Duke Xuan's Eighteenth Year
In the eighteenth year, in spring, Duke Jing of Jin and Crown Prince Zang of Wei attacked Qi.
Duke Xuan of Lu attacked the state of Ju.
Summer, the fourth month.
Autumn, the seventh month. The men of Zhu murdered the ruler of Zeng in the state of Zeng.
On the day Jiaxu, King Zhuang of Chu, Lü, passed away.
Gongsun Guifu went to Jin.
Winter, the tenth month, on the day Renxu, Duke Xuan of Lu passed away in the Lu Qin chamber.
Gongsun Guifu returned from Jin; when he reached the place Sheng, he fled to Qi.
In the eighteenth year, in spring, Duke Jing of Jin and Crown Prince Zang of Wei attacked Qi, reaching Yanggu. Duke Qing of Qi formed an alliance with Duke Jing of Jin at Zeng, and sent Prince Qiang to Jin as a hostage, whereupon the Jin forces withdrew. Cai Chao and Nanguan Yan fled back to Qi.
In summer, Duke Xuan of Lu sent an envoy to Chu to request troops, intending to attack Qi.
In autumn, the men of Zhu murdered the ruler of Zeng in the state of Zeng. As a general rule, when a state’s own people kill its ruler, it is called “shi” (regicide); when someone from outside kills the ruler, it is called “qiang” (murder by an outsider).
King Zhuang of Chu passed away, and the Chu troops did not set out. Later, Lu used the troops of Jin, and because of this, Chu had a campaign at Shu.
Gongsun Guifu enjoyed favor because his father, Xiang Zhong, had installed Duke Xuan of Lu. He wished to eliminate the Three Huan (the Mengsun, Shusun, and Jisun clans) in order to expand the power of the ducal house. After plotting with Duke Xuan of Lu, he went to Jin on a diplomatic mission, intending to use the power of Jin to eliminate the Three Huan. In winter, Duke Xuan of Lu passed away. Jiwenzi said at court: “It was Zhong (Xiang Zhong) who caused us to kill the rightful heir and set up a son of a concubine, thereby losing the support of a great state.” Zang Xuan Shu said in anger: “At that time, he could not be punished; what crime does his descendant have? If you wish to remove him, I request permission to do so myself.” Thereupon they expelled the Dongmen clan (the family of Gongsun Guifu). Zijia (Gongsun Guifu) reached the place Sheng, built an altar of earth, and in a tent reported the completion of his mission to the deputy envoy. After reporting, he bared his upper body, untied his hair, wailed at the prescribed position, stamped his feet three times, and then left. Thereupon he fled to Qi. The Spring and Autumn Annals records: “Guifu returned from Jin,” which praises him.