Duke Zhuang's Tenth Year
In the tenth year of Duke Zhuang, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, the Duke of Lu defeated the Qi army at Changshao.
In the second month, the Duke of Lu invaded Song.
In the third month, the people of Song moved the inhabitants of Su away.
In summer, in the sixth month, the armies of Qi and Song encamped at Lang. The Duke of Lu defeated the Song army at Chengqiu.
In autumn, in the ninth month, the Chu army defeated the Cai army at Xin, and captured Hou Xianwu of Cai and brought him back to Chu.
In winter, in the tenth month, the Qi army extinguished the state of Tan, and the ruler of Tan fled to Ju.
(Commentary:) In the tenth year, in spring, the Qi army attacked our state. The Duke of Lu prepared to give battle. Cao Gui requested an audience with the duke. His fellow villagers said, “Those who eat meat will plan this matter. Why should you join in?” Cao Gui replied, “Those who eat meat are shortsighted and cannot make long-term plans.” So he entered the palace for an audience. He asked the duke on what basis he would fight. The duke said, “Things like clothing and food, which are used for comfort, I dare not keep for myself alone; I always distribute them to others.” Cao Gui replied, “This kind of small favor has not been universally bestowed upon the people, and the people will not follow you.” The duke said, “For sacrifices, the cattle, sheep, jade, and silk I dare not increase beyond the proper amount; I always act with sincerity and trustworthiness.” Cao Gui replied, “This kind of small sincerity cannot yet move the spirits; the spirits will not grant you blessings.” The duke said, “For all lawsuits, great and small, although I cannot examine each one thoroughly, I always decide according to the actual circumstances.” Cao Gui replied, “This is a matter of wholeheartedly serving the people. On this basis, you may fight a battle. When we go into battle, I ask to follow you.” The duke rode in the same chariot with him, and they engaged at Changshao. The duke was about to beat the drum to advance, but Cao Gui said, “Not yet.” After the Qi men had beaten the drum three times, Cao Gui said, “Now you may.” The Qi army was utterly defeated. The duke was about to drive forward in pursuit, but Cao Gui said, “Not yet.” He got down from the chariot to examine the tracks of the Qi chariots, then climbed onto the crossbar of the chariot to gaze into the distance at the Qi formation. Then he said, “Now you may.” So they pursued the Qi army. After the victory, the duke asked him the reason for this. Cao Gui replied, “In battle, courage is what matters. The first drumbeat rouses the spirit; the second drumbeat, the spirit wanes; the third drumbeat, the spirit is exhausted. With their spirit exhausted and ours full, we were able to defeat them. A great state is hard to predict; I feared they might have an ambush. When I saw that their chariot tracks were chaotic and their banners had fallen, I knew we could pursue them.”
In summer, in the sixth month, the armies of Qi and Song encamped at Lang. Gongzi Yan said, “The Song army’s formation is disorganized; they can be defeated. If Song is defeated, Qi will certainly withdraw. I request permission to attack the Song army.” The duke did not agree. Gongzi Yan secretly went out through the Yu Gate, covered his horses with tiger skins, and first charged the Song army. The duke led his troops and followed, thoroughly defeating the Song army at Chengqiu. The Qi army then withdrew.
Marquis Ai of Cai had taken a wife from Chen, and the Marquis of Xi had also taken a wife from Chen. When Xi Gui was about to marry, she passed through Cai. The Marquis of Cai said, “She is my wife’s younger sister.” So he kept her for a meeting, but treated her discourteously. The Marquis of Xi, hearing of this, was angry and sent a message to King Wen of Chu, saying, “Please pretend to attack our state. I will ask Cai for help, and you can then take the opportunity to attack Cai.” King Wen of Chu followed this advice. In autumn, in the ninth month, the Chu army defeated the Cai army at Xin, and captured Hou Xianwu of Cai and brought him back to Chu.
When the Marquis of Qi was in exile, he had once passed through Tan, but Tan treated him without courtesy. When he later returned and ascended the throne, all the other feudal lords came to congratulate him, but Tan did not. In winter, the Qi army extinguished Tan because of its lack of courtesy. The ruler of Tan fled to Ju because the two states had a covenant.