Zuozhuan Zhuang Gong — the reign of Duke Zhuang of Lu, 693–662 BCE

The Zuo Commentary (春秋左氏傳, Chunqiu Zuoshi Zhuan) is the great narrative companion to the Spring and Autumn Annals (春秋), the bare court chronicle of the state of Lu. Tradition attributes it to Zuo Qiuming, said to have been a contemporary of Confucius; the attribution is ancient but not secure, and the book as we have it appears to have taken shape in the fourth century BCE out of older court records and story traditions. This file covers the thirty-two years of Duke Zhuang of Lu, 693–662 BCE.

The text alternates two voices year by year: under each year the Annals give the clipped official entries of the Lu chronicle — a covenant, a burial, an eclipse, a wall built, a ruler assassinated — and the Zuo section then tells what happened, at length, in speeches, remonstrances, battle accounts, divinations, and judgments introduced by "a gentleman said." Both are given here complete and in the order the source has them, and no year has been merged with another.

Duke Zhuang came to the throne as a boy, after his father was killed in Qi at the instance of his mother's brother, and his mother Wen Jiang crosses these years going back and forth to Qi in entries the chronicle records without comment. The reign holds the murder of Duke Xiang of Qi in the boar hunt at Beiqiu, the flight and return of the brothers who fought for Qi, and the rise of Duke Huan of Qi with Guan Zhong beside him — the first hegemony; Cao Gui reading the drums and the wheel ruts at Changshao; the extinction of Xi and the silence of Lady Gui; Chu's first hard pressure northward; the revolt of the king's son Tui at the Zhou capital; and, at the end, the poisoned cup and the murder in the Dang household that broke Duke Zhuang's own line.

Names of persons, states, and places are given in Hanyu pinyin without tone marks, with the Chinese characters added at a first appearance or where two different names would otherwise read alike; ranks follow the conventional renderings (公 duke, 侯 marquis, 伯 earl, 子 viscount, 男 baron). Dates keep the source's own reckoning — "in the fourth year, in spring, in the king's third month" — and are not converted to a modern era; sexagenary day names stand as 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 and are named in the colophon; this translation was made independently from the Chinese and did not consult them.

Contents

• Year 1 (莊公元年)
• Year 2 (莊公二年)
• Year 3 (莊公三年)
• Year 4 (莊公亖年)
• Year 5 (莊公五年)
• Year 6 (莊公六年)
• Year 7 (莊公七年)
• Year 8 (莊公八年)
• Year 9 (莊公九年)
• Year 10 (莊公十年)
• Year 11 (莊公十一年)
• Year 12 (莊公十二年)
• Year 13 (莊公十三年)
• Year 14 (莊公十亖年)
• Year 15 (莊公十五年)
• Year 16 (莊公十六年)
• Year 17 (莊公十七年)
• Year 18 (莊公十八年)
• Year 19 (莊公十九年)
• Year 20 (莊公二十年)
• Year 21 (莊公二十一年)
• Year 22 (莊公二十二年)
• Year 23 (莊公二十三年)
• Year 24 (莊公二十亖年)
• Year 25 (莊公二十五年)
• Year 26 (莊公二十六年)
• Year 27 (莊公二十七年)
• Year 28 (莊公二十八年)
• Year 29 (莊公二十九年)
• Year 30 (莊公三十年)
• Year 31 (莊公三十一年)
• Year 32 (莊公三十二年)

Translation

Duke Zhuang, Years 1–32 (莊公元年–莊公三十二年)

Year 1 (莊公元年)

Annals.

• In the first year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In the third month the duke's wife withdrew to Qi (齊).
• In summer, the Earl of Shan escorted the king's daughter.
• In autumn, a lodge for the king's daughter was built outside the city.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on the day yihai, Lin, Marquis of Chen (陳), died.
• The king sent Rong Shu to come and confer a charge upon Duke Huan.
• The king's daughter went in marriage to Qi.
• The army of Qi removed the people of Ji's towns of Ping, Zi, and Wu.

Zuo.

In the first year, in spring, his accession is not recorded, because Wen Jiang (文姜) had gone away.

In the third month the duke's wife withdrew to Qi. She is not called by the name Jiang, because the tie had been cut and she was no longer treated as kin. This accorded with ritual propriety.

In autumn a lodge for the king's daughter was built outside the city. Building it outside accorded with ritual propriety.

Year 2 (莊公二年)

Annals.

• In the second year, in spring, in the king's second month, Duke Zhuang of Chen was buried.
• In summer, the ducal son Qingfu led an army and attacked Yuyuqiu.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, the king's daughter married into Qi died.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, met the Marquis of Qi at Zhuo.
• On the day yiyou, Feng, Duke of Song (宋), died.

Zuo.

In the second year, in winter, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, met the Marquis of Qi at Zhuo. The entry records an illicit union.

Year 3 (莊公三年)

Annals.

• In the third year, in spring, in the king's first month, Ni (溺) joined the army of Qi in attacking Wey (衛).
• In summer, in the fourth month, Duke Zhuang of Song was buried.
• In the fifth month King Huan was buried.
• In autumn, Ji Ji went over to Qi with the town of Xi.
• In winter, the duke halted at Hua.

Zuo.

In the third year, in spring, Ni joined the army of Qi in attacking Wey. The entry shows detestation of him.

In summer, in the fifth month, King Huan was buried. It was late.

In autumn Ji Ji went over to Qi with the town of Xi. From this point the state of Ji (紀) began to be split apart.

In winter the duke halted at Hua, meaning to meet the Earl of Zheng (鄭) and take counsel on account of Ji. The Earl of Zheng declined, pleading troubles at home. In general, for an army: one night's stop is called lodging, two nights is called staying, and beyond staying it is called halting.

Year 4 (莊公亖年)

Annals.

• In the fourth year, in spring, in the king's second month, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, feasted the Marquis of Qi at Zhuqiu.
• In the third month Bo Ji of Ji died.
• In summer, the Marquis of Qi, the Marquis of Chen, and the Earl of Zheng had an informal meeting at Chui.
• The Marquis of Ji left his state for good.
• In the sixth month, on the day yichou, the Marquis of Qi buried Bo Ji of Ji.
• In autumn, the seventh month.
• In winter, the duke and men of Qi hunted at Zhuo.

Zuo.

In the fourth year, in spring, in the king's third month, King Wu of Chu (楚) drew up the Jing battle array, issued lances to the army, and set out to attack Sui. He was about to purify himself for the sacrifice, and went in to tell his wife Deng Man: "My heart is unsteady."

Deng Man sighed and said: "The king's allotted fortune is spent. To be full and then to waver is the way of Heaven. The former rulers surely know it; therefore, as he comes to the business of war, when he is about to issue the great command, they shake the king's heart. If the host suffers no loss and the king passes away on the march, it will be a blessing for the state."

The king then set out, and died beneath a man tree. The chief minister Dou Qi and the mo'ao Qu Zhong cleared the roads and bridged the Zha, encamped the army, and closed upon Sui. The men of Sui took fright and sued for peace. The mo'ao, acting under the king's command, went in and swore a covenant with the Marquis of Sui, and further asked for a meeting at the bend of the Han, and then turned back. Only after crossing the Han did they announce the death.

The Marquis of Ji could not bring himself to submit to Qi, and handed the state over to Ji Ji. In summer the Marquis of Ji left his state for good, avoiding the danger from Qi.

Year 5 (莊公五年)

Annals.

• In the fifth year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, went to the army of Qi.
• In autumn, Lilai of Ni (郳) came to court.
• In winter, the duke joined men of Qi, men of Song, men of Chen, and men of Cai (蔡) in attacking Wey.

Zuo.

In the fifth year, in autumn, Lilai of Ni came to court. He is given by name because he had not yet received the king's charge.

In winter, Wey was attacked in order to bring back Duke Hui.

Year 6 (莊公六年)

Annals.

• In the sixth year, in spring, in the king's first month, the king's officer Zitu went to the relief of Wey.
• In summer, in the sixth month, Shuo, Marquis of Wey, entered Wey.
• In autumn, the duke returned from the attack on Wey.
• There were grain-boring caterpillars.
• In winter, men of Qi came and presented captives from Wey.

Zuo.

In the sixth year, in spring, the king's officer relieved Wey.

In summer the Marquis of Wey entered. He banished the ducal son Qianmou to Zhou (周) and banished Ning Gui to Qin (秦); he killed Xie, the ducal son of the left, and Zhi, the ducal son of the right; and then he took his place as ruler.

A gentleman held that the two ducal sons had shown no measure in setting up Qianmou. One who can make a position firm must first take the measure of root and branch, and only then settle upon what is fitting. If he does not know the root, he lays no plan. If he knows the root will put out no branches, he does not force the matter. The Odes say, "Root and branches for a hundred generations."

In winter men of Qi came and presented the treasures of Wey. Wen Jiang had asked for them.

King Wen of Chu attacked Shen and passed through Deng. Qi, Marquis of Deng, said, "He is my sister's son," and detained him and feasted him. Zhui Sheng, Dan Sheng, and Yang Sheng asked leave to kill the Viscount of Chu, but the Marquis of Deng would not allow it. The three nephews said: "The man who will destroy the state of Deng is certainly this one. If you do not plan early, later, my lord, you will be biting at your own navel. Will you still be in time to plan it? If it is to be planned, this is the moment." The Marquis of Deng said, "People would then refuse to eat the leavings of my sacrifice." They answered: "If you do not follow your three servants, then the altars of soil and grain will get no blood offering at all — and where will my lord get leavings from?" He did not follow them. In the year of the king's return, the Viscount of Chu attacked Deng. In the sixteenth year Chu attacked Deng again and extinguished it.

Year 7 (莊公七年)

Annals.

• In the seventh year, in spring, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, met the Marquis of Qi at Fang.
• In summer, in the fourth month, on the day xinmao, at night the fixed stars were not seen.
• In the middle of the night stars fell like rain.
• In autumn, there was a great flood.
• There was no wheat and no standing grain.
• In winter, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, met the Marquis of Qi at Gu.

Zuo.

In the seventh year, in spring, Wen Jiang met the Marquis of Qi at Fang. It was Qi's wish.

In summer the fixed stars were not seen, because the night was bright. Stars fell like rain: they came down together with rain.

In autumn there was no wheat and no standing grain, but the good grain of the later crop was not harmed.

Year 8 (莊公八年)

Annals.

• In the eighth year, in spring, in the king's first month, the army halted at Lang to await the men of Chen and the men of Cai.
• On the day jiawu there was a review of troops.
• In summer, our army and the army of Qi besieged Cheng, and Cheng surrendered to the army of Qi.
• In autumn, the army returned.
• In winter, in the eleventh month, on the day guiwei, Wuzhi of Qi assassinated his ruler Zhu'er.

Zuo.

In the eighth year, in spring, the review of troops was held at the ancestral temple. This accorded with ritual propriety.

In summer our army and the army of Qi besieged Cheng, and Cheng surrendered to the army of Qi. Zhong Qingfu asked leave to attack the army of Qi. The duke said: "It may not be. It is I who am truly without virtue; what fault has the army of Qi? The fault proceeds from me. The Documents of Xia say, 'Gao Yao strove to sow virtue; virtue being there, men came down and submitted.' For now let us apply ourselves to cultivating virtue and wait for the time." In autumn the army returned. On this account a gentleman thought well of Duke Zhuang of Lu.

The Marquis of Qi sent Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu to garrison Kuiqiu. They went at melon season, and he said, "When the melons come round again you will be relieved." They served out the term of the garrison, but no word came from the duke. They asked to be relieved, and he would not allow it. Therefore they plotted to raise a revolt.

Duke Xi's younger brother by the same mother was called Yi Zhongnian. He begot the ducal grandson Wuzhi, who was favored by Duke Xi and whose clothing and ceremonial allowances were those of a legitimate son. Duke Xiang cut them back. The two men made use of him to raise their revolt. Lian Cheng had a younger cousin in the ducal palace who enjoyed no favor, and they had her spy on the duke, saying, "If we succeed, I will make you the duke's wife."

In winter, in the twelfth month, the Marquis of Qi went out to Gufen and then hunted at Beiqiu. He saw a great boar. His attendants said, "It is the ducal son Pengsheng!" The duke was angry and said, "Does Pengsheng dare show himself!" and shot at it. The boar stood up like a man and screamed. The duke took fright, fell from his chariot, injured his foot, and lost a shoe. On his return he demanded the shoe of the attendant Fei. It was not produced, and he had him whipped until the blood showed. Fei ran out and met the rebels at the gate; they seized him and bound him. Fei said, "What resistance would I make?" He bared himself and showed them his back, and they believed him. Fei asked to go in first. He hid the duke and came out, fought, and died inside the gate. Shi Zhifenru died at the foot of the steps. The rebels then went in and killed Mengyang on the bed, saying, "This is not the ruler; he does not resemble him." They caught sight of the duke's feet below a door, and so assassinated him, and set up Wuzhi.

Earlier, when Duke Xiang was established he was without constancy. Bao Shuya said, "Our ruler makes the people careless; disorder is about to break out." He took the ducal son Xiaobai and fled with him to Ju. When the disorder broke out, Guan Yiwu and Shao Hu took the ducal son Jiu and fled here.

Earlier, the ducal grandson Wuzhi had used Yong Lin cruelly.

Year 9 (莊公九年)

Annals.

• In the ninth year, in spring, men of Qi killed Wuzhi.
• The duke swore a covenant with the grandees of Qi at Ji.
• In summer, the duke attacked Qi to install Zijiu.
• Xiaobai of Qi entered Qi.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day dingyou, Duke Xiang of Qi was buried.
• In the eighth month, on the day gengshen, we fought the army of Qi at Ganshi, and our army was utterly defeated.
• In the ninth month men of Qi took Zijiu and killed him.
• In winter, the Zhu was dredged.

Zuo.

In the ninth year, in spring, Yong Lin killed Wuzhi.

The duke swore a covenant with the grandees of Qi at Ji, because Qi had no ruler.

In summer the duke attacked Qi to install Zijiu. Duke Huan got in first, from Ju.

In autumn our army fought the army of Qi at Ganshi, and our army was utterly defeated. The duke lost his war chariot and came home in a relay carriage. Qinzi and Liangzi took the duke's banner and turned aside onto a lower road, and so both were taken.

Bao Shu led an army here and said: "Zijiu is a kinsman; we ask that our lord deal with him. Guan and Shao are our enemies; we ask to receive them and satisfy our hearts upon them." So Zijiu was killed at Shengdou, and Shao Hu died with him. Guan Zhong asked to be handed over as a prisoner. Bao Shu received him, and at Tangfu unbound him. On his return he reported: "Guan Yiwu surpasses Gao Xi in governing; he may be made chancellor." The duke followed his advice.

Year 10 (莊公十年)

Annals.

• In the tenth year, in spring, in the king's first month, the duke defeated the army of Qi at Changshao.
• In the second month the duke raided Song.
• In the third month men of Song removed the people of Su.
• In summer, in the sixth month, the army of Qi and the army of Song halted at Lang.
• The duke defeated the army of Song at Chengqiu.
• In autumn, in the ninth month, Jing defeated the army of Cai at Shen and carried off Xianwu, Marquis of Cai.
• In winter, in the tenth month, the army of Qi extinguished Tan, and the Viscount of Tan fled to Ju.

Zuo.

In the tenth year, in spring, the army of Qi attacked us. The duke was about to give battle, and Cao Gui (曹劌) asked to be received. The men of his village said, "Those who eat meat are planning it; why should you meddle?" Gui said, "Those who eat meat are narrow; they cannot plan far." So he went in and was received. He asked on what the duke would rely in fighting. The duke said, "Clothing and food, whatever gives me ease, I do not dare keep to myself; I always share them out." Gui answered, "A small kindness does not reach everyone; the people will not follow you for it." The duke said, "In sacrificial victims, jade, and silk I do not dare exaggerate; I always keep good faith." Gui answered, "A small good faith does not yet inspire trust; the spirits will not bless you for it." The duke said, "In lawsuits great and small, though I cannot examine them all, I always judge by the real circumstances." Gui answered, "That belongs to loyalty. With that one may fight a battle. If you fight, I ask to go along."

The duke took him into his chariot. They fought at Changshao. The duke was about to beat the drum for the advance. Gui said, "Not yet." The men of Qi drummed three times. Gui said, "Now." The army of Qi was utterly defeated. The duke was about to drive after them. Gui said, "Not yet." He got down and examined their wheel ruts, remounted, leaned on the crossbar and looked out after them, and said, "Now." Then they pursued the army of Qi.

After the victory the duke asked the reason. Gui answered: "Battle is a matter of courage and spirit. The first roll of the drum raises the spirit; at the second it flags; at the third it is spent. Theirs was spent and ours was full, and so we beat them. A great state is hard to fathom, and I feared an ambush. I saw that their ruts were disordered and their banners drooping, and so we pursued them."

In summer, in the sixth month, the army of Qi and the army of Song halted at Lang. The ducal son Yan said: "The army of Song is not in order and can be beaten. If Song is beaten, Qi is sure to withdraw. I ask leave to strike them." The duke would not allow it. Yan slipped out by the Yu Gate, covered his horses with tiger skins, and was the first to fall upon them. The duke followed him, and utterly defeated the army of Song at Chengqiu. The army of Qi then withdrew.

Marquis Ai of Cai had taken a wife from Chen, and the Marquis of Xi had taken one from there as well. When Xi Gui was going to her husband's house she passed through Cai. The Marquis of Cai said, "She is my wife's sister," and detained her and had her in, but did not treat her as a guest. When the Marquis of Xi heard of it he was angry and sent word to King Wen of Chu: "Attack me; I will beg rescue from Cai, and you can attack them." The Viscount of Chu did so. In autumn, in the ninth month, Chu defeated the army of Cai at Shen and carried off Xianwu, Marquis of Cai.

When the Marquis of Qi had gone into exile, he passed through Tan, and Tan showed him no ritual courtesy. When he came back in, all the feudal lords sent congratulations, and Tan again did not come. In winter the army of Qi extinguished Tan, because Tan had been without ritual courtesy. The Viscount of Tan fled to Ju, because the two were joined in covenant.

Year 11 (莊公十一年)

Annals.

• In the eleventh year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on the day wuyin, the duke defeated the army of Song at Zi.
• In autumn, there was a great flood in Song.
• In winter, the king's daughter went in marriage to Qi.

Zuo.

In the eleventh year, in summer, Song raided us on account of the affair at Chengqiu. The duke opposed them; before the Song army had drawn up its ranks he pressed upon them and defeated them at Zi.

In general, for armies: when the enemy has not drawn up its ranks it is called "defeated the army of so-and-so"; when both sides have drawn up ranks it is called "fought"; a great collapse is called "utterly defeated"; taking the enemy's leading man is called "overcame"; to overturn and beat them is called "took the army of so-and-so"; when the royal army is beaten it is called "the king's army was utterly defeated at such a place."

In autumn there was a great flood in Song. The duke sent to condole, saying, "Heaven has made excessive rain, harming the grain of the sacrificial vessels. How could I not condole?" The answer came: "It is I, the orphaned one, who have truly been irreverent, and Heaven has sent down this calamity; and now it has made my lord anxious as well. I bow before the honor of your message." Zang Wenzhong said: "Song will rise, will it not? Yu and Tang laid the blame on themselves, and their rise was swift; Jie and Zhou laid the blame on others, and their ruin came suddenly. Moreover, when a state of the domains has a misfortune, its ruler calls himself the orphaned one; that accords with ritual. His words show fear and his self-naming accords with ritual: he is close to it." Afterward he heard that the words had been those of the ducal son Yueshuo. Zang Sunda said, "This man deserves to be a ruler; he has a heart that grieves for the people."

In winter the Marquis of Qi came to meet Gong Ji as his bride.

At the affair of Chengqiu the duke's arrow Jinpugu had struck Nangong Changwan, and Chuansun Sheng, the duke's chariot-right, had grappled him and taken him. The men of Song asked for him back. The Duke of Song taunted him, saying, "At first I respected you; now you are a prisoner of Lu, and I respect you no longer." Wan took it as a wound.

Year 12 (莊公十二年)

Annals.

• In the twelfth year, in spring, in the king's third month, Shu Ji of Ji went to Xi.
• In summer, the fourth month.
• In autumn, in the eighth month, on the day jiawu, Wan of Song assassinated his ruler Jie and his grandee Chou Mu.
• In the tenth month Wan of Song fled to Chen.

Zuo.

In the twelfth year, in autumn, Wan of Song assassinated Duke Min at Mengze. He met Chou Mu at the gate, struck him down and killed him. He met the grand steward Du west of the eastern palace, and killed him too. He set up Ziyou. The ducal sons fled to Xiao. The ducal son Yueshuo fled to Bo. Nangong Niu and Meng Huo led an army and besieged Bo.

In winter, in the tenth month, Shu Daxin of Xiao, together with the clans of Dai, Wu, Xuan, Mu, and Zhuang, used an army of Cao to attack them. They killed Nangong Niu at the camp and killed Ziyou in Song, and set up Duke Huan. Meng Huo fled to Wey. Nangong Wan fled to Chen, drawing his mother along in a carriage by hand, and reached it in a single day.

The men of Song asked Wey for Meng Huo. The men of Wey wished not to give him up, but Shi Qizi said: "It may not be. Wickedness is one and the same throughout the world. If a man is wicked in Song and finds shelter with us, what good does sheltering him do? To gain one man and lose a whole state, to take the side of the wicked and cast away the friendly — that is no plan." The men of Wey sent him back. Song also asked Chen for Nangong Wan, with bribes. The men of Chen had women ply him with wine, and then wrapped him in rhinoceros hide. By the time he reached Song his hands and feet were showing through. The men of Song minced them both.

Year 13 (莊公十三年)

Annals.

• In the thirteenth year, in spring, the Marquis of Qi, men of Song, men of Chen, men of Cai, and men of Zhu met at Beixing.
• In summer, in the sixth month, men of Qi extinguished Sui.
• In autumn, the seventh month.
• In winter, the duke met the Marquis of Qi and swore a covenant at Ke.

Zuo.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, there was the meeting at Beixing, to settle the disorder in Song. The men of Sui did not come.

In summer men of Qi extinguished Sui and garrisoned it.

In winter there was the covenant at Ke. This was the beginning of peace with Qi.

The men of Song turned their backs on the meeting at Beixing.

Year 14 (莊公十亖年)

Annals.

• In the fourteenth year, in spring, men of Qi, men of Chen, and men of Cao attacked Song.
• In summer, the Earl of Shan joined in attacking Song.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, Jing entered Cai.
• In winter, the Earl of Shan met the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Wey, and the Earl of Zheng at Juan.

Zuo.

In the fourteenth year, in spring, the feudal lords attacked Song, and Qi requested troops from Zhou. In summer the Earl of Shan joined them, obtained terms from Song, and returned.

Duke Li of Zheng raided Zheng from Li, and on reaching Daling captured Fu Xia. Fu Xia said, "If you release me, I ask leave to bring my lord back in." He swore a covenant with him and pardoned him. In the sixth month, on the day jiazi, Fu Xia killed the ruler of Zheng and his two sons and brought Duke Li back in.

Earlier, an inner snake and an outer snake had fought in the south gate of Zheng, and the inner snake died. Six years later Duke Li entered. Our duke heard of it and asked Shen Xu, "Are there really such portents?" He answered: "What people dread, the flame of their own breath draws to them; portents arise out of people. If a person has no crack in him, a portent does not make itself. When people cast off the constant norms, portents arise; that is why there are portents."

Duke Li entered, and then killed Fu Xia. He sent word to Yuan Fan: "Fu Xia was double-hearted; Zhou has a constant penalty for it, and he has now submitted to his punishment. To all who brought me back without a divided heart I have promised the business of a senior grandee, and I should like to plan this with you, my uncle. Moreover, when I went out, you sent me no word from inside, and when I came back, you again gave me no thought. I feel resentment at it." He answered: "The former ruler Duke Huan charged my forefather with keeping the stone shrines of the ancestral temple. When the altars of soil and grain have a master, to set one's heart outside him — what disloyalty could equal that? If a man is master of the altars of soil and grain, who among the people within the state is not his subject? That a subject has no divided heart is Heaven's own ordinance. Ziyi held the throne fourteen years; those who plotted to call my lord back — how were they not double-hearted? Duke Zhuang still has eight sons. If all of them can accomplish their business by using offices and titles to hand out bribes and urge men to be double-hearted, what will my lord do then? Your servant has received the command." Then he hanged himself and died.

Marquis Ai of Cai, on account of Shen, extolled Xi Gui in speaking to the Viscount of Chu. The Viscount of Chu went to Xi, entered with food and was feasted, and then extinguished Xi. He took Xi Gui home with him, and she bore Du'ao and King Cheng, but she did not speak. The Viscount of Chu asked her about it, and she answered, "I am one woman and have served two husbands. Even if I could not manage to die, what more is there to say?" Because the Marquis of Cai had brought about the destruction of Xi, the Viscount of Chu then attacked Cai. In autumn, in the seventh month, Chu entered Cai.

A gentleman said: "What the Documents of Shang call 'the spreading of wickedness, like a fire blazing over the plain, which cannot be approached — can it still be beaten out?' — is that not like Marquis Ai of Cai?"

In winter there was the meeting at Juan, because Song had submitted.

Year 15 (莊公十五年)

Annals.

• In the fifteenth year, in spring, the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wey, and the Earl of Zheng met at Juan.
• In summer, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, went to Qi.
• In autumn, men of Song, men of Qi, and men of Zhu attacked Ni.
• Men of Zheng raided Song.
• In winter, the tenth month.

Zuo.

In the fifteenth year, in spring, they met there again. This was the beginning of Qi's hegemony.

In autumn the feudal lords attacked Ni on behalf of Song. The men of Zheng took advantage of the opening and raided Song.

Year 16 (莊公十六年)

Annals.

• In the sixteenth year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, men of Song, men of Qi, and men of Wey attacked Zheng.
• In autumn, Jing attacked Zheng.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, there was a meeting with the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wey, the Earl of Zheng, the Baron of Xu, the Earl of Hua, and the Viscount of Teng, and a joint covenant at You.
• Ke, Viscount of Zhu, died.

Zuo.

In the sixteenth year, in summer, the feudal lords attacked Zheng, on account of Song.

The Earl of Zheng had entered from Li and was slow in reporting it to Chu. In autumn Chu attacked Zheng and reached Li, on account of this discourtesy.

The Earl of Zheng dealt with those who had taken part in the disorder of Yong Jiu. In the ninth month he killed the ducal son E and cut off the feet of Qiang Chu. Gongfu Dingshu fled to Wey. Three years later he restored him, saying, "Gong Shu must not be left without posterity in Zheng." He had him come in during the tenth month, saying, "It is a good month; it comes to a full number."

A gentleman said, "Qiang Chu could not guard his own feet."

In winter there was the joint covenant at You, because Zheng had made peace.

The king sent the Duke of Guo to charge the Earl of Quwo, with one army, to be Marquis of Jin (晉).

Earlier, Duke Wu of Jin had attacked Yi and seized Guizhu of Yi. Wei Guo interceded and had him released, and afterward Guizhu made no return for it. Therefore Ziguo raised a disturbance, saying to the men of Jin, "Join me in attacking Yi and take its land." He then used the army of Jin to attack Yi and killed Guizhu of Yi. Jifu, Duke of Zhou, fled to Guo; when King Hui was established he restored him.

Year 17 (莊公十七年)

Annals.

• In the seventeenth year, in spring, men of Qi seized Zhan of Zheng.
• In summer, men of Qi were wiped out in Sui.
• In autumn, Zhan of Zheng escaped from Qi and came here.
• In winter, there were many elk.

Zuo.

In the seventeenth year, in spring, men of Qi seized Zhan of Zheng, because Zheng had not come to court.

In summer the Yin clan, the He clan, the Gonglou clan, and the Xusui clan of Sui feasted the Qi garrison, made them drunk, and killed them. The men of Qi were wiped out there.

Year 18 (莊公十八年)

Annals.

• In the eighteenth year, in spring, the king's third month, the sun was eclipsed.
• In summer, the duke pursued the Rong to the west of the Ji.
• In autumn, there were yu (蜮).
• In winter, the tenth month.

Zuo.

In the eighteenth year, in spring, the Duke of Guo and the Marquis of Jin came to court to the king. The king feasted them with sweetened wine and commanded that further gifts be given: both were granted five pairs of jade discs and four horses each. This was contrary to ritual. When the king charges the feudal lords, their names and ranks are not the same, and ritual too has differing measures; one must not lend the forms of ritual to another beyond his due.

The Duke of Guo, the Marquis of Jin, and the Earl of Zheng sent Yuan Zhuanggong to escort the king's bride from Chen. Gui of Chen went to the capital in marriage; she became in fact Queen Hui.

In summer the duke pursued the Rong to the west of the Ji. The text does not say that they had come; this was to conceal it.

In autumn there were yu; this was reckoned a calamity.

Earlier, King Wu of Chu had conquered Quan and made Dou Min its governor. He rebelled, and Chu besieged and killed him. They moved the people of Quan to Nachu and made Yan Ao its governor. When King Wen came to the throne, he joined with the men of Ba in attacking Shen, and alarmed their army. The men of Ba turned against Chu and attacked Nachu, taking it, and pressed on to the very gate of Chu. Yan Ao swam the Yong and escaped. The Viscount of Chu put him to death, and his clan rose in revolt. In winter the men of Ba took advantage of this and attacked Chu.

Year 19 (莊公十九年)

Annals.

• In the nineteenth year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, the fourth month.
• In autumn, the ducal son Jie escorted a bridal companion for the wife of a man of Chen to Juan, and thereupon swore a covenant with the Marquis of Qi and the Duke of Song.
• The duke's wife, Lady Jiang, went to Ju.
• In winter, men of Qi, men of Song, and men of Chen attacked our western border.

Zuo.

In the nineteenth year, in spring, the Viscount of Chu opposed them and was greatly defeated at Jin (津). On his return Yu Quan would not let him in. He therefore attacked Huang and defeated the army of Huang at Queling. On his way back, when he reached Jiao, he fell ill. In summer, in the sixth month, on the day gengshen, he died. Yu Quan buried him at Xishi, and then killed himself as well, and was buried in the forecourt of the tomb.

Earlier, Yu Quan had remonstrated forcefully with the Viscount of Chu. The Viscount of Chu would not follow him, so he confronted him with a weapon, and out of fear the king followed. Yu Quan said, "I frightened my ruler with a weapon; no crime is greater than that." He then cut off his own feet. The men of Chu made him chief gatekeeper and called him the Great Elder, and had his descendants hold the office. A gentleman said: "Yu Quan may be said to have loved his ruler. He remonstrated and thereby delivered himself up to punishment, and even under punishment he did not forget to deliver his ruler into goodness."

Earlier, Wang Yao was a favorite of King Zhuang and bore Zitui. Zitui enjoyed favor, and Wei Guo was his tutor. When King Hui came to the throne he took Wei Guo's garden to make a park of it; and Bian Bo's mansion stood near the royal palace, and the king took it. The king seized the fields of Ziqin Zhugui and of Zhanfu, and withdrew the emoluments of the master of the kitchen. Therefore Wei Guo, Bian Bo, Shi Su, Zhanfu, and Ziqin Zhugui raised a revolt, relying on the Su clan. In autumn the five grandees upheld Zitui and attacked the king; they did not prevail, and fled to Wen. The Viscount of Su upheld Zitui and fled with him to Wey. An army of Wey and an army of Yan attacked Zhou. In winter Zitui was set up.

Year 20 (莊公二十年)

Annals.

• In the twentieth year, in spring, in the king's second month, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, went to Ju.
• In summer, there was a great conflagration in Qi.
• In autumn, the seventh month.
• In winter, men of Qi attacked the Rong.

Zuo.

In the twentieth year, in spring, the Earl of Zheng tried to reconcile the royal house and did not succeed. He seized Zhongfu of Yan. In summer the Earl of Zheng then took the king home with him, and the king lodged at Li. In autumn the king and the Earl of Zheng entered Wu. They then entered Chengzhou, took its treasured vessels, and returned.

In winter the king's son Tui feasted the five grandees, and the music went through the whole round of dances. The Earl of Zheng heard of it and said to Shu of Guo, when he saw him: "I have heard that when grief and joy come out of season, disaster and blame are certain to arrive. Now the king's son Tui sings and dances untiringly: he takes joy in calamity. When the minister of justice carries out an execution, the ruler for that reason does not take his full meal with music — how much less should a man dare take joy in calamity! To usurp the king's place: what calamity is greater? To face calamity and forget anxiety is to bring anxiety upon oneself. Why not bring the king back?" The Duke of Guo said, "That is my own wish."

Year 21 (莊公二十一年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-first year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on the day xinyou, Tu, Earl of Zheng, died.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day wuxu, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, passed away.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, Duke Li of Zheng was buried.

Zuo.

In the twenty-first year, in spring, they exchanged pledges at Mi. In summer they joined in attacking the royal city. The Earl of Zheng escorted the king and entered by the Yu Gate, while Shu of Guo entered by the north gate; they killed the king's son Tui and the five grandees. The Earl of Zheng feasted the king on the western side of the gate-towers, with the full music. The king gave him Duke Wu's territory, from Hulao eastward. The Earl of Yuan said, "The Earl of Zheng has copied a fault; he too will meet with blame." In the fifth month Duke Li of Zheng died.

The king made a tour of Guo's territory. The Duke of Guo built a royal palace at Bang, and the king gave him Jiuquan. When the Earl of Zheng had feasted the king, the king gave him the queen's mirror-belt. The Duke of Guo asked for a vessel, and the king gave him a goblet. From this the Earl of Zheng began to be ill-disposed toward the king.

In winter the king returned from Guo.

Year 22 (莊公二十二年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-second year, in spring, in the king's first month, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
• On the day guichou we buried our lesser lady Wen Jiang.
• Men of Chen killed their ducal son Yukou.
• In summer, the fifth month.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day bingshen, we swore a covenant with Gao Xi of Qi at Fang.
• In winter, the duke went to Qi to present the betrothal gifts.

Zuo.

In the twenty-second year, in spring, men of Chen killed their heir apparent Yukou. The ducal son Wan of Chen and Zhuansun fled to Qi; Zhuansun came here from Qi as a refugee.

The Marquis of Qi wished to make Jingzhong a minister. He declined, saying: "A servant who is a sojourner here — if by good fortune he obtains indulgence and comes under a lenient government, if he is pardoned for being unpracticed in your instruction and let off from guilt and offense, and relieved of his burdens, that is my lord's kindness, and what he has obtained is much already. How should I dare disgrace a high position and so hasten the censure of the officials? I ask leave to state this on pain of death. The Odes say:

Tall and lofty the chariot teams;
they summon me with a bow.
Do I not wish to go?
I fear my friends and companions."

He was made master of artisans.

He gave Duke Huan wine to drink, and there was good cheer. The duke said, "Let us go on by torchlight." He declined, saying, "Your servant divined about the daytime; he did not divine about the night. I dare not." A gentleman said: "Wine serves to complete the rites; not to go on into excess is righteousness. To complete the rites with one's lord and not draw him into excess is humaneness."

Earlier, the Yi clan divined about giving a daughter in marriage to Jingzhong. The wife read the omen and said, "Auspicious. This is what is called:

The phoenixes fly together,
their harmonious calls ringing clear.
The posterity of the Gui line
will grow up among the Jiang.
In the fifth generation they will flourish,
ranking with the state's chief ministers;
after the eighth generation
none will match them in greatness."

Duke Li of Chen was born of a woman of Cai; therefore the men of Cai killed Wufu and set him up, and he begot Jingzhong. When Jingzhong was young, a scribe of Zhou came to see the Marquis of Chen with the Zhou Changes. The Marquis of Chen had him cast the stalks, and he obtained Guan, Contemplation, changing into Pi, Obstruction. The scribe said: "This is what is called, 'Contemplating the glory of the state; it is favorable to be a guest of the king.' Will he take Chen's place and possess a state? Not here, but in a different state; and not in his own person, but in his sons and grandsons. Glory is what has its shining far off and from another. Kun is earth. Xun is wind. Qian is heaven. Wind becoming heaven above earth: that is a mountain. He has the timber of a mountain, and the light of heaven shines upon it, and so he dwells above the earth. Therefore it says, 'Contemplating the glory of the state; it is favorable to be a guest of the king.' The courtyard is filled with a hundred offerings, presented with jade and silk, and the beauties of heaven and earth are complete in it. Therefore it says, 'It is favorable to be a guest of the king.' There is still 'contemplating' in it, and so I say it will be in his descendants. The wind travels and settles upon the earth, and so I say it will be in a different state. If it is in a different state, it must be one of the Jiang surname; the Jiang are the posterity of the Great Peaks. Mountains and peaks match themselves with heaven, and no two things can both be great. When Chen declines, will this man's line not flourish?"

When Chen was first destroyed, Huanzi of Chen first became great in Qi. When it was destroyed the second time, Chengzi obtained the government.

Year 23 (莊公二十三年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-third year, in spring, the duke returned from Qi.
• Zhai Shu came on a diplomatic visit.
• In summer, the duke went to Qi to view the sacrifice to the god of the soil.
• The duke returned from Qi.
• Men of Jing came on a diplomatic visit.
• The duke had an informal meeting with the Marquis of Qi at Gu.
• Shu of Xiao came to the duke's court.
• In autumn, the pillars of Duke Huan's temple were painted vermilion.
• In winter, in the eleventh month, Shegu, Earl of Cao, died.
• In the twelfth month, on the day jiayin, the duke met the Marquis of Qi and swore a covenant at Hu.

Zuo.

In the twenty-third year, in summer, the duke went to Qi to view the sacrifice to the god of the soil. This was contrary to ritual. Cao Gui remonstrated, saying: "It may not be. Ritual is the means of putting the people in order. Therefore meetings serve to teach the rule of high and low and to set the measure for the use of goods; court visits serve to make right the meaning of rank and title and to keep the order of elder and younger; punitive campaigns serve to chastise those who do not comply. The feudal lords have the king to attend upon, and the king has his tours of inspection, by which all this is rehearsed on the great scale. Apart from these, a ruler does not stir. Whatever a ruler does is written down, and if what is written is not according to the standard, what will later generations look upon?"

In Jin the clans of Huan and Zhuang were pressing upon the ruler, and Duke Xian was troubled by them. Shi Wei said, "Get rid of Fuzi, and then the ducal sons can be dealt with." The duke said, "Try the business." Shi Wei laid plans together with the ducal sons, slandered Fuzi, and got rid of him.

In autumn the pillars of Duke Huan's temple were painted vermilion.

Year 24 (莊公二十亖年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-fourth year, in spring, in the king's third month, the rafters of Duke Huan's temple were carved.
• Duke Zhuang of Cao was buried.
• In summer, the duke went to Qi to meet his bride.
• In autumn, the duke returned from Qi.
• In the eighth month, on the day dingchou, the duke's wife, Lady Jiang, entered.
• On the day wuyin the grandees and the wives of the ducal kin had audience with her, using silk offerings.
• There was a great flood.
• In winter, the Rong raided Cao.
• Cao Ji fled to Chen.
• Chi returned to Cao.
• The Duke of Guo.

Zuo.

In the twenty-fourth year, in spring, the rafters were carved. Both this and the painting were contrary to ritual. Yu Sun remonstrated, saying: "Your servant has heard it said, 'Frugality is the reverence that belongs to virtue; extravagance is the greatest of evils.' The former ruler had that reverent virtue, and my lord is now putting him among great evils. Is that not impermissible?"

In autumn Ai Jiang arrived. The duke had the wives of the ducal kin take audience with her, using silk offerings. This was contrary to ritual. Yu Sun said: "For men the greater gifts of introduction are jade and silk, the lesser are birds and fowl, so as to display their proper rank. For women the gift goes no further than hazelnuts, chestnuts, dates, and dried meat, so as to declare reverence. Now men and women use the same gift, and there is no distinction. The distinction between men and women is a great rule of the state, and here it has been thrown into confusion by the duke's wife. Is that not impermissible?"

In Jin, Shi Wei again laid plans with the ducal sons, and had the two sons of the You clan killed. Shi Wei reported to the Marquis of Jin, "It can be done now. In not more than two years my lord will surely be without trouble."

Year 25 (莊公二十五年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-fifth year, in spring, the Marquis of Chen sent Nü Shu on a diplomatic visit.
• In summer, in the fifth month, on the day guichou, Shuo, Marquis of Wey, died.
• In the sixth month, on the day xinwei, the new moon, the sun was eclipsed; drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil.
• Bo Ji went in marriage to Qi (杞).
• In autumn, there was a great flood; drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil and at the gate.
• In winter, the ducal son You went to Chen.

Zuo.

In the twenty-fifth year, in spring, Nü Shu of Chen came on a diplomatic visit. This was the beginning of friendly relations with Chen. He was commended, and therefore is not called by his personal name.

In summer, in the sixth month, on the day xinwei, the new moon, the sun was eclipsed. Drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil: this was not the regular practice. Only at the new moon of the first month, when the malign force has not yet arisen, if the sun is eclipsed does one then use silk offerings at the altar of the soil and beat the drums in the court.

In autumn there was a great flood. Drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil and at the gate: this too was not the regular practice. In general, for a calamity from Heaven there are silk offerings but no victim; except for a blemish of the sun or the moon, drums are not beaten.

In Jin, Shi Wei had the ducal sons kill off the whole You clan, and then walled Ju and settled them there.

In winter the Marquis of Jin besieged Ju and killed off all the ducal sons.

Year 26 (莊公二十六年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-sixth year, in spring, the duke attacked the Rong.
• In summer, the duke returned from attacking the Rong.
• Cao killed its grandee.
• In autumn, the duke joined men of Song and men of Qi in attacking Xu.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, on the day guihai, the new moon, the sun was eclipsed.

Zuo.

In the twenty-sixth year, in spring, Shi Wei of Jin became grand minister of works.

In summer Shi Wei walled Jiang, deepening its palace enclosure.

In autumn men of Guo raided Jin. In winter men of Guo raided Jin again.

Year 27 (莊公二十七年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-seventh year, in spring, the duke met Bo Ji of Qi (杞) at Tao.
• In summer, in the sixth month, the duke met the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, and the Earl of Zheng in a joint covenant at You.
• In autumn, the ducal son You went to Chen to bury Yuan Zhong.
• In winter, Bo Ji of Qi (杞) came.
• Qing of Ju came to meet Shu Ji.
• The Earl of Qi (杞) came to court.
• The duke met the Marquis of Qi at Chengpu.

Zuo.

In the twenty-seventh year, in spring, the duke met Bo Ji of Qi at Tao. This was not proper business. The Son of Heaven does not make a tour of inspection except to display righteousness; a feudal lord does not stir except for the people's business; a minister does not cross the border except by his ruler's command.

In summer there was the joint covenant at You, because Chen and Zheng had submitted.

In autumn the ducal son You went to Chen to bury Yuan Zhong. This was contrary to ritual. Yuan Zhong was an old friend of Ji You.

In winter Bo Ji of Qi (杞) came. It was a visit home to her parents. In general, of a feudal lord's daughter, a visit home is called "came," and being sent away is called "came back." Of a ruler's wife, a visit home is called "went to such a place," and being sent away is called "returned to such a place."

The Marquis of Jin was about to attack Guo. Shi Wei said: "It may not be. The Duke of Guo is arrogant; if he suddenly wins a victory over us he will surely cast off his people. Attack him after he has no multitude left, and whom will he have to resist us with? Ritual, music, kindness, and love are what one stores up for war. Only when the people yield to one another in their tasks, are glad and harmonious, love their kin and grieve at deaths, can they be used. Guo stores up none of this; if he fights often he will come to hunger."

The king sent Liao, Earl of Shao, to confer a charge on the Marquis of Qi, and further asked him to attack Wey, because Wey had set up Zitui.

Year 28 (莊公二十八年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-eighth year, in spring, in the king's third month, on the day jiayin, men of Qi attacked Wey.
• The men of Wey fought the men of Qi, and the men of Wey were utterly defeated.
• In summer, in the fourth month, on the day dingwei, Suo, Viscount of Zhu, died.
• In autumn, Jing attacked Zheng; the duke joined men of Qi and men of Song in relieving Zheng.
• In winter, Mei was built.
• There was a great failure of wheat and grain, and Zang Sunchen asked leave to buy grain from Qi.

Zuo.

In the twenty-eighth year, in spring, the Marquis of Qi attacked Wey. They fought, and he defeated the army of Wey. He enumerated its offenses in the name of the king's command, took a bribe, and went home.

Duke Xian of Jin took a wife from Jia; she bore no son. He took to himself his father's consort Qi Jiang, and she bore the lady who became the wife of Duke Mu of Qin, and the heir apparent Shensheng. He also took two women from the Rong: Hu Ji of the Greater Rong bore Chong'er, and the woman of the Lesser Rong bore Yiwu. Jin attacked the Li Rong, and the Baron of the Li Rong gave him Li Ji to wife. She went to him in marriage, and bore Xiqi; her younger sister bore Zhuozi. Li Ji was favored and wanted her own son set up. She bribed the outside favorite Liang Wu and the favorite Wu of the Eastern Gate, and had them speak to the duke: "Quwo is my lord's ancestral seat; Pu and the two Qu are my lord's frontier. They cannot be without masters. If the ancestral city has no master, the people are not held in awe; if the border marches have no master, it opens the way to Rong ambitions. That the Rong should conceive ambitions and the people grow careless of your government is an affliction to the state. If you make the heir apparent master of Quwo, and Chong'er and Yiwu masters of Pu and Qu, you can hold the people in awe and make the Rong afraid, and make my lord's conquests conspicuous besides." They both said, "The broad wastes of the Di would be a settled domain for Jin. That Jin should open up territory — is it not fitting?" The Marquis of Jin was pleased with this.

In summer he had the heir apparent live at Quwo, Chong'er at Pucheng, and Yiwu at Qu. All the ducal sons were sent out to the border towns, and only the sons of the two Ji women remained in Jiang. The two Wus at last joined with Li Ji in slandering the ducal sons and setting up Xiqi, and the men of Jin called them "the pair."

Ziyuan, the chief minister of Chu, wanted to seduce King Wen's widow. He built a lodge beside her palace and had the Wan dance performed there with shaken bells. The lady heard it and wept, saying: "The former ruler used this dance to practice the equipment of war. Now the chief minister does not employ it against our enemies, but beside a woman who has not yet died. Is that not strange!" An attendant reported this to Ziyuan. Ziyuan said, "A woman does not forget to strike at the enemy, and I of all people had forgotten it!"

In autumn Ziyuan attacked Zheng with six hundred chariots and entered by the Jiedie Gate. Ziyuan, Dou Yujiang, Dou Wu, and Gengzhi Bubi formed the van; Dou Ban, Wangsun You, and Wangsun Xi brought up the rear. The mass of the chariots entered by the Chun Gate and came as far as the market on the thoroughfare. The suspended gate was not let down. The men of Chu spoke in their own tongue and withdrew. Ziyuan said, "Zheng has men in it." The feudal lords came to the relief of Zheng, and the Chu army slipped away by night. The men of Zheng were about to flee to Tongqiu, but a spy reported, "There are crows on the Chu tents," and so they stopped.

In winter there was famine. Zang Sunchen asked leave to buy grain from Qi. This accorded with ritual.

Mei was built. It was not a metropolis. In general, a town that has an ancestral temple with the tablets of former rulers is called a metropolis; one without is called a town. Of a town one says "built"; of a metropolis one says "walled."

Year 29 (莊公二十九年)

Annals.

• In the twenty-ninth year, in spring, the Yan stable was made new.
• In summer, men of Zheng raided Xu.
• In autumn, there were fei beetles.
• In winter, in the twelfth month, Shu Ji of Ji died.
• Zhu and Fang were walled.

Zuo.

In the twenty-ninth year, in spring, the Yan stable was newly built. It was recorded because it was out of season. In general, horses are put out at the equinox and brought in at the equinox.

In summer the men of Zheng raided Xu. In general, when an army goes with bells and drums, the action is called an attack; when it goes without them, it is called a raid; and when it is swift and light, it is called a surprise assault.

In autumn there were fei beetles; they did harm. In general, when a creature does no harm, it is not recorded.

In winter, in the twelfth month, Zhu and Fang were walled. It was recorded because it was in season. In general, in works of earth: when the Dragon appears, the field tasks are brought to an end and notice of the undertaking is given; when the Fire star appears, the tools and materials are brought up; when the Water star stands due south at dusk, the wall-frames are set; and when the sun reaches its turning point, the work is finished.

Fan Pi (樊皮) rebelled against the king.

Year 30 (莊公三十年)

Annals.

• In the thirtieth year, in spring, the king's first month.
• In summer, a halt was made at Cheng.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, men of Qi brought Zhang to surrender.
• In the eighth month, on the day guihai, Shu Ji of Ji was buried.
• In the ninth month, on the day gengwu, the new moon, the sun was eclipsed.
• Drums were beaten and a victim used at the altar of the soil.
• In winter, the duke had an informal meeting with the Marquis of Qi at the Ji River in Lu.
• Men of Qi attacked the Shanrong.

Zuo.

In the thirtieth year, in spring, the king ordered the Duke of Guo to punish Fan Pi. In summer, in the fourth month, on the day bingchen, the Duke of Guo entered Fan, seized Fan Zhongpi, and returned with him to the royal capital.

Ziyuan, the ducal son of Chu, came back from the attack on Zheng and took up residence in the king's palace. Dou Sheshi (鬭射師) remonstrated with him, and he seized him and put him in fetters.

In autumn Dou Ban, the governor of Shen, killed Ziyuan. Dou Gouwutu (鬭谷於菟) became chief minister; he broke up his own household wealth in order to relieve the distress of the state of Chu.

In winter came the informal meeting at the Ji River in Lu. It was to plan against the Shanrong, because they were afflicting Yan.

Year 31 (莊公三十一年)

Annals.

• In the thirty-first year, in spring, a terrace was built at Lang.
• In summer, in the fourth month, the Earl of Xue died.
• A terrace was built at Xue.
• In the sixth month, the Marquis of Qi came and presented spoils taken from the Rong.
• In autumn, a terrace was built at Qin.
• In winter, there was no rain.

Zuo.

In the thirty-first year, in summer, in the sixth month, the Marquis of Qi came and presented spoils taken from the Rong. This was contrary to ritual. In general, when a feudal lord has a success against the Yi of the four quarters, he presents the spoils to the king, and the king uses them to warn the Yi. Against the states of the Middle Kingdom this is not done. The feudal lords do not send captives to one another.

Year 32 (莊公三十二年)

Annals.

• In the thirty-second year, in spring, Xiaogu was walled.
• In summer, the Duke of Song and the Marquis of Qi had an informal meeting at Liangqiu.
• In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day guisi, the ducal son Ya died.
• In the eighth month, on the day guihai, the duke passed away in the great chamber.
• In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiwei, Ziban died.
• The ducal son Qingfu went to Qi.
• The Di attacked Xing.

Zuo.

In the thirty-second year, in spring, Xiaogu was walled. It was done for Guan Zhong.

On account of Chu's attack on Zheng, the Marquis of Qi asked for a meeting of the feudal lords. The Duke of Song asked to see the Marquis of Qi first. In summer they had an informal meeting at Liangqiu.

In autumn, in the seventh month, a spirit came down at Shen.

King Hui asked the interior scribe Guo (過) about it: "What is the reason for this?" He answered: "When a state is about to flourish, a bright spirit comes down upon it to inspect its virtue; when it is about to perish, a spirit likewise comes down upon it to observe its wickedness. So there have been those who obtained a spirit and rose, and there have been those who obtained one and perished. Yu, Xia, Shang, and Zhou all had such cases." The king said: "What is to be done?" He answered: "Present offerings to it with the things proper to it; and the things proper to it are those of the day on which it came." The king followed his advice. The interior scribe went; and hearing that Guo (虢) had asked the spirit for a mandate, he said on his return: "Guo will certainly perish. It is cruel, and it listens to a spirit."

The spirit stayed at Shen for six months. The Duke of Guo sent the invocator Ying, the temple officer Qu, and the scribe Yin (史嚚) to make offerings to it. The spirit granted him land and fields. The scribe Yin said: "Guo will perish, will it not! I have heard this: when a state is about to flourish, it listens to its people; when it is about to perish, it listens to spirits. A spirit is keen of hearing, clear of sight, upright, and single; it acts in accordance with men. Guo has much thin virtue — what land could it possibly obtain!"

Earlier, the duke had built a terrace overlooking the household of the Dang clan (黨氏). He saw Meng Ren (孟任) and pursued her. She shut her door against him; but when he spoke of making her his lady, she consented. She cut her arm and swore a covenant with the duke, and she bore Ziban (子般). At the rain sacrifice there was a rehearsal at the household of the Liang clan, and the duke's daughter was watching it. Luo (犖), a groom, dallied with her from outside the wall. Ziban was angry and had him whipped. The duke said: "Better to kill him. This one is not to be whipped. Luo has strength in him: he can hurl the roof-cover over the Ji Gate."

The duke fell ill and asked Shu Ya (叔牙) about the succession. He answered: "Qingfu has the ability." He asked Ji You (季友), who answered: "Your servant will uphold Ban to the death." The duke said: "A while ago Ya said that Qingfu has the ability." Cheng Ji (成季) then, in the ruler's name, ordered Xi Shu (僖叔) to wait at the house of the Zhenwu clan, and had Zhen Ji give him poisoned wine, saying: "Drink this, and you will have posterity in the state of Lu; if not, you will die and have no posterity as well." He drank it, went back, and died when he came to Kuiquan. The Shusun lineage (叔孫氏) was established from him.

In the eighth month, on the day guihai, the duke passed away in the great chamber. Ziban took his place and lodged at the house of the Dang clan. In winter, in the tenth month, on the day jiwei, Gongzhong (共仲) had Luo the groom murder Ziban at the house of the Dang clan. Cheng Ji fled to Chen. Duke Min was set up.

Colophon

This translation was prepared for the Chinese shelf of the Good Works Library and made independently from the classical Chinese printed in full below. The year-by-year form of the source has been kept exactly: under each year the annal entries of the Spring and Autumn (經) are given as the bulleted list headed Annals., one bullet for each entry of the received text, and the narrative of the Zuo (傳) follows under the lead Zuo., paragraph for paragraph. No year has been merged with another, no annal entry has been dropped or compressed, and the order of the blocks within each year follows the source. Speeches, remonstrances, and divination readings are given in full; the verse quoted from the Odes and the omen verses of the twenty-second year keep their line breaks.

Complete and partial English translations of the Zuo Commentary already exist, and this file makes no claim of firstness. Named here as controls in existence, and not consulted in making this translation: James Legge (1872), Stephen Durrant, Wai-yee Li and David Schaberg (2016, complete), and Burton Watson (1989, selections). Every English sentence above was made from the Chinese characters of the source text below.

Several distinct names fall together in pinyin in this reign, and the character is added where the English would otherwise be ambiguous: Qi 齊, the great eastern power, beside the small state of Qi 杞; Ni 溺, the Lu commander of the third year, beside Ni 郳, the statelet whose ruler came to court in the fifth; Jin 晉 the state beside Jin 津, the ford where Chu was beaten in the nineteenth year; and, in the thirty-second year, the interior scribe Guo 過 beside the state of Guo 虢, whose ruler he was speaking about. Three men in the closing year carry two names each, as the source gives them: Shu Ya is also Xi Shu, Ji You is also Cheng Ji, and Qingfu is also Gongzhong. The Chu commander's title 莫敖 is left untransposed as "the mo'ao"; 令尹 is rendered "chief minister"; 工正, the office Jingzhong accepted in Qi, is "master of artisans." The creatures called 蜮 in the eighteenth year and 蜚 in the twenty-ninth cannot be identified with confidence and are left as "yu" and "fei beetles."

The Wikisource transcription of this chapter uses a number of variant graphs, which are kept in the source text below: 亖 for 四 (four) throughout, 亰 for 京 (the capital), and, in the eighteenth year, a whole page in a different orthography — 秂 for 年, 萅 for 春, 矦 for 侯 — set without the paragraph indents used elsewhere. In the annal entry for the spring of the twenty-ninth year the transcription reads 新延既 where the Zuo has 新作延廄, "newly built the Yan stable"; the entry is translated from the sense the Zuo supplies, and the received graphs are left standing below.

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 莊公

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

莊公元年

經

　　元年春王正月。三月，夫人孫于齊。

　　夏，單伯送王姬。

　　秋，築王姬之館於外。

　　冬十月乙亥，陳侯林卒。王使榮叔來錫桓公命。王姬歸於齊。齊師遷紀、郱、鄑、郚。

傳

　　元年春，不稱即位，文姜出故也。

　　三月，夫人孫于齊。不稱姜氏，絕不爲親，禮也。

　　秋，築王姬之館於外。爲外，禮也。

莊公二年

經

　　二年春王二月，葬陳莊公。

　　夏，公子慶父帥師伐于餘丘。

　　秋七月，齊王姬卒。

　　冬十有二月，夫人姜氏會齊侯於禚。乙酉，宋公馮卒。

傳

　　二年冬，夫人姜氏會齊侯於禚。書姦也。

莊公三年

經

　　三年春王正月，溺會齊師伐衛。

　　夏亖月，葬宋莊公。五月，葬桓王。

　　秋，紀季以酅入于齊。

　　冬，公次於滑。

傳

　　三年春，溺會齊師伐衛，疾之也。

　　夏五月，葬桓王，緩也。

　　秋，紀季以酅入于齊，紀於是乎始判。

　　冬，公次於滑，將會鄭伯，謀紀故也。鄭伯辭以難。凡師，一宿爲舍，再宿爲信，過信爲次。

莊公亖年

經

　　亖年春王二月，夫人姜氏享齊侯于祝丘。三月，紀伯姬卒。

　　夏，齊侯、陳侯、鄭伯遇于垂。紀侯大去其國。六月乙丑，齊侯葬紀伯姬。

　　秋七月。

　　冬，公及齊人狩於禚。

傳

　　亖年春，王三月，楚武王荊屍，授師孑焉，以伐隨，將齊，入告夫人鄧曼曰：『余心蕩。』鄧曼歎曰：『王祿盡矣。盈而蕩，天之道也。先君其知之矣，故臨武事，將發大命，而蕩王心焉。若師徒無虧，王薨于行，國之福也。』王遂行，卒於樠木之下。令尹鬥祁、莫敖屈重除道、梁溠，營軍臨隨。隨人懼，行成。莫敖以王命入盟隨侯，且請爲會於漢汭，而還。濟漢而後發喪。

　　紀侯不能下齊，以與紀季。夏，紀侯大去其國，違齊難也。

莊公五年

經

　　五年春王正月。

　　夏，夫人姜氏如齊師。

　　秋，郳犁來來朝。

　　冬，公會齊人、宋人、陳人、蔡人伐衛。

傳

　　五年秋，郳犁來來朝，名，未王命也。

　　冬，伐衛納惠公也。

莊公六年

經

　　六年春王正月，王人子突救衛。

　　夏六月，衛侯朔入于衛。

　　秋，公至自伐衛。螟。

　　冬，齊人來歸衛俘。

傳

　　六年春，王人救衛。

　　夏，衛侯入，放公子黔牟于周，放甯跪于秦，殺左公子泄、右公子職，乃即位。

　　君子以二公子之立黔牟爲不度矣。夫能固位者，必度於本末而後立衷焉。不知其本，不謀。知本之不枝，弗強。《詩》云：『本枝百世。』

　　冬，齊人來歸衛寶，文姜請之也。

　　楚文王伐申，過鄧。鄧祁侯曰：『吾甥也。』止而享之。騅甥、聃甥、養甥請殺楚子，鄧侯弗許。三甥曰：『亡鄧國者，必此人也。若不早圖，後君噬齊。其及圖之乎？圖之，此爲時矣。』鄧侯曰：『人將不食吾餘。』對曰：『若不從三臣，抑社稷實不血食，而君焉取餘？』弗從。還年，楚子伐鄧。十六年，楚複伐鄧，滅之。

莊公七年

經

　　七年春，夫人姜氏會齊侯於防。

　　夏亖月辛卯，夜，恒星不見。夜中，星隕如雨。

　　秋，大水。無麥、苗。

　　冬，夫人姜氏會齊侯于穀。

傳

　　七年春，文姜會齊侯于防，齊志也。

　　夏，恒星不見，夜明也。星隕如雨，與雨偕也。

　　秋，無麥苗，不害嘉穀也。

莊公八年

經

　　八年春王正月，師次於郎，以俟陳人，蔡人。甲午，治兵。

　　夏，師及齊師圍郕，郕降于齊師。

　　秋，師還。

　　冬十有一月癸未，齊無知弑其君諸兒。

傳

　　八年春，治兵於廟，禮也。

　　夏，師及齊師圍郕。郕降于齊師。仲慶父請伐齊師。公曰：『不可。我實不德，齊師何罪？罪我之由。《夏書》曰：「皋陶邁種德，德，乃降。」姑務修德以待時乎。』秋，師還。君子是以善魯莊公。

　　齊侯使連稱、管至父戍葵丘。瓜時而往，曰：『及瓜而代。』期戍，公問不至。請代，弗許。故謀作亂。

　　僖公之母弟曰夷仲年，生公孫無知，有寵於僖公，衣服禮秩如嫡。襄公絀之。二人因之以作亂。連稱有從妹在公宮，無寵，使間公，曰：『捷，吾以女爲夫人。』

　　冬十二月，齊侯游于姑棼，遂田于貝丘。見大豕，從者曰：『公子彭生也。』公怒曰：『彭生敢見！』射之，豕人立而啼。公懼，墜于車，傷足喪屨。反，誅屨于徒人費。弗得，鞭之，見血。走出，遇賊於門，劫而束之。費曰：『我奚禦哉！』袒而示之背，信之。費請先入，伏公而出，鬥，死於門中。石之紛如死於階下。遂入，殺孟陽於床。曰：『非君也，不類。』見公之足於戶下，遂弑之，而立無知。

　　初、襄公立，無常。鮑叔牙曰：『君使民慢，亂將作矣。』奉公子小白出奔莒。亂作，管夷吾、召忽奉公子糾來奔。

　　初，公孫無知虐於雍廩。

莊公九年

經

　　九年春，齊人殺無知。公及齊大夫盟于既。

　　夏，公伐齊納子糾。齊小白入于齊。

　　秋七月丁酉，葬齊襄公。

　　八月庚申，及齊師戰于乾時，我師敗績。九月，齊人取子糾殺之。

　　冬，浚洙。

傳

　　九年春，雍廩殺無知。

　　公及齊大夫盟于既，齊無君也。

　　夏，公伐齊，納子糾。桓公自莒先入。

　　秋，師及齊師戰于乾時，我師敗績，公喪戎路，傳乘而歸。秦子、梁子以公旗辟於下道，是以皆止。

　　鮑叔帥師來言曰：『子糾，親也，請君討之。管、召、仇也，請受而甘心焉。』乃殺子糾于生竇，召忽死之。管仲請囚，鮑叔受之，乃堂阜而稅之。歸而以告曰：『管夷吾治于髙傒，使相可也。』公從之。

莊公十年

經

　　十年春王正月，公敗齊師於長勺。二月，公侵宋。三月，宋人遷宿。

　　夏六月，齊師、宋師次於郎。公敗宋師於乘丘。

　　秋九月，荊敗蔡師於莘，以蔡侯獻舞歸。

　　冬十月，齊師滅譚，譚子奔莒。

傳

　　十年春，齊師伐我。公將戰，曹劌請見。其鄉人曰：『肉食者謀之，又何間焉。』劌曰：『肉食者鄙，未能遠謀。』乃入見。問何以戰。公曰：『衣食所安，弗敢專也，必以分人。』對曰：『小惠未遍，民弗從也。』公曰：『犧牲玉帛，弗敢加也，必以信。』對曰：『小信未孚，神弗福也。』公曰：『小大之獄，雖不能察，必以情。』對曰：『忠之屬也，可以一戰，戰則請從。』

　　公與之乘。戰於長勺。公將鼓之。劌曰：『未可。』齊人三鼓，劌曰：『可矣。』齊師敗績。公將馳之。劌曰：『未可。』下，視其轍，登，軾而望之，曰：『可矣。』遂逐齊師。

　　既克，公問其故。對曰：『夫戰，勇氣也，一鼓作氣，再而衰，三而竭。彼竭我盈，故克之。夫大國難測也，懼有伏焉。吾視其轍亂，望其旗靡，故逐之。』

　　夏六月，齊師、宋師次於郎。公子偃曰：『宋師不整，可敗也。宋敗，齊必還，請擊之。』公弗許。自雩門竊出，蒙皋比而先犯之。公從之。大敗宋師於乘丘。齊師乃還。

　　蔡哀侯娶于陳，息侯亦娶焉。息媯將歸，過蔡。蔡侯曰：『吾姨也。』止而見之，弗賓。息侯聞之，怒，使謂楚文王曰：『伐我，吾求救于蔡而伐之。』楚子從之。秋九月，楚敗蔡師於莘，以蔡侯獻舞歸。

　　齊侯之出也，過譚，譚不禮焉。及其入也，諸侯皆賀，譚又不至。冬，齊師滅譚，譚無禮也。譚子奔莒，同盟故也。

莊公十一年

經

　　十有一年春王正月。

　　夏五月，戊寅，公敗宋師於鄑。

　　秋，宋大水。

　　冬，王姬歸於齊。

傳

　　十一年夏，宋爲乘丘之役故侵我。公禦之，宋師未陳而薄之，敗諸鄑。

　　凡師，敵未陳曰敗某師，皆陳曰戰，大崩曰敗績，得人雋曰克，覆而敗之曰取某師，亰師敗曰王師敗績於某。

　　秋，宋大水。公使吊焉，曰：『天作淫雨，害于粢盛，若之何不吊？』對曰：『孤實不敬，天降之災，又以爲君憂，拜命之辱。』臧文仲曰：『宋其興乎。禹、湯罪己，其興也悖焉；桀、紂罪人，其亡也忽焉。且列國有凶稱孤，禮也。言懼而名禮，其庶乎。』既而聞之曰公子禦說之辭也。臧孫達曰：『是宜爲君，有恤民之心。』

　　冬，齊侯來逆共姬。

　　乘丘之役，公之金僕姑射南宮長萬，公右遄孫生搏之。宋人請之，宋公靳之，曰：『始吾敬子，今子，魯囚也。吾弗敬子矣。』病之。

莊公十二年

經

　　十有二年春王三月，紀叔姬歸於酅。

　　夏亖月。

　　秋八月甲午，宋萬弑其君捷及其大夫仇牧。十月，宋萬出奔陳。

傳

　　十二年秋，宋萬弑閔公于蒙澤。遇仇牧於門，批而殺之。遇大宰督於東宮之西，又殺之。立子遊。羣公子奔蕭。公子禦說奔亳。南宮牛、猛獲帥師圍亳。

　　冬十月，蕭叔大心及戴、武、宣、穆、莊之族以曹師伐之。殺南宮牛于師，殺子游于宋，立桓公。猛獲奔衛。南宮萬奔陳，以乘車輦其母，一日而至。

　　宋人請猛獲于衛，衛人欲勿與，石祁子曰：『不可。天下之惡一也，惡于宋而保於我，保之何補？得一夫而失一國，與惡而棄好，非謀也。』衛人歸之。亦請南宮萬于陳，以賂。陳人使婦人飲之酒，而以犀革裹之。比及宋手足皆見。宋人皆醢之。

莊公十三年

經

　　十有三年春，齊侯、宋人、陳人、蔡人、邾人會於北杏。

　　夏六月，齊人滅遂。

　　秋七月。

　　冬，公會齊侯盟于柯。

傳

　　十三年春，會於北杏，以平宋亂。遂人不至。

　　夏，齊人滅遂而戍之。

　　冬，盟于柯，始及齊平也。

　　宋人背北杏之會。

莊公十亖年

經

　　十有亖年春，齊人、陳人、曹人伐宋。

　　夏，單伯會伐宋。

　　秋七月，荊入蔡。

　　冬，單伯會齊侯、宋公、衛侯、鄭伯于鄄。

傳

　　十亖年春，諸侯伐宋，齊請師于周。夏，單伯會之，取成于宋而還。

　　鄭厲公自櫟侵鄭，及大陵，獲傅瑕。傅瑕曰：『苟舍我，吾請納君。』與之盟而赦之。六月甲子，傅瑕殺鄭子及其二子而納厲公。

　　初，內蛇與外蛇鬥于鄭南門中，內蛇死。六年而厲公入。公聞之，問于申繻曰：『猶有妖乎？』對曰：『人之所忌，其氣焰以取之，妖由人興也。人無釁焉，妖不自作。人棄常則妖興，故有妖。』

　　厲公入，遂殺傅瑕。使謂原繁曰：『傅瑕貳，周有常刑，既伏其罪矣。納我而無二心者，吾皆許之上大夫之事，吾願與伯父圖之。且寡人出，伯父無裏言，入，又不念寡人，寡人憾焉。』對曰：『先君桓公命我先人典司宗祏。社稷有主而外其心，其何貳如之？苟主社稷，國內之民其誰不爲臣？臣無二心，天之制也。子儀在位十亖年矣，而謀召君者，庸非二乎。莊公之子猶有八人，若皆以官爵行賂勸貳而可以濟事，君其若之何？臣聞命矣。』乃縊而死。

　　蔡哀侯爲莘故，繩息媯以語楚子。楚子如息，以食入享，遂滅息。以息媯歸，生堵敖及成王焉，未言。楚子問之，對曰：『吾一婦人而事二夫，縱弗能死，其又奚言？』楚子以蔡侯滅息，遂伐蔡。秋七月，楚入蔡。

　　君子曰：『《商書》所謂「惡之易也，如火之燎于原，不可鄉邇，其猶可撲滅」者，其如蔡哀侯乎。』

　　冬，會于鄄，宋服故也。

莊公十五年

經

　　十有五年春，齊侯、宋公、陳侯、衛侯、鄭伯會于鄄。

　　夏，夫人姜氏如齊。

　　秋，宋人、齊人、邾人伐郳。鄭人侵宋。

　　冬十月。

傳

　　十五年春，復會焉，齊始霸也。

　　秋，諸侯爲宋伐郳。鄭人間之而侵宋。

莊公十六年

經

　　十有六年春王正月。

　　夏，宋人、齊人、衛人伐鄭。

　　秋，荊伐鄭。

　　冬十有二月，會齊侯、宋公、陳侯、衛侯、鄭伯、許男、滑伯、滕子同盟於幽。邾子克卒。

傳

　　十六年夏，諸侯伐鄭，宋故也。

　　鄭伯自櫟入，緩告于楚。秋，楚伐鄭，及櫟，爲不禮故也。

　　鄭伯治與于雍糾之亂者。九月，殺公子閼，刖強鉏。公父定叔出奔衛。三年而複之，曰：『不可使共叔無後於鄭。』使以十月入，曰：『良月也，就盈數焉。』

　　君子謂：『強鉏不能衛其足。』

　　冬，同盟于幽，鄭成也。

　　王使虢公命曲沃伯以一軍爲晉侯。

　　初，晉武公伐夷，執夷詭諸。蒍國請而免之。既而弗報。故子國作亂，謂晉人曰：『與我伐夷而取其地。』遂以晉師伐夷，殺夷詭諸。周公忌父出奔虢。惠王立而複之。

莊公十七年

經

　　十有七年春，齊人執鄭詹。

　　夏，齊人殲於遂。

　　秋，鄭詹自齊逃來。

　　冬，多麋。

傳

　　十七年春，齊人執鄭詹，鄭不朝也。

　　夏，遂因氏、頜氏、工婁氏、須遂氏饗齊戍，醉而殺之，齊人殲焉。

莊公十八年

經

十有八秂萅王三月，日有食之。

夏，公追戎於濟西。

秋，有蜮。

冬十月。

傳

十八秂萅，虢公、晉矦朝王，王饗醴，命之宥，皆賜玉五玨，馬亖匹。非禮也。王命諸矦，名位不同，禮亦異數，不以禮假人。

虢公、晉矦、鄭伯使原莊公逆王后于陳。陳嬀歸於亰師，實惠後。

夏，公追戎於濟西。不言其來，諱之也。

秋，有蜮，爲災也。

初，楚武王克權，使鬭緡尹之。以叛，圍而殺之。遷權於那處，使閻敖尹之。及文王即位，與巴人伐申而驚其師。巴人叛楚而伐那處，取之，遂門于楚。閻敖遊湧而逸。楚子殺之，其族爲亂。冬，巴人因之以伐楚。

莊公十九年

經

　　十有九年春王正月。

　　夏亖月。

　　秋，公子結媵陳人之婦於鄄，遂及齊侯、宋公盟。夫人姜氏如莒。

　　冬，齊人、宋人、陳人伐我西鄙。

傳

　　十九年春，楚子禦之，大敗於津。還，鬻拳弗納。遂伐黃，敗黃師於碏陵。還，及湫，有疾。夏六月庚申卒，鬻拳葬諸夕室，亦自殺也，而葬於絰皇。

　　初，鬻拳強諫楚子，楚子弗從，臨之以兵，懼而從之。鬻拳曰：『吾懼君以兵，罪莫大焉。』遂自刖也。楚人以爲大閽，謂之大伯，使其後掌之。君子『鬻拳可謂愛君矣，諫以自納于刑，刑猶不忘納君於善。』

　　初，王姚嬖于莊王，生子頹。子頹有寵，蒍國爲之師。及惠王即位。取蒍國之圃以爲囿，邊伯之宮近于王宮，王取之。王奪子禽祝跪與詹父田，而收膳夫之秩。故蒍國、邊伯、石速、詹父、子禽祝跪作亂，因蘇氏。秋，五大夫奉子頹以伐王，不克，出奔溫。蘇子奉子頹以奔衛。衛師、燕師伐周。冬，立子頹。

莊公二十年

經

　　二十年春王二月，夫人姜氏如莒。

　　夏，齊大災。

　　秋七月。

　　冬，齊人伐戎。

傳

　　二十年春，鄭伯和王室，不克。執燕仲父。夏，鄭伯遂以王歸，王處於櫟。秋，王及鄭伯入于鄔。遂入成周，取其寶器而還。

　　冬，王子頹享五大夫，樂及遍舞。鄭伯聞之，見虢叔，曰：『寡人聞之，哀樂失時，殃咎必至。今王子頹歌舞不倦，樂禍也。夫司寇行戮，君爲之不舉，而況敢樂禍乎？！奸王之位，禍孰大焉？臨禍忘憂，憂必及之。盍納王乎？』虢公曰：『寡人之願也。』

莊公二十一年

經

　　二十有一年春，王正月。

　　夏五月辛酉，鄭伯突卒。

　　秋七月戊戌，夫人姜氏薨。

　　冬十有二月，葬鄭厲公。

傳

　　二十一年春，胥命於弭。夏，同伐王城。鄭伯將王，自圉門入，虢叔自北門入，殺王子頹及五大夫。鄭伯享王于闕西辟，樂備。王與之武公之略，自虎牢以東。原伯曰：『鄭伯效尤，其亦將有咎。』五月，鄭厲公卒。

　　王巡虢守。虢公爲王宮于玤，王與之酒泉。鄭伯之享王也，王以后之鞶鑒予之。虢公請器，王予之爵。鄭伯由是始惡于王。

　　冬，王歸自虢。

莊公二十二年

經

　　二十二年春王正月，肆大眚。癸丑，葬我小君文姜。陳人殺其公子禦寇。

　　夏五月。

　　秋七月丙申，及齊髙傒盟於防。

　　冬，公如齊納幣。

傳

　　二十二年春，陳人殺其大子禦寇，陳公子完與顓孫奔齊。顓孫自齊來奔。

　　齊侯使敬仲爲卿。辭曰：『羈旅之臣，幸若獲宥，及於寬政，赦其不閑於教訓而免於罪戾，弛於負擔，君之惠也，所獲多矣。敢辱髙位，以速官謗。請以死告。《詩》云：「翹翹車乘，招我以弓，豈不欲往，畏我友朋。」』使爲工正。

　　飲桓公酒，樂。公曰：『以火繼之。』辭曰：『臣卜其晝，未卜其夜，不敢。』君子曰：『酒以成禮，不繼以淫，義也。以君成禮，弗納於淫，仁也。』

　　初，懿氏卜妻敬仲，其妻占之，曰：『吉，是謂「鳳皇於飛，和鳴鏘鏘，有媯之後，將育于姜。五世其昌，並於正卿。八世之後，莫之與亰。」』陳厲公，蔡出也。故蔡人殺五父而立之，生敬仲。其少也，周史有以《周易》見陳侯者，陳侯使筮之，遇《觀》之《否》。曰：『是謂「觀國之光，利用賓于王。」代陳有國乎。不在此，其在異國；非此其身，在其子孫。光，遠而自他有耀者也。《坤》，土也。《巽》，風也。《乾》，天也。風爲天於土上，山也。有山之材而照之以天光，於是乎居土上，故曰：「觀國之光，利用賓于王。」庭實旅百，奉之以玉帛，天地之美具焉，故曰：「利用賓于王。」猶有觀焉，故曰其在後乎。風行而著於土，故曰其在異國乎。若在異國，必姜姓也。姜，大嶽之後也。山嶽則配天，物莫能兩大。陳衰，此其昌乎。』

　　及陳之初亡也，陳桓子始大於齊。其後亡也，成子得政。

莊公二十三年

經

　　二十有三年春，公至自齊。祭叔來聘。

　　夏，公如齊觀社。公至自齊。荊人來聘。公及齊侯遇于穀。蕭叔朝公。

　　秋，丹桓宮楹。

　　冬十有一月，曹伯射姑卒。

　　十有二月甲寅，公會齊侯盟于扈。

傳

　　二十三年夏，公如齊觀社，非禮也。曹劌諫曰：『不可。夫禮，所以整民也。故會以訓上下之則，制財用之節；朝以正班爵之義，帥長幼之序；征伐以討其不然。諸侯有王，王有巡守，以大習之。非是，君不舉矣。君舉必書，書而不法，後嗣何觀？』

　　晉桓、莊之族逼，獻公患之。士蒍曰：『去富子，則羣公子可謀也已。』公曰：『爾試其事。』士蒍與羣公子謀，譖富子而去之。

　　秋，丹桓宮之楹。

莊公二十亖年

經

　　二十有亖年春王三月，刻桓宮桷。葬曹莊公。

　　夏，公如齊逆女。

　　秋，公至自齊。八月丁丑，夫人姜氏入。

　　戊寅，大夫宗婦覿，用幣。大水。

　　冬，戎侵曹。曹羈出奔陳。赤歸於曹。郭公。

傳

　　二十亖年春，刻其桷，皆非禮也。禦孫諫曰：『臣聞之：「儉，德之共也；侈，惡之大也。」先君有共德而君納諸大惡，無乃不可乎！』

　　秋，哀姜至。公使宗婦覿，用幣，非禮也。禦孫曰：『男贄大者玉帛，小者禽鳥，以章物也。女贄不過榛栗棗修，以告虔也。今男女同贄，是無別也。男女之別，國之大節也。而由夫人亂之，無乃不可乎！』

　　晉士蒍又與羣公子謀，使殺遊氏之二子。士蒍告晉侯曰：『可矣。不過二年，君必無患。』

莊公二十五年

經

　　二十有五年春，陳侯使女叔來聘。

　　夏五月癸丑，衛侯朔卒。

　　六月辛未，朔，日有食之，鼓、用牲於社。伯姬歸於杞。

　　秋，大水，鼓、用牲于社、於門。

　　冬，公子友如陳。

傳

　　二十五年春，陳女叔來聘，始結陳好也。嘉之，故不名。

　　夏六月辛未，朔，日有食之。鼓、用牲於社，非常也。唯正月之朔，慝未作，日有食之，於是乎用幣於社，伐鼓於朝。

　　秋，大水。鼓，用牲于社、於門，亦非常也。凡天災，有幣無牲。非日月之眚，不鼓。

　　晉士蒍使羣公子盡殺游氏之族，乃城聚而處之。

　　冬，晉侯圍聚，盡殺羣公子。

莊公二十六年

經

　　二十有六年春，公伐戎。

　　夏，公至自伐戎。曹殺其大夫。

　　秋，公會宋人、齊人，伐徐。

　　冬十有二月癸亥，朔，日有食之。

傳

　　二十六年春，晉士蒍爲大司空。

　　夏，士蒍城絳，以深其宮。

　　秋，虢人侵晉。冬，虢人又侵晉。

莊公二十七年

經

　　二十有七年春，公會杞伯姬于洮。

　　夏六月，公會齊侯、宋公、陳侯、鄭伯同盟于幽。

　　秋，公子友如陳，葬原仲。

　　冬，杞伯姬來。莒慶來逆叔姬。杞伯來朝。公會齊侯於城濮。

傳

　　二十七年春，公會杞伯姬于洮，非事也。天子非展義不巡守，諸侯非民事不舉，卿非君命不越竟。

　　夏，同盟于幽，陳、鄭服也。

　　秋，公子友如陳，葬原仲，非禮也。原仲，季友之舊也。

　　冬，杞伯姬來，歸寧也。凡諸侯之女，歸寧曰來，出曰來歸。夫人歸甯曰如某，出曰歸於某。

　　晉侯將伐虢，士蒍曰：『不可，虢公驕，若驟得勝於我，必棄其民。無眾而後伐之，欲禦我誰與？夫禮樂慈愛，戰所畜也。夫民讓事樂和，愛親哀喪而後可用也。虢弗畜也，亟戰將饑。』

　　王使召伯廖賜齊侯命，且請伐衛，以其立子頹也。

莊公二十八年

經

　　二十有八年春，王三月甲寅，齊人伐衛。衛人及齊人戰，衛人敗績。

　　夏亖月丁未，邾子瑣卒。

　　秋，荊伐鄭，公會齊人、宋人救鄭。

　　冬，築郿。大無麥、禾，臧孫辰告糴于齊。

傳

　　二十八年春，齊侯伐衛。戰，敗衛師。數之以王命，取賂而還。

　　晉獻公娶于賈，無子。烝于齊姜，生秦穆夫人及大子申生。又娶二女於戎，大戎狐姬生重耳，小戎子生夷吾。晉伐驪戎，驪戎男女以驪姬。歸，生奚齊。其娣生卓子。驪姬嬖，欲立其子，賂外嬖梁五，與東關嬖五，使言於公曰：『曲沃，君之宗也。蒲與二屈，君之疆也。不可以無主。宗邑無主則民不威，疆埸無主則啟戎心。戎之生心，民慢其政，國之患也。若使大子主曲沃，而重耳、夷吾主蒲與屈，則可以威民而懼戎，且旌君伐。』使俱曰：『狄之廣莫，于晉爲都。晉之啟土，不亦宜乎？』晉侯說之。

　　夏，使大子居曲沃，重耳居蒲城，夷吾居屈。羣公子皆鄙，唯二姬之子在絳。二五卒與驪姬譖羣公子而立奚齊，晉人謂之二耦。

　　楚令尹子元欲蠱文夫人，爲館于其宮側，而振萬焉。夫人聞之，泣曰：『先君以是舞也，習戎備也。今令尹不尋諸仇讎，而於未亡人之側，不亦異乎！』禦人以告子元。子元曰：『婦人不忘襲仇，我反忘之！』

　　秋，子元以車六百乘伐鄭，入於桔柣之門。子元、鬭禦疆、鬭梧、耿之不比爲旆，鬭班、王孫游、王孫喜殿。眾車入自純門，及逵市。縣門不發，楚言而出。子元曰：『鄭有人焉。』諸侯救鄭，楚師夜遁。鄭人將奔桐丘，諜告曰：『楚幕有烏。』乃止。

　　冬，饑。臧孫辰告糴于齊，禮也。

　　築郿，非都也。凡邑有宗廟先君之主曰都，無曰邑。邑曰築，都曰城。

莊公二十九年

經

　　二十有九年春，新延既。

　　夏，鄭人侵許。

　　秋，有蜚。

　　冬十有二月，紀叔姬卒。城諸及防。

傳

　　二十九年春，新作延廄。書，不時也。凡馬日中而出，日中而入。

　　夏，鄭人侵許。凡師有鐘鼓曰伐，無曰侵，輕曰襲。

　　秋，有蜚，爲災也。凡物不爲災不書。

　　冬十二月，城諸及防，書，時也。凡土功，龍見而畢務，戒事也。火見而致用，水昏正而栽，日至而畢。

　　樊皮叛王。

莊公三十年

經

　　三十年春王正月。

　　夏，次於成。

　　秋七月，齊人降鄣。

　　八月癸亥，葬紀叔姬。

　　九月庚午朔，日有食之。鼓，用牲於社。

　　冬，公及齊侯遇于魯濟。齊人伐山戎。

傳

　　三十年春，王命虢公討樊皮。夏亖月丙辰，虢公入樊，執樊仲皮，歸於亰師。

　　楚公子元歸自伐鄭，而處王宮，鬭射師諫，則執而梏之。

　　秋，申公鬭班殺子元，鬭谷於菟爲令尹，自毀其家以紓楚國之難。

　　冬，遇于魯濟，謀山戎也，以其病燕故也。

莊公三十一年

經

　　三十有一年春，築台于郎。

　　夏亖月，薛伯卒。築台于薛。

　　六月，齊侯來獻戎捷。

　　秋，築台于秦。

　　冬，不雨。

傳

　　三十一年夏六月，齊侯來獻戎捷，非禮也。凡諸侯有亖夷之功，則獻于王，王以警於夷。中國則否。諸侯不相遺俘。

莊公三十二年

經

　　三十有二年春，城小穀。

　　夏，宋公、齊侯遇于梁丘。

　　秋七月癸巳，公子牙卒。

　　八月癸亥，公薨于路寢。

　　冬十月己未，子般卒。

　　公子慶父如齊。狄伐邢。

傳

　　三十二年春，城小谷，爲管仲也。

　　齊侯爲楚伐鄭之故，請會于諸侯。宋公請先見於齊侯。夏，遇于梁丘。

　　秋七月，有神降於莘。

　　惠王問諸內史過曰：『是何故也？』對曰：『國之將興，明神降之，監其德也；將亡，神又降之，觀其惡也。故有得神以興，亦有以亡，虞、夏、商、周皆有之。』王曰：『若之何？』對曰：『以其物享焉，其至之日，亦其物也。』王從之。內史過往，聞虢請命，反曰：『虢必亡矣，虐而聽於神。』

　　神居莘六月。虢公使祝應、宗區、史嚚享焉。神賜之土田。史嚚曰：『虢其亡乎！吾聞之：國將興，聽於民；將亡，聽於神。神，聰明正直而一者也，依人而行。虢多涼德，其何土之能得！』

　　初，公築台臨黨氏，見孟任，從之。閟，而以夫人言，許之。割臂盟公，生子般焉。雩，講于梁氏，女公子觀之。圉人犖自牆外與之戲。子般怒，使鞭之。公曰：『不如殺之，是不可鞭。犖有力焉，能投蓋於稷門。』

　　公疾，問後於叔牙。對曰：『慶父材。』問于季友，對曰：『臣以死奉般。』公曰：『鄉者牙曰慶父材。』成季使以君命命僖叔待于鍼巫氏，使鍼季酖之，曰：『飲此則有後於魯國，不然，死且無後。』飲之，歸，及逵泉而卒，立叔孫氏。

　　八月癸亥，公薨于路寢。子般即位，次於黨氏。冬十月己未，共仲使圉人犖賊子般於黨氏。成季奔陳。立閔公。

Source Colophon

The Chinese text follows the Chinese Wikisource transcription of the Zuo Commentary (article 春秋左氏傳 莊公, revision of 21 March 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, interlanguage links, and license templates have been removed; the text is otherwise complete and unaltered.

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