Duke Ai's Sixth Year
In the sixth year of spring, the walls of Zhu Xia were constructed.
Zhao Yang of Jin led an army to attack Xianyu.
Wu attacked Chen.
In summer, Guo Xia and Gao Zhang of Qi fled to Lu.
Shu Huan met with the men of Wu at Zha.
In autumn, on the day gengyin of the seventh month, King Zhen of Chu died.
Yang Sheng of Qi entered Qi, and Chen Qi of Qi murdered his ruler, Tu.
In winter, Zhongsun Heji led an army to attack Zhu.
Xiang Chao of Song led an army to attack Cao.
In the sixth year of spring, Jin attacked Xianyu in order to deal with the Fan clan’s rebellion.
Wu attacked Chen to renew old grievances. The King of Chu said, “Our former ruler had a covenant with Chen; we cannot fail to rescue them.” He thus sent troops to rescue Chen, and the army encamped at Chengfu.
Chen Qi of Qi pretended to serve the Gao and Guo clans. Every time he went to court, he would ride in the same carriage with them, and his attendants would always say, “Those grandees are very arrogant; they will soon abandon your orders.” He also said, “The Gao and Guo clans have gained the ruler’s favor and will certainly oppress us. Why not get rid of them? They are already plotting against you. You should consider the matter early. The best plan is to eliminate them all; hesitation is the worst policy.” When he reached court, he said again, “They are like tigers and wolves. Seeing me by your side, they will kill me within days. Please let me approach their positions.” He also said to the grandees, “These two men are heading for disaster! Relying on the ruler’s favor, they want to plot against you gentlemen, saying, ‘The many troubles of the state are all due to the favored ones. Eliminate them all, and the ruler will be secure.’ They have already made their plans. Why not strike before they act? If you wait until they move, it will be too late to regret.” The grandees followed his advice. In summer, on the day wuchen of the sixth month, Chen Qi, Bao Mu, and the grandees led armored men into the palace. Zhaozi (Gao Zhang) heard of this and rode with Huizi (Guo Xia) to the ruler. They fought at Zhuang and were defeated. The people of the capital pursued them. Guo Xia fled to Ju, and then together with Gao Zhang, Yan Yu, and Xian Shi, they fled to Lu.
In autumn, in the seventh month, the King of Chu was at Chengfu, preparing to rescue Chen. Divination for battle was inauspicious; divination for retreat was also inauspicious. The King of Chu said, “Then it is death! To cause the Chu army to be defeated again is worse than death; to abandon a covenant and flee from enemies is also worse than death. Death is the same in either case; it is better to die at the hands of the enemy!” He ordered Gongzi Shen to become King of Chu, but Gongzi Shen refused. He then ordered Gongzi Jie, who also refused. Finally, he ordered Gongzi Qi, who declined five times before accepting. As they were about to fight, the King fell ill. On the day gengyin, King Zhao of Chu attacked Daming and died at Chengfu. Zi Lü (Gongzi Qi) withdrew and said, “The ruler abandoned his son and offered the throne to us. How could the ministers dare to forget the ruler? To follow the ruler’s command is obedience; to establish the ruler’s son is also obedience. Neither of these two kinds of obedience should be lost.” He then plotted with Zi Xi and Zi Qi. They secretly moved the army, blocked the roads, welcomed the son of the Yue woman, Zhang, established him as ruler, and then returned home.
In that year, there were clouds like a flock of red birds, flanking the sun for three days. The King of Chu sent someone to inquire of the Grand Historian of Zhou. The Grand Historian of Zhou said, “This omen should fall upon the ruler! If a yong sacrifice is performed, it can be transferred to the lingyin or the sima.” The King of Chu said, “To remove a disease from the heart and abdomen and place it in the limbs—what benefit is that? I have no great faults. Would Heaven cause me to die young? If I have sinned and am punished, how can it be transferred?” So he did not perform the yong sacrifice.
Earlier, when King Zhao of Chu was ill, divination indicated that the god of the Yellow River was causing the trouble. The King did not sacrifice to him. The grandees requested that a sacrifice be offered in the suburbs. The King said, “In the sacrifices established by the Three Dynasties, offerings do not go beyond the mountains and rivers of one’s own state. The Yangzi, Han, Sui, and Zhang rivers are the great rivers of Chu. Blessings and calamities do not come from beyond these. Although I am without virtue, I cannot offend the god of the Yellow River.” So he did not sacrifice.
Confucius said, “King Zhao of Chu understood the great principle! It is fitting that he did not lose his state. The Book of Xia says: ‘That lord of Taotang, following Heaven’s constant Way, possessed this land of Ji. Now he has lost his conduct and disordered the statutes, and so he perished.’ It also says: ‘Truly it comes from here; it is here.’ It is enough to follow the constant Way oneself.”
In the eighth month, Bing Yizi of Qi fled to Lu. Chen Xizi sent someone to summon Gongzi Yangsheng. Yangsheng harnessed his carriage and went to see Nanguo Qieyu, saying, “I once presented a horse to Jisun, but it was not ranked among the top horses. So I present this horse again. Please let me ride it with you.” After leaving the Lai Gate, he told him the reason. Kan Zhi learned of this and waited outside in advance. The Gongzi said, “The matter is still uncertain. You go back and stay with Ren (Gongzi Yangsheng’s son).” After admonishing him, he set out. By nightfall, he reached Qi, and everyone in the capital knew of his arrival. Chen Xizi had the mother of Zishi look after him and also had all those bringing food enter.
In winter, on the day dingmao of the tenth month, he was established as ruler. When they were about to swear an oath, Baozi arrived drunk. His retainer, the charioteer Bao Dian, said, “Whose order is this?” Chen Xizi said, “I received Baozi’s order.” He then falsely accused Baozi, saying, “This is your order.” Baozi said, “Have you forgotten how the ruler made a cow of the young child and broke its teeth? Yet you would betray him?” Duke Dao (Gongzi Yangsheng) kowtowed and said, “You are a man who follows righteousness. If I can be ruler, I will not necessarily destroy a grandee; if I cannot be ruler, I will not necessarily destroy a son of a ruler. Advance if it is right; retreat if it is not. How dare I not follow you? Let there be no turmoil in deposing or establishing—that is my wish.” Baozi said, “Who is not a son of the ruler?” So he accepted the oath.
They had Hu Ji take An Ruzi (Gongzi Tu) to Lai, banished Yu Si, killed Wang Jia, detained Jiang Shui, and imprisoned Wang Bao at Judou Zhi Qiu.
Duke Dao sent Zhu Mao to inform Chen Xizi, saying, “Without you, I would not have come this far. But a ruler is not like a vessel; there cannot be two. If there are two vessels, there is no shortage; if there are two rulers, there will be many troubles. I respectfully state this to the grandees.” Chen Xizi did not answer, but only wept, saying, “Does the ruler completely distrust the ministers? Because of Qi’s distress, and amidst distress there was trouble, the young ruler could not be consulted; therefore, an older ruler was sought. Perhaps this will allow the ministers to be tolerated? Otherwise, what crime did that young child have?” Zhu Mao reported the order, and Duke Dao regretted it. Zhu Mao said, “You consult Chenzi on great matters and decide small matters yourself—that is acceptable.” He had Zhu Mao move the young child to Tai. Before they arrived, he was killed in a tent in the wilds and buried at Shumouchun.