Duke Wen's Sixteenth Year
In the sixteenth year, in spring, Jisun Xingfu met the Marquis of Qi at Yanggu, but the Marquis of Qi did not form an alliance with him.
In summer, in the fifth month, Duke Wen of Lu four times failed to hold court on the first day of the month.
In autumn, on the xinsi day of the eighth month, Lady Jiang, the duke’s consort, died.
The Quan Terrace was demolished.
The people of Chu, Qin, and Ba destroyed the state of Yong.
In winter, in the eleventh month, the people of Song killed their ruler, Chujiu.
In the sixteenth year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Lu made peace with Qi. Duke Wen of Lu was ill and sent Jiwenzi to meet the Marquis of Qi at Yanggu, requesting an alliance. The Marquis of Qi refused, saying, “Please wait until the duke recovers from his illness.”
In summer, in the fifth month, Duke Wen four times failed to hold court on the first day of the month, because of his illness. Duke Wen sent Xiangzhong to present gifts to the Marquis of Qi, and thus an alliance was concluded at Qiqiu.
Snakes emerged from the Quan Palace and entered the capital, seventeen in number, the same as the number of former rulers. In autumn, on the xinsi day of the eighth month, Sheng Jiang died, and the Quan Terrace was consequently demolished.
Chu suffered a severe famine. The Rong attacked its southwestern region, reaching Fushan, and encamped their army at Dalin. They also attacked its southeastern region, reaching Yangqiu, and thereby invaded Zizhi. The people of Yong led numerous Man tribes in rebelling against Chu. The people of Jun led the hundred Pu tribes to gather at Xuan, preparing to attack Chu. At this time, the northern gates of Shen and Xi were not opened. The people of Chu discussed moving the capital to Bangao. Wei Jia said, “That will not do. Where we can go, the enemy can also go. It is better to attack Yong. As for Jun and the hundred Pu, they think that because of our famine we cannot send out troops, so they come to attack us. If we send out troops, they will certainly be afraid and withdraw. The hundred Pu are scattered in various places; they will each flee back to their own cities. Who will have leisure to plot against others?” So they sent out troops. After fifteen days, the hundred Pu withdrew. After setting out from Lu, they opened the granaries and shared the grain among the troops. The army encamped at Jushi. They sent Lu Jili to attack Yong, reaching the Fangcheng of Yong. The people of Yong pursued them and captured Ziyangchuang. After three nights, Ziyangchuang escaped and said, “The army of Yong is numerous, and the Man tribes are all gathered there. It would be better to raise a larger army and at the same time mobilize the ruler’s own forces, and then attack after joining together.” Shishu said, “That will not do. For the time being, engage them in battle again to make them arrogant. When they become arrogant and we become angry, then we can defeat them. Our former ruler Fenmao used this method to conquer Xingxia.” The Chu army again fought with the Yong army, and seven times they feigned retreat. Only the people of Bi, Tiao, and Yu actually pursued the Chu army. The people of Yong said, “Chu is not worth fighting.” Thereupon they relaxed their defenses. King Zhuang of Chu took a post-horse and joined the army at Linpin, dividing the force into two: Ziyue set out from Shixi, and Zibei set out from Ren, to attack Yong. The people of Qin and Ba followed the Chu army. The numerous Man tribes formed an alliance with the king of Chu. Thus Yong was destroyed.
Gongzi Bao of Song treated the people with courtesy. When Song suffered a famine, he distributed all his grain to the people in loans. To those aged seventy and above, he gave gifts without exception. According to the season, he added fine and rare delicacies. Not a day passed without his entering and leaving the gates of the six ministers several times. To those of ability within the state, he served them without fail. To the descendants of Duke Huan and below, he assisted them all without exception. Gongzi Bao was handsome and beautiful. Lady Xiang wanted to commit adultery with him, but Gongzi Bao would not consent. Lady Xiang then helped him in his charitable distributions. Duke Zhao of Song was without the Way, and the people supported Gongzi Bao, thereby attaching themselves to Lady Xiang. At that time, Hua Yuan was Right Minister, Gongsun You was Left Minister, Hua Ou was Minister of War, Lin Hu was Minister of Works, Dang Yizhu was Minister of Public Works, and Gongzi Chao was Minister of Justice. Earlier, when the Minister of Public Works Dang died, Gongsun Shou resigned from the office of Minister of Public Works and requested that Dang Yizhu be appointed. Shortly afterward, he told someone, “The ruler is without the Way. My office is close to the ruler, and I fear calamity will involve me. If I abandon my office, then the clan will not be protected. My son is my substitute. For the time being, let him die in my place. Although I lose a son, I will not lose the clan.” Soon after, Lady Xiang planned to have Duke Zhao of Song go hunting at Mengzhu and kill him. Duke Zhao of Song learned of this and set out taking all his treasures with him. Dang Yizhu said, “Why not seek refuge with another ruler?” Duke Zhao of Song said, “I have been unable to maintain good relations with my own high officers, so that my grandmother and the people treat me thus. Which ruler would be willing to accept me? Moreover, having been a ruler, to become another’s subject—better to die.” Thereupon he gave all his treasures to his attendants and sent them away. Lady Xiang sent a message to the Minister of Public Works, Dang Yizhu, telling him to leave the ruler. Dang Yizhu replied, “To be his servant and yet flee his calamity—how could I then serve a ruler?”
In winter, in the eleventh month, on the jiayin day, Duke Zhao of Song was about to go hunting at Mengzhu. Before he arrived, Lady Xiang, the king’s daughter, sent Shuai Dian to attack and kill him. Dang Yizhu died for this cause. The Spring and Autumn Annals records, “The people of Song assassinated their ruler, Chujiu,” because the ruler was without the Way. Duke Wen of Song came to the throne and appointed his full younger brother Xu as Minister of Public Works. Hua Ou died, and he appointed Tang Hui as Minister of War.