Duke Zhao, 31st Year
In the thirty-first year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou king's calendar, Duke Zhao was residing at Ganhou.
Ji Sun Yiru met with Xun Li of Jin at Shili.
In summer, in the fourth month, on the day Ding-si, Earl Bo of Xue died.
The Marquis of Jin sent Xun Li to Ganhou to offer condolences to Duke Zhao.
In autumn, Duke Xian of Xue was buried.
In winter, Hei Gong came in flight with the town of Lan.
In the twelfth month, on the day Xin-hai, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
In the thirty-first year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou king's calendar, Duke Zhao was residing at Ganhou, meaning he could not enter the borders of the state.
The Marquis of Jin intended to send troops to escort Duke Zhao back to the state. Fan Xianzi said, "If we summon Ji Sun and he does not come, then indeed he is disloyal. After that, we can punish him. What do you think?" The people of Jin summoned Ji Sun. Xianzi sent someone to privately tell Ji Sun, "You must come. I guarantee you are without fault." Ji Sun Yiru met with Xun Li of Jin at Shili. Xun Li said, "Our lord sent me to say to you, 'Why did you drive away the ruler? Having a ruler yet not serving him—the Zhou dynasty has fixed punishments. You should carefully consider this matter.'" Ji Sun, wearing a plain mourning cap, hemp garments, and walking barefoot, prostrated himself and replied, "Serving the ruler is something I am unable to do. How dare I evade the command of punishment? If the ruler considers me guilty, please confine me in the town of Bi, awaiting the ruler's investigation, and I will submit solely to the ruler's judgment. If, for the sake of my late father's service, he does not extinguish the Ji lineage, and grants me death, or if he does not kill me and does not force me into exile, that would be the ruler's grace, and I will not be forgotten even in death. If I can follow the ruler back to the state, that is indeed my wish. How would I dare have any disloyal intent?" In summer, in the fourth month, Ji Sun followed Zhibo to Ganhou. Zijiazi said, "If the ruler returns with him, unable to endure a single humiliation, will he then endure lifelong disgrace?" Duke Zhao said, "It is well." The crowd said, "This very word decides it. The ruler must drive him away." Xun Li, on behalf of the Marquis of Jin, offered condolences to Duke Zhao and said, "Our lord sent me to punish Yiru in the ruler's name. Yiru dares not evade the death penalty. Let the ruler return to the state." Duke Zhao said, "The lord, mindful of the friendship of former rulers, extends his favor to me, a fugitive, and intends to let me return to sweep the ancestral temple and serve the lord. But then I cannot see that person. If I do see that person, may the River Spirit bear witness." Xun Li covered his ears and ran away, saying, "Our lord fears incurring guilt. How would he dare to involve himself in the calamities of Lu? I beg to return and report to our lord." After withdrawing, he said to Ji Sun, "The ruler's anger has not subsided. For now, you should return and preside over the sacrifices." Zijiazi said, "If the ruler enters the Lu army with a single carriage, Ji Sun will surely follow the ruler back." Duke Zhao wished to comply, but his attendants pressured him, preventing his return.
Earl Bo of Xue died; because he had participated in the alliance, it was recorded.
In autumn, the people of Wu invaded Chu, attacked the town of Yi, and invaded Qian and Lu. Shen Yinxu of Chu led troops to rescue Qian, and the Wu army withdrew. The Chu army relocated the people of Qian to Nangang and then returned. The Wu army besieged the town of Xian. Zuo Sima Xu and You Sima Ji led troops to rescue Xian and reached Yuzhang; the Wu army withdrew. This was the first time Wu adopted the strategy of Wu Zixu.
In winter, Hei Gong of Zhu came in flight with the town of Lan. He was of low status, yet his name was recorded because the land was valued. The noble man said, "A name must be treated with such caution! Having a name can be worse than having none. Those who flee with land, even if of low status, are always recorded. The land is used to record that person's name, and in the end it becomes unrighteous, indelible. Therefore, the noble man, when acting, thinks of ritual; when conducting affairs, thinks of righteousness. He does not violate ritual for profit, nor does he feel shame for righteousness. Some seek fame but do not obtain it; others wish to conceal themselves yet their fame becomes more prominent. This is to punish unrighteousness. Qi Bao served as the Minister of Crime in Wei, inheriting the position of a great officer, yet his actions were unrighteous, so he was recorded as a 'robber.' Shuji of Zhu, Mouyi of Ju, and Heigong of Zhu fled with land, merely seeking sustenance; they did not pursue fame, yet because of their low status, they were recorded. These two categories are used to punish excess and remove greed. If one encounters difficulties and thereby endangers the honored, and his fame is proclaimed, those who stir up calamities will rush to do so. If one steals a town and betrays the ruler to seek great profit, yet leaves no name, the greedy will strive to do it. Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Annals records Qi Bao as a 'robber' and records the names of the three rebels, to punish unrighteousness, enumerate evil and rituallessness. This is good recording. Hence it is said, 'The designations in the Spring and Autumn Annals are subtle yet manifest, circuitous yet clear.' Those in high positions can make them clear, so that the good are encouraged and the evil are fearful. Therefore, the noble man values them."
In the twelfth month, on the day Xin-hai, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. That night, Zhao Jianzi dreamed of a naked child who danced and sang. In the morning, he asked Shi Mo to divine, saying, "I dreamed thus, and now there is a solar eclipse. What is the reason?" The reply was, "Six years from now, in this month, Wu will probably enter Ying, but in the end will not conquer it. The entry into Ying will certainly be on the day Geng-chen, when the sun and moon are in the tail of the constellation. On the day Geng-wu, the sun first showed abnormality. Fire overcomes metal, so it cannot be conquered."