Duke Zhao's 6th Year
In the sixth year, in spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, Yi Gu, the Count of Qi, died.
The Duke of Qin, Jing, was buried.
In summer, Ji Sun Su went to Jin to attend the burial of Duke Wen of Qi.
Hua Hebi of Song fled to Wei.
In autumn, in the ninth month, a grand sacrifice for rain was held.
Wei Ba of Chu led an army to attack Wu.
In winter, Shu Gong went to Chu.
The Marquis of Qi attacked Northern Yan.
In the sixth year, in spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Wen of Qi died. The condolences were offered as for an allied state, which was in accordance with ritual propriety. A high minister went to Qin to bury Duke Jing, which was also in accordance with ritual propriety.
In the third month, the people of Zheng cast a penal code on bronze. Shu Xiang sent a letter to Zi Chan, saying: “At first I had expectations of you, but now I am completely disappointed. In ancient times, the former kings weighed matters to establish norms, but did not set down penal laws in advance, fearing that the people would develop a contentious spirit. Even so, they could not fully prevent this, so they guarded them with righteousness, restrained them with government orders, promoted ritual conduct, upheld trustworthiness, and practiced benevolence. They established ranks and emoluments to encourage the compliant and imposed severe punishments to deter the unruly. Still fearing insufficiency, they taught them with loyalty, encouraged them with deeds, instructed them with affairs, employed them with harmony, faced them with reverence, governed them with authority, and decided cases with firmness. They also sought wise and capable superiors, discerning officials, loyal and trustworthy leaders, and kind and benevolent teachers. Only then could the people be employed without causing disorder. Once the people know there are penal laws, they no longer stand in awe of those above, and they develop a contentious spirit, all turning to the written code to seek advantage by chance, so that governance becomes impossible. In the Xia dynasty, when there was misrule, the ‘Yu Penal Code’ was made; in the Shang dynasty, when there was misrule, the ‘Tang Penal Code’ was made; in the Zhou dynasty, when there was misrule, the ‘Nine Penal Codes’ were made. These three penal codes all arose in times of decline. Now you assist the state of Zheng, demarcating fields and ditches, establishing ordinances against slander, setting down three penal codes, and casting them on bronze, hoping thereby to pacify the people—is this not difficult? The ‘Book of Odes’ says: ‘Imitate the virtue of King Wen, daily bring peace to the four quarters.’ It also says: ‘Imitate King Wen, and the myriad states will trust and obey.’ If this is so, where is the need for penal laws? Once the people know the basis for disputes, they will abandon ritual and turn to the written codes, arguing over trivial details, and cases will multiply, with bribes flowing in all directions. In your generation, Zheng is likely to decline! I have heard: ‘When a state is about to perish, its laws will be many.’ This probably refers to such a situation!”
Zi Chan replied in a letter: “As you say, Qiu has no talent; I cannot look after posterity, but am only trying to save the present generation. Since I cannot accept your command, how dare I forget your great kindness?”
Shi Wenbo said: “The fire star has appeared; Zheng is likely to suffer a fire! Before the fire star appeared, they used fire to cast penal vessels and conceal the contentious laws. If fire is an omen of this, how could it not bring a fire?”
In summer, Ji Sun Su went to Jin to thank them for returning the fields of Zhu. The Marquis of Jin feasted him and added extra vessels. Ji Wuzi withdrew from the feast and sent an envoy to report: “When a small state serves a great state, if it can avoid being punished, it dares not ask for rewards. Receiving a reward, only three offerings are made; now the vessels have been increased. Your servant cannot bear this, fearing it may be a crime?” Han Xuanzi said: “Our ruler does this to express his joy.” Ji Wuzi replied: “Even our ruler dares not accept this, let alone your servant, who is merely a menial of the ruler. How dare I accept extra rewards?” He firmly requested that the added vessels be removed, and only then was the feast concluded. The people of Jin considered him knowledgeable in ritual and increased his gifts.
The eunuch Liu of Song was favored, and the heir apparent, Zuo, hated him. Hua Hebi said: “I will kill him.” Liu heard of this, so he dug a pit, killed a sacrificial animal, buried a covenant document, and then reported to the Duke of Song, saying: “Hebi plans to receive the kin of fugitives; he has already made a covenant in the northern suburb.” The Duke of Song sent someone to investigate, and finding it so, expelled Hua Hebi. Hebi fled to Wei. At that time, Hua He wanted to succeed to the position of Right Minister, so he colluded with the eunuch Liu and testified for him, saying: “I have heard of this matter for a long time.” The Duke of Song then appointed him to replace the Right Minister. Hua He went to see the Left Minister, who said: “You, fellow, will certainly flee. You have destroyed your own clan; what regard have you for others? And what regard will others have for you? The ‘Book of Odes’ says: ‘The lineage head is like a city wall; do not let the wall be destroyed, and do not be alone in fear.’ You should be afraid!”
On the day Bingxu in the sixth month, a fire broke out in Zheng.
Prince Qi Ji of Chu went to Jin to return the visit of Han Xuanzi. Passing through Zheng, Han Hu, Gongsun Qiao, and You Ji of Zheng followed the Earl of Zheng to comfort him at Zha. Prince Qi Ji declined to meet them, but the Earl of Zheng insisted on seeing him. When he appeared, he conducted himself as if meeting the King of Chu. He presented eight chariot horses as private gifts to Zi Pi, as if meeting a high minister, with six horses; to Zi Chan, four horses; and to Zi Tai Shu, two horses. He forbade cutting grass, grazing, gathering firewood, and picking, and would not allow entry into fields, felling of trees, picking fruits and vegetables, demolishing houses, or extorting goods. He swore an oath, saying: “Whoever violates these orders—if a noble, he shall be dismissed; if a commoner, he shall be degraded.” While lodging, he caused no violence, and the hosts were not troubled by the guest. His conduct was the same in all his travels. The three high ministers of Zheng all knew that he would become the King of Chu.
When Han Xuanzi went to Chu, the people of Chu did not welcome him. When Prince Qi Ji reached the border of Jin, the Marquis of Jin also planned not to welcome him. Shu Xiang said: “Chu is not upright, but we are upright. Why should we imitate what is not upright? The ‘Book of Odes’ says: ‘Your teachings, the people will imitate.’ Following our own practice is enough; why imitate the incorrectness of others? The ‘Book of Documents’ says: ‘The sage establishes the standard.’ Would it not be better to take the good as our standard, rather than imitating the incorrectness of others? Even commoners who do good are imitated by the people, how much more so a ruler?” The Marquis of Jin was pleased and accordingly went to welcome Prince Qi Ji.
In autumn, in the seventh month, a grand sacrifice for rain was held because of a drought.
Yi Chu of Xu went on a mission to Chu, but the King of Chu arrested him. He escaped and returned. The King of Chu, fearing he would rebel, sent Wei Xie to attack Xu. The people of Wu came to Xu’s rescue. The Chief Minister Zi Dang led an army to attack Wu, and the army encamped at Yuzhang, then at Ganxi. The people of Wu defeated the Chu army at Fangzhong and captured Gong Jiu Yin Qi Ji. Zi Dang blamed Wei Xie for the defeat and had him killed.
In winter, Shu Gong went on a mission to Chu to offer condolences for Chu’s defeat.
In the eleventh month, the Marquis of Qi went to Jin to request permission to attack Northern Yan. Shi Gai assisted Shi Yang in welcoming him at the Yellow River, which was in accordance with ritual propriety. The Marquis of Jin agreed. In the twelfth month, the Marquis of Qi accordingly attacked Northern Yan, intending to restore Duke Jian of Yan to his state. Yanzi said: “He cannot be restored. Yan already has a ruler, and the people have no divided loyalties. Our ruler is greedy, and his attendants are flatterers. Undertaking a great enterprise without trustworthiness—this will not succeed.”