Zuozhuan Wen Gong — the Zuo tradition on the eighteen years of Duke Wen of Lu

The Zuo Commentary is the great narrative history of the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. It is traditionally attributed to Zuo Qiuming (左丘明), a figure of the fifth century BCE about whom almost nothing certain is known; most modern opinion holds that the work reached something like its present shape rather later, in the fourth century BCE, drawing on older court records. It is arranged as a commentary on the Chunqiu, the clipped official chronicle of the state of Lu, and it advances year by year through the reigns of Lu's twelve dukes. This file holds the whole of one reign: the eighteen years of Duke Wen, 626–609 BCE.

Each year comes in two voices. The Annals are the Chunqiu entries themselves — one bare line for each event the Lu court thought worth setting down, a death, an eclipse, a covenant, an invasion — and the Zuo that follows is the long narrative behind those lines, with its speeches, its embassies, its family quarrels, its omens, and the verdicts of "the gentleman." The alternation is preserved here exactly as the source has it, year by year, with nothing merged and nothing dropped.

Persons, states, and places are given in pinyin without tone marks, with Chinese characters supplied at a few first appearances where they help. Ranks follow the conventional five of the Zhou order — duke, marquis, earl, viscount, baron — so that Jin is a marquisate, Qin and Zheng earldoms, Chu a viscountcy, and the ruler of Zhou the Heavenly King. The recurring word 禮 (li) is rendered "the rites" or "ritual propriety," and the formulas that close so many entries — 禮也, 非禮也 — appear here as "this accorded with the rites" and "this was contrary to the rites." Dates are kept in the source's own reckoning, and the sexagenary day names (jiazi, dingsi, wuwu) are left in pinyin.

Translated for the Good Works Library directly from the classical Chinese, which is printed in full below. Complete English translations of the Zuo Commentary exist — James Legge's of 1872, and the complete Zuo Tradition of Durrant, Li, and Schaberg (2016) — and this version makes no claim of firstness. It was made independently from the Chinese and did not consult them.

Contents

• Year 1 (文公元年)
• Year 2 (文公二年)
• Year 3 (文公三年)
• Year 4 (文公四年)
• Year 5 (文公五年)
• Year 6 (文公六年)
• Year 7 (文公七年)
• Year 8 (文公八年)
• Year 9 (文公九年)
• Year 10 (文公十年)
• Year 11 (文公十一年)
• Year 12 (文公十二年)
• Year 13 (文公十三年)
• Year 14 (文公十四年)
• Year 15 (文公十五年)
• Year 16 (文公十六年)
• Year 17 (文公十七年)
• Year 18 (文公十八年)

Translation

Year 1 (文公元年)

Annals.

• In the first year, in spring, in the king's first month, the duke took his position.
• In the second month, on guihai, the sun was eclipsed.
• The Heavenly King sent Shu Fu to come and attend the burial.
• In summer, in the fourth month, on dingsi, we buried our lord Duke Xi.
• The Heavenly King sent the Earl of Mao to come and confer the mandate of appointment on the duke.
• The Marquis of Jin attacked Wei.
• Shusun Dechen went to the royal capital.
• The men of Wei attacked Jin.
• In autumn, Gongsun Ao met the Marquis of Jin at Qi.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on dingwei, the heir apparent of Chu, Shangchen, assassinated his ruler Yun.
• Gongsun Ao went to Qi.

Zuo.

In the first year, in spring, the king sent the interior scribe Shu Fu to attend the burial. Gongsun Ao (公孫敖), having heard that he could read men's faces, presented his two sons to him. Shu Fu said: "Gu will feed you; Nan will bury you. Gu's face is full below — he will surely have descendants in the state of Lu."

At this time there was an intercalary third month, which was contrary to the rites. When the former kings set the seasons right, they set the starting point at the beginning, took the standard at the middle, and put the remainder at the end. Setting the starting point at the beginning, the sequence did not go astray. Taking the standard at the middle, the people were not confused. Putting the remainder at the end, affairs were not thrown into contradiction.

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

The king sent Wei, Earl of Mao, to confer the mandate of appointment on the duke, and Shusun Dechen went to Zhou to give thanks.

In the last years of Duke Wen of Jin, the feudal lords paid court to Jin. Duke Cheng of Wei did not come to court, and sent Kong Da to raid Zheng, attacking Mian, Zi, and Kuang. When the mourning sacrifice for his father was over, Duke Xiang of Jin sent word to the lords and attacked Wei, reaching Nanyang. Xian Qieju said: "To copy another's fault is a calamity. Let my lord go to court to the king, while your servant follows the army." The Marquis of Jin paid court to the king at Wen, and Xian Qieju and Xu Chen attacked Wei.

In the fifth month, on the new moon of xinyou, the Jin army besieged Qi.

In the sixth month, on wuxu, they took it and captured Sun Zhaozi.

The men of Wei sent word to Chen. Duke Gong of Chen said: "Attack them in your turn; I will make excuses for you." Kong Da of Wei led an army and attacked Jin. The gentleman held this to be after the ancient manner: in antiquity men crossed the borders of their own state to lay plans for another.

In autumn the Marquis of Jin fixed the boundaries of the fields of Qi; therefore Gongsun Ao met with him.

Earlier, the Viscount of Chu was about to make Shangchen (商臣) his heir apparent, and consulted the chief minister Zishang. Zishang said: "My lord's years are not yet advanced, and you have many favorites besides; to depose him later would breed disorder. In Chu the choice has always fallen on a younger son. Moreover this man has the eyes of a wasp and the voice of a jackal: he is a cruel man, and must not be set up." The king did not listen. Afterward he wished to set up Prince Zhi and depose the heir apparent Shangchen. Shangchen heard of it but could not verify it, and said to his tutor Pan Chong: "How can I find out the truth of it?" Pan Chong said: "Give a feast for Jiang Mi and treat her without respect." He did so. Jiang Mi grew angry and cried: "Bah, you drudge! No wonder the king wishes to kill you and set up Zhi." Shangchen told Pan Chong: "It is true." Pan Chong said: "Can you serve him?" — "I cannot." — "Can you leave the country?" — "I cannot." — "Can you carry out the great affair?" — "I can."

In winter, in the tenth month, he surrounded King Cheng with the palace guard. The king asked to eat a bear's paw before dying, and this was refused. On dingwei the king hanged himself. They gave him the posthumous name Ling, and his eyes did not close; they said Cheng, and then his eyes closed.

King Mu took the throne. He gave Pan Chong the household he had had as heir apparent, made him grand tutor, and set him over the office of the guard ranged about the palace.

Mubo went to Qi, making his first diplomatic visit there; this accorded with the rites. Whenever a ruler takes his position, the ministers go out on diplomatic visits in every direction, renewing old friendships, securing support abroad, and serving neighboring states well, so as to guard the altars of the state. This is the way of loyalty, good faith, humility, and yielding. Loyalty is the rectitude of virtue; good faith is the firmness of virtue; humility and yielding are the foundation of virtue.

In the campaign at Yao, after the men of Jin had sent the Qin army home, the grandees of Qin and those about the ruler all said to the Earl of Qin: "That defeat was Mengming's fault; he must be put to death." The Earl of Qin said: "It was my own fault. The poem of Rui Liangfu of Zhou says:

The great wind has its rushing course;
the greedy man ruins his kind.
To pleasing words he answers;
at words of admonition he is as one drunk.
He does not employ the good,
and so he brings me to perversity.

This came of greed, and it speaks of me. It was truly my greed that brought calamity on this man. What fault was his?" And he restored him to the conduct of government.

Year 2 (文公二年)

Annals.

• In the second year, in spring, in the king's second month, on jiazi, the Marquis of Jin fought the Qin army at Pengya, and the Qin army was routed.
• On dingchou the spirit tablet of Duke Xi was made.
• In the third month, on yisi, we made a covenant with Chufu of Jin.
• In summer, in the sixth month, Gongsun Ao met the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Earl of Zheng, and Shi Hu of Jin, and covenanted at Chuilong.
• From the twelfth month there was no rain, until the seventh month of autumn.
• In the eighth month, on dingmao, a great service was held in the Grand Temple, and Duke Xi was advanced in the order.
• In winter, men of Jin, men of Song, men of Chen, and men of Zheng attacked Qin.
• Prince Sui went to Qi to present the betrothal gifts.

Zuo.

In the second year, in spring, Mengming Shi of Qin led an army against Jin, in requital for the campaign at Yao.

In the second month the Marquis of Jin met them. Xian Qieju commanded the central army with Zhao Cui as his second; Wangguan Wudi drove the war chariot; Hu Juju was the spearman on the right. On jiazi they fought the Qin army at Pengya, and the Qin army was routed. The men of Jin called Qin's force "the army that came to give thanks for a favor." At the battle of Yao, Liang Hong of Jin had driven the war chariot and Lai Ju had been spearman on the right. On the day after that battle, Duke Xiang of Jin had a Qin prisoner bound and ordered Lai Ju to behead him with a dagger-axe. The prisoner cried out and Lai Ju let the weapon fall; Lang Shen took up the dagger-axe, beheaded the prisoner, seized Lai Ju, and followed the duke's chariot with him. Thereupon he was made spearman on the right. In the campaign at Ji, Xian Zhen removed him and put Xu Jianbo in his place. Lang Shen was angry, and his friend said: "Why not die for it?" Shen said: "I have not yet found the place to die." His friend said: "Then I will raise trouble with you." Shen said: "The Records of Zhou have it: 'He whose courage harms his superior is not admitted to the Hall of Light.' To die without righteousness is not courage. To be of use to the common good — that is called courage. I sought the right-hand place by courage; if I have no courage and am removed, that too is fitting. You say my superior does not know me; but the removal was fitting, and so he does know me. Wait a while, sir." When the lines were drawn up at Pengya, he charged the Qin army with his own troop and died there. The Jin army followed him and heavily defeated the Qin army. The gentleman said that in this Lang Shen was indeed a gentleman. The Odes say: "When the noble man is angry, disorder is soon checked." And again: "The king blazed out in anger, and marshalled his troops." He was angry and yet raised no disorder, but carried his anger into the army's service; he may be called a gentleman. The Earl of Qin still employed Mengming. Mengming further ordered the government of the state and increased his bounty to the people. Zhao Chengzi said to the grandees: "If the Qin army comes again, we must certainly give way before it. A man who fears and increases his virtue cannot be withstood. The Odes say: 'Think ever of your ancestor; cultivate his virtue.' Mengming has thought of it. Since he thinks of virtue and does not slacken, can he be opposed?"

On dingchou the spirit tablet of Duke Xi was made. It was recorded because it was not done at the proper time.

The men of Jin, because the duke had not come to court, came to call him to account. The duke went to Jin.

In summer, in the fourth month, on jisi, the men of Jin had Yang Chufu covenant with the duke, thereby humiliating him. The record says "made a covenant with Chufu of Jin," his clan name omitted, in order to lower him. That the duke went to Jin is not recorded: it was concealed.

Before the duke returned, in the sixth month, Mubo met the feudal lords and covenanted with Shi Hu, minister of works of Jin, at Chuilong; this was because Jin was punishing Wei. The record says "Shi Hu" because he was equal to the business. The Marquis of Chen asked Jin for peace on behalf of Wei, and Wei seized Kong Da and handed him over to appease Jin.

In autumn, in the eighth month, on dingmao, a great service was held in the Grand Temple and Duke Xi was advanced above his predecessor. This was a reversal of the order of sacrifice. At that time Xiafu Buji was master of ceremonies. He honored Duke Xi, and moreover claimed a clear vision, saying: "I saw that the new ghost was large and the old ghost small. To put the large first and the small after is to follow the natural order; to advance the sage and the worthy is discernment; discernment and compliance are the rites." The gentleman held this to be a failure of the rites. There is nothing in the rites that is not in accord. Sacrifice is a great affair of the state; to reverse it — can that be called ritual propriety? Though a son be perfectly wise and sagely, he does not eat before his father: this has long been so. Therefore Yu did not precede Gun, Tang did not precede Xie, and Kings Wen and Wu did not precede Buzhu. Song makes Di Yi its ancestor and Zheng makes King Li its ancestor, and still they set the earlier ancestors above. Therefore the Hymns of Lu say: "In spring and autumn without slackening, the offerings and sacrifices without fault, to the august sovereign God, and to the august forefather Hou Ji." The gentleman calls this ritual propriety, meaning that although Hou Ji was the nearer kinsman, God is named first. The Odes say: "I ask after my aunts, and then my elder sister." The gentleman said: "This is ritual propriety, meaning that although the elder sister was the nearer kin, the aunts are named first." Zhongni said: "Zang Wenzhong had three acts that were not humane and three that were not wise. Keeping Zhan Qin in a low place, abolishing the six barrier posts, and setting his concubines to weave rush mats — these were the three inhumane acts. Making a vessel of no use, allowing the reversed sacrifice, and sacrificing to the seabird yuanju — these were the three unwise ones."

In winter, Xian Qieju of Jin, Prince Cheng of Song, Yuan Xuan of Chen, and Prince Guisheng of Zheng attacked Qin, took Wang and Pengya, and returned, in requital for the campaign at Pengya. The ministers are not named in the record; it was on account of Duke Mu, to honor Qin, and this is called exalting virtue. Xiangzhong went to Qi to present the betrothal gifts; this accorded with the rites. Whenever a ruler takes his position, he cultivates good relations with the kin of his marriage, arranges his match, and takes a principal consort to present the grain offerings. This is filial piety, and filial piety is the beginning of the rites.

Year 3 (文公三年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's first month, Shusun Dechen joined men of Jin, men of Song, men of Chen, men of Wei, and men of Zheng in attacking Shen, and Shen collapsed.
• In summer, in the fifth month, the king's son Hu died.
• Men of Qin attacked Jin.
• In autumn, men of Chu besieged Jiang.
• Locusts rained down on Song.
• In winter, the duke went to Jin.
• In the twelfth month, on jisi, the duke covenanted with the Marquis of Jin.
• Yang Chufu of Jin led an army against Chu, in order to relieve Jiang.

Zuo.

In spring Zhuangshu joined the armies of the feudal lords in attacking Shen, because Shen had submitted to Chu. Shen collapsed. In general, when the common people flee from their superiors it is called a collapse; when it is the superior who flees it is called flight. The Marquis of Wei went to Chen to give thanks for the peace made with Jin.

In summer, in the fourth month, on yihai, Wangshu Wengong died. Word of the death was sent to us, and we condoled as with a state in covenant with us; this accorded with the rites. The Earl of Qin attacked Jin. He crossed the Yellow River and burned his boats, and took Wangguan and Jiao. The men of Jin did not come out; so he crossed at Maojin, raised a mound over the corpses at Yao, and returned. Thereafter he became hegemon over the Western Rong, and this was through his use of Mengming. By this the gentleman knew that Duke Mu of Qin as a ruler was thorough in raising up men and single-minded in supporting them; that Mengming as a servant of his lord was unwearied and able to turn fear into reflection; and that Zisang's loyalty lay in his knowledge of men and his ability to put good men forward. The Odes say: "Where do they gather the white southernwood? By the ponds and on the islets. Where is it used? In the service of dukes and marquises." Duke Mu of Qin had this. "Morning and night without slackening, in the service of the One Man." Mengming had this. "He bequeathed his plans to his grandsons, to give ease and shelter to his son." Zisang had this.

In autumn locusts rained down on Song: they fell and died.

The Chu army besieged Jiang, and Xian Pu of Jin attacked Chu in order to relieve Jiang.

In winter Jin reported to Zhou on account of Jiang. Wangshu Huangong and Yang Chufu of Jin attacked Chu in order to relieve Jiang. They assaulted the gate at Fangcheng, met Zizhu, duke of Xi, and turned back.

The men of Jin, fearing that they had treated the duke without propriety, asked to renew the covenant. The duke went to Jin and covenanted with the Marquis of Jin. The Marquis of Jin feasted the duke and had the ode "Luxuriant Grows the Tarragon" (菁菁者莪) performed. Zhuangshu led the duke down to bow, saying: "When a small state receives commands from a great one, dare it be careless in its bearing? My lord bestows on us this great rite — what joy could equal it? Yet the joy of the small state is the kindness of the great." The Marquis of Jin came down and declined the bow; then they ascended and completed the bowing, and the duke had the ode "Fine and Joyous" (嘉樂) performed.

Year 4 (文公四年)

Annals.

• In spring, the duke returned from Jin.
• In summer, the lady Jiang was fetched from Qi.
• The Di raided Qi.
• In autumn, men of Chu extinguished Jiang.
• The Marquis of Jin attacked Qin.
• The Marquis of Wei sent Ning Yu on a diplomatic visit to us.
• In winter, in the eleventh month, on renyin, the duke's mother, Lady Feng, passed away.

Zuo.

In spring the men of Jin returned Kong Da to Wei. They considered him a good man of Wei, and therefore released him.

In summer the Marquis of Wei went to Jin to give thanks. The Earl of Cao went to Jin to settle the assessment of dues.

The lady Jiang was fetched from Qi, but no minister went; this was contrary to the rites. By this the gentleman knew that the lady later called Chu Jiang would not be accepted in Lu, and said: "To betroth her with honor and fetch her with contempt; to make her a ruler's consort and yet debase her; to establish her and then set her aside — this is to cast away good faith and to ruin the mistress of the house. In a state such conduct must bring disorder; in a family it must bring ruin. That she was not accepted was fitting indeed. The Odes say, 'Fear the majesty of Heaven, and so preserve it' — this speaks of reverence toward the mistress of the house."

In autumn the Marquis of Jin attacked Qin and besieged Wan and Xincheng, in requital for the campaign at Wangguan.

Men of Chu extinguished Jiang. On its account the Earl of Qin put off his full dress, moved out of his usual chamber, and cut down his food, beyond the customary number of days. The grandees remonstrated, and the duke said: "A state in covenant with us has been extinguished. Though I could not save it, dare I not grieve for it? I am afraid on my own account." The gentleman said: The Odes say, "Those two states — their government did not attain its end; these states of the four quarters — they searched and they measured." This speaks of Duke Mu of Qin.

Ning Wuzi of Wei came on a diplomatic visit. The duke feasted him and had performed for him "Heavy Is the Dew" (湛露) and "The Red Bow" (彤弓). He neither declined the honor nor answered with an ode of his own, and the duke sent an usher to ask him about it privately. He replied: "Your servant supposed they were being rehearsed as exercises. In old times, when the lords came to court to the king at the turn of the year, the king feasted them with music, and then 'Heavy Is the Dew' was performed: the Son of Heaven faced the sun, and the lords carried out his commands. When the lords made war on those the king was angry with and presented their achievements, the king then bestowed on them one red bow, a hundred red arrows, a thousand black bows and arrows, and held a return feast to make their merit manifest. Now a vassal's servant has come to renew an old friendship, and my lord condescends to bestow these upon me. Should I dare to trespass on a great rite and so bring guilt upon myself?"

In winter Cheng Feng passed away.

Year 5 (文公五年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's first month, the king sent Rong Shu to present the mouth-jewel for the dead and the gifts for the funeral carriage.
• In the third month, on xinhai, we buried our lady Cheng Feng.
• The king sent the Earl of Shao to come and attend the burial.
• In summer, Gongsun Ao went to Jin.
• Men of Qin entered Ruo.
• In autumn, men of Chu extinguished Liu.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on jiashen, Ye, Baron of Xu, died.

Zuo.

In spring the king sent Rong Shu to bring the mouth-jewel for the dead and the gifts for the funeral carriage. Duke Zhao of Shao came to attend the burial; this accorded with the rites. Earlier, Ruo had revolted from Chu and gone over to Qin, and then had wavered again toward Chu.

In summer men of Qin entered Ruo. The men of Liu revolted from Chu and went over to the Eastern Yi.

In autumn Cheng Daxin and Zhonggui of Chu led an army and extinguished Liu. In winter Zixie of Chu extinguished Liao. Zang Wenzhong, hearing that Liu and Liao had been extinguished, said: "So the sacrifices to Gao Yao and Ting Jian are cut off in a moment. Virtue not established, the people without support — how sad!"

Yang Chufu of Jin went on a diplomatic visit to Wei, and on his return passed through Ning. Ning Ying followed after him, and turned back when they reached Wen. His wife asked him why. Ying said: "Because of his hardness. The Documents of Shang say: 'The sunken and yielding are governed by firmness; the high and bright are governed by softness.' This gentleman holds to one alone — will he not fail to end his days? Even Heaven, whose virtue is firmness, does not violate the seasons; how much less a man! Besides, he is flower without fruit, and there resentment gathers. To give offense and gather resentment is no way to make oneself secure. I feared I should not gain the profit of him but should be caught in his troubles, and so I left him."

Zhao Chengzi, Luan Zhenzi, Huobo, and Jiuji of Jin all died.

Year 6 (文公六年)

Annals.

• In spring, Duke Xi of Xu was buried.
• In summer, Jisun Xingfu went to Chen.
• In autumn, Jisun Xingfu went to Jin.
• In the eighth month, on yihai, Huan, Marquis of Jin, died.
• In winter, in the tenth month, Prince Sui went to Jin.
• Duke Xiang of Jin was buried.
• Jin put to death its grandee Yang Chufu.
• Hu Yegu of Jin fled to the Di.
• In the intercalary month the new moon was not announced; still the court visit was made at the temple.

Zuo.

In spring Jin held a great hunting review at Yi and disbanded two of its armies. Hu Yegu was made commander of the central army, with Zhao Dun (趙盾) as his second. Yang Chufu arrived from Wen, moved the review to Dong, and exchanged the commanders of the central army. Master Yang had been a follower of Chengji, and therefore took the part of the Zhao clan; moreover he thought Zhao Dun able, and said: "To employ the able is to the state's advantage." Therefore he raised him to the higher place. From this time Xuanzi first took charge of the government of the state. He drew up the code of affairs, corrected the laws and penalties, regulated punishments and prison cases, supervised the pursuit of fugitives, brought written bonds into use, cleared away old corruptions, restored the ranks and observances to their root, resumed the regular offices, and brought forward men long overlooked. When these were complete, he handed them to the grand tutor, Master Yang, and to the grand preceptor Jia Tuo, to be put into practice throughout Jin as its standing law. Zang Wenzhong, seeing that Chen and Wei were on good terms, wished to seek friendship with Chen.

In summer Ji Wenzi went on a diplomatic visit to Chen, and took a wife there as well. Renhao, Earl of Qin, died. The three sons of the Ziju clan — Yanxi, Zhonghang, and Qianhu — were made to follow him in death; all were good men of Qin. The people of the capital grieved for them and made for them the ode "The Yellow Birds" (黃鳥). The gentleman said: "That Duke Mu of Qin did not become master of the covenant was fitting indeed. In dying he cast away his people. When the former kings departed the world they still left the people laws — how much worse to rob them of good men! The Odes say: 'When good men are gone, the state is worn out and ruined.' This speaks of having no good men. How then could he take them away? The kings of antiquity, knowing that their allotted span was not long, therefore set up sages and wise men beside them, established for the people repute and good report, distributed to them the emblems of rank, set down for them instructive sayings, made for them measures and rules, laid out for them the standards of the arts, guided them by models and forms, gave them laws and regulations, informed them by admonitions and canons, taught them to guard against greed for gain, entrusted them with fixed duties, and led them by the rites — so that the people should not lose what suited their soil, and the multitude of dependents relied on this. Only then did they go to their fate. The sage kings all did the same. Now, even granting that he left no laws to his successors, he further took away their good men to die with him. It is hard for such a one to stand above the people." By this the gentleman knew that Qin would not campaign eastward again.

In autumn Ji Wenzi was about to make a diplomatic visit to Jin, and sent men to look up the rites for meeting a death while abroad before he set out. His man said: "What use will that be?" Wenzi said: "To prepare beforehand against what is not foreseen is a good teaching of antiquity. To seek a thing and not have it — that is real trouble. What harm is there in seeking too much?"

In the eighth month, on yihai, Duke Xiang of Jin died. Duke Ling was young, and because of the troubles the men of Jin wished to set up an older ruler. Zhao Meng said: "Set up Prince Yong. He loves the good and is of mature years; the former ruler loved him, and he is close to Qin, and Qin is an old friend. To place a good man is to be secure; to serve an elder is to be in accord; to set up one who was loved is filial; to bind an old friendship is to be at peace. It is because of the troubles that we wish to set up an older ruler, and with these four virtues the troubles will surely be dispelled." Jia Ji said: "Better to set up Prince Le. Chen Ying was favored by two rulers; if we set up her son, the people will surely be content with him." Zhao Meng said: "Chen Ying was of low rank, ninth in the order of the women; what awe can her son command? Moreover, to have been the favorite of two rulers is licentious. As a son of the former ruler he could not seek out a great state but went to live in a small one; that is meanness. With a licentious mother and a mean son there is no awe; Chen is small and far off and gives no support. Where would the peace be in that? Du Qi, for the ruler's sake, yielded place to Bi Ji and set her above herself; for the sake of the Di she yielded to Ji Wei and placed herself next after her, so that she stood fourth in the order. It was for this that the former ruler loved her son and placed him in office in Qin, where he became deputy minister. Qin is great and near, enough to give support; the mother is righteous and the son beloved, enough to command awe among the people. To set him up — is that not right?" Xian Mie and Shi Hui were sent to Qin to fetch Prince Yong. Jia Ji likewise sent to summon Prince Le from Chen, and Zhao Meng had him killed at Pi. Jia Ji resented Master Yang for having changed his rank, and knew that he had no support in Jin.

In the ninth month Jia Ji had Xu Juju kill Yang Chufu. The record says "Jin put to death its grandee": he had encroached on another's office.

In winter, in the tenth month, Xiangzhong went to Jin. Duke Xiang was buried.

In the eleventh month, on bingyin, Jin put Xu Jianbo to death. Jia Ji fled to the Di, and Xuanzi sent Yu Pian to escort his wife and children after him. At the review at Yi, Jia Ji had humiliated Yu Pian, and Yu Pian's men wanted to kill the whole Jia clan in requital. Yu Pian said: "It cannot be. I have heard that the records of former times say: 'Kindness is matched with kindness and enmity with enmity, and it does not pass to the descendants — this is the way of loyalty.' The master has treated Jia Ji with propriety; if I use his favor toward me to requite a private grudge, would that not be wrong? To lean on another's favor is not courage; to ease my own resentment and multiply enmity is not wisdom; to injure the public good for private ends is not loyalty. If I let go of these three, how shall I serve the master?" He provided in full for Jia Ji's wife and children, together with their utensils and their goods, personally led a guard to protect them, and escorted them to the frontier.

In the intercalary month the first day was not announced; this was contrary to the rites. The intercalary month rectifies the seasons; the seasons determine when affairs are undertaken; affairs enrich life. The way of giving life to the people lies just here. Not to announce the first day of the intercalary month is to abandon the government of the seasons. How then can one govern the people?

Year 7 (文公七年)

Annals.

• In spring, the duke attacked Zhu.
• In the third month, on jiaxu, Xuju was taken, and thereupon Wu was walled.
• In summer, in the fourth month, Wangchen, Duke of Song, died.
• Men of Song put to death their grandee.
• On wuzi, men of Jin fought men of Qin at Linghu.
• Xian Mie of Jin fled to Qin.
• The Di raided our western border.
• In autumn, in the eighth month, the duke met the feudal lords and a grandee of Jin and covenanted at Hu.
• In winter, Xu attacked Ju.
• Gongsun Ao went to Ju to be present at a covenant.

Zuo.

In spring the duke attacked Zhu, taking advantage of the troubles in Jin.

In the third month, on jiaxu, Xuju was taken and a son of Duke Wen was placed there. This was contrary to the rites.

In summer, in the fourth month, Duke Cheng of Song died. At that time Prince Cheng was minister of the right, Gongsun You minister of the left, Yue Yu marshal, Lin Guan minister of education, Prince Dang minister of works, and Hua Yushi minister of justice. Duke Zhao was about to rid himself of the princes. Yue Yu said: "It cannot be done. The ducal kindred are the branches and leaves of the ducal house; if you cut them away, the trunk and root will have nothing to shade them. Even the creeping vine can shelter its own root and stock, and therefore the gentleman takes it as a figure — how much more the ruler of a state! This is what the proverb calls taking shelter beneath a tree and then letting loose the axe upon it. It must not be; let my lord consider it. Draw them close with virtue and they will all be your thighs and arms; who would then dare be of divided mind? Why remove them?" He did not listen. The kindred of Dukes Mu and Xiang led the people of the capital in an attack on the duke and killed Gongsun Gu and Gongsun Zheng in the ducal palace. The six ministers reconciled the ducal house, and Yue Yu gave up the office of marshal and yielded it to Prince Ang. Duke Zhao took his position and the burial was performed. The record says: "Men of Song put to death their grandee." His name is not given because the killers were many, and also to say that it was not through any fault of his.

Duke Kang of Qin escorted Prince Yong to Jin, saying: "When Duke Wen entered, he had no guard, and so there came the troubles of Lü and Xi." He therefore gave him a large escort on foot. Mu Ying carried the heir apparent daily and wailed in the court, saying: "What fault had the former ruler? What fault has his heir? To set aside the rightful heir and not establish him, and to look abroad for a ruler — where will you put this child?" Leaving the court, she carried him to the Zhao household and knocked her head on the ground before Xuanzi, saying: "The former ruler took this child in his arms and entrusted him to you, saying: 'If this child proves able, I shall have received your gift; if he proves unable, I shall have only you to blame.' Now, though the ruler is dead, his words are still in your ears, and you would cast the child aside. How can that be?" Xuanzi and the grandees were all troubled by Mu Ying, and feared besides that they would be pressed by force; so they went back on Xian Mie and set up Duke Ling, and prepared to resist the Qin army. Ji Zheng remained to guard the capital. Zhao Dun commanded the central army with Xian Ke as his second; Xun Linfu was second in the upper army; Xian Mie commanded the lower army with Xian Du as his second; Bu Zhao drove the war chariot and Rong Jin was the spearman on the right. When they reached Jinyin, Xuanzi said: "If we receive the man from Qin, then Qin is our guest; if we do not receive him, Qin is our enemy. We have already refused to receive him; if we now go slowly with the army, Qin will conceive designs. To forestall others is to seize their resolve, and that is good strategy in an army; to drive off an enemy as one pursues a fugitive, that is good discipline in an army." They drilled the soldiers and sharpened the weapons, fed the horses and ate on their mats, and the army rose secretly by night. On wuzi they defeated the Qin army at Linghu and pursued as far as Kushou. On jichou Xian Mie fled to Qin, and Shi Hui followed him. When Xian Mie had been sent on his mission, Xun Linfu had tried to stop him, saying: "The lady and the heir apparent are still here, and yet a ruler is sought abroad; this can never come off. Suppose you plead illness and decline — how would that be? If you do not, harm will reach you. It is quite proper for someone to go with the temporary rank of minister; why need it be you? Men who hold office together are colleagues, and I have been your colleague; dare I not speak my whole mind?" He did not listen. Xun Linfu had the third stanza of the ode "Perverse" (板) performed for him, and still he did not listen. When he fled, Xun Bo sent after him to Qin his wife and children and all their utensils and goods, saying: "It is because we were colleagues." Shi Hui was three years in Qin and did not visit Shibo. His man said: "You could go into exile with him from your own state, and yet you cannot visit him here. What is the use of that?" Shiji said: "I share the same guilt with him; I do not hold it to be righteous. Why then should I visit him?" And when he returned home, he never did visit him.

The Di raided our western border, and the duke sent word to Jin. Zhao Xuanzi sent by way of Jia Ji to make inquiry of Feng Shu, and also to reprove him. Feng Shu asked Jia Ji: "Zhao Cui and Zhao Dun — which is the worthier?" He answered: "Zhao Cui was the sun of a winter's day; Zhao Dun is the sun of a summer's day."

In autumn, in the eighth month, the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Baron of Xu, and the Earl of Cao met Zhao Dun of Jin and covenanted at Hu, because the Marquis of Jin had been established. The duke arrived late, and therefore those he met are not recorded. In general, when there is a meeting of the lords and those met are not recorded, it is because of lateness. When one arrives late, his state is not named, to avoid publishing his want of alertness.

Mubo took a wife from Ju, called Dai Ji, who bore Wenbo; her younger sister Sheng Ji bore Huishu. When Dai Ji died, he again sought a bride in Ju. The men of Ju declined on the ground that Sheng Ji was still there, and so he sought a bride there for Xiangzhong instead.

In winter Xu attacked Ju, and the men of Ju came to ask for a covenant. Mubo went to Ju to be present at the covenant, and also to fetch the bride for Zhong. When they reached Yanling he went up on the wall and saw her; she was beautiful, and he took her for himself. Zhong asked leave to attack him, and the duke was about to grant it. Shuzhong Huibo remonstrated, saying: "Your servant has heard that when arms are raised within, it is called disorder, and when raised without, it is called enemy war. Enemy war still falls on others; disorder falls on oneself. Now a servant of yours would raise disorder, and if my lord does not forbid it he opens the way to enemies. What then?" The duke stopped him, and Huibo settled the matter. He had Zhong give up the woman, and Gongsun Ao sent her back, and they were brothers again as at first. Both followed his counsel.

Xi Que of Jin said to Zhao Xuanzi: "In former days Wei was not at one with us, and so we took its land. Now it is at one with us, and the land may be returned. If a rebel is not punished, how is awe displayed? If a submissive state is not treated gently, how is cherishing displayed? With neither awe nor cherishing, how is virtue displayed? Without virtue, how can one preside over covenants? You are chief minister and preside over the lords; if you do not attend to virtue, what will come of it? The Documents of Xia say: 'Admonish them with what is good, correct them with awe, urge them on with the nine songs, and let nothing fall to ruin.' The virtues of the nine achievements can all be sung, and these are called the nine songs. The six stores and the three affairs are called the nine achievements. Water, fire, metal, wood, earth, and grain are called the six stores. Rectifying virtue, making things useful, and enriching life are called the three affairs. To carry these out with righteousness is called the ritual propriety of virtue. Where there is no ritual propriety there is no joy, and that is the road by which men rebel. If your virtue, sir, is such that none of it can be sung, who will come to you? Why not let those who are at one with us sing of you?" Xuanzi was pleased with him.

Year 8 (文公八年)

Annals.

• In spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, the fourth month.
• In autumn, in the eighth month, on wushen, the Heavenly King died.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on renwu, Prince Sui met Zhao Dun of Jin and covenanted at Hengyong.
• On yiyou, Prince Sui met the Luo Rong and covenanted at Bao.
• Gongsun Ao set out for the royal capital but turned back without arriving.
• On bingxu he fled to Ju.
• Locusts.
• Men of Song put to death their grandee the marshal.
• The minister of works of Song fled to us.

Zuo.

In spring the Marquis of Jin sent Xie Yang to return the fields of Kuang and Qi to Wei, and also to restore the fief of Chi, the duke's son-in-law, from Shen to the boundary of Hulao.

In summer men of Qin attacked Jin and took Wucheng, in requital for the campaign at Linghu.

In autumn King Xiang died, and the men of Jin came to call us to account for the covenant at Hu.

In winter Xiangzhong met Zhao Meng of Jin and covenanted at Hengyong, in return for the covenant at Hu. He then met the Rong of the Yi and Luo. The record says "Prince Sui," treating him as a man of worth. Mubo went to Zhou to condole at the mourning, but did not arrive; he took the gifts and fled to Ju, following the woman of the Ji clan there.

The lady of Duke Xiang of Song was the elder sister of King Xiang, and Duke Zhao treated her without propriety. The lady, using the kindred of the Dai clan, killed Duke Xiang's grandsons Kong Shu and Gongsun Zhongli and the grand marshal Prince Ang, all of them of Duke Zhao's party. The marshal died grasping his tally of office, and therefore the record names him by his office. The minister of works, Dang Yizhu, fled to us; he surrendered his tally to the keeper of the stores before going out. The duke received him with the honors due his office and restored all of it to him. He too is recorded by his office; both alike were held in honor.

At the review at Yi, the Marquis of Jin was about to promote Ji Zhengfu and Xian Du, and to make Shi Hu and Liang Yi'er commanders of the central army. Xian Ke said: "The merits of the Hu and Zhao families cannot be set aside." He followed this. Xian Ke seized Kuai De's fields at Jinyin, and therefore Ji Zhengfu, Xian Du, Shi Hu, Liang Yi'er, and Kuai De raised a revolt.

Year 9 (文公九年)

Annals.

• In spring, the Earl of Mao came to ask for metal.
• The duke's wife, Lady Jiang, went to Qi.
• In the second month, Shusun Dechen went to the royal capital.
• On xinchou, King Xiang was buried.
• Men of Jin put to death their grandee Xian Du.
• In the third month, Lady Jiang returned from Qi.
• Men of Jin put to death their grandees Shi Hu and Ji Zhengfu.
• Men of Chu attacked Zheng.
• Prince Sui joined men of Jin, men of Song, men of Wei, and men of Xu to relieve Zheng.
• In summer, the Di raided Qi.
• In autumn, in the eighth month, Xiang, Earl of Cao, died.
• In the ninth month, on guiyou, there was an earthquake.
• In winter, the Viscount of Chu sent Jiao on a diplomatic visit.
• Men of Qin came to present grave-clothes for Duke Xi and Cheng Feng.
• Duke Gong of Cao was buried.

Zuo.

In spring, in the king's first month, on jiyou, assassins were sent to kill Xian Ke. On yichou the men of Jin put Xian Du and Liang Yi'er to death. Wei, Earl of Mao, came to ask for metal; this was contrary to the rites. The king's command is not recorded because the late king was not yet buried.

In the second month Zhuangshu went to Zhou for the burial of King Xiang.

In the third month, on jiaxu, the men of Jin put Ji Zhengfu, Shi Hu, and Kuai De to death. Fan Shan said to the Viscount of Chu: "The ruler of Jin is young and gives no thought to the lords; the north can be planned for." The Viscount of Chu encamped his army at Langyuan and attacked Zheng, taking prisoner Prince Jian, Prince Mang, and Yue Er. Zheng then made peace with Chu. Prince Sui joined Zhao Dun of Jin, Hua Ou of Song, Kong Da of Wei, and a grandee of Xu to relieve Zheng, but they did not come up with the Chu army. The ministers are not named in the record because they were slow; it was to reprove their want of diligence.

In summer Chu raided Chen and took Huqiu, because Chen had submitted to Jin.

In autumn Prince Zhu of Chu attacked Chen from the Eastern Yi. The men of Chen defeated him and captured Prince Fa. Chen then took fright and made peace with Chu.

In winter Ziyue Jiao of Chu came on a diplomatic visit and held the ceremonial gifts arrogantly. Shuzhong Huibo said: "This man will surely destroy the ancestral line of the Ruo'ao clan. He is arrogant before our former rulers, and the spirits will not bless him."

Men of Qin came to present grave-clothes for Duke Xi and Cheng Feng; this accorded with the rites. When the lords condole with and congratulate one another, even if the occasion is past, so long as there is ritual propriety in it, it is recorded, that old friendships may not be forgotten.

Year 10 (文公十年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's third month, on xinmao, Zangsun Chen died.
• In summer, Qin attacked Jin.
• Chu put to death its grandee Yishen.
• From the first month there was no rain, until the seventh month of autumn.
• We covenanted with the Viscount of Su at Nüli.
• In winter, the Di raided Song.
• The Viscount of Chu and the Marquis of Cai encamped at Juemo.

Zuo.

In spring the men of Jin attacked Qin and took Shaoliang.

In summer the Earl of Qin attacked Jin and took Beizheng. Earlier, the shaman Yusi of Fan in Chu had told King Cheng, Ziyu, and Zixi that all three of them would die a violent death. At the campaign of Chengpu the king remembered this, and therefore sent a messenger to stop Ziyu, saying "Do not die"; but the messenger did not arrive in time. He then stopped Zixi: Zixi had hanged himself and the rope broke, and the king's messenger arrived just at that moment and stopped him. He was made duke of Shang. Going down the Han and up the Yangzi, he was about to enter Ying. The king was at the Zhu Palace and came down to see him. Zixi took fright and excused himself, saying: "Your servant escaped death, and now there is slander saying that your servant means to flee. Let your servant go back and die at the hands of the minister of justice." The king made him director of artisans. Afterward he plotted with Zijia to assassinate King Mu, and King Mu heard of it.

In the fifth month Dou Yishen and Zhonggui were put to death.

In autumn, in the seventh month, we covenanted with the Viscount of Su at Nüli, because King Qing had been established. The Marquis of Chen and the Earl of Zheng met the Viscount of Chu at Xi.

In winter he went on with the Marquis of Cai and encamped at Juemo, intending to attack Song. Hua Yushi of Song said: "Chu means to weaken us. Shall we not weaken ourselves for them first? Why make them lure us into it? The truth is that we are not able to resist; and what fault have the people?" So he went out to meet the Viscount of Chu, offered him the courtesies of welcome, and submitted to his commands. Then he led them to the hunt at Mengzhu. The Duke of Song formed the right wing and the Earl of Zheng the left wing; Fusui, duke of Qisi, was marshal of the right; Zizhu and Wuwei of Wen were marshals of the left. The order was given to yoke the chariots early and to carry fire-drills. The Duke of Song disobeyed the order, and Wuwei flogged his charioteer and paraded him through the camp. Someone said to Zizhou: "The ruler of a state may not be shamed." Zizhou said: "When one holds office and acts by it, what power is there over me? The Odes say: 'What is hard he does not spit out, what is soft he does not swallow; do not indulge the crafty and compliant, and so guard against the boundlessly wicked.' This too is not avoiding the strong. Should I dare to spare my life and so throw my office into disorder?" At the meeting of Juemo the Viscount of Jun fled home.

Year 11 (文公十一年)

Annals.

• In spring, the Viscount of Chu attacked Jun.
• In summer, Shuzhong Pengsheng met Xi Que of Jin at Chengkuang.
• In autumn, the Earl of Cao came to court.
• Prince Sui went to Song.
• The Di raided Qi.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on jiawu, Shusun Dechen defeated the Di at Xian.

Zuo.

In spring the Viscount of Chu attacked Jun. Cheng Daxin defeated the Jun army at Fangzhu, and Pan Chong attacked Jun again and reached Yangxue.

In summer Shuzhong Huibo met Xi Que of Jin at Chengkuang, to plan concerning those of the lords who were following Chu.

In autumn Duke Wen of Cao came to court; having taken his position, he came to present himself. Xiangzhong went on a diplomatic visit to Song, and also spoke on behalf of the minister of works Dang Yizhu and had him restored, taking the occasion to congratulate Song that the Chu army had done it no harm.

The Souman raided Qi and then attacked us. The duke divined about sending Shusun Dechen in pursuit of them, and it was auspicious. Hou Shuxia drove Zhuangshu's chariot, Mianfang Sheng was the spearman on the right, and Fufu Zhongsheng was the fourth man in the chariot.

In winter, in the tenth month, on jiawu, they defeated the Di at Xian and took Qiaoru of the Tall Di. Fufu Zhongsheng struck him in the throat and killed him with a dagger-axe. They buried his head at the Ziju gate, and named Xuanbo after him.

Earlier, in the time of Duke Wu of Song, the Souman attacked Song. The minister of education Huangfu led an army against them; Er Ban drove for Huangfu Chongshi, Prince Gusheng was the spearman on the right, and the minister of justice Niufu was the fourth man in the chariot. They defeated the Di at Changqiu and took Yuansi of the Tall Di, but two of Huangfu's sons died there. The Duke of Song then rewarded Er Ban with a city gate, granting him its tolls for his maintenance, and it was called the Er Gate.

When Jin extinguished Lu, it took Qiaoru's younger brother Fenru.

In the second year of Duke Xiang of Qi, the Souman attacked Qi, and Prince Chengfu of Qi took their younger brother Rongru and buried his head at the north gate of Zhoushou.

The men of Wei took their youngest brother Jianru, and the Souman thereupon perished.

Zhuru, heir apparent of Cheng, settled himself at Fuzhong, but the people of the state would not go along with him.

Year 12 (文公十二年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's first month, the Earl of Cheng fled to us.
• The Earl of Qi (杞) came to court.
• In the second month, on gengzi, Zi Shuji died.
• In summer, men of Chu besieged Chao.
• In autumn, the Viscount of Teng came to court.
• The Earl of Qin sent Shu on a diplomatic visit.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, on wuwu, men of Jin fought men of Qin at Hequ.
• Jisun Xingfu led an army and walled Zhu and Yun.

Zuo.

In spring the Earl of Cheng died, and the people of Cheng set up a ruler. The heir apparent came here as a fugitive, bringing with him Fuzhong and Chenggui. The duke received him with the ceremony due a feudal lord; this was contrary to the rites. Therefore the record says, "the Earl of Cheng came as a fugitive," and does not record the lands he brought — this out of respect for the rank of the feudal lords. Duke Huan of Qi (杞) came to court; it was his first court visit to the duke. He also asked to repudiate Shuji while not severing the marriage tie between the two houses, and the duke allowed it.

In the second month Shuji died. The record does not name Qi (杞), because she had been repudiated. It writes "Shuji," to show that she was no longer simply a daughter of the house. Dasunbo, chief minister of Chu, died, and Cheng Jia became chief minister. The Shu tribes revolted from Chu. In summer Zikong seized Ping, Viscount of Shu, together with the Viscount of Zong, and then laid siege to Chao.

In autumn Duke Zhao of Teng came to court; this too was his first court visit to the duke. The Earl of Qin sent Xiqi Shu on a diplomatic visit, and also to say that Qin would attack Jin. Xiangzhong declined the gift of jade, saying, "Your lord has not forgotten the friendship of our former rulers. He shines his light upon the state of Lu and gives peace to its altars of soil and grain, and he adds to this a great vessel. Our unworthy ruler ventures to decline the jade." The reply was, "This poor vessel is not worth declining." The host declined three times. Then the guest said, "Our unworthy ruler wishes to seek blessing from the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Lu, so as to serve your lord. This meager old vessel of our former rulers he has sent his lowly servant to deliver to your officers, to serve as a token of good omen and to bind fast the charge of friendship. It is the thing that gives substance to our ruler's command and knits the friendship of the two states; therefore I venture to present it." Xiangzhong said, "Without gentlemen, could a state endure? There is nothing crude about that state." He gave him rich gifts. Qin acted thus on account of the campaign at Linghu.

In winter the Earl of Qin attacked Jin and took Jima. The men of Jin resisted him. Zhao Dun (趙盾) commanded the central army with Xun Linfu as his second; Xi Que commanded the upper army with Yu Pian as his second; Luan Dun commanded the lower army with Xu Jia as his second; and Fan Wuxu drove the war chariot. They followed the Qin army to Hequ. Yu Pian said, "Qin cannot hold out long. Let us deepen our ramparts and make the camp firm, and wait for them." This was followed.

The men of Qin wished to fight. The Earl of Qin said to Shi Hui, "How can we bring on a battle?" He answered, "The Zhao clan has lately brought forward a dependent of theirs named Yu Pian, and it must be he who made this plan; he means to wear our army out. Zhao has a kinsman of a cadet branch named Chuan (趙穿), who is son-in-law to the ruler of Jin. He is favored but young, has no part in military affairs, loves daring and is reckless, and moreover resents that Yu Pian is second in command of the upper army. If light troops were sent to make a dash at him, that might serve." The Earl of Qin took a jade disc and prayed to the River for battle.

In the twelfth month, on wuwu, the Qin army fell suddenly upon Jin's upper army. Zhao Chuan pursued them but did not overtake them. He came back angry and said, "We have wrapped our rations and sit in our armor for the very purpose of seeking the enemy. The enemy comes and we do not strike. What are we waiting for?" An officer of the army said, "We are waiting for something." Chuan said, "I know nothing of plans. I shall go out by myself." So he went out with his own followers. Xuanzi said, "If Qin takes Chuan, they take a minister. If Qin goes home victorious, how shall I answer for it?" So the whole army went out to fight, and both sides drew off again. In the night a Qin herald gave notice to the Jin army, saying, "The men of our two rulers have neither of them had their fill. Tomorrow let us look upon one another again." Yu Pian said, "The envoy's eyes were moving and his speech was loose. He fears us, and they will slip away. Press them against the river and we shall surely beat them." But Xu Jia and Zhao Chuan stood at the camp gate and cried out, "To abandon the dead and wounded before they are gathered up is not kind; to press men into a dangerous place without waiting for the appointed hour is not brave." So the plan was dropped, and the Qin army slipped away in the night. It raided Jin again and entered Xia.

Walls were built at Zhu and Yun; the record notes that it was done in season.

Year 13 (文公十三年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's first month.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on renwu, Shuo, Marquis of Chen, died.
• Quchu, Viscount of Zhu, died.
• From the first month there was no rain, and so on to the seventh month of autumn.
• The roof of the Great Chamber fell in.
• In winter the duke went to Jin.
• The Marquis of Wei met the duke at Ta.
• The Di raided Wei.
• In the twelfth month, on jichou, the duke made a covenant with the Marquis of Jin.
• The duke returned from Jin.
• The Earl of Zheng met the duke at Fei.

Zuo.

In spring the Marquis of Jin settled Zhan Jia at Xia, to guard the pass of Taolin. The men of Jin were troubled that Qin was making use of Shi Hui.

In summer the six ministers met together at Zhufu. Zhao Xuanzi said, "Sui Hui is in Qin, Jia Ji is among the Di. Trouble draws nearer by the day. What is to be done?" Zhonghang Huanzi said, "Let us bring Jia Ji back. He is capable in dealings abroad, and there is his old service to go upon." Xi Chengzi said, "Jia Ji is a maker of disorder, and his offense is great. He is not the man Sui Hui is, who can bear a low station and still has a sense of shame, who is yielding and yet not to be trespassed upon, whose wisdom is enough to be used — and who has committed no crime." So they had Wei Shouyu feign a revolt with the town of Wei, in order to lure Shi Hui out. They seized his household in Jin and let him escape by night, and he asked leave to give himself up to Qin; the Earl of Qin allowed it. At court he trod on Shi Hui's foot.

The Earl of Qin encamped west of the Yellow River, with the men of Wei on the eastern bank. Shouyu said, "Let one of the eastern men be sent who can speak with those several officers of theirs, and I will go with him." The earl first appointed Shi Hui. Shi Hui declined, saying, "The men of Jin are tigers and wolves. If they go back on their word, your servant dies and my wife and children are put to the sword; there will be no gain for my lord, and no undoing it." The Earl of Qin said, "If they go back on their word, and I do not send your household home to you — may the River be my witness." So he went. Rao Chao presented him with a whip and said, "Do not say that Qin has no men. My own plan simply was not used." When he had crossed, the men of Wei raised a shout and went back, and the men of Qin sent his household home to him. Those of his line who stayed behind became the Liu clan.

Duke Wen of Zhu divined about moving to Yi. The scribe said, "It is of advantage to the people but not to the ruler." The Viscount of Zhu said, "If it profits the people, it profits me. Heaven gave birth to the people and set up a ruler over them in order to profit them. If the people are profited, I must have my share in it." Those about him said, "Your life-span may be lengthened. Why does my lord not do so?" The Viscount of Zhu said, "My mandate lies in nourishing the people. Whether death comes soon or late is a matter of its season. If the people are profited, then move. No omen is more auspicious than that." So he moved to Yi. In the fifth month Duke Wen of Zhu died. A gentleman said, "He understood the mandate."

In autumn, in the seventh month, the roof of the Great Chamber fell in. The record notes a want of reverent care.

In winter the duke went to Jin to pay a court visit and to renew the covenant. The Marquis of Wei met the duke at Ta and asked him to make peace for him with Jin. As the duke was returning, the Earl of Zheng met him at Fei and likewise asked him to make peace with Jin; the duke brought both matters to completion. The Earl of Zheng feasted with the duke at Fei. Zijia chanted "The Wild Geese" (鴻鴈). Ji Wenzi said, "Our unworthy ruler is not himself free of such straits." Wenzi chanted "The Fourth Month" (四月). Zijia chanted the fourth stanza of "Speeding the Chariot" (載馳). Wenzi chanted the fourth stanza of "Plucking the Bracken" (采薇). The Earl of Zheng bowed, and the duke bowed in return.

Year 14 (文公十四年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's first month, the duke arrived from Jin.
• The men of Zhu attacked our southern border.
• Shu Pengsheng led an army and attacked Zhu.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on yihai, Pan, Marquis of Qi, died.
• In the sixth month the duke met the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Baron of Xu, the Earl of Cao, and Zhao Dun of Jin; on guiyou they made a joint covenant at Xincheng.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, a bushy star entered the Northern Dipper.
• The duke arrived from the meeting.
• The men of Jin sought to install Jiezi in Zhu, and could not do it.
• In the ninth month, on jiashen, Gongsun Ao died in Qi.
• Prince Shangren of Qi assassinated his ruler She.
• Zi'ai of Song came here as a fugitive.
• In winter the Earl of Shan went to Qi.
• The men of Qi seized the Earl of Shan.
• The men of Qi seized Zi Shuji.

Zuo.

In spring King Qing died. The Duke of Zhou, Yue, and Wangsun Su were contending for the government, and therefore no announcement of the death was sent out. In general, when a king or a lord dies and no announcement is sent, it is not recorded; and when calamity or good fortune is not reported, that too is not recorded. This is the way of rebuking a want of reverence.

When Duke Wen of Zhu died, the duke sent to offer condolence, but the envoy was not respectful. The men of Zhu came to punish it and attacked our southern border, and so Huibo attacked the Viscount of Zhu.

Shuji was consort to Duke Zhao of Qi and bore She. Shuji had no favor, and She had no authority. Prince Shangren repeatedly dispensed largesse throughout the state and gathered many retainers about him; he exhausted his own household, and borrowed from the ducal officers to keep it up.

In summer, in the fifth month, Duke Zhao died and She took the throne.

The first consort of Duke Wen of Zhu was a Jiang of Qi, who bore Duke Ding; his second consort was a Ji of Jin, who bore Jiezi. When Duke Wen died, the men of Zhu set up Duke Ding, and Jiezi fled to Jin.

In the sixth month there was the joint covenant at Xincheng: those who had been following Chu submitted, and there was also planning about Zhu.

In autumn, in the seventh month, on the night of yimao, Shangren of Qi assassinated She and offered the place to Yuan. Yuan said, "You have sought it a long time. I can serve you. But if you were left to store up still more resentment, would you spare me? Take it yourself."

A bushy star entered the Northern Dipper. Shufu, the interior scribe of Zhou, said, "Before seven years are out, the rulers of Song, Qi, and Jin will all die in disorder."

Zhao Dun of Jin, with the armies of the feudal lords, eight hundred chariots, went to install Jiezi in Zhu. The men of Zhu refused, saying, "Jueju, born of the Qi woman, is the elder." Xuanzi said, "Their plea accords with right; to refuse it would be inauspicious." So he turned back.

The Duke of Zhou was about to plead his cause against Wangsun Su before Jin. The king turned against Wangsun Su and sent the Yin clan and Dan Qi to plead against the Duke of Zhou before Jin. Zhao Xuanzi settled the royal house and restored them to their places.

King Zhuang of Chu was set up. Zikong and Pan Chong were about to fall upon the Shu tribes; they left Prince Xie and Ziyi on guard while they attacked Shuliao. The two men raised a revolt, walled Ying, and sent an assassin to kill Zikong; he failed and came back.

In the eighth month the two men took the Viscount of Chu out with them, meaning to go to Shangmi. Jili of Lu and Shu Jun lured them on, and then killed Dou Ke and Prince Xie. Earlier, Dou Ke had been a prisoner in Qin; after Qin's defeat at Yao he was sent home to seek peace. Peace was made, but he did not get what he wanted; and Prince Xie sought the office of chief minister and did not get it. That is why the two men raised the revolt.

When Mubo went off with the woman of the Ji clan, the men of Lu set up Wenbo in his place. Mubo begot two sons in Ju and asked to come back; Wenbo made the request for him. Xiangzhong had it ordered that he should not attend court but wait upon commands. He came back and did not go out; after two years he took his whole household and went off again to Ju. Wenbo fell ill and made this request: "Gu's son is young; let Nan be set up." It was granted. Wenbo died, and Huishu was set up. Mubo offered heavy presents in seeking to return, and Huishu made the request for him; it was granted, and he was about to come.

In the ninth month he died in Qi. His death was announced and burial requested, but this was not allowed.

Gao Ai of Song was warden of the border at Xiao and was made a minister. Holding the conduct of the Duke of Song to be unrighteous, he left and so came here as a fugitive. The record says, "Zi'ai of Song came as a fugitive" — honoring him.

The men of Qi established Duke Yi and sent here to report the trouble; therefore it is recorded under the ninth month.

Prince Yuan of Qi did not consent to Duke Yi's conduct of the government; to the end he never called him "duke," but said "that fellow."

Xiangzhong had it reported to the king, asking that the king's favor be used to demand Zhaoji back from Qi, saying, "They have killed her son; what use have they for the mother? Let her be received back, and let her guilt be dealt with here."

In winter the Earl of Shan went to Qi to ask for Zi Shuji. The men of Qi seized him, and seized Zi Shuji as well.

Year 15 (文公十五年)

Annals.

• In spring Jisun Xingfu went to Jin.
• In the third month Huasun, marshal of Song, came to make a covenant.
• In summer the Earl of Cao came to court.
• The men of Qi returned the body of Gongsun Ao.
• In the sixth month, on xinchou, the first of the month, there was an eclipse of the sun; drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil.
• The Earl of Shan arrived from Qi.
• Xi Que of Jin led an army and attacked Cai; on wushen he entered Cai.
• In autumn the men of Qi raided our western border.
• Jisun Xingfu went to Jin.
• In winter, in the eleventh month, the feudal lords made a covenant at Hu.
• In the twelfth month the men of Qi came and returned Zi Shuji.
• The Marquis of Qi raided our western border, and then attacked Cao and entered its outer wall.

Zuo.

In spring Ji Wenzi went to Jin, on account of the Earl of Shan and Zi Shuji.

In the third month Hua Ou of Song came to make a covenant, and all his officers came with him. The record says "Huasun, marshal of Song" — honoring him. The duke would have feasted with him, but he declined, saying, "My lord's former servant Du offended against Duke Shang of Song, and his name stands in the records of the feudal lords. Your servant carries on his sacrifices; how should he dare bring disgrace upon my lord? Let me receive your commands from the officers of the second rank." The men of Lu thought him quick of wit.

In summer the Earl of Cao came to court; this accorded with the rites. The feudal lords pay court to one another twice in five years, so as to keep up the king's charge; such was the institution of antiquity. Someone in Qi laid a plan for the Meng clan and said, "Lu is your kin. Dress the coffin and set it down at Tangfu, and Lu will certainly take it up." They did so, and a man of Bian reported it. Huishu, still wasted with mourning, made the request, and stood at court to await the answer. It was granted, and the coffin was fetched and laid in the mortuary chamber, the men of Qi escorting it. The record says, "The men of Qi returned the body of Gongsun Ao" — for the sake of the Meng clan, and because it was a matter of the state as well. The burial was on the scale of Gongzhong's. Shengji would not look on it; she curtained off the hall and wailed within. Xiangzhong wished not to wail at all, but Huibo said, "A funeral is the end of kinship. Though one could not do well at the beginning, one may still do well at the end. Shi Yi had a saying: 'Brothers offer one another their best — relieving want, congratulating good fortune, condoling in disaster, reverent in sacrifice, grieving at funerals. Though their feelings may differ, they must not cut off the way of loving their kin.' If you do not lose the way yourself, what grievance can you have against another?" Xiangzhong was pleased, and led the brothers in wailing for him. In a later year the two sons of Mubo came here, and Meng Xianzi loved them, and this was known throughout the state. Someone slandered them, saying, "They mean to kill you." Xianzi reported it to Ji Wenzi. The two sons said, "The master is known for loving us, and we are known as men who mean to kill him. Is this not far from the rites? Better to die than to be far from the rites." One of them kept the gate at Jumeng and the other the gate at Liqiu, and both died there.

In the sixth month, on xinchou, the first of the month, there was an eclipse of the sun; drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil. This was contrary to the rites. When there is an eclipse of the sun, the Son of Heaven does not take his full meal and drums are beaten at the altar of the soil; the feudal lords offer silk at the altar of the soil and have drums beaten at the court. Thus is the service of the spirits made manifest, the people are trained to serve their ruler, and the graded dignities are displayed. Such was the way of antiquity. The men of Qi granted the Earl of Shan's request and pardoned him, sending him here to deliver his message. The record says, "The Earl of Shan arrived from Qi" — honoring him. Cai had not taken part in the covenant at Xincheng, and Xi Que of Jin attacked Cai with the upper and the lower army, saying, "Our ruler is young; we cannot afford to be slack." On wushen he entered Cai, made a covenant beneath the city wall, and returned. In general, when a state is overcome it is said to be extinguished; when a great city of it is taken it is said to be entered.

In autumn the men of Qi raided our western border, and therefore Ji Wenzi reported it to Jin.

In winter, in the eleventh month, the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Marquis of Cai, the Earl of Zheng, the Baron of Xu, and the Earl of Cao made a covenant at Hu, renewing the covenant of Xincheng and also planning an attack on Qi. The men of Qi bribed the Marquis of Jin, and so nothing was accomplished and they went home. At this time there was the trouble with Qi, and for that reason the duke did not attend the meeting. The record says, "The feudal lords made a covenant at Hu" — because they were able to accomplish nothing. In general, when the feudal lords meet and the duke does not take part, it is not recorded: this conceals the ruler's fault. When he does take part and it is not recorded, it is because he came late. The men of Qi came and returned Zi Shuji; this was on account of the king. The Marquis of Qi raided our western border, saying that the feudal lords could do nothing, and then attacked Cao and entered its outer wall, punishing it for having come to court here. Ji Wenzi said, "The Marquis of Qi will hardly escape. He is himself without the rites, and yet punishes one who keeps the rites, as though saying, 'Why do you practice the rites?' The rites are the means of according with Heaven; they are the way of Heaven. He himself turns against Heaven, and then uses that to punish others; he will hardly escape. The Odes say:

Why do you not fear one another?
You have no fear of Heaven.

"That the gentleman does not oppress the young and the lowly comes from fear of Heaven. In the Hymns of Zhou it says:

Fearing the majesty of Heaven,
thus he preserves it.

"If a man has no fear of Heaven, what will he be able to preserve? To take a state by disorder, and then to hold it by upholding the rites — even so one fears not to reach the end. Doing much that is without the rites, he cannot remain."

Year 16 (文公十六年)

Annals.

• In spring Jisun Xingfu met the Marquis of Qi at Yanggu; the Marquis of Qi did not conclude a covenant with him.
• In summer, in the fifth month, the duke for the fourth time did not perform the new-moon ceremony.
• In the sixth month, on wuchen, Prince Sui and the Marquis of Qi made a covenant at Qiqiu.
• In autumn, in the eighth month, on xinwei, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, passed away.
• The Quan Terrace was pulled down.
• Men of Chu, men of Qin, and men of Ba extinguished Yong.
• In winter, in the eleventh month, the men of Song assassinated their ruler Chujiu.

Zuo.

In spring, in the king's first month, peace was made with Qi. The duke was ill, and sent Ji Wenzi to meet the Marquis of Qi at Yanggu and ask for a covenant. The Marquis of Qi was unwilling and said, "Let us wait until your ruler is better."

In summer, in the fifth month, the duke for the fourth time did not perform the new-moon ceremony; this was because of his illness. The duke sent Xiangzhong to present gifts to the Marquis of Qi, and so the covenant at Qiqiu was made. A snake came out of the Quan Palace and entered the capital, as many as the number of the former rulers.

In autumn, in the eighth month, on xinwei, Shengjiang passed away. The Quan Terrace was pulled down. There was a great famine in Chu. The Rong attacked its southwest as far as Mount Fu and encamped at Dalin; they also attacked its southeast as far as Yangqiu, and raided Zizhi. The people of Yong led the Man tribes in revolt from Chu, and the people of Jun led the Hundred Pu and gathered at Xuan, meaning to attack Chu. At this time the north gates of Shen and Xi were not opened. The men of Chu planned to move to Bangao, but Wei Jia said, "It will not do. Where we can go, the enemy can go too. Better to attack Yong. Jun and the Hundred Pu think that in our famine we cannot put an army into the field, and that is why they attack us. If we send an army out, they will surely take fright and go home. The Hundred Pu live scattered; each will run back to his own settlement, and who will have leisure to plot against others?" So an army was sent out, and within fifteen days the Hundred Pu broke up. From Lu onward they opened the granaries and all ate alike. They halted at Goushi and sent Jili of Lu to raid Yong. He reached Fangcheng of Yong; the people of Yong drove him back and took Ziyangchuang prisoner, but after three nights he escaped. He said, "Yong's army is numerous and the Man tribes are gathered there. Better to bring up the main army again and call out the king's own troops, and advance only when the forces are joined." Shishu said, "It will not do. Let us rather engage them again, so as to make them arrogant. When they are arrogant and we are angry, then they can be beaten. This was how our former ruler Fenmao subdued Xingxi." So they engaged them again, and in seven engagements were beaten every time; only the men of Pi, Chou, and Yu kept up the pursuit. The people of Yong said, "Chu is not worth fighting," and set no guard. The Viscount of Chu rode post-horses and joined the army at Linpin. They divided into two columns, Ziyue going by Shixi and Zibei by Ren, to attack Yong. Men of Qin and men of Ba followed the Chu army, and the Man tribes made covenant with the Viscount of Chu. So Yong was extinguished.

Prince Bao of Song treated the people of the capital according to the rites. When Song had a famine he exhausted his grain in loans to them. To all who were seventy years old and upward he sent gifts without exception, adding in season rare and choice things to eat. There was not a day when he did not attend at the gates of the six ministers. Of the men of talent in the state there was none he did not serve; of his kinsmen from Duke Huan's line downward there was none for whom he did not care. Prince Bao was handsome and striking, and the lady of Duke Xiang wished to have him, but could not; so she helped him in his giving. Duke Zhao was without the Way, and the people of the capital upheld Prince Bao and relied on the lady. At this time Hua Yuan was minister of the right, Gongsun You minister of the left, Hua Ou marshal, Lin Guan minister of education, Dang Yizhu minister of works, and Prince Zhao minister of justice. Earlier, when Dang the minister of works died, Gongsun Shou declined the office and asked that Yizhu be given it. Afterward he told someone, "The ruler is without the Way, and my office stands close to him; I feared the trouble would reach me. Yet if I gave up the office, the clan would have no shelter. A son is a second self. For the present I put death off in this way: though I may lose my son, I shall not lose my clan." After a time the lady meant to have the duke hunt at Mengzhu and be killed there. The duke knew of it, and took all his treasures with him when he set out. Dang Yizhu said, "Why not go to one of the feudal lords?" The duke said, "I could not hold the loyalty of my grandees, nor of my grandmother the ruler's mother, nor of the people of the capital. Which of the lords would receive me? Besides, having been a ruler of men, then to become another man's servant — better to die." He gave all his treasures to his attendants and sent them away. The lady sent word to the minister of works to leave the duke. He answered, "To be his servant and yet run from his danger — what would later rulers make of that?"

In winter, in the eleventh month, on jiayin, Duke Zhao of Song was about to hunt at Mengzhu. Before he arrived, the lady, a Ji of the royal house, had the commander of the domain lands attack and kill him. Dang Yizhu died with him. The record says, "The men of Song assassinated their ruler Chujiu," because the ruler was without the Way. Duke Wen took the throne and made his younger brother by the same mother, Xu, minister of works; and when Hua Ou died, he made Dang Hui marshal.

Year 17 (文公十七年)

Annals.

• In spring men of Jin, men of Wei, men of Chen, and men of Zheng attacked Song.
• In summer, in the fourth month, on guihai, we buried our lady Shengjiang.
• The Marquis of Qi attacked our western border.
• In the sixth month, on guiwei, the duke made a covenant with the Marquis of Qi at Gu.
• The feudal lords met at Hu.
• In autumn the duke arrived from Gu.
• In winter Prince Sui went to Qi.

Zuo.

In spring Xun Linfu of Jin, Kong Da of Wei, Gongsun Ning of Chen, and Shi Chu of Zheng attacked Song, reproaching them and saying, "Why did you assassinate your ruler?" Yet they confirmed Duke Wen and went home. The ministers' names are not recorded, because they had lost their proper ground.

In summer, in the fourth month, on guihai, Shengjiang was buried; the trouble with Qi was the reason it was late. The Marquis of Qi attacked our northern border, and Xiangzhong asked for a covenant.

In the sixth month the covenant at Gu was made. The Marquis of Jin held a hunting review at Huangfu, and then again assembled the feudal lords at Hu, to settle the affair of Song. The duke did not attend the meeting, on account of the trouble with Qi. The record says only "the feudal lords," because nothing was achieved. At this time the Marquis of Jin refused to see the Earl of Zheng, holding him to be of two minds and inclined to Chu. Zijia of Zheng sent an officer of communications with a letter to inform Zhao Xuanzi. It said:

"In the third year of our unworthy ruler's reign he summoned the Marquis of Cai and joined with him in serving your lord. In the ninth month the Marquis of Cai came into our poor city to set out from there; but because of the trouble with Hou Xuanduo our unworthy ruler was unable to go together with the Marquis of Cai.

"In the eleventh month, having succeeded in putting down Hou Xuanduo, he followed the Marquis of Cai to pay court to your officers.

"In the twelfth year, in the sixth month, I, Guisheng, assisted our unworthy ruler's heir Yi in pleading for the Marquis of Chen with Chu, and in bringing him to pay court to your lord.

"In the fourteenth year, in the seventh month, our unworthy ruler again paid court, to finish the business of Chen.

"In the fifteenth year, in the fifth month, the Marquis of Chen went from our poor city to pay court to your lord. Last year, in the first month, Zhu Zhiwu went to bring the heir Yi to court; and in the eighth month our unworthy ruler went to court again. That Chen and Cai, close as they lie to Chu, still do not dare to be of two minds — that is owing to our poor city. Yet though our poor city serves your lord in this way, how is it that we are not excused? In the course of his reign he has paid court once to Duke Xiang and twice appeared before your present lord; and Yi and one or two of our ruler's servants have come one after another to Jiang. Small state though we are, no one has gone beyond us in this. Now the great state says, 'You have not yet satisfied my desire.' Our poor city has nothing before it but ruin; there is nothing more we could add. The ancients had a saying: 'Fear the head and fear the tail — how much of the body is left?' And again: 'A dying deer does not choose its shelter.' When a small state serves a great state, if the great state is virtuous the small state behaves as a human being; if it is not virtuous, the small state becomes that deer, breaking into headlong flight over dangerous ground — and in extremity what choice has it? Your commands have no limit, and we too understand that we face ruin. We shall call up all our poor levies and wait at Chou; let your officers give the word.

"In the second year of Duke Wen, in the sixth month, on renshen, he paid court in Qi.

"In the fourth year, in the second month, on renxu, for Qi's sake he raided Cai, and also obtained peace with Chu. To dwell between great states and follow the commands of the strong — how is that a crime? If the great state will not consider this, we have nowhere to flee your commands."

Gong Shuo of Jin went to make peace with Zheng, and Zhao Chuan and Chi, the duke's son-in-law, were given there as hostages.

In autumn Gan Chu of Zhou defeated the Rong at Shenchui, taking them while they were drinking.

In winter, in the tenth month, Yi, heir apparent of Zheng, and Shi Chu were given as hostages in Jin. Xiangzhong went to Qi to give thanks for the covenant at Gu. On his return he reported, "Your servant had heard that the men of Qi meant to eat the wheat of Lu. As your servant sees it, they will not be able to. The talk of the ruler of Qi is careless. Zang Wenzhong had a saying: 'When the lord of the people is careless, he is sure to die.'"

Year 18 (文公十八年)

Annals.

• In spring, in the king's second month, on dingchou, the duke passed away below the terrace.
• Ying, Earl of Qin, died.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on wuxu, the men of Qi assassinated their ruler Shangren.
• In the sixth month, on guiyou, we buried our ruler Duke Wen.
• In autumn Prince Sui and Shusun Dechen went to Qi.
• In winter, in the tenth month, the young ruler died.
• The duke's wife, Lady Jiang, returned to Qi.
• Jisun Xingfu went to Qi.
• Ju assassinated its ruler Shuqi.

Zuo.

In spring the Marquis of Qi fixed the date for calling out his army, and then fell ill. The physician said, "He will not last till autumn; he will die." The duke heard of it and divined, saying, "May he not reach the appointed date." Huibo addressed the tortoise, and Bu Chuqiu read the omen and said, "The Marquis of Qi will not reach the date, but it will not be from illness. Nor will our lord hear of it. There is blame upon the one who addressed the tortoise." In the second month, on dingchou, the duke passed away.

When Duke Yi of Qi was still a prince, he contended over a field with the father of Bing Chu and lost. When he came to the throne he had the corpse dug up and its feet cut off, and made Chu his charioteer. He took the wife of Yan Zhi into his household, and made Zhi ride at his side.

In summer, in the fifth month, the duke went out to the Shen pool. The two men were bathing in the pool, and Chu struck Zhi with a switch. Zhi was angry. Chu said, "A man takes your wife and you are not angry. What harm is one blow to you?" Zhi said, "And what of the man whose father's feet were cut off and who can feel no hurt at it?" So they plotted together and assassinated Duke Yi. They laid him among the bamboos, went home, set out the wine-cups and drank, and then departed. The men of Qi set up Prince Yuan.

In the sixth month Duke Wen was buried.

In autumn Xiangzhong and Zhuangshu went to Qi, on account of the establishment of Duke Hui, and also to give thanks for the burial gifts. Duke Wen's second consort, Jing Ying, bore Duke Xuan. Jing Ying was a favorite, and served Xiangzhong privately. When Duke Xuan was grown she entrusted him to Xiangzhong, and Xiangzhong wished to set him up; Shuzhong would not have it. Zhong had audience with the Marquis of Qi and made the request. The Marquis of Qi had just been established and wished to be close to Lu, and so he agreed.

In winter, in the tenth month, Zhong killed E and Shi and set up Duke Xuan. The record says, "The young ruler died," concealing the deed. Zhong summoned Huibo in the ruler's name. His steward, Gongran Wuren, tried to stop him, saying, "If you go in, you will surely die." Shuzhong said, "To die for the ruler's command is acceptable." Gongran Wuren said, "If it were the ruler's command, one might die for it; but since it is not the ruler's command, why obey it?" He would not listen, and went in; he was killed and buried among the horse dung. Gongran Wuren took his household and fled to Cai, and afterward the Shuzhong clan was restored.

The duke's wife, Lady Jiang, returned to Qi; it was a final return. As she set out she wept while passing through the market and said, "O Heaven! Zhong has acted without the Way; he has killed the son of the principal wife and set up the son of a concubine." All in the market wept, and the people of Lu called her the Sorrowing Jiang.

Jigong of Ju begot the heir apparent Pu, and then begot Ji Tuo. He loved Ji Tuo and put Pu aside, and moreover he did much in the state that was without ritual propriety. Pu, with the help of the people of the capital, assassinated Jigong, and came here as a fugitive with his precious jades, which he presented to Duke Xuan. The duke ordered that a town be given him, saying, "It must be handed over this very day." Ji Wenzi had the minister of justice put him out beyond the border, saying, "It must be done this very day." The duke asked the reason, and Ji Wenzi had the grand scribe Ke reply:

"The former grandee Zang Wenzhong taught Xingfu the rites of serving a ruler, and Xingfu has carried them with him in all his dealings and has not dared let them fall. He said: 'When you see one who keeps the rites toward his ruler, serve him as a filial son nourishes his parents; when you see one who is without the rites toward his ruler, strike him down as the hawk and the falcon chase the small birds.' Our former ruler the Duke of Zhou made the rites of Zhou, saying: 'By the standard one observes virtue; by virtue one settles affairs; by affairs one measures achievement; by achievement one feeds the people.' He made the oath-charge, saying: 'To break the standard is to be a villain; to shelter a villain is to be a harborer; to steal goods is to be a thief; to steal ritual vessels is to be a traitor. To bear the name of a harborer, to profit by the use of a traitor's goods — these are qualities greatly baleful. There is a fixed law for them and no pardon; they are not forgotten in the Nine Punishments.' Xingfu, turning to look at Pu of Ju, finds nothing in him to take as a standard. Filial piety, reverence, loyalty, and good faith are auspicious qualities; thieving, villainy, harboring, and treachery are baleful ones. Now as for Pu of Ju: take his filial reverence — he assassinated his ruler and father; take his loyalty and good faith — he stole the precious jades. In his person he is a thief and a villain; in the vessels he brings he shows the marks of treachery. To shelter him and profit by him would be to be a harborer. As a lesson it is darkness, and the people would have no standard. He does not measure himself by what is good, but stands wholly among the baleful qualities. Therefore he was sent away.

"Of old the clan of Gaoyang had eight sons of talent: Cangshu, Tui'ai, Taoyan, Dalin, Mangjiang, Tingjian, Zhongrong, and Shuda. They were even and sagely, broad and deep, clear-sighted and trustworthy, sincere and true, and the people of all under Heaven called them the Eight Harmonious Ones. The clan of Gaoxin had eight sons of talent: Bofen, Zhongkan, Shuxian, Jizhong, Bohu, Zhongxiong, Shubao, and Jili. They were loyal and grave, reverent and admirable, generous and kind, gracious and harmonious, and the people of all under Heaven called them the Eight Excellent Ones. These were the sixteen clans. Generation after generation they carried on their excellence and did not let their name fall, down to the time of Yao; but Yao could not raise them up. When Shun served Yao as his minister, he raised up the Eight Harmonious Ones and set them over the earth, to order the hundred affairs; and there was nothing that did not follow its season, so that the earth was levelled and Heaven's work completed. He raised up the Eight Excellent Ones and had them spread the five teachings through the four quarters: the father righteous, the mother kind, the elder brother friendly, the younger brother respectful, the son filial. Within, all was at peace; without, all was accomplished.

"Of old the clan of Dihong had a son without talent, who covered over righteousness and sheltered villainy, who delighted in baleful conduct, who kept vile company and loved foul things, obstinate and abusive and unfriendly, and made a faction with such men; the people of all under Heaven called him Hundun. The clan of Shaohao had a son without talent, who destroyed good faith and cast away loyalty, who dressed up evil speech, who gave quiet welcome to slanderers and employed the crooked, who took up calumny and gathered up wickedness so as to defame abundant virtue; the people of all under Heaven called him Qiongqi. Zhuanxu had a son without talent, who could not be taught, who did not know good words; told anything, he was obstinate; left alone, he was abusive. He was arrogant and stubborn against bright virtue and threw Heaven's constant order into confusion; the people of all under Heaven called him Taowu. These were three clans. Generation after generation they carried on their baleful ways and added to their evil name, down to the time of Yao; and Yao could not remove them. The clan of Jinyun had a son without talent, greedy in food and drink, reckless after goods and bribes, encroaching in desire and lavish in display, never to be filled or satisfied; he gathered and hoarded up stores and knew no limit; he did not share with orphan or widow, nor pity the destitute. The people of all under Heaven ranked him with the three baleful ones and called him Taotie. When Shun served Yao as his minister, he received the guests at the four gates and banished the four baleful clans — Hundun, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Taotie — casting them out to the four frontiers to withstand the goblins and sprites. Therefore when Yao died all under Heaven were as one, and with one heart they upheld Shun and made him Son of Heaven — because he had raised up the sixteen helpers and removed the four baleful ones. Therefore the Book of Yu, reckoning Shun's achievements, says, 'He carefully harmonized the five canons, and the five canons could be followed' — meaning there was no defiance of the teaching. It says, 'He was placed over the hundred offices, and the hundred offices were ordered in their seasons' — meaning no business was neglected. It says, 'He received the guests at the four gates, and the four gates were majestic' — meaning there were no baleful men. Shun had twenty great achievements and became Son of Heaven. Now Xingfu, though he has not yet gained a single auspicious man, has removed one baleful one. Against Shun's achievements that is one part in twenty. May he perhaps escape blame?"

The Wu clan of Song led on the sons of Duke Zhao, meaning to raise a revolt in support of Xu, the minister of works. In the twelfth month the Duke of Song killed his younger brother by the same mother, Xu, and the sons of Duke Zhao. He had the clans of Dai, Zhuang, and Huan attack the Wu clan at the lodge of the marshal Zibo, and then drove out the clans of Wu and Mu. He made Gongsun Shi minister of works; and Prince Zhao having died, he made Yue Lü minister of justice, so as to quiet the people of the capital.

Colophon

This translation was prepared for the Chinese shelf of the Good Works Library and rendered independently from the classical Chinese text printed below, which is given complete so that any reader may check the English against it. The form of the source has been kept exactly. Each of the eighteen years of Duke Wen's reign is a section; within a year, the Chunqiu annal entries stand first under the lead Annals., each entry a separate line, deliberately terse because the classic itself is terse; the Zuo narrative follows under the lead Zuo. No annal entry and no narrative paragraph has been dropped, merged, or summarized. Speeches are rendered as speech, and the quotations from the Odes, the Documents, and the older records that the speakers cite are marked as quotations, with verse set as verse.

Complete published English translations of the Zuo Commentary exist, and this file makes no claim of firstness. The standing controls in existence are James Legge's version in The Chinese Classics volume V (1872), the complete Zuo Tradition / Zuozhuan of Stephen Durrant, Wai-yee Li, and David Schaberg (2016), and Burton Watson's selections (1989). These are named here as a matter of honest record; none of them was fetched or consulted, and every English sentence above was derived from the Chinese characters in the source text below. The value offered here is a free, complete, openly readable Duke Wen with its source alongside it.

Two notes on the text. Personal names shift constantly in this work — one man appears now by his office, now by his courtesy name, now by his posthumous title — and the translation follows the source rather than flattening these: Zhao Dun is also Xuanzi and Zhao Meng, Hu Yegu is also Jia Ji, Yang Chufu is also Master Yang, Gongsun Ao is also Mubo, Prince Sui is also Xiangzhong, and Shi Hui appears also as Sui Hui and Shiji. The state written 杞 is given as "Qi (杞)" with its character wherever it could be confused with 齊, which is also Qi. And in the last year, at 莒紀公...多行禮於國, this transcription lacks the negative that the sense requires; the translation follows the required sense, "he did much in the state that was without ritual propriety," since the narrative turns on that misrule.

Prepared for the Good Work Library by the Tianmu Anglican Church with AI-assisted translation and editorial work.

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Source Text: 春秋左氏傳 文公

Classical Chinese text in the Chinese Wikisource transcription. Presented complete for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.

文公元年

經

元年春，王正月，公即位。

二月，癸亥，日有食之。天王使叔服來會葬。

夏，四月，丁巳，葬我君僖公。天王使毛伯來錫公命。晉侯伐衛。叔孫得臣如京師。衛人伐晉。

秋，公孫敖會晉侯于戚。

冬，十月，丁未，楚世子商臣弒其君頵。公孫敖如齊。

傳

元年春，王使內史叔服來會葬。公孫敖聞其能相人也，見其二子焉。叔服曰：「穀也食子，難也收子。穀也豐下，必有後於魯國。」

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

夏，四月，丁巳，葬僖公。

王使毛伯衛來錫公命，叔孫得臣如周拜。

晉文公之季年，諸侯朝晉。衛成公不朝，使孔達侵鄭，伐緜、訾、及匡。晉襄公既祥，使告于諸侯而伐衛，及南陽。先且居曰：「效尤，禍也。請君朝王，臣從師。」晉侯朝王于溫，先且居、胥臣伐衛。

五月，辛酉朔，晉師圍戚。

六月，戊戌，取之，獲孫昭子。

衛人使告于陳，陳共公曰：「更伐之，我辭之。」衛孔達帥師伐晉。君子以為古，古者越國而謀。

秋，晉侯疆戚田，故公孫敖會之。

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

冬，十月，以宮甲圍成王。王請食熊蹯而死，弗聽。丁未，王縊。謚之曰「靈」，不瞑，曰「成」，乃瞑。

穆王立，以其為大子之室與潘崇，使為大師，且掌環列之尹。

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

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

文公二年

經

二年春，王二月，甲子，晉侯及秦師戰于彭衙，秦師敗績。

丁丑，作僖公主。

三月，乙巳，及晉處父盟。

夏，六月，公孫敖會宋公、陳侯、鄭伯、晉士縠盟于垂隴。

自十有二月不雨，至于秋七月。

八月，丁卯，大事于大廟，躋僖公。

冬，晉人、宋人、陳人、鄭人、伐秦。公子遂如齊納幣。

傳

二年春，秦孟明視帥師伐晉，以報殽之役。

二月，晉侯禦之。先且居將中軍、趙衰佐之；王官無地御戎；狐鞫居為右。甲子，及秦師戰于彭衙，秦師敗績。晉人謂秦「拜賜之師」。戰于殽也，晉梁弘御戎、萊駒為右。戰之明日，晉襄公縛秦囚，使萊駒以戈斬之。囚呼、萊駒失戈，狼瞫取戈以斬囚，禽之以從公乘，遂以為右。箕之役，先軫黜之，而立續簡伯。狼瞫怒，其友曰：「盍死之？」瞫曰：「吾未獲死所。」其友曰：「吾與女為難。」瞫曰：「《周志》有之：『勇則害上，不登於明堂。』死而不義，非勇也。共用之謂勇，吾以勇求右，無勇而黜，亦其所也。謂上不我知，黜而宜，乃知我矣。子姑待之！」及彭衙既陳，以其屬馳秦師，死焉。晉師從之，大敗秦師。君子謂狼瞫於是乎君子。《詩》曰：「君子如怒，亂庶遄沮。」又曰：「王赫斯怒，爰整其旅。」怒不作亂，而以從師，可謂君子矣。秦伯猶用孟明。孟明增脩國政，重施於民。趙成子言於諸大夫曰：「秦師又至，將必辟之。懼而增德，不可當也。《詩》曰：『毋念爾祖，聿脩厥德。』孟明念之矣。念德不怠，其可敵乎？」

丁丑，作僖公主。書，不時也。

晉人以公不朝，來討。公如晉。

夏四月，己巳，晉人使陽處父盟公，以恥之。書曰：「及晉處父盟」，以厭之也。適晉不書，諱之也。

公未至，六月，穆伯會諸侯，及晉司空士縠盟于垂隴，晉討衛故也。書「士縠」，堪其事也。陳侯為衛請成于晉，執孔達以說。

秋八月，丁卯，大事于大廟，躋僖公，逆祀也。於是夏父弗忌為宗伯，尊僖公，且明見曰：「吾見新鬼大，故鬼小，先大後小，順也。躋聖賢，明也。明順，禮也。」君子以為失禮。禮無不順。祀，國之大事也，而逆之，可謂禮乎？子雖齊聖，不先父食，久矣。故禹不先鯀，湯不先契，文武不先不窋。宋祖帝乙，鄭祖厲王，猶上祖也。是以《魯頌》曰：「春秋匪解，享祀不忒。皇皇后帝，皇祖后稷。」君子曰禮，謂其后稷親，而先帝也。詩曰：「問我諸姑，遂及伯姊。」君子曰：「禮謂其姊親而先姑也。」仲尼曰：「臧文仲其不仁者三，不知者三。下展禽、廢六關、妾織蒲，三不仁也。作虛器、縱逆祀、祀爰居，三不知也。」

冬，晉先且居、宋公子成、陳轅選、鄭公子歸生，伐秦，取汪及彭衙而還，以報彭衙之役。卿不書，為穆公故，尊秦也，謂之崇德。襄仲如齊納幣，禮也。凡君即位，好舅甥，脩昏姻，娶元妃以奉粢盛，孝也。孝，禮之始也。

文公三年

經

春，王正月，叔孫得臣會晉人、宋人、陳人、衛人、鄭人，伐沈，沈潰。

夏，五月，王子虎卒。秦人伐晉。

秋，楚人圍江，雨螽于宋。

冬，公如晉。

十有二月，己巳，公及晉侯盟。晉陽處父帥師伐楚，以救江。

傳

春，莊叔會諸侯之師伐沈，以其服於楚也。沈潰。凡民，逃其上曰潰，在上曰逃。衛侯如陳，拜晉成也。

夏四月，乙亥，王叔文公卒，來赴，弔如同盟，禮也。秦伯伐晉，濟河焚舟，取王官及郊。晉人不出，遂自茅津濟，封殽尸而還。遂霸西戎，用孟明也。君子是以知，秦穆公之為君也，舉人之周也，與人之壹也；孟明之臣也，其不解也，能懼思也；子桑之忠也，其知人也，能舉善也。《詩》曰：「于以采蘩？于沼于沚。于以用之？公侯之事。」秦穆有焉；「夙夜匪解，以事一人。」孟明有焉；「詒厥孫謀，以燕翼子。」子桑有焉。

秋，雨螽于宋，隊而死也。

楚師圍江，晉先僕伐楚以救江。

冬，晉以江故告于周。王叔桓公、晉陽處父，伐楚，以救江。門于方城，遇息公子朱而還。

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

文公四年

經

春，公至自晉。

夏，逆婦姜于齊。狄侵齊。

秋，楚人滅江。晉侯伐秦，衛侯使甯俞來聘。

冬十有一月，壬寅，夫人風氏薨。

傳

春，晉人歸孔達于衛。以為衛之良也，故免之。

夏，衛侯如晉拜。曹伯如晉會正。

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

秋，晉侯伐秦，圍刓新城，以報王官之役。

楚人滅江，秦伯為之降服，出次，不舉，過數。大夫諫，公曰：「同盟滅，雖不能救，敢不矜乎，吾自懼也。」君子曰，詩云：「惟彼二國，其政不獲，惟此四國，爰究爰度，其秦穆之謂矣。」

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

冬，成風薨。

文公五年

經

春，王正月，王使榮叔歸含，且賵。

三月，辛亥，葬我小君成風。王使召伯來會葬。

夏，公孫敖如晉。秦人入鄀。

秋，楚人滅六。

冬十月，甲申，許男業卒。

傳

春，王使榮叔來含，且賵。召昭公來會葬，禮也。初，鄀叛楚即秦，又貳於楚。

夏，秦人入鄀。六人叛楚，即東夷。

秋，楚成大心、仲歸帥師滅六。冬，楚子燮滅蓼。臧文仲聞六與蓼滅，曰：「皋陶、庭堅不祀忽諸？德之不建，民之無援，哀哉！」

晉陽處父聘于衛，反過甯，甯嬴從之，及溫而還。其妻問之，嬴曰：「以剛。《商書》曰：『沈漸剛克，高明柔克。』夫子壹之，其不沒乎！？天為剛德，猶不于時，況在人乎！且華而不實，怨之所聚也。犯而聚怨，不可以定身。余懼不獲其利，而離其難，是以去之。」晉趙成子、欒貞子、霍伯、臼季，皆卒。

文公六年

經

春，葬許僖公。

夏，季孫行父如陳。秋，季孫行父如晉。

八月，乙亥，晉侯驩卒。

冬十月，公子遂如晉。葬晉襄公。晉殺其大夫陽處父。晉狐射姑出奔狄。

閏月不告月。猶朝于廟。

傳

春，晉蒐于夷，舍二軍。使狐射姑將中軍，趙盾佐之。陽處父至自溫，改蒐于董，易中軍。陽子，成季之屬也，故黨於趙氏，且謂趙盾能，曰：「使能，國之利也。」是以上之。宣子於是乎始為國政，制事典、正法罪、辟刑獄、董逋逃、由質要、治舊洿、本秩禮、續常職、出滯淹。既成，以授大傅陽子，與大師賈佗，使行諸晉國，以為常法。臧文仲以陳、衛之睦也，欲求好於陳。

夏，季文子聘于陳，且娶焉。秦伯任好卒，以子車氏之三子，奄息、仲行、鍼虎，為殉，皆秦之良也。國人哀之，為之賦《黃鳥》。君子曰：「秦穆之不為盟主也，宜哉！死而棄民。先王違世，猶詒之法，而況奪之善人乎！？《詩》曰：『人之云亡，邦國殄瘁。』無善人之謂。若之何奪之？古之王者，知命之不長，是以並建聖哲、樹之風聲、分之采物、著之話言、為之律度、陳之藝極、引之表儀、予之法制、告之訓典、教之防利、委之常秩、道之以禮，則使毋失其土宜，眾隸賴之，而後即命。聖王同之。今縱無法以遺後嗣，而又收其良以死，難以在上矣。」君子是以知秦之不復東征也。

秋，季文子將聘於晉，使求遭喪之禮以行。其人曰：『將焉用之？』文子曰：「備豫不虞，古之善教也。求而無之，實難。過求何害？」

八月，乙亥，晉襄公卒。靈公少，晉人以難故，欲立長君。趙孟曰：「立公子雍。好善而長，先君愛之，且近於秦。秦舊好也。置善則固，事長則順，立愛則孝，結舊則安。為難故，故欲立長君。有此四德者，難必抒矣。」賈季曰：「不如立公子樂。辰嬴嬖於二君，立其子，民必安之。」趙孟曰：「辰嬴賤，班在九人，其子何震之有？且為二嬖，淫也。為先君子，不能求大，而出在小國，辟也。母淫子辟，無威；陳小而遠，無援。將何安焉？杜祁以君故，讓偪姞而上之；以狄故，讓季隗而已次之，故班在四。先君是以愛其子，而仕諸秦，為亞卿焉。秦大而近，足以為援；母義子愛，足以威民。立之，不亦可乎？」使先蔑、士會，如秦，逆公子雍。賈季亦使召公子樂于陳。趙孟使殺諸郫。賈季怨陽子之易其班也，而知其無援於晉也。

九月，賈季使續鞫居殺陽處父。書曰「晉殺其大夫」，侵官也。

冬十月，襄仲如晉。葬襄公。

十一月，丙寅，晉殺續簡伯。賈季奔狄。宣子使臾駢送其帑。夷之蒐，賈季戮臾駢。臾駢之人，欲盡殺賈氏以報焉。臾駢曰：「不可。吾聞前志有之曰：『敵惠敵怨，不在後嗣，忠之道也。』夫子禮於賈季，我以其寵報私怨，無乃不可乎！？介人之寵，非勇也；損怨益仇，非知也；以私害公，非忠也。釋此三者，何以事夫子？！」盡具其帑，與其器用財賄，親師扞之，送致諸竟。

閏月不告朔，非禮也。
閏以正時，時以作事，事以厚生，生民之道，於是乎在矣。不告閏朔，棄時政也，何以為民？

文公七年

經

春，公伐邾。

三月，甲戌，取須句，遂城郚。

夏，四月，宋公王臣卒，宋人殺其大夫。戊子，晉人及秦人戰于令狐，晉先蔑奔秦，狄侵我西鄙。

秋，八月，公會諸侯，晉大夫，盟于扈。

冬，徐伐莒，公孫敖如莒蒞盟。

傳

春，公伐邾，間晉難也。

三月，甲戌，取須句，寘文公子焉，非禮也。

夏，四月，宋成公卒。於是公子成為右師，公孫友為左師，樂豫為司馬，鱗矔為司徒，公子蕩為司城，華御事為司寇。昭公將去群公子，樂豫曰：「不可，公族，公室之枝葉也，若去之，則本根無所庇陰矣，葛藟猶能庇其本根，故君子以為比，況國君乎？此諺所謂庇焉，而縱尋斧焉者也，必不可，君其圖之，親之以德，皆股肱也，誰敢攜貳，若之何去之？」不聽，穆襄之族，率國人以攻公，殺公孫固，公孫鄭，于公宮。六卿和公室，樂豫舍司馬，以讓公子卬。昭公即位而葬。書曰：「宋人殺其大夫。」不稱名，眾也，且言非其罪也。

秦康公送公子雍于晉，曰：「文公之入也，無衛，故有呂郤之難。」乃多與之徒衛。穆嬴日抱太子以啼于朝，曰：「先君何罪，其嗣亦何罪，舍適嗣不立，而外求君，將焉寘此？」出朝則抱以適趙氏，頓首於宣子曰：「先君奉此子也，而屬諸子曰，此子也才，吾受子之賜；不才，吾唯子之怨。今君雖終，言猶在耳，而棄之，若何？」宣子與諸大夫皆患穆嬴，且畏偪，乃背先蔑而立靈公，以禦秦師，箕鄭居守。趙盾將中軍，先克佐之，荀林父佐上軍，先蔑將下軍，先都佐之，步招御戎，戎津為右，及堇陰，宣子曰：「我若受秦，秦則賓也；不受，寇也。既不受矣，而復緩師，秦將生心。先人有奪人之心，軍之善謀也；逐寇如追逃，軍之善政也。」訓卒利兵，秣馬蓐食，潛師夜起。戊子，敗秦師于令狐，至于刳首。己丑，先蔑奔秦，士會從之。先蔑之使也，荀林父止之曰：「夫人大子猶在，而外求君，此必不行，子以疾辭，若何？不然，將及，攝卿以往，可也，何必子，同官為寮，吾嘗同寮，敢不盡心乎？」弗聽，為賦《板》之三章，又弗聽。及亡，荀伯盡送其帑，及其器用財賄於秦，曰：「為同寮故也。」士會在秦三年，不見士伯。其人曰：「能亡人於國，不能見於此，焉用之？」士季曰：「吾與之同罪，非義之也，將何見焉？」及歸，遂不見。

狄侵我西鄙，公使告于晉。
趙宣子使因賈季問酆舒，且讓之。
酆舒問於賈季，曰：「趙衰、趙盾，孰賢？」
對曰，「趙衰，冬日之日也；趙盾，夏日之日也。」

秋，八月，齊侯、宋公、衛侯、鄭伯、許男、曹伯，會晉趙盾，盟于扈，
晉侯立故也。公後至，故不書所會。
凡會諸侯，不書所會，後也。
後至不書其國，辟不敏也。

穆伯娶于莒，曰，戴已，生文伯；
其娣聲已，生惠叔。
戴已卒，又聘于莒。
莒人以聲已辭，則為襄仲聘焉。

冬，徐伐莒，莒人來請盟。
穆伯如莒蒞盟，且為仲逆。
及鄢陵，登城見之，美，自為娶之。
仲請攻之，公將許之。
叔仲惠伯諫曰：
「臣聞之，兵作於內為亂，於外為寇。寇猶及人，亂自及也。
今臣作亂，而君不禁，以啟寇讎，若之何？」
公止之，惠伯成之。
使仲舍之，公孫敖反之，復為兄弟如初。
從之。

晉郤缺言於趙宣子曰：「日衛不睦，故取其地。
今已睦矣，可以歸之。
叛而不討，何以示威？
服而不柔，何以示懷？
非威非懷，何以示德？
無德，何以主盟？
子為正卿，以主諸侯，而不務德，將若之何？
《夏書》曰：
『戒之用休，董之用威，勸之以九歌，勿使壞。』
九功之德，皆可歌也，謂之九歌。
六府三事，謂之九功。
水、火、金、木、土、穀、謂之六府。
正德、利用、厚生，謂之三事。
義而行之，謂之德禮。
無禮不樂，所由叛也。
若吾子之德，莫可歌也，其誰來之？
盍使睦者歌吾子乎？」
宣子說之。

文公八年

經

春，王正月。

夏，四月。

秋，八月，戊申，天王崩。

冬，十月，壬午，公子遂會晉趙盾，盟于衡雍。
乙酉，公子遂會雒戎，盟于暴。
公孫敖如京師，不至而復。丙戌，奔莒。螽。
宋人殺其大夫司馬，宋司城來奔。

傳

春，晉侯使解揚歸匡、戚之田于衛，
且復致公婿池之封，自申至于虎牢之竟。

夏，秦人伐晉，取武城，以報令狐之役。

秋，襄王崩，晉人以扈之盟來討。

冬，襄仲會晉趙孟，盟于衡雍，報扈之盟也。
遂會伊雒之戎，書曰，公子遂，珍之也。
穆伯如周弔喪，不至，以幣奔莒，從已氏焉。

宋襄夫人，襄王之姊也，昭公不禮焉。
夫人因戴氏之族，以殺襄公之孫孔叔、公孫鍾離，及大司馬公子卬，
皆昭公之黨也。司馬握節以死，故書以官。
司城蕩意諸來奔，效節於府人而出，公以其官逆之，
皆復之，亦書以官，皆貴之也。

夷之蒐，晉侯將登箕鄭父、先都，而使士縠，梁益耳，將中軍。
先克曰：「狐趙之勳，不可廢也。」
從之，先克奪蒯得田于堇陰，故箕鄭父、先都、士縠、
梁益耳、蒯得，作亂。

文公九年

經

春，毛伯來求金，夫人姜氏如齊。

二月，叔孫得臣如京師。辛丑，葬襄王。晉人殺其大夫先都。

三月，夫人姜氏至自齊。
晉人殺其大夫士縠，及箕鄭父。
楚人伐鄭。公子遂會晉人、宋人、衛人、許人，救鄭。

夏，狄侵齊。

秋，八月，曹伯襄卒。

九月，癸酉，地震。

冬，楚子使椒來聘。秦人來歸僖公成風之隧，葬曹共公。

傳

春，王正月，己酉，使賊殺先克。
乙丑，晉人殺先都，梁益耳。
毛伯衛來求金，非禮也。不書王命，未葬也。

二月，莊叔如周葬襄王。

三月，甲戌，晉人殺箕鄭父，士縠，蒯得。
范山言於楚子：「晉君少，不在諸侯，北方可圖也。」
楚子師于狼淵以伐鄭，囚公子堅，公子尨，及樂耳。
鄭及楚平，公子遂會晉趙盾、宋華耦、衛孔達、許大夫，救鄭，不及楚師。
卿不書，緩也，以懲不恪。

夏，楚侵陳，克壺丘，以其服於晉也。

秋，楚公子朱自東夷伐陳，陳人敗之，獲公子茷。
陳懼，乃及楚平。

冬，楚子越椒來聘，執幣傲。
叔仲惠伯：「是必滅若敖氏之宗，傲其先君，神弗福也。」

秦人來歸僖公成風之襚，禮也。
諸侯相弔賀也，雖不當事，苟有禮焉 ，書也，以無忘舊好。

文公十年

經

春，王三月，辛卯，臧孫辰卒，

夏，秦伐晉，楚殺其大夫宜申，自正月不雨，至于秋七月，及蘇子盟于女栗，

冬，狄侵宋，楚子，蔡侯，次于厥貉，

傳

春，晉人伐秦，取少梁，

夏，秦伯伐晉，取北徵，初楚范巫矞似，謂成王，與子玉，子西，曰，三君皆將強死，城濮之役，王思之，故使止子玉曰，毋死，不及，止子西，子西縊而縣絕，王使適至，遂止之，使為商公，沿漢泝江，將入郢，王在渚宮，下見之，懼而辭曰，臣免於死，又有讒言，謂臣將逃，臣歸死於司敗也，王使為工尹，又與子家謀弒穆王，穆王聞之，

五月，殺鬥宜申，及仲歸，

秋，七月，及蘇子盟于女栗，頃王立故也，陳侯，鄭伯，會楚子于息，

冬，遂及蔡侯，次于厥貉，將以伐宋，宋華御事曰，楚欲弱我也，先為之弱乎，何必使誘我，我實不能，民何罪，乃逆楚子，勞且聽命，遂，道以田孟諸，宋公為右盂，鄭伯為左盂，期思公復遂，為右司馬，子朱及文之無畏，為左司馬，命夙駕載燧，宋公違命，無畏抶其僕以徇，或謂子舟曰，國君不可戮也，子舟曰，當官而行，何彊之有，詩曰，剛亦不吐，柔亦不茹，毋縱詭隨，以謹罔極，是亦非辟彊也，敢愛死以亂官乎，厥貉之會，麇子逃歸，

文公十一年

經

春，楚子伐麇。

夏，叔仲彭生，會晉郤缺于承筐。

秋，曹伯來朝，公子遂如宋，狄侵齊。

冬，十月，甲午，叔孫得臣敗狄于鹹。

傳

春，楚子伐麇，成大心敗麇師於防渚，潘崇復伐麇，至于鍚穴。

夏，叔仲惠伯會晉郤缺于承筐，謀諸侯之從於楚者。

秋，曹文公來朝，即位而來見也。
襄仲聘于宋，且言司城蕩意諸而復之，
因賀楚師之不害也。

鄋瞞侵齊，遂伐我，公卜使叔孫得臣追之，
吉，侯叔夏御莊叔，綿房甥為右，
富父終甥駟乘。

冬，十月，甲午，敗狄于鹹，獲長狄僑如。
富父終甥樁其喉，以戈殺之，
埋其首於子駒之門，以命宣伯。

初，宋武公之世，鄋瞞伐宋，
司徒皇父帥師禦之，耏班御皇父充石，
公子穀甥為右，司寇牛父駟乘，以敗狄于長丘，
獲長狄緣斯，皇父之二子死焉。
宋公於是以門賞耏班，使食其征謂之耏門。

晉之滅潞也，獲僑如之弟焚如。

齊襄公之二年，鄋瞞伐齊，
齊王子成父獲其弟榮如，
埋其首於周首之北門。

衛人獲其季弟簡如，
鄋瞞由是遂亡。

郕大子朱儒，自安於夫鍾，國人弗徇。

文公十二年

經

春，王正月，郕伯來奔，杞伯來朝，

二月，庚子，子叔姬卒，

夏，楚人圍巢，

秋，滕子來朝，秦伯使術來聘，

冬，十有二月，戊午，晉人，秦人，戰于河曲，季孫行父帥師，城諸及鄆，

傳

春，郕伯卒，郕人立君，大子以夫鍾與郕邽來奔，公以諸侯逆之，非禮也，故書曰，郕伯來奔，不書地，尊諸侯也，杞桓公來朝，始朝公也，且請絕叔姬，而無絕昏，公許之，

二月，叔姬卒，不言杞，絕也，書叔姬，言非女也，楚令尹大孫伯卒，成嘉為令尹，群舒叛楚，夏，子孔執舒子平，及宗子，遂圍巢，

秋，滕昭公來朝，亦始朝公也，秦伯使西乞術來聘，且言將伐晉，襄仲辭玉曰，君不忘先君之好，照臨魯國，鎮撫其社稷，重之以大器，寡君敢辭玉，對曰，不腆敝器，不足辭也，主人三辭，賓客曰，寡君願徼福于周公，魯公，以事君，不腆先君之敝器，使下臣致諸執事，以為瑞節，要結好命，所以藉寡君之命，結二國之好，是以敢致之，襄仲曰，不有君子，其能國乎，國無陋矣，厚賄之，秦為令狐之役故，

冬，秦伯伐晉，取羈馬，晉人禦之，趙盾將中軍，荀林父佐之，郤缺將上軍，臾駢佐之，欒盾將下軍，胥甲佐之，范無恤御戎，以從秦師于河曲，臾駢曰，秦不能久，請深壘固軍以待之，從之，秦人欲戰，秦伯謂士會曰，若何而戰，對曰，趙氏新出其屬曰臾駢，必實為此謀，將以老我師也，趙有側室曰穿，晉君之婿也，有寵而弱，不在軍事，好勇而狂，且惡臾駢之佐上軍也，若使輕者肆焉，其可，秦伯以璧祈戰于河，十二月，戊午，秦軍掩晉上軍，趙穿追之不及，反，怒曰，裹糧坐甲，固敵是求，敵至不擊，將何俟焉，軍吏曰，將有待也，穿曰我不知謀，將獨出，乃以其屬出，宣子曰，秦獲穿也，獲一卿矣，秦以勝歸，我何以報，乃皆出戰，交綏，秦行人夜戒晉師曰，兩君之士，皆未憖也，明日請相見也，臾駢曰，使者目動而言肆，懼我也，將遁矣，薄諸河，必敗之，胥甲，趙穿，當軍門呼曰，死傷未收而棄之，不惠也，不待期而薄人於險，無勇也，乃止，秦師夜遁，復侵晉，入瑕，城諸及鄆，書時也，

文公十三年

經

春，王正月，

夏，五月，壬午，陳侯朔卒，邾子蘧蒢卒，自正月不雨，至于秋七月，大室屋壞，

冬，公如晉，衛侯會公于沓，狄侵衛，

十有二月，己丑，公及晉侯盟，公還自晉，鄭伯會公于棐，

傳

春，晉侯使詹嘉處瑕，以守桃林之塞，晉人患秦之用士會也，

夏，六卿相見於諸浮，趙宣子曰，隨會在秦，賈季在狄，難日至矣，若之何，中行桓子曰，請復賈季，能外事，且由舊勳，郤成子曰，賈季亂，且罪大，不如隨會，能賤而有恥，柔而不犯，其知足使也，且無罪，乃使魏壽餘偽以魏叛者，以誘士會，執其帑於晉，使夜逸，請自歸于秦，秦伯許之，履士會之足於朝，秦伯師于河西，魏人在東，壽餘曰，請東人之能與夫二三有司言者，吾與之，先使士會，士會辭曰，晉人虎狼也，若背其言，臣死，妻子為戮，無益於君，不可悔也，秦伯曰，若背其言，所不歸爾帑者，有如河，乃行，繞朝贈之以策，曰子無謂秦無人，吾謀適不用也，既濟，魏人譟而還，秦人歸其帑，其處者為劉氏，

邾文公卜遷于繹，史曰，利於民而不利於君，邾子曰，苟利於民，孤之利也，天生民而樹之君，以利之也，民既利矣，孤必與焉，左右曰，命可長也，君何弗為，邾子曰，命在養民，死之短長，時也，民苟利矣，遷也，吉莫如之，遂遷于繹，五月，邾文公卒，君子曰知命，

秋，七月，大室之屋壞，書不共也，

冬，公如晉朝且尋盟，衛侯會公于沓，請平于晉，公還，鄭伯會公于棐，亦請平于晉，公皆成之，鄭伯與公宴于棐，子家賦鴻鴈，季文子曰，寡君未免於此，文子賦四月，子家賦載馳之四章，文子賦采薇之四章，鄭伯拜，公荅拜，

文公十四年

經

春，王正月，公至自晉，邾人伐我南鄙，叔彭生帥帥伐邾，

夏，五月，乙亥，齊侯潘卒，

六月，公會宋公，陳侯，衛侯，鄭伯，許男，曹伯，晉趙盾，癸酉，同盟于新城，

秋，七月，有星孛入于北斗，公至自會，晉人納捷菑于邾，弗克納，

九月，甲申，公孫敖卒于齊，齊公子商人弒其君舍，宋子哀來奔，

冬，單伯如齊，齊人執單伯，齊人執子叔姬，

傳

春，頃王崩，周公閱與王孫，蘇爭政，故不赴，凡崩薨，不赴則不書，禍福不告亦不書，不懲敬也。

邾文公之卒也，公使弔焉，不敬，邾人來討，伐我南鄙，故惠伯伐邾子。

叔姬妃齊昭公，生舍，叔姬無寵，舍無威，公子商人驟施於國，而多聚士，盡其家，貸於公有司以繼之。

夏，五月，昭公卒，舍即位。

邾文公元妃齊姜，生定公，二妃晉姬，生捷菑，文公卒，邾人立定公，捷菑奔晉，

六月，同盟于新城，從於楚者服，且謀邾也，

秋，七月，乙卯夜，齊商人弒舍而讓元，元曰，爾求之久矣，我能事爾，爾不可使多蓄憾，將免我乎，爾為之。

有星孛入于北斗，周內史叔服曰，不出七年，宋齊晉之君，皆將死亂。

晉趙盾以諸侯之師八百乘，納捷菑于邾，邾人辭曰，齊出貜且長，宣子曰，辭順而弗從，不祥，乃還。

周公將與王孫蘇訟于晉，王叛王孫蘇，而使尹氏與聃啟，訟周公于晉，趙宣子平王室而復之。

楚莊王立，子孔，潘崇，將襲群舒，使公子燮與子儀守，而伐舒蓼，二子作亂，城郢，而使賊殺子孔，不克而還。

八月，二子以楚子出，將如商密，廬戢黎及叔麇誘之，遂殺鬥克，及公子燮。初，鬥克囚于秦，秦有殽之敗，而使歸求成，成而不得志，公子燮求令尹而不得，故二子作亂。

穆伯之從己氏也，魯人立文伯，穆伯生二子於莒，而求復，文伯以為請，襄仲使無朝聽命，復而不出，二年而盡室以復適莒，文伯疾，而請曰，穀之子弱，請立難也，許之，文伯卒，立惠叔，穆伯請重賂以求復，惠叔以為請，許之，將來。

九月，卒于齊，告喪，請葬，弗許，宋高哀為蕭封人，以為卿，不義宋公而出，遂來奔，書曰，宋子哀來奔，貴之也。

齊人定懿公，使來告難，故書以九月，齊公子元，不順懿公之為政也，終不曰公，曰夫已氏。

襄仲使告于王，請以王寵，求昭姬于齊，曰，殺其子，焉用其母，請受而罪之。

冬，單伯如齊，請子叔姬，齊人執之，又執子叔姬，

文公十五年

經

春，季孫行父如晉，

三月，宋司馬華孫來盟，

夏，曹伯來朝，齊人歸公孫敖之喪，

六月，辛丑，朔，日有食之，鼓用牲于社，單伯至自齊，晉郤缺帥師伐蔡，戊申，入蔡，

秋，齊人侵我西鄙，季孫行父如晉，

冬，十有一月，諸侯盟于扈，

十有二月，齊人來歸子叔姬，齊侯侵我西鄙，遂伐曹，入其郛，

傳

春，季文子如晉，為單伯與子叔姬故也，

三月，宋華耦來盟，其官皆從之，書曰，宋司馬華孫，貴之也，公與之宴，辭曰，君之先臣督，得罪於宋殤公，名在諸侯之策，臣承其祀，其敢辱君，請承命於亞旅，魯人以為敏，

夏，曹伯來朝，禮也，諸侯五年再相朝，以脩王命，古之制也，齊人或為孟氏謀，曰，魯爾親也，飾棺寘諸堂阜，魯必取之，從之，卞人以告，惠叔猶毀以為請，立於朝以待命，許之，取而殯之，齊人送之書曰，齊人歸公孫敖之喪，為孟氏，且國故也，葬視共仲，聲己不視，帷堂而哭，襄仲欲勿哭，惠伯曰喪，親之終也，雖不能始，善終可也，史佚有言曰，兄弟致美，救乏，賀善，弔災，祭敬，喪哀，情雖不同，毋絕其愛親之道也，子無失道，何怨於人，襄仲說，帥兄弟以哭之，他年，其二子來，孟獻子愛之，聞於國，或譖之曰，將殺子，獻子以告，季文子二子曰，夫子以愛我聞，我以將殺子聞，不亦遠於禮乎，遠禮不如死，一人門于句鼆，一人門于戾丘，皆死，

六月，辛丑朔，日有食之，鼓用牲于社，非禮也，日有食之，天子不舉，伐鼓于社，諸侯用幣于社，伐鼓于朝，以昭事神，訓民事君，示有等威，古之道也，齊人許單伯請而赦之，使來致命，書曰，單伯至自齊，貴之也，新城之盟，蔡人不與，晉郤缺以上軍下軍伐蔡，曰，君弱，不可以怠，戊申，入蔡，以城下之盟而還，凡勝國，曰滅之，獲大城焉，曰入之，

秋，齊人侵我西鄙，故季文子告于晉，

冬，十一月，晉侯，宋公，衛侯，蔡侯，鄭伯許男，曹伯，盟于扈，尋新城之盟，且謀伐齊也，齊人賂晉侯，故不克而還，於是有齊難，是以公不會，書曰，諸侯盟于扈，無能為故也，凡諸侯會，公不與不書，諱君惡也，與而不書，後也，齊人來歸子叔姬，王故也，齊侯侵我西鄙，謂諸侯不能也，遂伐曹，人其郛，討其來朝也，季文子曰，齊侯其不免乎，己則無禮，而討於有禮者，曰，女何故行禮，禮以順天，天之道也，己則反天，而又以討人，難以免矣，詩曰，胡不相畏，不畏于天，君子之不虐幼賤，畏于天也，在周頌曰，畏天之威，于時保之，不畏于天，將何能保，以亂取國，奉禮以守，猶懼不終，多行無禮，弗能在矣，

文公十六年

經

春，季孫行父會齊侯于陽穀，齊侯弗及盟，

夏，五月，公四不視朔，

六月，戊辰，公子遂及齊侯，盟于郪丘，

秋，八月，辛未，夫人姜氏薨，毀泉臺，楚人，秦人，巴人，滅庸，

冬，十有一月，宋人弒其君杵臼，

傳

春，王正月，及齊平，公有疾，使季文子會齊侯于陽穀，請盟，齊侯不肯，曰，請俟君間，

夏，五月，公四不視朔，疾也，公使襄仲納賂于齊侯，故盟于郪丘，有蛇自泉宮出，入于國，如先君之數，

秋，八月，辛未，聲姜薨，毀泉臺，楚大饑，戎伐其西南，至于阜山，師于大林，又伐其東南，至于陽丘，以侵訾枝，庸人帥群蠻以叛楚，麇人率百濮聚於選，將伐楚，於是申息之北門不啟，楚人謀徙於阪高，蒍賈曰，不可，我能往，寇亦能往，不如伐庸，夫麇與百濮，謂我饑不能師，故伐我也，若我出師，必懼而歸，百濮離居，將各走其邑，誰暇謀人，乃出師，旬有五日，百濮乃罷，自廬以往，振廩同食，次于句澨，使廬戢黎侵庸，及庸方城，庸人逐之，囚子揚窗，三宿而逸，曰，庸師眾，群蠻聚焉，不如復大師，且起王卒，合而後進，師叔曰，不可，姑又與之遇，以驕之，彼驕我怒，而後可克，先君蚡冒所以服陘隰也，又與之遇，七遇皆北，唯裨，鯈，魚，人實逐之，庸人曰，楚不足與戰矣，遂不設備，楚子乘馹，會師于臨品，分為二隊，子越自石溪，子貝自仞，以伐庸，秦人巴人從楚師，群蠻從楚子盟，遂滅庸。

宋公子鮑禮於國人，宋饑，竭其粟而貸之，年自七十以上，無不饋詒也，時加羞珍異，無日不數於六卿之門，國之材人，無不事也，親自桓以下，無不恤也，公子鮑美而豔，襄夫人欲通之，而不可，夫人助之施，昭公無道，國人奉公子鮑以因夫人，於是華元為右師，公孫友為左師，華耦為司馬，鱗鱹為司徒，蕩意諸為司城，公子朝為司寇，初，司城蕩卒，公孫壽辭司城，請使意諸為之，既而告人曰，君無道，吾官近，懼及焉，棄官則族無所庇，子，身之貳也，姑紓死焉，雖亡子，猶不亡族，既，夫人將使公田孟諸而殺之，公知之，盡以寶行，蕩意諸曰，盍適諸侯，公曰，不能其大夫，至于君祖母，以及國人，諸侯誰納我，且既為人君，而又為人臣，不如死，盡以其寶賜左右，以使行，夫人使謂司城去公，對曰，臣之而逃其難，若後君何？

冬，十一月，甲寅，宋昭公將田孟諸，未至，夫人王姬使帥甸攻而殺之，蕩意諸死之，書曰，宋人弒其君杵臼，君無道也，文公即位，使母弟須為司城，華耦卒，而使蕩虺為司馬。

文公十七年

經

春，晉人，衛人，陳人，鄭人，伐宋，

夏，四月，癸亥，葬我小君聲姜，齊侯伐我西鄙，

六月，癸未，公及齊侯盟于穀，諸侯會于扈，

秋，公至自穀，

冬，公子遂如齊，

傳

春，晉荀林父，衛孔達，陳公孫寧，鄭石楚，伐宋，討曰，何故弒君，猶立文公而還，卿不書，失其所也，

夏，四月，癸亥，葬聲姜，有齊難，是以緩，齊侯伐我北鄙，襄仲請盟，

六月，盟于穀，晉侯蒐于黃父，遂復合諸侯于扈，平宋也，公不與會，齊難故也，書曰諸侯，無功也，於是晉侯不見鄭伯，以為貳於楚也，鄭子家使執訊而與之書，以告趙宣子，曰，寡君即位三年，召蔡侯而與之事君，九月，蔡侯入于敝邑以行，敝邑以侯宣多之難，寡君是以不得與蔡侯偕，

十一月，克減侯宣多，而隨蔡侯以朝于執事，

十二年，六月，歸生佐寡君之嫡夷，以請陳侯于楚，而朝諸君，

十四年，七月，寡君又朝，以蕆陳事，

十五年，五月，陳侯自敝邑往朝于君，往年正月，燭之武往朝夷也，八月，寡君又往朝，以陳蔡之密邇於楚，而不敢貳焉，則敝邑之故也，雖敝邑之事君，何以不免，在位之中，一朝于襄，而再見于君，夷與孤之二三臣，相及於絳，雖我小國，則篾以過之矣，今大國曰，爾未逞吾志，敝邑有亡，無以加焉，古人有言曰，畏首畏尾，身其餘幾，又曰，鹿死不擇音，小國之事大國也，德，則其人也，不德，則其鹿也，鋌而走險，急何能擇，命之罔極，亦知亡矣，將悉敝賦，以待於鯈，唯執事命之，

文公二年，六月，壬申，朝于齊，

四年，二月，壬戌，為齊侵蔡，亦獲成於楚，居大國之間，而從於強令，豈其罪也，大國若弗圖，無所逃命，晉鞏朔行成於鄭，趙穿，公婿池，為質焉，

秋，周甘歜敗戎于邥垂，乘其飲酒也，

冬，十月，鄭大子夷，石楚，為質于晉，襄仲如齊，拜穀之盟，復曰，臣聞齊人將食魯之麥，以臣觀之，將不能齊君之語偷，臧文仲有言曰，民主偷必死，

文公十八年

經

春，王二月，丁丑，公薨于臺下，秦伯罃卒，

夏，五月，戊戌，齊人弒其君商人，

六月，癸酉，葬我君文公，

秋，公子遂，叔孫得臣，如齊，

冬，十月，子卒，夫人姜氏歸于齊，季孫行父如齊，莒弒其君庶其，

傳

春，齊侯戒師期，而有疾，醫曰，不及秋，將死，公聞之，卜曰，尚無及期，惠伯令龜，卜楚丘占之，曰，齊侯不及期，非疾也，君亦不聞，令龜有咎，二月，丁丑，公薨，

齊懿公之為公子也，與邴歜之父爭田，弗勝，及即位，乃掘而刖之，而使歜僕，納閻職之妻，而使職驂乘，

夏，五月，公游于申池，二人浴于池，歜以扑抶職，職怒，歜曰，人奪女妻而不怒，一抶女庸何傷，職曰，與刖其父而弗能病者何如，乃謀弒懿公，納諸竹中，歸舍爵而行，齊人立公子元，

六月，葬文公，

秋，襄仲，莊叔，如齊，惠公立故，且拜葬也，文公二妃，敬嬴生宣公，敬嬴嬖，而私事襄仲，宣公長，而屬諸襄仲，襄仲欲立之，叔仲不可，仲見于齊侯而請之，齊侯新立，而欲親魯，許之，

冬，十月，仲殺惡及視，而立宣公，書曰，子卒，諱之也，仲以君命召惠伯，其宰公冉務人止之，曰，入必死，叔仲曰，死君命可也，公冉務人曰，若君命可死，非君命何聽，弗聽，乃入，殺而埋之馬矢之中，公冉務人奉其帑以奔蔡，既而復叔仲氏，

夫人姜氏歸于齊，大歸也，將行哭而過市，曰天乎，仲為不道，殺適，立庶，市人皆哭，魯人謂之哀姜，

莒紀公子生大子僕，又生季佗，愛季佗而黜僕，且多行禮於國，僕因國人以弒紀公，以其寶玉來奔，納諸宣公，公命與之邑，曰，今日必授，季文子使司寇出諸竟，曰，今日必達，公問其故，季文子使大史克對曰，先大夫臧文仲，教行父事君之禮，行父奉以周旋，弗敢失隊，曰，見有禮於其君者事之，如孝子之養父母也，見無禮於其君者誅之，如鷹鸇之逐鳥雀也，先君周公制周禮曰，則以觀德，德以處事，事以度功，功以食民，作誓命曰，毀則為賊，掩賊為藏，竊賄為盜，盜器為姦，主藏之名，賴姦之用，為大凶德，有常無赦，在九刑不忘，行父還觀莒僕，莫可則也，孝敬忠信為吉德，盜賊藏姦為凶德，夫莒僕，則其孝敬，則弒君父矣，則其忠信，則竊寶玉矣，其人，則盜賊也，其器，則姦兆也，保而利之，則主藏也，以訓則昏，民無則焉，不度於善，而皆在於凶德，是以去之，

昔高陽氏有才子八人，蒼舒，隤敳，檮戭，大臨，尨降，庭堅，仲容，叔達，齊聖廣淵，明允篤誠，天下之民，謂之八愷，高辛氏有才子八人，伯奮，仲堪，叔獻，季仲，伯虎，仲熊，叔豹，季貍，忠肅共懿，宣慈惠和，天下之民，謂之八元，此十六族也，世濟其美，不隕其名，以至於堯，堯不能舉，舜臣堯，舉八愷，使主后土，以揆百事，莫不時序，地平天成，舉八元，使布五教于四方，父義，母慈，兄友，弟共，子孝，內平，外成，

昔帝鴻氏有不才子，掩義隱賊，好行凶德，醜類惡物，頑嚚不友，是與比周，天下之民，謂之渾敦，少皞氏有不才子，毀信廢忠，崇飾惡言，靖譖庸回，服讒蒐慝，以誣盛德，天下之民，謂之窮奇，顓頊有不才子，不可教訓，不知話言，告之則頑，舍之則嚚，傲很明德，以亂天常，天下之民，謂之檮杌，此三族也，世濟其凶，增其惡名，以至于堯，堯不能去，縉雲氏有不才子，貪于飲食，冒于貨賄，侵欲崇侈，不可盈厭，聚斂積實，不知紀極，不分孤寡，不恤窮匱，天下之民，以比三凶，謂之饕餮，舜臣堯，賓于四門，流四凶族，渾敦，窮奇，檮杌，饕餮，投諸四裔，以禦螭魅，是以堯崩而天下如一，同心戴舜，以為天子，以其舉十六相，去四凶也，故虞書數舜之功曰，慎徽五典，五典克從，無違教也，曰，納于百揆，百揆時序，無廢事也，曰賓于四門，四門穆穆，無凶人也，舜有大功二十而為天子，今行父雖未獲一吉人，去一凶矣，於舜之功，二十之一也，庶幾免於戾乎，

宋武氏之族道昭公子，將奉司城須以作亂，十二月，宋公殺母弟須，及昭公子使戴，莊，桓，之族，攻武氏於司馬子伯之館，遂出武穆之族，使公孫師為司城，公子朝卒，使樂呂為司寇，以靖國人。

Source Colophon

The Chinese text follows the Chinese Wikisource transcription of the Zuo Commentary on Duke Wen of Lu (article 春秋左氏傳 文公, revision of 10 August 2026), inspected from a witness copy captured on 22 August 2026. Chinese Wikisource transcriptions are published under CC BY-SA 4.0 and the GFDL; the text itself is ancient and in the public domain. The wiki header and license templates have been removed; the text is otherwise complete and unaltered.

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