Duke Xi's Sixteenth Year
In the sixteenth year, in spring, the first month of the Zhou calendar, on the day wuxu, which was the first day of the month, five meteors fell in the state of Song. In the same month, six birds called yi flew backwards over the capital of Song.
In the third month, on the day renchen, Prince Ji You died.
In summer, the fourth month, on the day bingshen, the Ji Ji of the state of Zeng died.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day jiazi, Gongsun Zi died.
In winter, the twelfth month, Duke Xi of Lu met with the Marquis of Qi, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Chen, the Marquis of Wei, the Earl of Zheng, the Viscount of Xu, the Marquis of Xing, and the Earl of Cao at Huai.
In the sixteenth year, in spring, five meteors fell in the state of Song—these were falling stars. Six yi birds flew backwards over the capital of Song—this was because of a strong wind. Shu Xing, the Inner Scribe of Zhou, went on a diplomatic mission to Song. Duke Xiang of Song asked him about this matter, saying: “What omen is this? Where will good or ill fortune be fulfilled?” Shu Xing replied: “This year there will be many great mourning events in Lu; next year there will be unrest in Qi; you, my lord, will gain the support of the feudal lords but will not retain it for long.” After Shu Xing withdrew, he told others: “The lord’s question was improper. These are matters of yin and yang, not produced by good or ill fortune. Good and ill fortune are brought about by men themselves. The reason I answered as I did was that I did not dare to go against the lord’s intention.”
In summer, Qi attacked Li but did not conquer it; they rescued Xu and then withdrew.
In autumn, the Di barbarians invaded Jin, capturing Huchu and Shouduo, crossing the Fen River, and reaching Kundu—this was because Jin had suffered a defeat.
The Son of Heaven informed Qi of the troubles caused by the Rong barbarians, and Qi mobilized troops from the feudal lords to guard the Zhou court.
In winter, the eleventh month, on the day yimao, Zheng killed Zihua.
In the twelfth month, a meeting was held at Huai to plan the rescue of Zeng and also to campaign eastward. A wall was being built for Zeng, but the laborers were exhausted. Someone climbed a mound at night and shouted: “Qi has unrest!” So the wall was left unfinished, and they withdrew and returned.