Duke Zhao's 14th Year
In the fourteenth year of Duke Zhao, in spring, Yiru returned from Jin to Lu. The Spring and Autumn Annals records this to show respect for Jin and self-reproach. Respecting Jin and reproaching oneself is in accordance with ritual propriety.
When Nan Kuai was about to rebel, he formed an alliance with the people of Fei. Situ Lao Qi and Lu Gu pretended to suffer from malaria and sent someone to Nan Kuai with a request: "We are willing to accept the covenant, but the illness has struck. If, by your good fortune, we do not die, we ask to wait until we are somewhat recovered before forming the alliance." Nan Kuai agreed. Taking advantage of the people's desire to break away from Nan Kuai, these two men requested that the alliance be sworn during a general assembly of the people. Thereupon, they seized Nan Kuai and said: "The ministers have not forgotten their ruler; it was only out of fear of you that they waited until this day. For three years we have followed your commands. If you still do not consider the situation, the people of Fei, unable to bear the loss of their ruler, will no longer fear you. Wherever you go, you can find satisfaction. Allow us to see you off." They asked for a five-day limit, and Nan Kuai fled to Qi. While attending a drinking party with Duke Jing of Qi, the Duke said: "A traitor!" Nan Kuai replied: "I merely wished to expand the power of the ducal house." Zi Hanxi said: "A retainer who wishes to expand the ducal house—no crime is greater than this." Situ Lao Qi and Lu Gu came to return the territory of Fei. The Marquis of Qi sent Bao Wenzi to come and return the territory of Fei.
In summer, the King of Chu sent Ran Dan to select and review the troops of the Upper Region (western Chu) at Zongqiu, and also to pacify the people there. He relieved the poor, aided the destitute, raised young orphans, supported the old and sick, took in the solitary and homeless, provided relief during calamities and hardships, exempted widowers, widows, and orphans from taxes, pardoned criminals, investigated and punished the wicked and evil, promoted those of hidden talent, treated newcomers with courtesy, maintained relations with old friends, rewarded the meritorious, harmonized the clans, employed the worthy, and assigned offices according to ability. He sent Qu Ba to select and review the troops of the Eastern Region (eastern Chu) at Zhaoling, and did likewise. He established friendly relations with neighboring states and allowed the people to rest and recuperate for five years before resorting to arms. This was in accordance with ritual propriety.
In autumn, in the eighth month, Duke Zhuqiu of Ju died. His son, Duke Jiao, did not grieve, and the people of the state were not obedient to him. They wished to establish Duke Zhuqiu's younger brother, Gengyu. Puyu Hou (Zifu) hated Prince Yihui but was on good terms with Gengyu. Duke Jiao hated Prince Duo but was on good terms with Yihui. Prince Duo relied on Puyu Hou and plotted with him, saying: "If you kill Yihui, I will expel the ruler and bring in Gengyu." Puyu Hou agreed.
Ling Yin Ziqi of Chu had rendered meritorious service to the King but did not know restraint. He colluded with the Yang clan and was insatiably greedy. The King was deeply worried about this. On the jiwu day of the ninth month, the King of Chu killed Dou Chengran (Ziqi) and also exterminated the Yang clan. He had Dou Xin reside in Yun to preserve the memory of past merits.
In winter, in the twelfth month, Puyu Hou Zifu killed Prince Yihui of Ju. Duke Jiao fled to Qi. Prince Duo went to Qi to welcome Gengyu. Xian Dang and Gongzi Chu of Qi escorted him back, and Ju granted them fields.
Xing Hou of Jin and Yongzi were disputing over the fields of Chu, for a long time without resolution. Shi Jingbo had gone to Chu, and Shuyu was acting as his deputy. Han Xuanzi ordered him to judge the old case, and the fault was found to lie with Yongzi. Yongzi married his daughter to Shuyu, whereupon Shuyu judged Xing Hou guilty. Xing Hou, enraged, killed Shuyu and Yongzi in the court. Han Xuanzi asked Shuxiang about their crimes. Shuxiang said: "The three men are equally guilty. Execute the living and mutilate the corpses of the dead, and that will suffice. Yongzi knew he was guilty, yet used bribes to buy a favorable verdict; Shuyu sold the law; Xing Hou took it upon himself to kill. Their crimes are the same. To be evil oneself yet forcibly seize another's good name is 'darkness'; to be greedy and corrupt in one's office is 'defilement'; to kill without scruple is 'violence.' The Book of Xia says: 'Darkness, defilement, and violence are punishable by death.' This is the law of Gao Yao. Please act accordingly." Thereupon, Xing Hou was executed, and the corpses of Yongzi and Shuyu were exposed in the marketplace as a public display. Confucius said: "Shuxiang was a man of uprightness handed down from antiquity. In governing the state and administering the law, he did not shelter his own relatives. Three times he enumerated Shuyu's crimes, without lightening them in the slightest. This can be called uprightness! At the meeting of Pingqiu, he reproached him for greed, thereby sparing Wei, and Jin became unoppressive; he caused Jisun of Lu to return, praising his deceit, thereby sparing Lu, and Jin became untyrannical; in the case of Xing Hou, he exposed his greed, thereby rectifying the law, and Jin became unbiased. Three utterances removed three evils and added three good deeds. By killing a relative, his fame became even more illustrious—this was due to his accordance with righteousness!"