Duke Wen, 3rd Year

In the third year, in spring, in the first month of the Zhou calendar, Shusun Dechen joined forces with men of Jin, Song, Chen, Wei, and Zheng to attack Shen, and the people of Shen scattered and fled.

In summer, in the fifth month, Prince Hu died.

The men of Qin attacked Jin.

In autumn, the men of Chu besieged Jiang.

Locusts fell from the sky in Song.

In winter, Duke Wen of Lu went to Jin. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, Duke Wen of Lu held a covenant with Duke Xiang of Jin.

Yang Chufu of Jin led an army to attack Chu in order to rescue Jiang.

In the third year, in spring, Zhuang Shu (Shusun Dechen) joined with the armies of the various lords to attack Shen because Shen had submitted to Chu. The people of Shen scattered and fled. Whenever the people flee from their ruler, it is called "scattering"; when the ruler flees from the people, it is called "fleeing."

Duke Cheng of Wei went to Chen to thank Chen for helping to bring about peace between Jin and Wei.

In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, Wang Shu Wen Gong (Prince Hu) died. The obituary arrived, and Lu sent someone to offer condolences as to a covenanted state, which was in accordance with ritual.

Duke Mu of Qin attacked Jin. After crossing the Yellow River, he burned the boats, captured Wangguan and the outskirts of Jiao. The men of Jin did not come out to give battle. The Qin army then crossed the river at Maoyin, buried the bones of the fallen soldiers at Yao, and returned. Duke Mu of Qin thereby became hegemon over the Western Rong, all because he employed Mengming. The gentleman thus perceived that Duke Mu of Qin, as a ruler, was thorough in selecting talents and single-minded in employing them; Mengming, as a minister, was not negligent, and could be cautious and think deeply; Zisang (Gongsun Zhi) was loyal, understood worthy men, and could recommend good people. The Book of Odes says: "Where to gather white artemisia? In the ponds, on the islets. Where to use it? For the sacrifices of the lords and dukes." Duke Mu of Qin achieved this. "Diligent morning and night without rest, to serve the one man." Mengming achieved this. "Leaving good plans for sons and grandsons, to bring peace and protection to descendants." Zisang achieved this.

In autumn, locusts fell in Song, and the locusts fell to the ground and died.

The Chu army besieged Jiang. Xian Pu of Jin attacked Chu to rescue Jiang.

In winter.

Jin reported the siege of Jiang to the Zhou royal court. Wang Shu Huan Gong, together with Yang Chufu of Jin, attacked Chu to rescue Jiang. The army attacked the gate of Fangcheng, encountered the army of Chu's Prince Shen of Xi, and then withdrew. The men of Jin, worried that they had previously been discourteous to Duke Wen of Lu, requested a new covenant. Duke Wen of Lu went to Jin and covenanted with Duke Xiang of Jin. Duke Xiang of Jin feasted Duke Wen of Lu and recited the poem Jingjing zhe E. Zhuang Shu (Shusun Dechen) had Duke Wen of Lu descend the steps to bow and thank him, saying: "A small state receiving the commands of a great state—how dare it not be cautious in ritual? The lord bestows such great ceremony; what joy could equal this? Yet the joy of a small state is the grace of a great state." Duke Xiang of Jin descended the steps to decline, then ascended the steps to complete the bow. Duke Wen of Lu recited the poem Jia Le.