Duke Zhao's 9th Year
In the spring of the ninth year, Shu Gong met King Ling of Chu in the state of Chen.
The state of Xu was moved to Yi.
In the summer, in the fourth month, a fire broke out in the state of Chen.
In the autumn, Zhongsun Jue went to the state of Qi.
In the winter, the Lang hunting park was built.
In the spring of the ninth year, Shu Gong, Hua Hai of Song, You Ji of Zheng, and Zhao Yan of Wei met King Ling of Chu in Chen.
On the Gengshen day of the second month, Gongzi Qiqi of Chu moved the state of Xu to Yi, which was actually Chengfu, and also added the lands of Zhoulai and the fields north of the Huai River to Xu. Wu Ju handed over the fields to Duke Dao of Xu, while Ran Dan moved the people of Chengfu to Chen, supplementing Chen with the fields west of the Pu River in Yi. He also moved people from outside Fangcheng to Xu.
The people of Gan in Zhou contested with Yan Jia of Jin over the fields of Yan. Liang Bing and Zhang Ti of Jin led the Yin Rong to attack Ying. King Jing of Zhou sent Zhan Huanbo to reproach Jin, saying: “From the Xia dynasty onward, Houji, Wei, Tai, Rui, Qi, and Bi have been our western territories. When King Wu conquered Shang, Pugu and Shangyan became our eastern territories. Ba, Pu, Chu, and Deng are our southern territories. Sushen, Yan, and Bo are our northern territories. How could we have only nearby borders? King Wen, King Wu, King Cheng, and King Kang enfeoffed their full brothers to act as screens and guards for the Zhou house, and also to guard against its decline and ruin. Could they be cast aside like a ceremonial cap? The former kings exiled Taowu to the four distant borderlands to ward off chimeras, so the treacherous people of the Yun surname dwelt in Guazhou. My uncle, Duke Hui of Jin, returning from Qin, lured them forth, causing them to press upon our various Ji-surnamed states, to invade our outskirts and wilds, and the Rong then occupied those lands. The Rong controlling the Central Plains—whose fault is this? Houji established the realm, and now the Rong control it—is this not also a great difficulty? Let my uncle consider this. I, in relation to my uncle, am like a cap to a garment, a tree’s root or a stream’s source, or a people’s chief counselor. If my uncle tears the cap, destroys the crown, uproots the tree, blocks the source, and arbitrarily casts aside the chief counselor, then even the Rong and Di will have no regard for me in their hearts.” Shu Xiang said to Fan Xuanzi: “When Duke Wen became hegemon over the feudal lords, could he alter the rites? He assisted and upheld the Son of Heaven, and added reverence to it. Since Duke Wen, each generation has seen a decline in virtue, and they have cruelly harmed the royal Zhou house to display their extravagance. Is it not fitting that the feudal lords have become estranged? Moreover, the Son of Heaven’s words are justified in principle. You should consider this.” Fan Xuanzi was pleased. King Jing of Zhou had a mourning for a relative by marriage. Fan Xuanzi sent Zhao Cheng to the Zhou court to offer condolences, and also to deliver the fields of Yan, along with burial garments, and to return the captives taken from Ying. King Jing of Zhou also sent Bin Hua to seize Gan Dafu Xiang to curry favor with Jin. The people of Jin treated him with courtesy and sent him back.
In the summer, in the fourth month, a fire broke out in Chen. Bi Zao of Zheng said: “After five years, Chen will be re-enfeoffed, and fifty-two years after that, it will perish.” Zichan asked him the reason. Bi Zao replied: “Chen belongs to water. Fire is the mate of water, and Chu is the master of fire. Now the Fire Star has appeared and Chen has suffered a fire—this is expelling Chu and establishing Chen. The mate is paired with the number five, therefore it is said five years. When the Year Star reaches Quail Fire for the fifth time, then Chen will finally perish, and Chu will completely possess it. This is the pattern of Heaven, therefore it is said fifty-two years.”
Xun Ying of Jin went to Qi to take a wife. On his return, in the sixth month, he died at Xiyang. His coffin was halted at Jiang and was not yet buried. Duke Ping of Jin was drinking and making merry. The chief cook Tu Kuai hurried in and asked to assist in serving wine. Duke Ping consented. Tu Kuai then poured wine for the musician and said: “You are the ruler’s ears, charged with the duty of hearing. On the days of Zi and Mao, known as days of taboo, the ruler refrains from banquets and music, and scholars cease their studies—this is for the sake of such taboo days. The ruler’s high ministers and assistants are his limbs and sinews. If the limbs and sinews are impaired, what pain could be greater? You did not hear of this and still played music—this is being deaf.” He then poured wine for the favorite Bi Shu and said: “You are the ruler’s eyes, charged with the duty of seeing. Garments and ornaments manifest ritual; ritual serves to conduct affairs; affairs have their categories; categories have their appearance. Now the ruler’s appearance is not of its proper category, yet you did not see it—this is being blind.” Tu Kuai also drank a cup himself and said: “Flavors serve to move the qi; qi serves to fill the will; the will serves to settle words; words serve to issue commands. I am in charge of flavors. The two attendant officers have failed in their duties, yet the ruler has not ordered punishment—this is my offense.” Duke Ping was pleased and dismissed the feast. Previously, Duke Ping of Jin had wanted to depose the Zhi clan and establish his favorite. Because of this incident, he repented and desisted. In the autumn, in the eighth month, he sent Xun Li to assist the Lower Army, thereby showing his intention.
Meng Xizi went to Qi and conducted a grand diplomatic mission—this was in accordance with ritual.
In the winter, the Lang hunting park was built. The Spring and Autumn Annals records this event because it was in season. Ji Pingzi wanted to hasten its completion. Shusun Zhaozi said: “The Odes say: ‘Do not be hasty in beginning the work; the people will come like sons.’ Why must it be hastened? That would toil the people. It is acceptable to have no hunting park, but is it acceptable to have no people?”