tang. Zheng Yuzi and Wang Qiu fled to Ju, and the men of Ju killed them. In the fourth month, Chen Wuyu presented the ritual vessels of the Lai ancestral temple to the Temple of Duke Xiang. Yan Ruo besieged Tang, and on the bingchen day of the eleventh month destroyed it. He moved the people of Lai to Ni. Gao Hou and Cui Zhu delimited its fields.

【經】七年春，郯子來朝。夏四月，三卜郊，不從，乃免牲。小邾子來朝。

[Classic] In the seventh year, in spring, the Viscount of Tan came to court. In summer, in the fourth month, divination was done three times for the suburban sacrifice and none was favorable, so the sacrificial animals were dispensed with. The Viscount of Little Zhu came to court.

城費。秋，季孫宿如衛。八月，螽。冬十月，衛侯使孫林父來聘。壬戌，及孫林父盟。楚公子貞帥師圍陳。十有二月，公會晉侯、宋公、陳侯、衛侯、曹伯、莒子、邾子於鄬。鄭伯髡頑如會，未見諸侯，丙戌，卒於鄵。陳侯逃歸。

The wall of Fei was built. In autumn, Ji Sun Su went to Wei. In the eighth month, there was a plague of locusts. In winter, in the tenth month, the Marquis of Wei sent Sun Linfu on a visit. On the renxu day, a covenant was made with Sun Linfu. Prince Zhen of Chu led an army to besiege Chen. In the twelfth month, Duke Xiang met the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Cao, the Viscount of Ju and the Viscount of Zhu at Wei. Kun Wan, Earl of Zheng, set out for the meeting, but before he had met the feudal lords, on the bingxu day he died at Cao. The Marquis of Chen fled back.

【傳】七年春，郯子來朝，始朝公也。

[Commentary] In the seventh year, in spring, the Viscount of Tan came to court, his first court visit to Duke Xiang.

夏四月，三卜郊，不從，乃免牲。孟獻子曰：“吾乃今而後知有卜筮。夫郊，祀后稷以祈農事也。是故啟蟄而郊，郊而後耕。今既耕而卜郊，宜其不從也。”

In summer, in the fourth month, divination was done three times for the suburban sacrifice and none was favorable, so the sacrificial animals were dispensed with. Meng Xianzi said: "Only today do I know that there is divination. The suburban sacrifice is to sacrifice to Hou Ji to pray for farming. Therefore the suburban sacrifice is held at the awakening of insects, and plowing follows it. Now plowing has already been done and only then is there divination for the suburban sacrifice; it is right that it was not favorable."

南遺為費宰。叔仲昭伯為隧正，欲善季氏而求媚於南遺，謂遺：“請城費，吾多與而役。”故季氏城費。

Nan Yi was steward of Fei. Shu Zhong Zhaobo was Master of the Ways and wished to curry favor with the Ji clan and flatter Nan Yi, and said to Yi: "Please build the wall of Fei, and I will give you many laborers." So the Ji clan built the wall of Fei.

小邾穆公來朝，亦始朝公也。

Duke Mu of Little Zhu came to court, also his first court visit to Duke Xiang.

秋，季武子如衛，報子叔之聘，且辭緩報，非貳也。

In autumn, Ji Wuzi went to Wei to return Zishu's visit, and also to explain that the return visit was late and not because of a divided heart.

冬十月，晉韓獻子告老。公族穆子有廢疾，將立之。辭曰：“《詩》曰：‘豈不夙夜，謂行多露。’又曰：‘弗躬弗親，庶民弗信。’無忌不才，讓，其可乎？請立起也！與田蘇遊，而曰好仁。《詩》曰：‘靖共爾位，好是正直。神之聽之，介爾景福。’恤民為德，正直為正，正曲為直，參和為仁。如是，則神聽之，介福降之。立之，不亦可乎？”庚戌，使宣子朝，遂老。晉侯謂韓無忌仁，使掌公族大夫。

In winter, in the tenth month, Han Xianzi of Jin asked to retire on grounds of old age. Mu Zi of the ducal clan had a disability, but they were going to appoint him. He declined, saying: “The Odes say: ‘Do I not wish to hurry morning and night? It is only that there is too much dew on the road.’ It also says: ‘If you do not do it in person, the people do not trust you.’ Wuji has no talent; would it not be acceptable to yield the position? Please appoint him, Han Qi! He associated with Tian Su, and Tian Su said he loves benevolence. The Odes say: ‘Quietly and reverently keep your post and love this uprightness. The spirits will hear it and bestow great blessings on you.’ To care for the people is virtue, to make oneself upright is rectitude, to straighten what is crooked in others is straightness, and the combination of these three is benevolence. Such a man, the spirits will hear and great blessings will come. Would it not also be acceptable to appoint him?” On the day gengxu, he had Xuanzi have an audience, and then retired on grounds of old age. The Marquis of Jin considered Han Wuji benevolent and had him take charge of the grandees of the ducal clan.

衛孫文子來聘，且拜武子之言，而尋孫桓子之盟。公登亦登。叔孫穆子相，趨進曰：“諸侯之會，寡君未嘗後衛君。今吾子不後寡君，寡君未知所過。吾子其少安！”孫子無辭，亦無悛容。

Sun Wenzi of Wei came on a visit and also expressed thanks for the words of Wuzi and renewed the covenant of Sun Huanzi. When Duke Xiang ascended the steps, he ascended the steps too. Shusun Muzi was the master of ceremonies and hurried forward, saying: “When the lords meet, my lord has never trailed behind the lord of Wei. Now that you do not trail behind my lord, my lord does not yet know where his fault lies. Please go a little slower!” Sun Zi had nothing to say and showed no sign of regret.

穆叔曰：“孫子必亡。為臣而君，過而不悛，亡之本也。《詩》曰：‘退食自公，委蛇委蛇。’謂從者也。衡而委蛇必折。”

Mu Shu said: “Sun Zi is sure to perish. To be a minister yet behave like a ruler, and to have faults yet not mend them, is the root of ruin. The Odes say: ‘Leaving the ducal court to dine, at leisure and content.’ This speaks of those who are compliant. To be overbearing yet at ease is sure to end in being broken.”

楚子囊圍陳，會於鄬以救之。

Zinang of Chu besieged Chen, and a meeting was held at Wei to rescue it.

鄭僖公之為大子也，於成之十六年，與子罕適晉，不禮焉。又與子豐適楚，亦不禮焉。及其元年，朝於晉。子豐欲愬諸晉而廢之，子罕止之。及將會於鄬，子駟相，又不禮焉。侍者諫，不聽，又諫，殺之。及鄵，子駟使賊夜弒僖公，而以瘧疾赴於諸侯。簡公生五年，奉而立之。

When Duke Xi of Zheng was crown prince, in the sixteenth year of Duke Cheng, he went to Jin with Zihan and did not treat him with propriety. He also went to Chu with Zifeng and again did not treat him with propriety. When it was his first year, he went to the court of Jin. Zifeng wanted to accuse him before Jin and have him deposed, but Zihan stopped him. When the meeting at Wei was about to be held, Zisi served as master of ceremonies and again he did not treat him with propriety. His attendants remonstrated and he did not listen; when they remonstrated again, he killed the attendant. When they reached Cao, Zisi sent assassins by night to murder Duke Xi, and announced the death to the lords as due to malaria. Duke Jian was born five years earlier, and they installed him.

陳人患楚。慶虎、慶寅謂楚人曰：“吾使公子黃往而執之。”楚人從之。二慶使告陳侯於會，曰：“楚人執公子黃矣！君若不來，群臣不忍社稷宗廟，懼有二圖。”陳侯逃歸。

The men of Chen were worried about Chu. Qing Hu and Qing Yin said to the men of Chu: “We will send Prince Huang there, and you arrest him.” The men of Chu agreed. The two Qings sent someone to the meeting to tell the Marquis of Chen: “The people of Chu have already arrested Prince Huang! If you, my lord, do not come, we ministers cannot bear to see the altars and ancestral temples lost, and fear we may have to make other plans.” The Marquis of Chen fled back.

【經】八年春王正月，公如晉。夏，葬鄭僖公。鄭人侵蔡，獲蔡公子燮。季孫宿會晉侯、鄭伯、齊人、宋人、衛人、邾人於邢丘。公至自晉。莒人伐我東鄙。

[Classic] In the eighth year, in spring, in the first month by the Zhou king's calendar, Duke Xiang went to Jin. In summer, Duke Xi of Zheng was buried. The men of Zheng raided Cai and captured Prince Xie of Cai. Ji Sunsu met the Marquis of Jin, the Earl of Zheng, and the men of Qi, Song, Wei and Zhu at Xingqiu. Duke Xiang returned from Jin. The men of Ju attacked our eastern border.

秋九月，大雩。冬，楚公子貞帥師伐鄭。晉侯使士匄來聘。

In autumn, in the ninth month, the great rain sacrifice was held. In winter, Prince Zhen of Chu led an army to attack Zheng. The Marquis of Jin sent Shi Gai on a visit.

【傳】八年春，公如晉，朝，且聽朝聘之數。

[Commentary] In the eighth year, in spring, Duke Xiang went to Jin, paid court, and also heard the regulations for court and diplomatic visits.

鄭群公子以僖公之死也，謀子駟。子駟先之。夏四月庚辰，闢殺子狐、子熙、子侯、子丁。孫擊、孫惡出奔衛。

The princes of Zheng, because of the death of Duke Xi, plotted against Zisi. Zisi struck first. In summer, in the fourth month, on the day gengchen, he had Zihu, Zixi, Zihou and Ziding killed. Sun Ji and Sun E fled to Wei.

庚寅，鄭子國、子耳侵蔡，獲蔡司馬公子燮。鄭人皆喜，唯子產不順，曰：“小國無文德，而有武功，禍莫大焉。楚人來討，能勿從乎？從之，晉師必至。

On the day gengyin, Ziguo and Zier of Zheng raided Cai and captured Prince Xie, the Marshal of Cai. The men of Zheng were all delighted; only Zichan did not join in, saying: “A small state without civil virtue but with military success has no greater disaster. The people of Chu will come to punish us; can we help but obey? If we obey, the army of Jin will surely come.

晉、楚伐鄭，自今鄭國不四五年，弗得寧矣。”子國怒之曰：“爾何知？國有大命，而有正卿。童子言焉，將為戮矣。”

(Zichan continued:) If Jin and Chu attack Zheng, from now on Zheng will not have peace for four or five years.” Ziguo was angry with him and said: “What do you know? The state has its great mandate and has its chief minister. A child has come to speak; he is about to be killed.”

五月甲辰，會於邢丘，以命朝聘之數，使諸侯之大夫聽命。季孫宿、齊高厚、宋向戌、衛寧殖、邾大夫會之。鄭伯獻捷於會，故親聽命。大夫不書，尊晉侯也。

In the fifth month, on the day jiachen, they met at Xingqiu to set the rules for court and diplomatic visits and to have the grandees of the lords receive orders. Ji Sunsu, Gao Hou of Qi, Xiang Xu of Song, Ning Zhi of Wei, and a grandee of Zhu attended. The Earl of Zheng presented captives at the meeting, and so personally heard the orders. The names of the grandees are not recorded in the Annals, out of respect for the Marquis of Jin.

莒人伐我東鄙，以疆鄫田。

The men of Ju attacked our eastern border to fix the boundary of the fields of Zeng.

秋九月，大雩，旱也。

In autumn, in the ninth month, the great rain sacrifice was held because of drought.

冬，楚子囊伐鄭，討其侵蔡也。

In winter, Zinang of Chu attacked Zheng to punish it for raiding Cai.

子駟、子國、子耳欲從楚，子孔、子蟜、子展欲待晉。子駟曰：“《周詩》有之曰：‘俟河之清，人壽幾何？兆雲詢多，職競作羅。’謀之多族，民之多違，事滋無成。民急矣，姑從楚以紓吾民。晉師至，吾又從之。敬共幣帛，以待來者，小國之道也。犠牲玉帛，待於二競，以待強者而庇民焉。寇不為害，民不罷病，不亦可乎？”子展曰：“小所以事大，信也。小國無信，兵亂日至，亡無日矣。

Zisi, Ziguo and Ziernang wished to follow Chu, while Zikong, Zijiao and Zizhan wished to wait for Jin. Zisi said: “There is a saying in the Odes of Zhou: ‘Wait for the Yellow River to run clear, and how long would a person's life be? Consulting the omens too many times only means competing to weave a net.’ When many clans make plans and many of the people disagree, matters become even less likely to be accomplished. The people are in distress, so let us for now follow Chu to ease our people. When the army of Jin arrives, we shall follow Jin again. Respectfully preparing gifts of silk and waiting for whoever comes is the path of a small state. We will place the sacrificial victims and jade and silk at both borders and wait for the strong to protect our people. If the raiders cannot do harm and the people are not exhausted and sick, would that not also be acceptable?” Zizhan said: “The reason a small state serves a great state is good faith. If a small state lacks good faith, military disorder will come every day, and its destruction will not be many days away.

五會之信，今將背之，雖楚救我，將安用之？親我無成，鄙我是欲，不可從也。

(Zizhan continued:) The good faith of five meetings is now about to be abandoned; even if Chu rescues us, what use will that be? If they treat us as friends but cannot accomplish anything, what they want is to treat us as a border town, and we must not obey.

不如待晉。晉君方明，四軍無闕，八卿和睦，必不棄鄭。楚師遼遠，糧食將盡，必將速歸，何患焉？舍之聞之：‘杖莫如信。’完守以老楚，杖信以待晉，不亦可乎？”子駟曰：“《詩》云：‘謀夫孔多，是用不集。發言盈庭，誰敢執其咎？如匪行邁謀，是用不得於道。’請從楚，騑也受其咎。”乃及楚平。

(Zizhan continued:) It is better to wait for Jin. The ruler of Jin is at this time discerning, the four armies have no vacancies, and the eight ministers are in harmony, so they will surely not abandon Zheng. The army of Chu has a long road and its provisions are about to run out, so it will surely go home soon; what is there to worry about? I, She, have heard: ‘There is nothing better to rely on than good faith.’ Perfecting our defenses to wear out the Chu army and relying on good faith to wait for Jin; would that not also be acceptable?” Zisi said: “The Odes say: ‘Too many people offer counsel, and so it cannot succeed. Speeches fill the courtyard, but who dares take responsibility for the fault? It is like consulting people about a road without walking it, and so one cannot find the right way.’ Please follow Chu, and I, Fei, will take responsibility for the fault.” So they made peace with Chu.

使王子伯駢告於晉，曰：“君命敝邑：‘修而車賦，儆而師徒，以討亂略。’蔡人不從，敝邑之人，不敢寧處，悉索敝賦，以討於蔡，獲司馬燮，獻於邢丘。

They sent Prince Bopian to inform Jin, saying: “The king commanded our humble state: ‘Put your chariot levies in order and alert your troops, in order to punish disorder and encroachment.’ The people of Cai would not comply, and the people of our humble state dared not rest, exhausted the military levies of our humble state, attacked Cai, captured the Marshal Xie, and presented him at Xingqiu.

今楚來討曰：‘女何故稱兵於蔡？’焚我郊保，馮陵我城郭。敝邑之眾，夫婦男女，不皇啟處，以相救也。翦焉傾覆，無所控告。民死亡者，非其父兄，即其子弟，夫人愁痛，不知所庇。民知窮困，而受盟於楚，狐也與其二三臣不能禁止。

(Bopian continued:) Now Chu has come to attack, saying: ‘Why did you use troops against Cai?’ They burned the forts in our outskirts and encroached upon our walls. The people of our humble state, husbands and wives, men and women, have no leisure to rest and rescue one another. As if being cut down and overturned, we have nowhere to appeal. Of the people who have died, if not fathers and elder brothers, then sons and younger brothers; everyone grieves and does not know where to find shelter. The people knew that they were in distress and accepted the covenant in Chu, and I and several ministers could not prevent it.

不敢不告。”知武子使行人子員對之曰：“君有楚命，亦不使一介行李告於寡君，而即安於楚。君之所欲也，誰敢違君？寡君將帥諸侯以見於城下，唯君圖之！”晉範宣子來聘，且拜公之辱，告將用師於鄭。公享之，宣子賦《摽有梅》。

(Bopian continued:) We dare not fail to inform you.” Zhi Wuzi had the envoy Ziyuan reply: “The king had a command from Chu and did not even send a single messenger to inform my lord, but immediately settled with Chu. That was the king's wish; who would dare to oppose the king? My lord will lead the lords to meet beneath your walls; please consider this!” Fan Xuanzi of Jin came on a visit and also thanked Duke Xiang for the honor of his visit and announced that troops would be used against Zheng. Duke Xiang gave a banquet in his honor, and Xuanzi recited the ode “The Plums Are Falling”.

季武子曰：“誰敢哉！今譬於草木，寡君在君，君之臭味也。歡以承命，何時之有？”武子賦《角弓》。賓將出，武子賦《彤弓》。宣子曰：“城濮之役，我先君文公獻功于衡雍，受彤弓於襄王，以為子孫藏。匄也，先君守官之嗣也，敢不承命？”君子以為知禮。

Ji Wuzi said: “Who would dare not to be timely! Now, comparing to plants and trees, my lord stands to your lord as his fragrance and savor. We gladly receive the command; what question of time is there?” Wuzi recited “The Horn Bow”. When the guest was about to leave, Wuzi recited “The Red Bow”. Xuanzi said: “In the battle of Chengpu, our former lord Duke Wen presented his merit at Hengyong and received the red bow from King Xiang, which was left to his descendants to keep. I, Gai, am the descendant of an official who kept his post under the former lord; how dare I not accept the command?” The gentleman considered him to know ritual.

【經】九年春，宋災。夏，季孫宿如晉。五月辛酉，夫人姜氏薨。秋八月癸未，葬我小君穆姜。冬，公會晉侯、宋公、衛侯、曹伯、莒子、邾子、滕子、薛伯、杞伯，小邾子、齊世子光伐鄭。十有二月己亥，同盟於戲。楚子伐鄭。

[Classic] In the ninth year, in spring, there was a fire in Song. In summer, Ji Sunsu went to Jin. In the fifth month, on the day xinyou, the Lady Jiang died. In autumn, in the eighth month, on the day guiwei, our lesser sovereign Mu Jiang was buried. In winter, Duke Xiang joined the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Cao, the Viscount of Ju, the Viscount of Zhu, the Viscount of Teng, the Earl of Xue, the Earl of Qi, the Viscount of Little Zhu, and Guang, the heir of Qi, in attacking Zheng. In the twelfth month, on the day jihai, they made a covenant together at Xi. The Viscount of Chu attacked Zheng.

【傳】九年春，宋災。樂喜為司城以為政。使伯氏司裡，火所未至，徹小屋，塗大屋；陳畚挶，具綆缶，備水器；量輕重，蓄水潦，積土塗；巡丈城，繕守備，表火道。使華臣具正徒，令隧正納郊保，奔火所。使華閱討右官，官庀其司。

[Commentary] In the ninth year, in spring, there was a fire in Song. Yue Xi was Minister of Works in charge. He had Bo Shi take charge of the lanes; in the places the fire had not yet reached, small houses were pulled down and large houses were plastered with mud. Baskets and earth-carrying tools were laid out, well ropes and pottery jars were prepared, and water containers were readied; weights were estimated, flood water stored, and earth piled up; the city walls were inspected, defenses repaired, and the paths for fire marked. Hua Chen was ordered to prepare laborers, and the Suizheng was ordered to hand over the troops of the outlying forts and send them to where the fire was. Hua Yue was made to supervise the subordinate officials of the Right Master, and the officials prepared their respective duties.

向戌討左，亦如之。使樂遄庀刑器，亦如之。使皇鄖命校正出馬，工正出車，備甲兵，庀武守。使西鉏吾庀府守。令司宮、巷伯儆宮。二師令四鄉正敬享，祝宗用馬於四墉，祀盤庚於西門之外。

Xiang Xu supervised the Left Master in the same way. Yue Chuan was made to prepare the instruments of punishment, likewise. Huang Yun was ordered to have the horses checked and brought out, the Master of Works to bring out the chariots, and to prepare armor and weapons and put in order the duties of military preparedness. Xi Chuwu was made to put the treasury and armory in order. The Directors of the Palace and the Lane Eunuchs were ordered to guard the palace. The two Masters ordered the four district heads to perform the sacrifices reverently, and the ancestral invocators sacrificed horses on the four sides of the city walls and sacrificed to Pangeng outside the west gate.

晉侯問於士弱曰：“吾聞之，宋災，於是乎知有天道。何故？”對曰：“古之火正，或食於心，或食於咮，以出內火。是故咮為鶉火，心為大火。陶唐氏之火正閼伯居商丘，祀大火，而火紀時焉。相土因之，故商主大火。商人閱其禍敗之釁，必始於火，是以日知其有天道也。”公曰：“可必乎？”對曰：“在道。國亂無象，不可知也。”

The Marquis of Jin asked Shi Ruo: “I have heard that when there was a fire in Song, one knows from this that there is a Way of Heaven. What is the reason?” He replied: “In ancient times the Fire Officials either offered joint sacrifice to the Heart star or to the Beak star, in order to bring forth and put away the Great Fire. Therefore the Beak is the Quail Fire, and the Heart is the Great Fire. Ebo, the Fire Official of the House of Taotang, lived in Shangqiu and sacrificed to the Great Fire, using fire to mark time. Xiangtu continued this, and so the Shang took the Great Fire as their principal star. The people of Shang observed the gaps in disasters and defeats, and always started from fire; therefore it is now known that there is a Way of Heaven.” The Marquis of Jin said: “Can this be certain?” He replied: “It lies in the Way. When the state is in disorder, there are no omens and one cannot know.”

夏，季武子如晉，報宣子之聘也。

In summer, Ji Wuzi went to Jin to return Xuanzi's visit.

穆姜薨於東宮。始往而筮之，遇《艮》之八ⅶⅶ。史曰：“是謂《艮》之《隨》ⅷⅲ。《隨》其出也。君必速也。”姜曰：“亡。是於《周易》曰：‘《隨》，元亨利貞，無咎。’元，體之長也；亨，嘉之會也；利，義之和也；貞，事之幹也。體仁足以長人，嘉德足以合禮，利物足以和義，貞固足以幹事，然，故不可誣也，是以雖《隨》無咎。今我婦人而與於亂。固在下位而有不仁，不可謂元。不靖國家，不可謂亨。作而害身，不可謂利。棄位而姣，不可謂貞。

Mu Jiang died in the Eastern Palace. When she first went in there, a divination by milfoil was made for it and she got the Gen hexagram in the eighth line. The scribe said: “This is called Gen changing to Sui. Sui means to go out. My lady will surely go out soon.” Jiang said: “Not so. This is what the Book of Changes says: ‘Sui: primal, penetrating, beneficial and correct, without blame.’ Primal is the head of the body; penetrating is the gathering of what is excellent; beneficial is the harmony of righteousness; correct is the trunk of affairs. To embody benevolence suffices to be the head of others; excellent virtue suffices to accord with ritual; benefiting things suffices to harmonize righteousness; and being correct and firm suffices to be the trunk of affairs. Such a person cannot be deceived, and so even in Sui there is no blame. Now I am a woman yet took part in causing disorder. I was originally in a low position yet was not benevolent, and cannot be called primal. I could not bring peace to the state, and cannot be called penetrating. I rose up but harmed myself, and cannot be called beneficial. I abandoned my position yet adorned myself, and cannot be called correct.

有四德者，《隨》而無咎。我皆無之，豈《隨》也哉？我則取惡，能無咎乎？必死於此，弗得出矣。”

(Mu Jiang continued:) Only those who have these four virtues find Sui without blame. I have none of them; how could it still be Sui? I brought evil on myself; can I be without blame? I will surely die here and will not be able to go out.”

秦景公使士雃乞師於楚，將以伐晉，楚子許之。子囊曰：“不可。當今吾不能與晉爭。晉君類能而使之，舉不失選，官不易方。其卿讓於善，其大夫不失守，其士競於教，其庶人力於農穡。商工皂隸，不知遷業。韓厥老矣，知罃稟焉以為政。範匄少於中行偃而上之，使佐中軍。韓起少於欒黶，而欒黶、士魴上之，使佐上軍。魏絳多功，以趙武為賢而為之佐。君明臣忠，上讓下競。當是時也，晉不可敵，事之而後可。君其圖之！”王曰：“吾既許之矣。雖不及晉，必將出師。”秋，楚子師於武城以為秦援。秦人侵晉，晉飢，弗能報也。

Duke Jing of Qin sent Shi Ya to Chu to ask for troops in order to attack Jin, and the Viscount of Chu agreed. Zinang said: “It will not do. We cannot now contend with Jin. The ruler of Jin employs people by their category of talent, promotes without losing those he has chosen, and does not change the proper way in official posts. The ministers yield to the good, the grandees do not lose their duties, the officers compete in instruction, and the common people devote effort to farming. Merchants, artisans and menials do not know how to change their trades. Han Jue has retired due to age, and Zhi Ying has succeeded him in government. Fan Gai, though younger than Zhonghang Yan, is above him, and has him assist the Central Army. Han Qi is younger than Luan Yan, but Luan Yan and Shi Fang let him be above them, and he assists the Upper Army. Wei Jiang has great merit but, because Zhao Wu is worthy, serves as his assistant. The ruler is enlightened and the ministers loyal, those above yield and those below compete in merit. At this time Jin cannot be resisted, and only after serving it will things be right. Please consider this, my king!” The King of Chu said: “I have already agreed. Even if we cannot match Jin, we must send troops.” In autumn, the Viscount of Chu stationed troops at Wucheng as backup for Qin. The men of Qin raided Jin; Jin was in famine and could not retaliate.

冬十月，諸侯伐鄭。庚午，季武子、齊崔杼、宋皇鄖從荀罃、士匄門於鄟門。衛北宮括、曹人、邾人從荀偃、韓起門於師之梁。滕人、薛人從欒黶、士魴門於北門。杞人、郳人從趙武、魏絳斬行栗。甲戌，師於汜，令於諸侯曰：“修器備，盛餱糧，歸老幼，居疾於虎牢，肆眚，圍鄭。”鄭人恐，乃行成。中行獻子曰：“遂圍之，以待楚人之救也而與之戰。不然，無成。”知武子曰：“許之盟而還師，以敝楚人。吾三分四軍，與諸侯之銳以逆來者，於我未病，楚不能矣，猶愈於戰。暴骨以逞，不可以爭。大勞未艾。君子勞心，小人勞力，先王之制也”諸侯皆不欲戰，乃許鄭成。十一月己亥，同盟於戲，鄭服也。

In winter, in the tenth month, the lords attacked Zheng. On the day gengwu, Ji Wuzi, Cui Zhu of Qi and Huang Yun of Song followed Xun Ying and Shi Gai in attacking the Zhuan Gate. Bei Gongkuo of Wei and the men of Cao and Zhu followed Xun Yan and Han Qi in attacking the Bridge of Shi. The men of Teng and Xue followed Luan Yan and Shi Fang in attacking the North Gate. The men of Qi and Ni followed Zhao Wu and Wei Jiang in cutting down the chestnut trees along the road. On the day jiaxu, they encamped at Si and gave orders to the lords: “Repair your equipment and weapons, load your dry provisions, send the old and young home, let the sick stay at Hulao, pardon those with faults, and besiege Zheng.” The men of Zheng were afraid and sought peace. Zhonghang Xianzi said: “Let us besiege them as we are and wait for the men of Chu to come to the rescue, and then fight them. Otherwise there is no real peace.” Zhi Wuzi said: “Let us agree to make a covenant and withdraw the army, in order to wear out the men of Chu. We divide our four armies into three parts and meet those who come with the elite troops of the lords; while we are not yet worn out, Chu will not be able to, which is better than fighting. Exposing corpses to the wild for the sake of satisfaction is not something to contend for. The great labor is not yet over. The gentleman labors with his mind and the small man with his strength; this is the institution of the former kings.” None of the lords wanted to fight, and so they allowed Zheng to make peace. In the eleventh month, on the day jihai, they made a covenant together at Xi, and Zheng submitted.

將盟，鄭六卿公子騑、公子發、公子嘉、公孫輒、公孫蠆、公孫舍之及其大夫、門子皆從鄭伯。晉士莊子為載書，曰：“自今日既盟之後，鄭國而不唯晉命是聽，而或有異志者，有如此盟。”公子騑趨進曰：“天禍鄭國，使介居二大國之間。大國不加德音而亂以要之，使其鬼神不獲歆其禋祀，其民人不獲享其土利，夫婦辛苦墊隘，無所底告。自今日既盟之後，鄭國而不唯有禮與強可以庇民者是從，而敢有異志者，亦如之。”荀偃曰：“改載書。”公孫舍之曰：“昭大神，要言焉。若可改也，大國亦可叛也。”知武子謂獻子曰：“我實不德，而要人以盟，豈禮也哉！非禮，何以主盟？姑盟而退，修德息師而來，終必獲鄭，何必今日？我之不德，民將棄我，豈唯鄭？若能休和，遠人將至，何恃於鄭？”乃盟而還。

When the covenant was about to be made, the six ministers of Zheng, Prince Fei, Prince Fa, Prince Jia, Gongsun Zhe, Gongsun Chai and Gongsun She Zhi, together with the grandees and the sons of the gate, all followed the Earl of Zheng. Shi Zhuangzi of Jin drafted the covenant text, saying: “From the day of this covenant onward, if Zheng does not listen only to the commands of Jin but has other plans, it shall be as this covenant says.” Prince Fei hurried forward and said: “Heaven has sent misfortune on Zheng and made it lie between two great states. The great states do not give good words but bind us with disorder, so that its spirits cannot receive offerings, its people cannot enjoy the benefits of the land, and husbands and wives toil in distress with nowhere to appeal. From the day of this covenant onward, if Zheng does not follow only the one who has ritual propriety and is strong enough to protect the people, and dares to have other plans, it shall be likewise.” Xun Yan said: “Change the text of the covenant.” Gongsun She Zhi said: “We have already announced it to the great spirits and fixed the words. If it can be changed, then a great state can also be betrayed.” Zhi Wuzi said to Xianzi: “We have truly not cultivated virtue, yet we bind others with a covenant; is that ritual! If it is not ritual, how can we preside over a covenant? Let us make the covenant and withdraw, cultivate virtue and rest the army, and come again; in the end we will surely win Zheng, so why need it be today? If we do not cultivate virtue, the people will abandon us, and not only Zheng. If we can be good and harmonious, people from afar will come; why rely on Zheng?” So they made the covenant and went back.

晉人不得志於鄭，以諸侯復伐之。十二月癸亥，門其三門。閏月，戊寅，濟於陰阪，侵鄭。次於陰口而還。子孔曰：“晉師可擊也，師老而勞，且有歸志，必大克之。”子展曰：“不可。”

The men of Jin did not get their way in Zheng and led the lords to attack again. In the twelfth month, on the day guihai, they attacked its three city gates. In the intercalary month, on the day wuyin, they crossed the river at Yinban and raided Zheng. They camped at Yinkou and then went back. Zikong said: “The army of Jin can be attacked; the troops are exhausted and weary and have a mind to go home, so we are sure to win a great victory.” Zizhan said: “No.”

公送晉侯。晉侯以公宴於河上，問公年，季武子對曰：“會於沙隨之歲，寡君以生。”晉侯曰：“十二年矣！是謂一終，一星終也。國君十五而生子。冠而生子，禮也，君可以冠矣！大夫盍為冠具？”武子對曰：“君冠，必以祼享之禮行之，以金石之樂節之，以先君之祧處之。今寡君在行，未可具也。請及兄弟之國而假備焉。”晉侯曰：“諾。”公還，及衛，冠於成公之廟，假鐘磬焉，禮也。

Duke Xiang saw off the Marquis of Jin. The Marquis of Jin feasted with Duke Xiang by the Yellow River and asked Duke Xiang's age. Ji Wuzi answered: “The year of the meeting at Shasui was the year my lord was born.” The Marquis of Jin said: “Twelve years! This is called one full cycle, the period of one star. A ruler has a son at fifteen. To have a son after the capping ceremony is proper; the king may hold his capping ceremony! Why do the grandees not prepare the implements for the capping ceremony?” Wuzi replied: “When a ruler holds the capping ceremony, he must use the libation ritual, regulate it with the music of bells and stone chimes, and hold it in the ancestral temple of the former lord. Now my lord is traveling and cannot prepare it. Please wait until we reach a fraternal state and borrow the implements.” The Marquis of Jin said: “Good.” When Duke Xiang returned and reached Wei, he held the capping ceremony in the temple of Duke Cheng, borrowing bells and stone chimes, which accorded with ritual propriety.

楚子伐鄭，子駟將及楚平。子孔、子蟜曰：“與大國盟，口血未乾而背之，可乎？”子駟、子展曰：“吾盟固云：‘唯強是從。’今楚師至，晉不我救，則楚強矣。盟誓之言，豈敢背之？且要盟無質，神弗臨也，所臨唯信。信者，言之瑞也，善之主也，是故臨之。明神不蠲要盟，背之可也。”乃及楚平。公子罷戎入盟，同盟於中分。

The Viscount of Chu attacked Zheng, and Zisi was about to make peace with Chu. Zikong and Zijiao said: “We made a covenant with a great state, and before the blood on our lips has dried we break it; is that acceptable?” Zisi and Zizhan said: “Our covenant originally said: ‘Follow only the strong.’ Now the Chu army has arrived and Jin does not rescue us, so Chu is the strong one. The words of an oath, how would we dare to break them? Moreover, a covenant made under coercion has no witness, and the spirits do not come down. What they come down to is only good faith. Good faith is the auspicious sign of words and the master of what is good, and so the spirits come down for it. The bright spirits do not regard a covenant made under coercion as pure, and breaking it is acceptable.” So they made peace with Chu. Prince Bi Rong went in and made the covenant, and they made the covenant together at Zhongfen.

楚莊夫人卒，王未能定鄭而歸。

The Lady Zhuang of Chu died, and the King of Chu went back without having settled Zheng.

晉侯歸，謀所以息民。魏絳請施捨，輸積聚以貸。自公以下，苟有積者，盡出之。國無滯積，亦無困人。公無禁利，亦無貪民。祈以幣更，賓以特牲，器用不作，車服從給。行之期年，國乃有節。三駕而楚不能與爭。

The Marquis of Jin went back and discussed ways to let the people rest. Wei Jiang asked to give relief, lending out what had been accumulated. From the duke downward, those who had savings brought them all out. The state had no stagnant hoards and no one in want. The ducal house had no prohibited profits, and the people were not greedy. For prayers they used silk instead of sacrificial animals, for banquets for guests they used a single animal, no new implements were made, and chariots and clothing were just enough. After one year of this, the state had its measure. In three campaigns Chu could not contend with it.

【經】十年春，公會晉侯、宋公、衛侯、曹伯、莒子、邾子、滕子、薛伯、杞伯、小邾子、齊世子光會吳於柤。夏，五月甲午，遂滅偪陽。公至自會。楚公子貞、鄭公孫輒帥師伐宋。晉師伐秦。秋，莒人伐我東鄙。公會晉侯、宋公、衛侯、曹伯、莒子、邾子、齊世子光、滕子、薛伯、杞伯、小邾子伐鄭。冬，盜殺鄭公子騑、公子發、公孫輒。戍鄭虎牢。楚公子貞帥師救鄭。公至自伐鄭。

[Classic] In the tenth year, in spring, Duke Xiang joined the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Cao, the Viscount of Ju, the Viscount of Zhu, the Viscount of Teng, the Earl of Xue, the Earl of Qi, the Viscount of Little Zhu, and Guang, the heir of Qi, in meeting Wu at Zha. In summer, in the fifth month, on the day jiawu, they then destroyed Biyang. Duke Xiang returned from the meeting. Prince Zhen of Chu and Gongsun Zhe of Zheng led an army to attack Song. The army of Jin attacked Qin. In autumn, the men of Ju attacked our eastern border. Duke Xiang joined the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Cao, the Viscount of Ju, the Viscount of Zhu, Guang, the heir of Qi, the Viscount of Teng, the Earl of Xue, the Earl of Qi, and the Viscount of Little Zhu in attacking Zheng. In winter, bandits killed Prince Fei, Prince Fa and Gongsun Zhe of Zheng. Hulao of Zheng was garrisoned. Prince Zhen of Chu led an army to rescue Zheng. Duke Xiang returned from attacking Zheng.

【傳】十年春，會於柤，會吳子壽夢也。三月癸丑，齊高厚相大子光以先會諸侯於鍾離，不敬。士莊子曰：“高子相大子以會諸侯，將社稷是衛，而皆不敬，棄社稷也，其將不免乎！”夏四月戊午，會於柤。

[Commentary] In the tenth year, in spring, the meeting at Zha was a meeting with Shoumeng, the Viscount of Wu. In the third month, on the day guichou, Gao Hou of Qi served as master of ceremonies for Crown Prince Guang and first met the lords at Zhongli, and was not respectful. Shi Zhuangzi said: “Gao Zi serves as master of ceremonies for the crown prince to meet the lords, which is to guard the altars of the state, yet all are disrespectful; this is abandoning the altars of the state, and he will probably not escape!” In summer, in the fourth month, on the day wuwu, they met at Zha.