Duke Zhao's 8th Year
In the eighth year of spring, Duke Ai of Chen's younger brother Zhao killed the crown prince Yanshi of Chen.
In summer, on the day Xinchou of the fourth month, Duke Ai of Chen died by hanging.
Shugong went to Jin.
The people of Chu seized the envoy of Chen, Gan Zhengshi, and killed him. Gongzi Liu of Chen fled to Zheng.
In autumn, a military review was held at Hong.
The people of Chen killed their grand master Gongzi Guo.
A grand rain-seeking sacrifice was performed.
In winter, on the day Renwu of the tenth month, the army of Chu destroyed Chen, seized Gongzi Zhao of Chen, exiled him to Yue, and killed Kong Huan of Chen.
Duke Ai of Chen was buried.
In the eighth year of spring, stones spoke at Weiyu in Jin. Duke Ping of Jin asked Shi Kuang: "Why do stones speak?" Shi Kuang replied: "Stones cannot speak; perhaps something has attached itself to them; otherwise, the people have misheard. However, I have also heard: 'If affairs are conducted untimely, resentment and slander arise among the people, then things that do not speak may speak.' Now the palaces are lofty and extravagant, the people's resources are exhausted, resentment and slander arise together, and no one can preserve their own life. That stones speak—is it not fitting?" At this time, Duke Ping of Jin was building the Siqi Palace. Shu Xiang said: "Ziyé's words are truly those of a noble man! The words of a noble man are sincere and well-founded, so resentment stays far from him; the words of a petty man are false and unfounded, so resentment and calamity descend upon him. The Book of Songs says: 'Alas, unable to speak—not uttered by the tongue, but laboring oneself; good at speaking—skillful words like flowing water, placing oneself at ease.' Is this not the meaning? When this palace is completed, the vassals will surely rebel, and the ruler will surely meet with disaster. Ziyé already knows this."
The first wife of Duke Ai of Chen, Zheng Ji, bore the crown prince Yanshi; the second wife bore Gongzi Liu; the third wife bore Gongzi Sheng. The second wife was favored, so Gongzi Liu was favored in turn. Duke Ai entrusted him to Situ Zhao and Gongzi Guo. Duke Ai suffered from a prolonged illness. On the day Jiashen of the third month, Gongzi Zhao and Gongzi Guo killed the crown prince Yanshi and established Gongzi Liu as crown prince.
In summer, on the day Xinhai of the fourth month, Duke Ai hanged himself. Gan Zhengshi went to Chu to report the mourning and also report that Chen had established a ruler. Gongzi Sheng accused them in Chu, so the people of Chu seized Gan Zhengshi and killed him. Gongzi Liu fled to Zheng. The Spring and Autumn Annals records: "The younger brother of the Marquis of Chen, Zhao, killed the heir-apparent of Chen, Yanshi"—the blame lies with Gongzi Zhao; "The people of Chu seized the messenger of Chen, Gan Zhengshi, and killed him"—the blame does not lie with the messenger.
Shugong went to Jin to congratulate the completion of the Siqi Palace. Youji accompanied Duke Ding of Zheng to Jin, also to congratulate the completion of the Siqi Palace. Shi Zhao saw Zida Shu and said: "How severe! They are deceiving each other! What should be a condolence visit is made into a congratulation." Zida Shu said: "How could it be a condolence? Not only we congratulate—the whole world probably will come to congratulate."
In autumn, a grand military review was held at Hong. From Genmu to Shang and Wei, there were a thousand war chariots.
On the day Jiaxu of the seventh month, Ziwei of Qi died. Ziqi wanted to manage his household; on the day Dingchou, he killed Liangying. On the day Gengxu of the eighth month, he expelled Zicheng, Zigong, and Ziche—all three fled and came (to Lu). Ziqi established the steward of the Ziliang clan. The retainers of Ziliang said: "The child has grown up, yet he wants to manage our household—this is intending to annex us." So they prepared weapons and were about to attack Ziqi. Chen Huanzi was on good terms with Ziwei and also prepared weapons to help him. Someone reported this to Ziqi, but he did not believe it; several more people reported that action was about to be taken, and then several more reported it on the road. Ziqi then went to the Chen clan. Chen Huanzi was about to leave but, hearing that Ziqi had come, turned back, received him in plain clothes, and consulted with him. Chen Huanzi replied: "I hear that the Qiang clan (Ziliang clan) has prepared weapons and is about to attack you. Have you heard?" Ziqi said: "I have not heard." Chen Huanzi said: "Why do you not also prepare weapons? I request to follow you." Ziqi said: "Why do you act thus? He is but a little child. I instruct him and still fear he cannot succeed; I favor him and give him office—how does this treat the ancestors? Why do you not advise him? The Book of Zhou says: 'Bestow favor on the ungrateful, encourage the unstriving'—this is how Kang Shu could be magnanimous." Chen Huanzi bowed his head to the ground and said: "Dukes Qing and Ling protect you—I still have hope." Thus the two were reconciled as before.
Gongzi Zhao of Chen shifted the blame onto Gongzi Guo and killed him. In the ninth month, Gongzi Qiji of Chu led troops escorting Sun Wu to besiege Chen. Dai'e of Song joined him. In winter, on the day Renwu of the eleventh month, Chen was destroyed. The favored minister of Chen, Yuan Ke, killed horses and destroyed jade to bury Duke Ai of Chen. The people of Chu wanted to kill Yuan Ke; he requested to be left for a while; soon he requested a private conversation. While speaking privately in a tent, he put a hempen band on his forehead and fled. The people of Chu appointed Chuan Fengxu as local official of Chen, saying: "In the campaign at Chengqu, you did not flatter. While drinking with King Ling of Chu, the king said: 'In the campaign at Chengqu, did you know that I would come to this state today? Did you avoid me then?'" Chuan Fengxu replied: "If I had known that the ruler would come to this state, I would surely have fought to the death to stabilize Chu."
Duke Ping of Jin asked Shi Zhao: "Is Chen perhaps about to be destroyed?" Shi Zhao replied: "Not yet." Duke Ping said: "What is the reason?" Shi Zhao replied: "Chen is the descendant of Zhuanxu. When the year-star was in the Quail Fire, Zhuanxu's line finally came to an end; Chen will also be like this. Now the year-star is in the Milky Way of the Wooden Star, and Chen will yet be revived. Moreover, only after the Chen clan has gained power in Qi will Chen finally be destroyed. From Mu down to Gusou, none opposed Heaven's mandate; Shun added bright virtue, and virtue was maintained down to Sui, who observed it generation after generation. Down to Hugong, there was no licentiousness, so Zhou bestowed upon him a surname and allowed him to sacrifice to Emperor Shun. I have heard: One with abundant virtue will surely enjoy a hundred generations of sacrifice. The generations of Yu have not yet reached a hundred; the one who will continue to guard it will be in Qi—the sign already exists."