Duke Wen's Fifteenth Year

In the fifteenth year, in spring, Ji Sun Xingfu went to Jin.

In the third month, Hua Sun, the Minister of War of Song, came to Lu to form a covenant.

In summer, the Earl of Cao came to Lu for an audience.

The people of Qi returned the coffin of Gongsun Ao.

On the day of Xinchou, the first day of the sixth month, a solar eclipse occurred. Drums were beaten and sacrificial animals were offered at the altar of the land.

Dan Bo returned from Qi to Lu.

Xi Que of Jin led an army to attack Cai. On the day of Wushen, they entered Cai.

In autumn, the people of Qi invaded our western border.

Ji Sun Xingfu went to Jin.

In winter, in the eleventh month, the feudal lords held a meeting at Hu.

In the twelfth month, the people of Qi came to return Zi Shu Ji. The Marquis of Qi invaded our western border, then attacked Cao, entering its outer city.

In the fifteenth year, in spring, Ji Wenzi went to Jin because of Dan Bo and Zi Shu Ji.

In the third month, Hua Ou of Song came to Lu to form a covenant. All his officials followed him. The Spring and Autumn Annals records him as "Hua Sun, Minister of War of Song," to honor him. The Duke of Lu feasted him. He declined, saying, "Your subject's former minister Du offended Duke Shang of Song, and his name is recorded in the bamboo slips of the feudal lords. Your subject inherits his sacrifices; how dare I dishonor you? Please allow me to receive the orders of the second-rank officials." The people of Lu considered him tactful.

In summer, the Earl of Cao came to Lu for an audience; this was in accordance with ritual. The feudal lords held mutual audiences twice every five years to renew the king's commands; this was the ancient system.

Someone among the people of Qi plotted for the Meng clan, saying: "Lu is your close state. If you decorate the coffin and place it at Tangfu, Lu will surely take it back." The Meng clan followed this advice. The steward of Bian town reported it to Lu. Hui Shu was still deeply grieved and requested to retrieve the coffin, standing at court awaiting orders. Lu agreed and retrieved the coffin to store it. When the people of Qi returned it, the Spring and Autumn Annals records "The people of Qi returned the coffin of Gongsun Ao" because of the Meng clan and also because it was a matter of state precedent. According to the funeral rites, he was treated like Gong Zhong. Sheng Ji did not participate in the mourning; they set up a curtain in the hall and wept. Xiang Zhong wished not to weep. Hui Bo said, "Mourning is the final end of a relative. Although there was no good beginning, a good ending is still acceptable. Shi Yi said: 'Brothers should each strive to be perfect: relieve hardship, congratulate joy, condole disaster, be reverent in sacrifice, be sorrowful in mourning. Though feelings may differ, do not cut off the way of affection. You have not lost the Way; why resent others?'" Xiang Zhong was pleased and led the brothers to go and weep. Later, Gongsun Ao's two sons came. Meng Xianzi loved them, and this news spread to the state. Someone slandered them, saying: "They are about to kill you." Meng Xianzi told them this. Ji Wenzi's two sons said, "The Master is known for loving us, but we are known for being about to kill you—is this not far from ritual? Being far from ritual is worse than death." One guarded the Goumeng Gate, and one guarded the Liqiu Gate; both died fighting.

On the day of Xinchou, the first day of the sixth month, a solar eclipse occurred. Drums were beaten and sacrificial animals were offered at the altar of the land; this was not in accordance with ritual. When a solar eclipse occurs, the Son of Heaven does not eat full dishes and beats drums at the altar of the land; the feudal lords use silk at the altar of the land and beat drums at court, to show serving the spirits, teaching the people to serve their ruler, and displaying the dignity of rank—this was the ancient principle.

The people of Qi granted Dan Bo's request and pardoned him, sending him to convey their commands. The Spring and Autumn Annals records "Dan Bo arrived from Qi" to honor him.

At the meeting at Xincheng, Cai did not attend. Xi Que of Jin led the Upper Army and the Lower Army to attack Cai, saying, "The ruler is young; we cannot be remiss." On the day of Wushen, they entered Cai, made a covenant under the city walls, and then returned. Generally, when one conquers a state, it is called "extinguishing it"; when one enters a large city, it is called "entering it."

In autumn, the people of Qi invaded our western border; therefore Ji Wenzi went to Jin to report.

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 Viscount of Xu, and the Earl of Cao met at Hu to renew the covenant of Xincheng and to plan an attack on Qi. The people of Qi bribed the Marquis of Jin, so they returned without victory. At this time, there was trouble in Qi, and therefore the Duke of Lu did not attend the meeting. The Spring and Autumn Annals records "The feudal lords made a covenant at Hu" because they were powerless. Generally, when the feudal lords held a meeting, if the Duke of Lu did not attend, it was not recorded—this was to conceal the ruler's fault; if he attended but it was not recorded, it was because he arrived late.

The people of Qi came to return Zi Shu Ji because of the King of Zhou.

The Marquis of Qi invaded our western border, thinking the feudal lords could do nothing. Then he attacked Cao, entered its outer city, and punished Cao for coming to have an audience with Lu. Ji Wenzi said, "The Marquis of Qi will hardly escape disaster, I fear! He himself is already without ritual, yet he punishes those who have ritual, saying, 'Why do you practice ritual?' Ritual is used to follow Heaven's will; this is Heaven's constant way. Having already gone against Heaven's will, he then uses it to punish others—it will be difficult to escape disaster. The Odes say: 'Why not be in awe? Not in awe of Heaven.' The gentleman does not mistreat the young and lowly because he is in awe of Heaven. In the Zhou Hymn it says: 'In awe of Heaven's majesty, and thus can preserve it.' If one does not fear Heaven, what can he preserve? To seize a state through turmoil and then observe ritual to maintain it—even then one still fears a bad end. To do many unritual acts—then one cannot remain in his position."