Duke Zhao's 2nd Year
In the second year, in spring, Duke Ping of Jin sent Han Qi to Lu on a diplomatic mission.
In summer, Shu Gong went to Jin.
In autumn, Zheng executed their senior official Gongsun Hei.
In winter, Duke Zhao went to Jin but turned back upon reaching the Yellow River.
Ji Sunsu went to Jin.
In the second year, in spring, Duke Ping of Jin sent Han Xuanzi to Lu on a diplomatic mission, also informing them of his assumption of governance. His visit was in accordance with ritual propriety. Han Xuanzi viewed the books at the office of the Grand Historian, seeing the Yi Xiang and the Lu Chunqiu, and said: “All the rites of Zhou are in Lu now. Only now do I understand the virtue of the Duke of Zhou and the reason why the Zhou dynasty was able to rule as kings.” Duke Zhao held a feast in his honor. Ji Wuzi recited the last stanza of the Mian ode; Han Xuanzi recited the Jiao Gong ode. Ji Wuzi bowed and said: “I dare to thank you for mending the shortcomings of our humble state; our sovereign now has hope.” Ji Wuzi then recited the last stanza of the Jie ode. After the feast, there was another banquet at Ji Wuzi’s residence. Ji Wuzi had a fine tree in his courtyard, and Han Xuanzi praised it. Ji Wuzi said: “How would I dare not to nurture this tree, so as not to forget the poem Jiao Gong?” He then recited the Gan Tang ode. Han Xuanzi said: “I dare not accept this; I cannot compare with the Duke of Shao.” Han Xuanzi then went to Qi to deliver betrothal gifts. He met Ziya, who summoned Zigi and had him pay respects to Han Xuanzi. Han Xuanzi said: “This is not one who can preserve his clan; he does not resemble a minister.” He also met Ziwei, who had Ziqiang pay respects. Han Xuanzi’s assessment of him was the same as for Zigi. Many of the ministers laughed at Han Xuanzi’s words, but only Yanzi believed him, saying: “Han Xuanzi is a noble man. A noble man has trustworthiness; he had grounds for speaking thus.” From Qi, Han Xuanzi went to Wei on a diplomatic mission. The Marquis of Wei held a feast for him. Beigong Wenzi recited the Qi Yu ode; Han Xuanzi recited the Mu Gua ode.
In summer, in the fourth month, Han Xu went to Qi to marry a daughter of Qi. Chen Wuyu of Qi escorted the lady, delivering her to Shao Jiang. Shao Jiang was favored by Duke Ping of Jin, who called her “Shao Qi.” Duke Ping considered that Chen Wuyu was not a minister and detained him in Zhongdu. Shao Jiang interceded on his behalf, saying: “The escort followed the rank of the greeter because of fear of a great state; yet there was still a change, and thus disorder arose.”
Shu Gong went to Jin on a diplomatic mission, reciprocating Han Xuanzi’s visit. Duke Ping of Jin sent someone to offer him labor at the outskirts, but Shu Gong declined, saying: “Our sovereign sent Gong to continue the old friendship, and expressly said: ‘You dare not act as a guest.’ Simply delivering the command to the officials in charge is sufficient honor for our humble state; how dare I trouble the envoy for the outskirts labor? Please allow me to decline.” He was then invited to stay in the guesthouse, but he declined again, saying: “Our sovereign ordered me, a humble minister, to continue the old friendship. If the friendship is cemented and the mission completed, that is my blessing; how dare I stay in a grand guesthouse?” Shuxiang said: “Master Zishu understands ritual! I have heard: ‘Loyalty and trustworthiness are the vessel of ritual; humility and yielding are the root of ritual.’ His words do not forget the state—this is loyalty and trustworthiness; he places the state before himself—this is humility and yielding. The Odes say: ‘Reverently and cautiously maintain dignity, to draw near to the virtuous.’ Master Zishu is close to being virtuous.”
In autumn, Gongsun Hei of Zheng was preparing to rebel, wanting to eliminate the You clan and take their place. Because his old wound flared up, he did not succeed. The Si clan and the senior officials wanted to kill him. Zichan was at the border when he heard of this; fearing he would not arrive in time, he took a relay carriage and sped there, ordering the officials to enumerate his crimes, saying: “In the rebellion of Boyou, because of the affairs of the great state, you were not punished. You harbored rebellious intentions, insatiably greedy, and the state could not tolerate you. You arbitrarily attacked Boyou—this is your first crime. You contended with your brother for a wife—this is your second crime. At the covenant at Xunsui, you falsely assumed the ruler’s authority—this is your third crime. With three capital offenses, how can you be tolerated? If you do not quickly die, the great punishment will come upon you.” Gongsun Hei bowed twice and kowtowed, pleading: “I am about to die soon; do not help Heaven to torment me.” Zichan said: “Who does not die? An evil man does not die a good death—this is Heaven’s decree. Doing evil makes one an evil man. If I do not help Heaven, am I to help an evil man instead?” Gongsun Hei begged that his son Yin be appointed as a Chushi. Zichan said: “If Yin has ability, the ruler will employ him; if he has none, he will soon follow you. You do not lament your own crimes—what else is there to request? If you do not die quickly, the Minister of Justice will come.” On the renyin day of the seventh month, Gongsun Hei hanged himself. His corpse was displayed on the main street of the Zhou clan, with a wooden placard bearing his crimes placed upon it.
Shao Jiang of Jin died. Duke Zhao went to Jin but, upon reaching the Yellow River, Duke Ping of Jin sent Shi Wenbo to decline him, saying: “Shao Jiang was not the principal wife; please, my lord, do not trouble yourself to come.” Duke Zhao then returned. Ji Sunsu then sent mourning garments. Shuxiang spoke to Duke Ping of Jin about Chen Wuyu, saying: “What crime has he committed? My lord sent the ducal clansman to greet the bride, and Qi sent a high minister to escort her, yet it was still considered not respectful enough. My lord’s demands are too covetous; thus the state is not respectful, and instead detains the envoy of Qi. My lord’s punishments are already biased—on what grounds can he be the leader of the alliance? Moreover, Shao Jiang had already spoken beforehand.” In winter, in the tenth month, Chen Wuyu returned to Qi.
In the eleventh month, Yinduan of Zheng went to Jin to offer condolences.