Duke Xi's 8th Year

In the eighth year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Duke Xi of Lu met with the emissary of the Zhou king, Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Huan of Song, Duke Wen of Wei, Duke Xi of Xu, Duke Gong of Cao, and Prince Kuan of Chen (son of Duke Xuan of Chen) at the place of Tao. Duke Wen of Zheng requested to join the covenant.

In summer, the Di tribes attacked Jin.

In autumn, in the seventh month, Lu conducted the Di sacrifice in the Grand Temple and used this ritual to offer sacrifices to the newly established wife (Ai Jiang).

In winter, in the twelfth month, on the day of Dingwei, the Son of Heaven of Zhou (King Hui of Zhou) passed away.

In the eighth year, in spring, the meeting at Tao was to plan matters concerning the royal house (to secure the position of King Xiang of Zhou). Duke Wen of Zheng requested to join the covenant, expressing submission. It was only after King Xiang of Zhou's position was confirmed that mourning was announced for King Hui of Zhou.

Li Ke of Jin led the army, with Liang Youmi driving the chariot and Guo She serving as the right-hand warrior. They defeated the Di tribes at Caisang. Liang Youmi said, "The Di have no sense of shame; if we pursue them, we will surely achieve a great victory." Li Ke said, "It is enough to make them fearful; do not attract more Di because of this." Guo She said, "Within a year, the Di will certainly come again; we have already revealed our weakness."

In summer, the Di tribes attacked Jin to avenge the battle of Caisang. It happened just as Guo She had said, exactly one year later.

In autumn, performing the Di sacrifice and offering sacrifices to Ai Jiang was contrary to ritual propriety. Generally, for a wife, if she did not die in the main hall, did not have her coffin placed in the ancestral temple, did not send obituary notices to allied lords, and was not attached to the spirit tablet of her mother-in-law, then sacrifices should not be offered to her.

In winter, an emissary from the royal house of Zhou came to announce the mourning, but it was delayed because of the troubles within the royal house.

Duke Huan of Song was gravely ill. Crown Prince Zifu (Duke Xiang of Song) earnestly requested, saying, "Muyi (Zifu's half-brother, Ziyu) is older and benevolent; please establish him as the lord." Duke Huan of Song then commanded Ziyu (Muyi) to succeed to the throne. Ziyu declined, saying, "One who can yield the state to another—is there greater benevolence than this? I am not his equal. Moreover, this is not in accordance with proper order." Then he quickly withdrew.