Duke Ding, 5th Year
In the fifth year of Duke Ding’s reign, in spring, in the third month of the Zhou calendar, on the first day, xinhai, a solar eclipse occurred.
In summer, grain was sent to Cai.
The state of Yue invaded Wu.
In the sixth month, on bingshen, Jisun Yiru died.
In autumn, in the seventh month, on renzi, Shusun Bugan died.
In winter, Shi Yang of Jin led an army to surround the state of Xianyu.
In the fifth year, in spring, the Zhou people killed Prince Chao in Chu. In summer, grain was sent to Cai to relieve their urgent needs, pitying their lack of supplies. Yue invaded Wu because Wu’s army was then in Chu.
In the sixth month, Ji Pingzi inspected the eastern fields. On his return, before he arrived, on bingshen, he died at Fang. Yang Hu wanted to use the jade Yu Fan for his burial, but Zhongliang Huai refused to give it, saying: “The steps have changed, so the jade ornaments must also change.” Yang Hu wanted to expel Zhongliang Huai and informed Gongshan Buzhi. Gongshan Buzhi said: “He acted for the ruler; why should you bear a grudge against him?” After the burial, Ji Huanzi inspected the eastern fields and arrived at Fei. Zixie (Gongshan Buzhi), as the steward of Fei, welcomed and offered his respects at the outskirts. Ji Huanzi treated him with courtesy and also comforted Zhongliang Huai, but Zhongliang Huai showed him no respect. Zixie became angry and said to Yang Hu: “Do you want to expel him?”
Shen Baoxu led the Qin army to arrive. Zi Pu and Zi Hu of Qin led five hundred war chariots to rescue Chu. Zi Pu said: “I do not know Wu’s tactics.” He let the Chu army fight the Wu army first, then joined them from Ji, and defeated Fugai Wang at Yi. The Wu captured Mi She at Boju. Mi She’s son led scattered troops to follow Zixi and defeated the Wu army at Junxiang. In autumn, in the seventh month, Zi Qi and Zi Pu destroyed the state of Tang. In the ninth month, Fugai Wang returned to Wu, established himself as ruler, and then fought with King Helü of Wu but was defeated. He fled to Chu and became known as the Tangxi clan. The Wu army defeated the Chu army at Yongshi, and the Qin army then defeated the Wu army. The Wu army camped at Jun. Zi Qi planned to burn them out, but Zixi said: “The bones of fathers, brothers, and relatives lie exposed, uncollected. To burn them as well—this cannot be done.” Zi Qi said: “The state is on the verge of destruction! If the dead have awareness, they can still enjoy their former sacrifices. Why fear burning their bones?” After setting the fire, they continued the battle, and the Wu army was defeated. They fought again at Gongxu’s Stream, and the Wu army suffered a great defeat. The King of Wu then returned home, imprisoning Yinyu Ba. Yinyu Ba requested to go ahead, and thus seized the opportunity to flee back to Chu. Ye Gong Zhuliang’s younger brother, Hou Zang, had followed his mother to Wu. Without waiting for his mother, he returned alone. Ye Gong never looked him in the eye for the rest of his life.
On yihai, Yang Hu imprisoned Ji Huanzi and Gongfu Wenbo and expelled Zhongliang Huai. In winter, in the tenth month, on dinghai, he killed Gong He Miao. On jichou, he formed a covenant with Ji Huanzi inside the Ji Gate. On gengyin, he conducted a great imprecation, expelling Gongfu Chu and Qin Chuan, both of whom fled to Qi.
The King of Chu entered Ying. Initially, Dou Xin heard that the Wu people were contending for palaces and said: “I have heard that without yielding there is no harmony, and without harmony one cannot campaign far. The Wu people are contending in Chu—there will surely be unrest. With unrest, they must return. How can they stabilize Chu?” When the King of Chu fled to Sui, he was about to cross the Cheng River. Lan Yin Wei used his boat to ferry his own wife and children, refusing to give the boat to the King of Chu. After peace was restored, the King of Chu wanted to kill him. Zixi said: “Zichang failed precisely because he remembered old grievances. Why should the ruler imitate him?” The King of Chu said: “Good!” He restored Lan Yin Wei to his former office, using this to remember past faults. The King of Chu rewarded Dou Xin, Wangsun Yiyou, Wangsun Yu, Zhong Jian, Dou Chao, Shen Baoxu, Wangsun Jia, Song Mu, and Dou Huai. Zixi said: “I request that the reward for Dou Huai be exempted.” The King of Chu said: “Great virtue overcomes petty grudges—this accords with the Way.” Shen Baoxu said: “I acted for the ruler, not for myself. The ruler is now settled—what more could I seek? Moreover, I criticized Ziqi; would I then imitate him?” So he declined the reward. The King of Chu intended to marry off Ji Mi. Ji Mi declined, saying: “As a woman, I should keep distant from men. Zhong Jian has carried me on his back.” So she was married to Zhong Jian, and Zhong Jian was appointed Director of Music. When the King of Chu was in Sui, Zixi prepared chariots and robes for him to protect the roads, established a temporary court at Pixie, and upon learning of the King’s whereabouts, followed him. The King of Chu sent Wangsun Yiyou to build a wall at Jun. Upon his return to report, Zixi asked about the wall’s height, thickness, and length. Wangsun Yiyou did not know. Zixi said: “If you could not do it, you should have declined. To build a wall and not know its height, thickness, or size—what do you know?” Wangsun Yiyou replied: “I firmly declined, saying I was incapable, but you insisted I do it. Each person has things they can and cannot do. When the ruler encountered bandits in the Yunmeng marsh, I blocked their halberds, and the scars remain!” He removed his clothes and showed his back to Zixi, saying: “This is what I can do. As for the matter at Pixie, that too is something I cannot do.” Shi Yang of Jin surrounded Xianyu to avenge the battle of Guan Hu.