Duke Xuan's Twelfth Year

In the twelfth year of spring, Duke Ling of Chen was buried.

King Zhuang of Chu besieged Zheng.

In summer, the sixth month, on the day Yimao, Xun Linfu of Jin led an army and fought with King Zhuang of Chu at Bi, and the Jin army was severely defeated.

In autumn, the seventh month.

In winter, the twelfth month, on the day Wuyin, King Zhuang of Chu extinguished the state of Xiao.

Jin, Song, Wei, and Cao formed an alliance at Qingqiu. The Song army attacked Chen, and the Wei army rescued Chen.

In the twelfth year of spring, King Zhuang of Chu besieged Zheng for seventeen days. The people of Zheng divined about making peace, but it was inauspicious; they divined about wailing in the Grand Temple and driving war chariots into the streets and lanes, and it was auspicious. The people in the capital wailed loudly in the Grand Temple, and all the defenders wailed. King Zhuang of Chu withdrew his troops. The people of Zheng repaired the city walls. The Chu army advanced and besieged Zheng again, lasting three months, and captured Zheng. The Chu army entered through the Huang Gate and reached the main road. Duke Xiang of Zheng bared his upper body, led a sheep, and went to meet them, saying: "I did not follow Heaven's will, could not serve my lord, and caused my lord to come with anger to our state. This is my crime. How dare I not obey your commands? If you take me captive to the south of the Yangtze and settle me by the sea, I will obey your commands. If you extinguish Zheng and divide its land among the feudal lords, making the people of Zheng your servants and maids, I will also obey your commands. If you deign to remember our former friendship, seek blessings from Kings Li, Xuan, Huan, and Wu, and do not extinguish our state's altars, allowing our state to reform and serve my lord, equal to Chu's nine districts, this would be your grace and also my wish. But this is not what I dare to hope for. I venture to speak my heart, and I ask my lord to consider it." Those close to King Zhuang of Chu said: "You cannot agree to him. Having gained the state, you should not pardon him." King Zhuang of Chu said: "His ruler can humble himself before others; he must be able to win the people's trust and employ them. How can we expect to gain anything more?" Thereupon he withdrew thirty li and agreed to make peace with Zheng. Pan Wang entered Zheng to form an alliance, and Ziliang of Zheng went to Chu as a hostage.

In summer, the sixth month, the Jin army went to rescue Zheng. Xun Linfu commanded the central army, with Xianhu as his assistant. Shihui commanded the upper army, with Xike as his assistant. Zhao Shuo commanded the lower army, with Luanshu as his assistant. Zhao Kuo and Zhao Yingqi served as commanders of the central army. Gong Shuo and Han Chuan served as commanders of the upper army. Xun Shou and Zhao Tong served as commanders of the lower army. Han Jue served as the marshal. When the army reached the Yellow River, they heard that Zheng had already made peace with Chu. Xun Linfu wanted to withdraw, saying: "Not having reached Zheng in time to rescue it and troubling the people—what use is it? It will not be too late to attack after Chu returns." Shihui said: "Good. I have heard that in using troops, one should act only when seeing an opportunity in the enemy. If virtue, punishments, government orders, affairs, statutes, and rituals do not deviate from the constant way, one cannot oppose them and should not attack such a state. The Chu army attacked Zheng, angered by its double-mindedness and pitying its submission. When it rebelled, they attacked it; when it submitted, they pardoned it. Both virtue and punishments were complete. Attacking the rebellious is punishment; pacifying the submissive is virtue. Both aspects were established. Last year they entered Chen, this year they entered Zheng. The people are not weary, the ruler has no resentful words, and government orders have constancy. When the Chu army arrays for battle and goes out, merchants, farmers, artisans, and traders do not abandon their respective occupations, while infantry and charioteers are harmonious, and affairs do not interfere with each other. Wei Ao serves as prime minister, selecting Chu's excellent laws and statutes. When the army marches, the right army follows the chariot shafts, the left army seeks matting for camping, the vanguard uses thatch as pennants to scout for unexpected events, the central army weighs and plans, the rearguard uses elite troops as the rear guard, and the hundred officials act according to the signal of the banners. Military orders are complete without awaiting instruction. This is being able to apply statutes. Their ruler selects talents, choosing close relatives among those of the same clan and hereditary officials among those of different surnames; selection does not omit the virtuous, rewards do not omit the meritorious; there is added grace for the elderly, and gifts for travelers; gentlemen and commoners each have their prescribed dress. Those of noble rank have constant honor, those of humble station have graded authority, and rituals do not deviate. Virtue is established, punishments are carried out, government orders are completed, affairs are timely, statutes are followed, and rituals are proper. How can one oppose them? To advance when seeing an opportunity and retreat when knowing difficulty is a good principle of using troops. To annex the weak and attack the benighted is a good rule of using troops. You should temporarily organize the army and manage military preparations! There are still weak and benighted states. Why must it be Chu? Zhong Hui had a saying: 'Seize states in turmoil; bully states about to perish.' This is annexing the weak. The poem Zhuo says: 'How grand and glorious the royal army, obeying Heaven's will and biding its time.' This is attacking the benighted. The poem Wu says: 'Strive not for contention is achievement.' Pacifying the weak and attacking the benighted, to devote oneself to achievement—this is acceptable." Xianhu said: "No. The reason Jin can dominate is due to the army's martial spirit and the ministers' utmost effort. Now losing the feudal lords cannot be called utmost effort. Having an enemy and not engaging them cannot be called martial spirit. To lose our hegemony because of us is worse than death! Moreover, having organized the army to go out, to retreat upon hearing the enemy is strong is not the act of a great man. Being appointed as commander of the army and ending with an act unworthy of a great man—this is something you gentlemen can do, but I will not do it!" Thereupon he led the troops of the central army's deputy commander across the Yellow River.

Xun Shou said: "This army is in danger! In the Zhouyi, there is this hexagram: from Shi to Lin, the line statement says: 'If the army goes forth with discipline, good; if not, misfortune.' Doing things in accordance with reason and achieving success is 'good'; going against reason is 'not.' When the multitude is scattered, it is weak; when water flows and becomes blocked, it turns into a marsh. With discipline, one can command as if oneself, so it is called 'discipline.' 'Not good' means discipline is exhausted. From fullness to exhaustion, blocked and disorderly, so it is misfortune. Unable to act is called 'approaching.' Having a commander but not obeying—what 'approaching' could be more severe than this! This is what it speaks of. If they indeed meet the enemy, they will surely be defeated, and Xianhu will bear this responsibility. Even if he escapes death and returns, he will surely meet great disaster." Han Jue said to Xun Linfu: "Xianhu leads a partial force into the enemy; your crime is great. You are the commander-in-chief. The army does not obey orders—whose crime is it? Losing a dependent state and losing the army, the crime is already severe. It is better to advance. If we fight and cannot win, the crime can be shared. Rather than you bearing the guilt alone, six people bearing it together—is that not better?" Thereupon the army crossed the Yellow River.

King Zhuang of Chu marched north and stationed his army at Yan. Shenyin commanded the central army, Zizhong commanded the left army, and Zifan commanded the right army, preparing to water their horses in the Yellow River and then return. When they heard that the Jin army had already crossed the river, King Zhuang of Chu wanted to return, but his favored minister Wucan wanted to fight. Lingyin Sunshu Ao did not want to fight, saying: "Last year we entered Chen, this year we entered Zheng. It is not that there is no warfare. If we fight and cannot win, will Wucan's flesh be enough to eat?" Wucan said: "If we fight and win, Sunshu will be without strategy. If we do not win, my flesh will be with the Jin army. Can you still eat it?" The Lingyin ordered the chariot shafts turned southward and the army flags reversed. Wucan said to King Zhuang of Chu: "The one in charge of government in Jin is a newcomer and cannot carry out orders. His deputy commander, Xianhu, is stubborn and unkind, unwilling to obey orders. Their three commanders want to exercise exclusive authority but cannot achieve it; they want to follow orders but have no superior. Whom should the multitude obey? In this campaign, the Jin army will surely be defeated. Moreover, if the ruler avoids his subjects, what will become of the altars?" King Zhuang of Chu was troubled by this. He told the Lingyin, changed the chariot shafts to face north, and advanced, stationing at Guan to await the Jin army.

The Jin army was positioned between Mount Ao and Mount Hao. Huang Xu of Zheng came as an envoy to the Jin army and said: "Zheng's submission to Chu was for the sake of the state; it was not because we harbored any disloyalty toward Jin. The Chu army has grown arrogant through repeated victories, their troops are exhausted, and they have set no defenses. If you attack them, the Zheng army will follow up, and Chu will surely be defeated." Xian Hu said: "To defeat Chu and subdue Zheng—this is the moment! We must accept his proposal." Luan Shu said: "Since Chu conquered Yong, their ruler has not spent a single day without governing the Chu people and admonishing them, saying that the people's livelihood is not easy, that calamity may come at any time, and that vigilance and fear must never be relaxed. In the army, not a day passes without him managing military strength and repeatedly warning them, saying that victory cannot be guaranteed forever, and that King Zhou won a hundred battles yet ended without descendants. He admonishes them with the deeds of Ruo'ao and Fenmao, who once rode in wicker carts and wore tattered clothes as they opened up the forests and mountains. He warns them, saying: 'The people's livelihood lies in diligence; diligence ensures there is no want.' They cannot be called arrogant. Our former high official Zi Fan had a saying: 'An army is strong when its cause is just, and weak when its cause is crooked.' We lack virtue and have incurred enmity with Chu. Our cause is crooked and Chu's is just—they cannot be said to be weak. Their ruler's personal guard is divided into the left and right Guang. Each Guang has one Zu, each Zu has one Pian, and each Pian has two Liang. The right Guang is harnessed in the morning and serves until noon; the left Guang then relieves it and serves until dusk. Palace officials take turns on night duty to guard against unexpected events—they cannot be said to have no defenses. Zi Liang is an outstanding talent of Zheng; Shi Shu is a revered figure of Chu. Shi Shu entered Zheng to form an alliance, and Zi Liang is a hostage in Chu. Chu and Zheng are close. They come to urge us to fight—if we win, they will submit to us; if we lose, they will defect to Chu. They are using us as a divination. The words of Zheng cannot be heeded." Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo said: "We have led the army here precisely to seek the enemy. To defeat the enemy and gain a vassal state—what are we waiting for? We must follow Xian Hu's words." Xun Shou said: "Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo are the roots of disaster." Zhao Shuo said: "Luan Shu speaks well! If we put his words into practice, we will surely make Jin endure long."

The Chu shaozai came to the Jin army and said: "Our ruler encountered troubles in his youth and is not skilled in speech. We have heard that our two former rulers traveled back and forth on this road solely to instruct and pacify Zheng. How would we dare to offend Jin? I beg you, gentlemen, not to stay long." Shi Hui replied: "Formerly, King Ping of Zhou commanded our former ruler, Marquis Wen, saying: 'Together with Zheng, assist the Zhou royal house; do not abandon the king's command.' Now Zheng has disobeyed the king's command, so our ruler has sent his ministers to question Zheng. How would we dare to trouble your attendants? We respectfully thank you for your ruler's command." Xian Hu considered this to be flattery and sent Zhao Kuo to follow up and alter the message, saying: "The envoy has misspoken. Our ruler sent his ministers to move the great state's footprints away from Zheng, saying: 'Do not avoid the enemy.' We, his ministers, have no way to evade the command."

King Zhuang of Chu again sent someone to sue for peace with Jin. The Jin people agreed, and a date for the covenant was already set. Xu Bo of Chu drove for Yue Bo, with She Shu as the right-hand man, to challenge the Jin army. Xu Bo said: "I have heard that one who issues a challenge should gallop with the banner, press close to the enemy's camp, and then return." Yue Bo said: "I have heard that one who issues a challenge should, as the left-hand man, shoot arrows, take the reins from the driver, and let the driver dismount to adjust the horses and straighten the martingale, then return." She Shu said: "I have heard that one who issues a challenge should, as the right-hand man, enter the enemy's camp, kill an enemy and take his left ear, capture a prisoner, and then return." All three did as they had heard, then returned. The Jin people pursued them, attacking from left and right. Yue Bo shot horses to the left and men to the right, so the attackers could not advance, until he had only one arrow left. A deer appeared ahead, and Yue Bo shot it in the back. Bao Gui of Jin was behind them, and Yue Bo had She Shu present the deer to Bao Gui, saying: "Because the season is not yet right, the proper offerings of game have not arrived. We presume to offer this to your attendants as food." Bao Gui halted his pursuers, saying: "Their left-hand man is skilled at archery, and their right-hand man is skilled at eloquence—both are gentlemen." Thus they escaped capture.

Wei Qi of Jin requested to become a gongzu dafu but was not granted his wish; as a result, he grew angry and wanted to cause the Jin army to fail. He requested to go and issue a challenge but was not permitted. He requested to go as an envoy and was allowed. Thereupon he went, challenged the Chu army, and then returned. Pan Dang of Chu pursued him, reaching Ying Marsh, where he saw six deer. Wei Qi shot one and turned back to present it to Pan Dang, saying: "You are on a military mission. I fear the gamekeeper may not be able to supply fresh game, so I presume to present this to your attendants." Pan Dang ordered his men not to pursue. Zhao Zhan requested to become a qing dafu but was not granted his wish, and moreover was angered by having lost the chance to challenge the Chu people. He requested to go and issue a challenge but was not permitted. He requested to go and summon the Chu people to form an alliance and was allowed. He and Wei Qi both received orders to go. Xi Xianzi said: "These two discontented men have gone. If we do not prepare defenses, we will surely be defeated." Zhi Zi said: "The Zheng people urged us to fight, but we dared not heed them. The Chu people sought peace, but we could not be friendly with them. The army has no fixed command—what good will additional preparations do?" Shi Ji said: "It is better to prepare defenses. If these two provoke Chu, and the Chu people take the opportunity to attack us, our army's destruction will be imminent. It would be better to prepare. If Chu has no ill intent, removing our defenses to form a covenant—what harm does that do to friendly relations? If they come with ill intent, having defenses will prevent defeat. Moreover, even when feudal lords meet, the army's guard is not removed—this is for vigilance." Zhi Zi disagreed. Shi Ji sent Gong Shuo and Han Chuan to lead seven companies of ambushers to lie in wait before Mount Ao, and thus the upper army was not defeated. Zhao Yingqi sent his subordinates to first prepare boats on the Yellow River, so that after the defeat they could cross first.

Pan Dang had already driven off Wei Qi. Zhao Zhan arrived at the Chu army camp at night, spread out a mat and sat down outside the camp gate, sending his subordinates into the Chu camp. The Chu king's shengguang chariots numbered thirty, divided into left and right columns. The right Guang was harnessed at cockcrow and unharnessed at noon; the left Guang relieved the right Guang and was unharnessed after sunset. Xu Yan drove for the right Guang, with Yang Youji as the right-hand man; Peng Ming drove for the left Guang, with Qu Dang as the right-hand man. On the day Yimao, the Chu king rode in the left Guang to pursue Zhao Zhan. Zhao Zhan abandoned his chariot and fled into the woods. Qu Dang wrestled with him and captured his armor and leggings. The Jin people, fearing that these two had provoked the Chu army, sent war chariots to support them. Pan Dang saw the dust raised by the Jin army and sent a rider to report: "The Jin army has arrived!" The Chu people, worried that the Chu king might enter the Jin army, thereupon deployed their forces and formed ranks. Sun Shu said: "Advance! Better for us to press the enemy than for the enemy to press us. The Odes say: 'Ten large war chariots, opening the way ahead.' This is about getting ahead of the enemy. The Military Records say: 'Getting ahead of the enemy can seize their fighting spirit.' This means we must actively press the enemy." Thereupon they advanced swiftly, chariots galloping and soldiers running, to fall upon the Jin army. Huanzi was at a loss and beat the drum in the army, saying: "Those who cross first will be rewarded." The central and lower armies scrambled for the boats. The severed fingers in the boats could be scooped up by the handful.

The Jin army shifted to the right, but the upper army did not move. Gongyin Qi led the soldiers of the right formation to pursue the lower army. The Chu king sent Tang Jiao and Cai Jiuju to tell Tang Huihou: "I am without virtue and greedy, and have encountered a great enemy—this is my fault. But if Chu cannot triumph, it will also be your disgrace. I presume to borrow your awe-inspiring power to help the Chu army succeed." He sent Pan Dang to lead forty roaming chariots, following Tang Hou as the left formation, to deal with the upper army. Ju Bo said: "Shall we resist them?" Sui Ji said: "The Chu army is at the height of its vigor. If they concentrate their forces against us, our army will surely be destroyed. It is better to withdraw our troops and pull back. Share the blame, preserve the people—is that not acceptable?" Thereupon he acted as the rearguard, covering the soldiers' retreat, and was not defeated.

The King of Chu saw the right division and wished to ride in it. Qu Dang stopped him, saying, “Your Majesty began the battle riding the left division; you must also finish it in the left division.” From then on, the Chu army’s chariots took the left division as the lead. Some men of Jin had their chariot stuck in a pit and could not advance. The men of Chu taught them to remove the crossbar at the front of the chariot. After advancing a little, the horses circled and would not go forward; the men of Chu again taught them to pull down the great banner and discard the flagpole, and only then did they break free. The men of Jin turned back and said, “We are not like a great state that flees many times.” Zhao Zhan used his two fine horses to help his elder brother and uncle, and returned with the remaining horses. When he encountered the enemy and could not escape, he abandoned his chariot and fled into the forest. Feng Dafu was riding in the same chariot with his two sons and told them not to look back. His two sons looked back and said, “Old Zhao is behind.” Feng Dafu became angry, made them get out of the chariot, pointed to a tree, and said, “I will collect your corpses here.” Then he handed the rope for mounting the chariot to Zhao Zhan, enabling him to escape. The next day, according to the mark, they went to collect the corpses and found the two bodies stacked together under the tree. Xiong Fuji of Chu imprisoned Zhi Ying. Zhi Zhuangzi led his clan back; Wu Canzi drove for him, and most of the soldiers of the lower army followed him. Whenever he shot an arrow, if he drew a good one, he put it into Wu Canzi’s quiver. Wu Canzi became angry and said, “You do not seek your son, but you cherish the willow arrows? Can the willow of Dong Marsh ever be exhausted?” Zhi Ji said, “If I do not capture another man’s son, can I obtain my own son? It is because I am unwilling to shoot carelessly.” He shot and hit Lian Yin Xiang Lao, obtained his corpse, and loaded it onto the chariot; he shot and hit Prince Guchen, took him prisoner; and brought these two back. By dusk, the Chu army encamped at Bi, and the remaining Jin troops were utterly defeated and crossed the river by night, with clamor continuing throughout the night.

On the day Bingchen, the Chu army’s baggage arrived at Bi, and they then encamped at Hengyong. Pan Dang said, “Why does Your Majesty not build a camp to display martial merit, and gather the corpses of the Jin troops to raise a grand mound? I have heard that when you overcome the enemy, you must show the results to your descendants, so that they do not forget martial merit.” The King of Chu said, “This is not something you understand. In the written character, ‘stop’ and ‘dagger-axe’ combine to form the character ‘martial.’ When King Wu defeated the Shang dynasty, he composed the ‘Song’ saying: ‘Sheathe the shields, store the bows and arrows. I pursue virtue and spread it throughout the Hua-Xia, and indeed I can hold the realm securely.’ He also composed the ‘Wu’ poem; its final stanza says: ‘Consolidate your achievements.’ Its third stanza says: ‘Spread governance, ponder repeatedly; I go forth only to seek peace.’ Its sixth stanza says: ‘Stabilize the myriad states, and repeatedly gain bountiful harvests.’ What is called martial merit is used to prohibit violence, quell warfare, maintain strength, consolidate achievements, pacify the people, harmonize the myriad states, and enrich resources. Therefore, let descendants not forget these stanzas. Now I have exposed the corpses of soldiers from both states—this is violence; displaying force to intimidate the feudal lords—war cannot be quelled. With violence and an inability to quell war, how can strength be maintained? Moreover, the state of Jin still exists—how can achievements be consolidated? There are many matters that go against the people’s wishes—how can the people be pacified? Without virtue and yet striving to contend for hegemony with the feudal lords—how can the myriad states be harmonized? Taking advantage of others’ difficulties for profit, and finding peace in others’ turmoil, and regarding this as one’s own glory—how can resources be enriched? Martial merit has seven virtues, and I do not possess even one—how can I show it to my descendants? It is better to build an ancestral temple for the former lords and report the victory in war. Martial merit is not my achievement. The ancient sage-kings, when punishing states that were not respectful, seized the chief culprits, killed them, and buried them as a great punishment, and then raised a grand mound to punish evil. Now the crimes of Jin are not clear, and the people are all loyal and devoted, dying in executing the ruler’s commands—how can a grand mound be raised?” Thereupon he sacrificed to the Yellow River, built an ancestral temple for the former lords, and reported the victory in war before returning home.

In this campaign, it was Shi Zhi of Zheng who led the Chu army into Zheng, intending to divide Zheng and establish Prince Yuchen as ruler. On the day Xinwei, Zheng killed Pu Shu and Zi Fu. The gentleman said: “What Shi Yi said—‘Do not take advantage of chaos for profit’—refers to this kind of matter. The ‘Poem’ says: ‘In the suffering of chaos and separation, where is the refuge?’ This is attributing blame to those who take advantage of chaos for profit, is it not?”

The Earl of Zheng and the Baron of Xu went to Chu.

In autumn, the Jin army returned home. Huanzi requested to be executed, and the Marquis of Jin was about to agree. Shi Zhenzi remonstrated, saying: “It must not be done. In the battle of Chengpu, the Jin army ate Chu provisions for three days, yet Duke Wen still wore a worried expression. Those around him said: ‘There is a joyful matter, yet you are worried; if there were a sorrowful matter, would you then be happy?’ Duke Wen said: ‘De Chen is still alive; my worry is not over. A trapped beast still fights, how much more a chief minister!’ When Chu killed Zi Yu, Duke Wen’s joy then showed, and he said: ‘No one can harm me now.’ This was Jin’s second victory and Chu’s second defeat. Because of this, Chu could not flourish for two generations. Now Heaven may be severely warning Jin, yet if we kill Lin Fu, we will only exacerbate Chu’s victory—this, I fear, will cause Jin to be unable to flourish for a long time. Lin Fu serves the ruler, thinking of loyalty when at court, and reflecting on his faults when retiring; he is a defender of the state—why kill him? His defeat is like an eclipse of the sun or moon—what harm does it do to the brightness of the sun or moon?” The Marquis of Jin then restored him to his former position.

In winter, the King of Chu attacked Xiao. Hua Jiao of Song led the Cai army to rescue Xiao. The men of Xiao imprisoned Xiong Xiang Yiliao and Gongzi Bing. The King of Chu said: “Do not kill them; I will retreat.” The men of Xiao killed them. The King of Chu became angry, thereupon besieged Xiao, and Xiao was defeated. Shen Gong Wuchen said: “The soldiers in the army are very cold.” The King of Chu inspected the three armies, comforting and encouraging them. The soldiers of the three armies all felt as if they were wearing silk wadding. Thereupon they pressed close to Xiao city. Huan Wushe was speaking with Sima Mao and called out to Shen Shuzhan. Shu Zhan said: “Do you have malt yeast?” He replied: “No.” “Do you have rhizoma chuanxiong?” He replied: “No.” “If you get fish-belly disease from the river, what can be done?” He replied: “Look at the dry well to save me.” “If you tie a grass rope at the well’s mouth, and someone weeps by the well, that will be it.” The next day, Xiao was defeated. Shen Shu saw the well, with a grass rope placed there, so he called out and rescued Huan Wushe.

Yuan Hu of Jin, Hua Jiao of Song, Kong Da of Wei, and the men of Cao formed an alliance at Qingqiu. They said: “Relieve states in distress, and punish those with divided loyalties.” This alliance did not record the names of the ministers, because they did not fulfill the covenant. Because of the covenant, Song attacked Chen. The men of Wei rescued Chen. Kong Da said: “The former lord had an agreement; if a great state comes to punish, I will die for this.”