Duke Xi's Twenty-seventh Year
In the twenty-seventh year, in spring, Duke Huan of Qi came to Lu for an audience. Because he used the rites of the Yi and Di barbarians, the Spring and Autumn Annals referred to him as "Viscount." Duke Xi of Lu considered Qi’s status lowly and that the Duke of Qi was disrespectful to Lu.
In summer, Duke Xiao of Qi died. Although Lu had grievances against Qi, they did not abandon the funerary rites due to a neighboring state, which was in accordance with ritual propriety.
In autumn, the Lu army entered Qi, as a reproach for Qi’s lack of courtesy toward Lu.
King Cheng of Chu was about to besiege Song. He sent Ziwen to train troops at Kui. Ziwen finished the training in a single morning, without punishing a single man. Ziyu then trained troops at Wei, taking an entire day, flogging seven men and piercing the ears of three with arrows. The senior officials of Chu all congratulated Ziwen, who invited them to drink. Wei Jia, still young at the time, arrived last and offered no congratulations. Ziwen asked why, and Wei Jia replied: "I do not know what there is to congratulate. You have transferred authority to Ziyu, saying it is to stabilize the state. If the interior is stable but the exterior suffers defeat, what gain is there? Ziyu’s defeat will be due to your recommendation. A recommendation that causes the state to fail—what is there to congratulate? Ziyu is rigid and lacks propriety; he cannot govern the people. If he leads more than three hundred chariots, I fear he may not return safely. If he does return safely, what harm is there in offering congratulations then?"
In winter, King Cheng of Chu, together with the feudal lords, besieged Song. Gongsun Gu of Song came to Jin to report the emergency. Xian Zhen said: "Repaying Song’s kindness, rescuing Song from disaster, gaining prestige, and establishing hegemony—all depend on this one move." Hu Yan said: "Chu has recently won Cao’s allegiance and newly married into Wei. If we attack Cao and Wei, Chu will surely go to their rescue, and then Qi and Song can be spared from attack." Thus Jin held a military review at Beilu, organized three armies, and deliberated on a commander for the central army. Zhao Cui said: "Xi Hu is suitable. I have often heard his words; he delights in rites and music and values the Poetry and Documents. The Poetry and Documents are treasuries of righteousness; rites and music are the standards of virtue; virtue and righteousness are the foundation of benefit. The Xia Documents says: ‘Broadly adopt their words, test them clearly with affairs, and reward their achievements with chariots and robes.’ You might try him." So Duke Wen of Jin appointed Xi Hu to lead the central army, with Xi Zhen as his assistant; he appointed Hu Yan to lead the upper army, but Hu Yan yielded to Hu Mao, serving as Mao’s assistant himself; he appointed Zhao Cui as a minister, but Zhao Cui yielded to Luan Zhi and Xian Zhen; he appointed Luan Zhi to lead the lower army, with Xian Zhen as his assistant. Xun Linfu drove Duke Wen’s chariot, and Wei Chou served as the right-hand guard.
When Duke Wen of Jin first returned to Jin, he began to instruct the people. After two years, he intended to employ them. Zifan said: "The people do not yet understand righteousness and have not yet settled in their dwellings." So Duke Wen campaigned to settle King Xiang of Zhou’s position, returned, and worked to benefit the people, who then became content with their lives. Duke Wen again intended to employ them. Zifan said: "The people do not yet understand trustworthiness and do not grasp its use." So Duke Wen attacked Yuan to demonstrate trustworthiness to the people. In trade, the people did not seek excessive profit and openly stated their prices. Duke Wen said: "Is it enough now?" Zifan said: "The people do not yet understand ritual and have not yet developed a sense of reverence." So Duke Wen held a grand military review to display ritual and established the office of zhizhi to regulate officials’ duties. The people obeyed orders without confusion, and only then did he employ them. Thus Duke Wen drove out the Chu forces stationed at Gu, lifted the siege of Song, and established his hegemony in a single campaign. This was all the result of his (teaching and transformation).