Duke Wen, 5th Year

In the fifth year, in spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, King Xiang of Zhou sent Rong Shu to present the jade for the mouth and the horses and chariots for the funeral.

In the third month, on the day Xinhai, the wife of our ruler, Cheng Feng, was buried. King Xiang of Zhou sent Shao Bo to attend the funeral.

In summer, Gongsun Ao went to Jin.

The Qin people invaded Ruo.

In autumn, the Chu people extinguished Liu.

In winter, in the tenth month, on the day Jiashen, Xu Nan Ye died.

In the fifth year, in spring, King Xiang of Zhou sent Rong Shu to present the jade for the mouth and the horses and chariots for the funeral, and also sent Shao Zhao Gong to attend the burial. This was in accordance with ritual propriety.

At first, Ruo had turned against Chu and become close to Qin, but later it developed divided loyalties toward Chu. In summer, the Qin people invaded Ruo.

Liu turned against Chu and became close to the Eastern Yi. In autumn, Chu’s grand officers, Cheng Daxin and Zhong Gui, led an army and extinguished Liu.

In winter, Chu’s prince Xie extinguished Liao. Zang Wenzhong, upon hearing that Liu and Liao had been destroyed, said: “Gao Yao and Ting Jian have suddenly lost their sacrifices. If virtue is not established, the people have no support. How sad!”

Yang Chufu of Jin went on a diplomatic mission to Wei. On his return, he passed through Ning, and Ning Ying followed him. When they reached Wen, Ning Ying turned back. His wife asked him the reason, and Ning Ying said: “He is too rigid. The ‘Book of Shang’ says: ‘One who is deep and hidden should be restrained with firmness; one who is bright and open should be restrained with gentleness.’ He is fixated on one side of firmness—I fear he will not die a good death! Heaven has the virtue of firmness, yet it does not go against the rotation of the four seasons—how much less can a man do so? Moreover, he is flashy but without substance, and this will draw resentment. To offend others and accumulate resentment means he cannot secure his own person. I am afraid that not only will I gain no benefit, but I will also encounter misfortune. Therefore, I left him.”

Zhao Chengzi, Luan Zhenzi, Huo Bo, and Jiu Ji of Jin all died.