Duke Xi's 9th Year
In the ninth year of Duke Xi’s reign, in spring, during the third month of the Zhou calendar, on the day Dingchou, Duke Song Yushuo (Duke Huan of Song) passed away.
In summer, Duke Xi met with the Zhou Grand Steward Kong, the Marquis of Qi, the Son of Song, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Viscount of Xu, and the Earl of Cao at Kuiqiu.
In autumn, in the seventh month, on the day Yiyou, Boji died.
In the ninth month, on the day Wuchen, the feudal lords formed an alliance at Kuiqiu.
On the day Jiazi, the Marquis of Jin, Guizhu (Duke Xian of Jin), passed away.
In winter, Li Ke of Jin killed the son of his ruler, Xiqi.
In the ninth year, in spring, Duke Huan of Song had died but was not yet buried when Duke Xiang of Song attended the meeting of the feudal lords. Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Annals referred to him as “Son.” In general, during mourning, the Zhou king was called “Little Child,” and a duke or marquis was called “Son.”
In summer, the meeting at Kuiqiu was held to reaffirm the previous covenant and to develop friendly relations, which was in accordance with ritual propriety.
King Xiang of Zhou sent Grand Steward Kong to present sacrificial meat to Duke Huan of Qi, saying: “The Son of Heaven has offered sacrifices to Kings Wen and Wu, and he sends Kong to present this meat to the Uncle-Earl.” Duke Huan of Qi was about to bow, but Grand Steward Kong said: “There is a further command. The Son of Heaven sent Kong to say: ‘Because the Uncle-Earl is advanced in age and has rendered great merit, I grant you the privilege of one step higher—you need not bow.’” Duke Huan of Qi replied: “The majesty of the Son of Heaven is no more than a foot from my face; how dare I, Xiaobai, covet the Son of Heaven’s command and not bow? I fear I would stumble in a lower position and bring shame to the Son of Heaven; how dare I not bow?” Thereupon he bowed and ascended the steps to receive the sacrificial meat.
In autumn, Duke Huan of Qi formed an alliance with the feudal lords at Kuiqiu, saying: “All of us who have joined this alliance, having now covenanted, shall restore friendly relations.” Grand Steward Kong returned ahead of time and encountered Duke Xian of Jin, saying: “You need not attend the alliance. Duke Huan of Qi does not devote himself to virtue but busies himself with distant expeditions. Thus, he attacked the northern Mountain Rong, campaigned against Chu in the south, and now holds this alliance in the west. The outcome of his eastern campaigns is unknown, and his western campaigns will likely fail. Moreover, Jin may face internal disorder. My lord, you should focus on pacifying internal strife and not rush to travel.” Duke Xian of Jin then returned to Jin.
In the ninth month, Duke Xian of Jin passed away. Li Ke and Pi Zheng intended to welcome Wen Gong (Chong’er) back to Jin, so they incited the partisans of the three princes to revolt. Initially, Duke Xian of Jin had appointed Xun Xi as the tutor of Xiqi. When the duke fell ill, he summoned Xun Xi and said: “I entrust this weak orphan to you, Grand Master. What do you intend to do?” Xun Xi kowtowed and replied: “Your servant is willing to exhaust his strength, supplemented by loyalty and steadfastness. If matters succeed, it will be due to the protection of the late lord’s spirit; if they fail, I will die for it.” Duke Xian said: “What do you mean by loyalty and steadfastness?” Xun Xi replied: “Knowing what benefits the state and doing everything possible—that is loyalty. Sending off the dead and serving the living, so that neither harbors suspicion—that is steadfastness.” When Li Ke was about to kill Xiqi, he first informed Xun Xi, saying: “The resentment of the three princes is about to erupt, and Qin and Jin both support them. What do you intend to do?” Xun Xi said: “I intend to die.” Li Ke said: “That will do no good.” Xun Xi said: “I have already spoken with the late lord; I cannot have two minds. How can I, wishing to fulfill my promise, begrudge my own life? Even if it does no good, where can I escape? Moreover, if others wish to do good, who is not like me? I wish to have no second mind—how can I tell others to desist?”
In winter, in the tenth month, Li Ke killed Xiqi in the mourning hut. The Spring and Autumn Annals records it as “killed the son of his ruler” because Duke Xian had not yet been buried. Xun Xi was about to die, but someone said it would be better to establish Zhuozi and assist him. Xun Xi installed Prince Zhuo (Zhuozi) and buried Duke Xian. In the eleventh month, Li Ke killed Prince Zhuo at court, and Xun Xi died for him. The junzi said: “The Odes say, ‘The flaw in a white scepter can still be ground away; the flaw in speech cannot be remedied.’ Such was Xun Xi.”
Duke Huan of Qi led the armies of the feudal lords to attack Jin, but turned back at Gaoliang, as a punitive measure against Jin’s internal disorder. The orders did not reach Lu, so the Spring and Autumn Annals does not record this.
Xi Rui of Jin advised Yiwu (Duke Hui of Jin) to bribe Qin heavily in order to secure his return to the throne, saying: “Others actually possess the state—what is there for me to begrudge? Once back, I can possess the people; what is land?” Yiwu followed this advice. Xi Peng of Qi led an army to join with the Qin forces and escorted Duke Hui of Jin back to Jin. The Earl of Qin (Duke Mu of Qin) said to Xi Rui: “On whom does the prince rely?” Xi Rui replied: “Your servant has heard that a fugitive has no partisans; if he has partisans, he must have enemies. Yiwu in his youth did not enjoy play, could contend but not excessively, and as an adult, he has not changed. Beyond that, I do not know.” The Earl of Qin said to Gongsun Zhi: “Can Yiwu bring stability to the state?” Gongsun Zhi replied: “Your servant has heard that only by acting in accordance with the norm can one stabilize a state. The Odes say: ‘Without knowledge, without desire, in accord with the pattern of Heaven.’ This refers to King Wen. They also say: ‘Without deceit, without harm, seldom do they go against the norm.’ This describes having no likes or dislikes, no suspicion or harshness. Now Yiwu’s words contain much suspicion and harshness—I fear it will be difficult!” The Earl of Qin said: “Suspicion leads to much resentment; how can he then be harsh toward others? This will actually benefit us.”
Duke Xiang of Song ascended the throne. He considered Gongzi Muyi to be benevolent, so he appointed him Left Grand Master to handle state affairs. Thus, Song was well governed. Consequently, the Yu lineage (descendants of Muyi) held the position of Left Grand Master for generations.