Duke Ding, 1st Year
In the first year, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, the people of Jin arrested Zhong Ji of Song in the capital.
In summer, in the sixth month, on the day Guihai, the coffin of Duke Zhao was brought back from Ganhou.
On the day Wuchen, the duke ascended the throne.
In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day Guisi, our ruler,
Duke Zhao, was buried.
In the ninth month, a great rain-seeking sacrifice was held.
The temple of Duke Yang was established.
In winter, in the tenth month, frost fell and killed the bean crops.
In the first year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, on the day Xinsi, Wei Shu of Jin met with the grandees of the feudal lords at Di Spring, preparing to build the walls of Chengzhou. Wei Zi presided over the affairs. Biao Xi of Wei said: "About to build a palace for the Son of Heaven, yet altering the Son of Heaven's position to issue commands—this is contrary to righteousness. When great affairs violate righteousness, there will surely be great calamity. If Jin does not lose the feudal lords, Wei Zi will hardly escape disaster." In this action, Wei Xianzi delegated the specific tasks to Han Jianzi and Yuan Shouguo, while he himself went hunting at Dalu, set fires to clear the land, and on his return died at Ning. Fan Xianzi removed the outer cypress coffin from his own hearse, because he had not reported back before going hunting. Meng Yizi participated in building the walls of Chengzhou. On the day Gengyin, the foundations were laid. Zhong Ji of Song did not accept the assigned task, saying: "Teng, Xue, and Ni serve us." The steward of Xue said: "Song is without the Way, cutting off our small state from the Zhou court, forcing us to submit to Chu, so we have often served Song. At the covenant of Jiantu, Duke Wen of Jin said: 'All of our allies, each return to their former duties.' If we follow the covenant of Jiantu, then serving Song is also obeying the command." Zhong Ji said: "The covenant of Jiantu was originally like that." The steward of Xue said: "The founding ancestor of Xue, Xi Zhong, lived in Xue and served as the Chariot Officer of the Xia dynasty. Xi Zhong moved to Pi, and Zhong Hui lived in Xue, serving as the Left Minister of Tang of Shang. If we restore our former duties, we would become officers of the Son of Heaven—why should we serve the feudal lords?" Zhong Ji said: "The three dynasties each had different systems; how can Xue have old precedents? Serving Song is also your duty." Shi Mijun said: "The ruler of Jin's government is newly appointed. For now, accept the task, and when I return, I will examine the old archives." Zhong Ji said: "Even if you forget, would the mountains and rivers and spirits forget?" Shi Bo became angry and said to Han Jianzi: "Xue cites human affairs as evidence, Song cites spirits as evidence—Song's crime is great. Moreover, he has no justification himself, yet he suppresses us and slanders us with spirits. 'Opening the door to favor invites insult'—this describes the situation. Zhong Ji must be punished." So they arrested Zhong Ji and took him back. In the third month, he was sent to the capital. The wall construction was completed in thirty days, and then they returned. Among the feudal lords' garrison troops, Gao Zhang of Qi arrived late and did not obey the commands of the feudal lords. Nu Shu Kuan of Jin said: "Chang Hong of Zhou and Gao Zhang of Qi will both hardly escape disaster. Chang Shu defied Heaven's will, Gao Zi defied human will. What Heaven intends to destroy cannot be propped up; what the multitude intends to do cannot be opposed."
In summer, Shusun Chengzi went to Ganhou to meet the coffin of Duke Zhao. Ji Sun said: "Zijiazi has spoken with me many times, and never once did he not match my intent. I wish to let him participate in government. You must detain him and listen to his advice." Zijiazi refused to see Shusun and changed the time of his mourning to avoid him. Shusun requested an audience with Zijiazi, but Zijiazi declined, saying: "Ji (Zijiazi's personal name) was unable to see the ruler and followed him into exile. The ruler died without leaving a command, so Ji dares not see you." Shusun sent someone to tell him: "Gong Yan and Gong Wei are indeed the ones who caused the ministers to be unable to serve the ruler. If Gongzi Song presides over the state, that is the wish of all the ministers. As for those who followed the ruler into exile and can return, it will all be decided by you. The Zijia clan has no heir, and Ji Sun wishes to govern together with you. These are all Ji Sun's wishes, which he has ordered me to dare (using Zijiazi's personal name) to inform you." Zijiazi replied: "If it concerns establishing a ruler, then there are the ministers, grandees, and the tortoise-shell oracle; Ji dares not participate. If it concerns those who followed the ruler, then those who followed into exile in appearance may return; those who fled like enemies may leave. As for me, the ruler knew of my departure but does not know of my return—Ji will flee." When the coffin arrived at Huai Tui, Gongzi Song entered the capital first. Those who had followed Duke Zhao into exile all returned from Huai Tui. In the sixth month, on the day Guihai, the coffin of Duke Zhao arrived from Ganhou. On the day Wuchen, the duke ascended the throne. Ji Sun sent laborers to Kan, intending to dig a ditch at the Gong clan's cemetery. Rong Jia'e said: "When alive, he was not served; when dead, he is separated—this is to display one's own intent. Even if you can bear to do this, future generations will surely be ashamed of it." So the plan was stopped. Ji Sun asked Rong Jia'e: "I wish to give the ruler a posthumous title, so that descendants may know." Rong Jia'e replied: "When alive, he was not served; when dead, he is hated—this is to display one's own intent. What use is it?" So the plan was stopped. In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day Guisi, Duke Zhao was buried south of the tomb path. When Confucius served as Minister of Crime, he dug a ditch to join Duke Zhao's tomb with the ancestral tombs.
Because of Duke Zhao's exile, Ji Pingzi prayed to Duke Yang. In the ninth month, the temple of Duke Yang was established.
Gong Jian of Zhou abandoned his own sons and younger brothers, preferring to employ distant outsiders.