Hereditary House of Qi Taigong, Second
Grand Duke Wang, Lü Shang, was a man from the eastern seaboard. His ancestors once served as the Four Peaks (chiefs of the regional lords), assisting Great Yu in controlling the waters and soil with great merit. In the times of Yu Shun and Xia Yu, they were enfeoffed in the land of Lü, and some were enfeoffed in the land of Shen, with the surname Jiang. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, the lands of Shen and Lü were sometimes granted to collateral descendants, and some descendants became commoners; Lü Shang was among their line. Originally surnamed Jiang, he was called Lü Shang because he followed the surname of his fief.
Lü Shang was once impoverished and down on his luck, advanced in years, and used the opportunity of fishing to seek an audience with the Western Earl of Zhou (King Wen of Zhou). The Western Earl was about to go hunting and cast a divination; the oracle said: “What you obtain will be neither a dragon nor a chi (a hornless dragon), neither a tiger nor a bear; what you obtain will be a man who aids a hegemon and king.” So the Western Earl went out hunting and indeed met the Grand Duke on the north bank of the Wei River. After speaking with him, he was greatly pleased and said: “From the time of my late lord Grand Duke (my grandfather), it was said: ‘A sage will come to Zhou, and Zhou will flourish because of him.’ Are you truly this man? My Grand Duke has longed for you for a long time.” Thus he called him “Grand Duke’s Hope,” took him back in his chariot, and established him as his teacher.
Another account says that the Grand Duke was widely learned and had once served the Shang tyrant Zhou. When Zhou was cruel and lawless, he left. He went about persuading the regional lords but met none who appreciated him, and finally went west to submit to the Western Earl of Zhou. Yet another account says that Lü Shang was a recluse, dwelling in seclusion by the sea. When the Western Earl was imprisoned by Zhou in Youli, San Yisheng and Hong Yao, who had long known Lü Shang, summoned him. Lü Shang also said: “I have heard that the Western Earl is worthy and skilled in caring for the aged—why not go to him?” The three of them sought beautiful women and rare treasures for the Western Earl, presented them to King Zhou, and thereby redeemed the Western Earl. Thus the Western Earl was released and returned to his state. Although the accounts of how Lü Shang came to serve Zhou differ, the key is that he became the teacher of Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou.
After the Western Earl, Ji Chang, escaped from Youli and returned home, he and Lü Shang secretly plotted to cultivate virtue in order to overthrow the Shang’s governance. These matters largely involved military stratagems and ingenious schemes, so later generations who discussed the art of war and the hidden tactics of the Zhou all revered the Grand Duke as the fundamental planner. When the Western Earl’s rule became clear and just, and after he resolved the dispute between the states of Yu and Rui, poets praised the Western Earl for receiving the Mandate of Heaven and called him King Wen. He attacked Chong, Mixu, and Quanyi, and greatly expanded the city of Feng. Of the realm, two-thirds submitted to Zhou; the Grand Duke’s plans and strategies accounted for much of this.
When King Wen died, King Wu ascended the throne. In the ninth year, King Wu wished to carry on King Wen’s enterprise and marched east to observe whether the regional lords would gather in response. When the army set out, Master Shangfu (the Grand Duke) held a yellow battle-axe in his left hand and a white yak-tail banner in his right to swear an oath, saying: “Cangsi (the water beast, here meaning the officer in charge of boats)! Cangsi! Assemble all your men, hand over your vessels to them—anyone who arrives late will be beheaded!” Then they reached Mengjin. Eight hundred lords came unsummoned to the assembly. The lords all said: “Zhou can be attacked.” King Wu said: “Not yet.” He led the army back, and together with the Grand Duke, composed the “Great Oath.”
Two years later, King Zhou killed Prince Bigan and imprisoned the Viscount of Ji. King Wu prepared to attack King Zhou. When he cast a divination, the cracks on the tortoise shell were inauspicious, and wind and rain suddenly arrived. The ministers were all terrified; only the Grand Duke firmly urged King Wu to dispatch the army, and King Wu then set out. On the first day of the first month in the eleventh year, on the day Jiazi, they swore an oath at Muye and attacked the Shang tyrant Zhou. King Zhou’s army was utterly defeated. King Zhou turned and fled, climbed the Deer Terrace, and was pursued and killed. The next day, King Wu stood at the altar of the soil. The ministers held bright water (pure water for sacrifice), Wei Kangshu spread out colored mats, Master Shangfu led the sacrificial animals, and the Scribe Yi held the written prayer to report to the spirits the crimes of King Zhou. They also distributed the wealth from the Deer Terrace and the grain from the Juqiao granary to relieve the poor and needy. They repaired Bigan’s tomb and released the imprisoned Viscount of Ji. They moved the Nine Tripods, revised Zhou’s governance, and began anew with all under Heaven. Master Shangfu’s planning and merit accounted for much of this.
By this time, King Wu had pacified the Shang and ruled the realm. He enfeoffed Master Shangfu at Yingqiu in the state of Qi. The Grand Duke journeyed east to his fief, lodging on the way and traveling slowly. The innkeeper said: “I have heard that opportunities are hard to gain but easy to lose. The guest sleeps very soundly—perhaps he is not someone going to take up his fief.” Hearing this, the Grand Duke dressed and set out that very night, arriving at his fief at dawn. The Marquis of Lai came to attack, contending with the Grand Duke for Yingqiu. Yingqiu was near the state of Lai. The Lai people were barbarians, taking advantage of King Zhou’s rebellion and the Zhou’s recent pacification, which had not yet stabilized distant regions, to contend with the Grand Duke for his territory.
When the Grand Duke reached his fief, he rectified governance, followed local customs, simplified rituals, facilitated the trades of artisans and merchants, and developed the advantages of fish and salt. As a result, many people attached themselves to Qi, and Qi became a great state. When King Cheng of Zhou was young, Guan Shu and Cai Shu rebelled, and the Huai Yi turned against Zhou. Thus King Cheng sent the Viscount of Zhao, Kang Gong, to command the Grand Duke, saying: “East to the sea, west to the Yellow River, south to Muling, north to Wudi—if any of the five ranks of lords or the nine regional overseers rebel, you may attack them.” Qi thereby gained the right to campaign and became a great state. Its capital was at Yingqiu.
About a hundred years after the Grand Duke died, his son, Duke Ding of Qi, Lü Ji, succeeded him. When Duke Ding died, his son, Duke Yi of Qi, De, succeeded him. When Duke Yi died, his son, Duke Gui of Qi, Cimu, succeeded him. When Duke Gui died, his son, Duke Ai of Qi, Buchen, succeeded him.
In the time of Duke Ai, the Marquis of Ji slandered him before the King of Zhou. The King of Zhou boiled Duke Ai to death and established his younger brother, Jing, as ruler—this was Duke Hu of Qi. Duke Hu moved the capital to Bogu, during the time of King Yi of Zhou.
Duke Ai’s younger brother by the same mother, Shan, resented Duke Hu, so he and his partisans led the people of Yingqiu in a surprise attack, killed Duke Hu, and took the throne himself—this was Duke Xian of Qi. In the first year of Duke Xian, he expelled all of Duke Hu’s sons, then moved the capital from Bogu and governed Linzi.
In the ninth year, Duke Xian died, and his son, Duke Wu of Qi, Shou, succeeded him. In the ninth year of Duke Wu, King Li of Zhou fled the capital and dwelled in Zhi. In the tenth year, the royal house fell into turmoil, with ministers governing the court, which was called the “Gonghe” period. In the twenty-fourth year, King Xuan of Zhou had just ascended the throne.
In the twenty-sixth year, Duke Wu died, and his son, Duke Li of Qi, Wuji, succeeded him. Duke Li was tyrannical, so Duke Hu’s son again entered Qi. The people of Qi wished to establish him as ruler and joined with Duke Hu’s son to attack and kill Duke Li. Duke Hu’s son also died in the fighting. The people of Qi then established Duke Li’s son, Chi, as ruler—this was Duke Wen of Qi—and then executed seventy of those who had killed Duke Li.
In the twelfth year, Duke Wen died, and his son, Duke Cheng of Qi, Tuo, succeeded him. In the ninth year, Duke Cheng died, and his son, Duke Zhuang of Qi, Gou, succeeded him.
In the twenty-fourth year of Duke Zhuang, the Quanrong barbarians killed King You of Zhou, and the royal house moved its capital east to Luoyi. Qin was first ranked among the regional lords. In the fifty-sixth year, Jin killed its ruler, Duke Zhao of Jin.
In the sixty-fourth year, Duke Zhuang died, and his son, Duke Xi of Qi, Lufu, succeeded him.
In the ninth year of Duke Xi, Duke Yin of Lu had just ascended the throne. In the nineteenth year, Duke Huan of Lu killed his elder brother, Duke Yin, and took the throne himself.
In the twenty-fifth year, the Northern Rong attacked Qi. Zheng sent the Crown Prince Hu to rescue Qi. The ruler of Qi wished to marry his daughter to him. Hu said: “Zheng is small, Qi is large—this is not a match for me.” So he declined.
In the thirty-second year, Duke Xi’s younger brother by the same mother, Yi Zhongnian, died. His son was named Gongsun Wuzhi. Duke Xi loved him and gave him the same stipend, clothing, and support as the crown prince.
In the thirty-third year, Duke Xi died, and the crown prince, Zhu’er, succeeded him—this was Duke Xiang of Qi.
In the first year of Duke Xiang, when he was still crown prince, he had once quarreled with Wuzhi. After he succeeded, he reduced Wuzhi’s stipend and clothing treatment, and Wuzhi harbored resentment.
In the fourth year, Duke Huan of Lu came to Qi together with his wife. Duke Xiang of Qi had previously had an illicit affair with the wife of Lu. This wife was Duke Xiang’s younger sister, who had been married to Duke Huan of Lu since the time of Duke Xi of Qi. When Duke Huan of Lu arrived in Qi, Duke Xiang again committed adultery with her. Duke Huan of Lu discovered this and became angry with his wife, who then informed Duke Xiang of Qi. Duke Xiang of Qi drank wine with Duke Huan of Lu, made him drunk, and ordered a strongman named Peng Sheng to carry Duke Huan into his carriage, taking the opportunity to pull and kill him. Duke Huan of Lu died as he was getting out of the carriage. The people of Lu reproached Qi for this, so Duke Xiang of Qi killed Peng Sheng to apologize to Lu.
In the eighth year, [Qi] attacked the state of Ji, and the people of Ji moved away their towns.
In the twelfth year, initially, Duke Xiang had sent Lian Cheng and Guan Zhifu to guard Kuiqu. They went when the melons were ripe, and they were to be relieved when the melons ripened again. They served for a year, but when the melons ripened again, Duke Xiang did not send anyone to relieve them. Someone pleaded on their behalf for a replacement, but Duke Xiang would not allow it. Therefore, these two men became angry and plotted rebellion together with Gongsun Wuzhi. Lian Cheng had a cousin who was in Duke Xiang’s palace but was not favored. They had her spy on Duke Xiang’s activities, saying: “If the affair succeeds, we will make you Wuzhi’s wife.” In the winter, in the twelfth month, Duke Xiang went to Gufen for pleasure and then hunted at Peiqiu. He saw a wild boar, and an attendant said: “This is Peng Sheng.” Duke Xiang became angry and shot an arrow at it. The wild boar stood up like a man and cried out. Duke Xiang was terrified, fell from his carriage, injured his foot, and lost his shoe. After returning, he had the shoe-keeper, Fu, flogged three hundred strokes. Fu left the palace. Then Wuzhi, Lian Cheng, Guan Zhifu, and others, hearing that Duke Xiang was injured, led their followers to attack the palace. They encountered the shoe-keeper Fu, who said: “Do not enter yet and alarm the palace. If the palace is alarmed, it will be difficult to enter.” Wuzhi did not believe him, and Fu showed him the wounds from his flogging, so they believed him. They waited outside the palace and had Fu enter first. Fu went in first and then hid Duke Xiang behind the door. After a long time, Wuzhi and the others grew afraid and rushed into the palace. Fu, on the contrary, together with the palace people and Duke Xiang’s favored attendants, attacked Wuzhi and his men but could not defeat them, and all died. Wuzhi entered the palace but could not find Duke Xiang. Someone saw a man’s feet showing from behind the door, opened it, and there was Duke Xiang. So they killed him, and Wuzhi installed himself as the ruler of Qi.
In the spring of the first year of Duke Huan of Qi, the ruler of Qi, Wuzhi, went to Yonglin for a visit. The people of Yonglin had previously held a grievance against Wuzhi. Taking advantage of his visit, the people of Yonglin attacked and killed Wuzhi. They informed the great officers of Qi, saying: “Wuzhi killed Duke Xiang and installed himself. We have carefully carried out the execution. We hope that the great officers will re-establish one of the duke’s sons who is fit to rule, and we will await your orders.”
Initially, Duke Xiang had made Duke Huan of Lu drunk and killed him, committed adultery with his wife, and repeatedly killed and punished people inappropriately. He was addicted to women and often insulted his great officers. His younger brothers feared that disaster would involve them, so the second younger brother, Jiu, fled to Lu. His mother was a woman of Lu. Guan Zhong and Shao Hu assisted him. The second younger brother, Xiaobai, fled to Ju, and Bao Shu assisted him. Xiaobai’s mother was a woman of Wei and was favored by Duke Xi. Xiaobai had been on good terms with the great officer Gao Xi since childhood. When the people of Yonglin killed Wuzhi and discussed establishing a ruler, the Gao and Guo clans first secretly summoned Xiaobai from Ju. When Lu heard that Wuzhi was dead, they also sent troops to escort Prince Jiu, and moreover ordered Guan Zhong to lead a separate force to block the road from Ju to Qi. Guan Zhong shot and hit Xiaobai’s belt hook. Xiaobai pretended to be dead, and Guan Zhong sent a messenger to report quickly to Lu. The escort for Prince Jiu traveled more slowly, arriving in Qi only after six days. By then, Xiaobai had already entered Qi, and Gao Xi installed him as ruler. This was Duke Huan of Qi.
Duke Huan, having been hit on the belt hook, pretended to die to mislead Guan Zhong, then was carried swiftly in a warm carriage. With the Gao and Guo clans as his internal allies, he was able to enter Qi first and be installed as ruler. He then sent out troops to resist Lu. That autumn, [Qi] fought with Lu at Ganshi. The Lu army fled in defeat, and the Qi army cut off their retreat. Duke Huan of Qi sent a letter to Lu, saying: “Zijiu is my brother; I cannot bear to kill him myself. I request that Lu kill him for me. Shao Hu and Guan Zhong are my enemies. I wish to obtain them and have them chopped into minced meat. If this is not done, I will besiege Lu.” The people of Lu were troubled by this, so they killed Zijiu at Shengdu. Shao Hu committed suicide. Guan Zhong requested to be imprisoned. After Duke Huan was installed, he raised troops to attack Lu, intending in his heart to kill Guan Zhong. Bao Shuya said: “I was fortunate to follow you, and you ultimately succeeded in being installed. You are now exalted, and I cannot raise your status further. If you only wish to govern Qi, then Gao Xi and I are sufficient. If you wish to achieve hegemony over all the lords, then Guan Yiwu is indispensable. Guan Yiwu—wherever he is, that state becomes important. You must not lose him.” So Duke Huan followed his advice. He pretended to summon Guan Zhong to chop him into mincemeat, but in reality intended to employ him. Guan Zhong knew this, so he requested to come. Bao Shuya welcomed Guan Zhong and, upon reaching Tangfu, removed his manacles, had him bathe and fast, and then presented him to Duke Huan. Duke Huan employed him as a great officer with full honors and entrusted him with the administration of government.
After Duke Huan obtained Guan Zhong, together with Bao Shuya, Xi Peng, and Gao Xi, he rectified the governance of Qi, organized the military system of five families per unit, and implemented policies for managing light and heavy goods and profiting from fish and salt, in order to support the poor and provide salaries for the worthy. The people of Qi were all pleased.
In the second year of Duke Huan, [Qi] attacked and destroyed the state of Tan. The ruler of Tan fled to Ju. Initially, when Duke Huan was in exile, he had passed through Tan, and Tan had treated him discourteously, so [Qi] attacked it.
In the fifth year of Duke Huan, [Qi] attacked Lu. The Lu army commander was defeated. Duke Zhuang of Lu requested to offer the city of Suiyi to make peace, and Duke Huan agreed, meeting with Lu at Ke. When Lu was about to swear the covenant, Cao Mo, using a dagger, seized Duke Huan on the altar and said: “Return the lands you have seized from Lu!” Duke Huan agreed to this. Afterward, Cao Mo put down his dagger and returned northward to his position as a minister. Duke Huan regretted this and wanted not to give the lands to Lu and to kill Cao Mo. Guan Zhong said: “When you were seized, you made a promise. To later break your word and kill the man would be merely a momentary satisfaction, but it would cause you to lose trust among the lords and lose the support of all under Heaven. This cannot be done.” So [Qi] returned to Lu all the lands that Cao Mo had lost in three defeats. When the feudal lords heard of this, they all trusted Qi and wished to submit to it. In the seventh year of Duke Huan, the lords met with Duke Huan at Zhen, and from this time Duke Huan began to dominate as hegemon.
In the fourteenth year of Duke Huan, Wan, the son of Duke Li of Chen, known as Jingzhong, came to seek refuge in Qi. Duke Huan of Qi wished to make him a qing, but he declined. So he made him Gongzheng. He was the ancestor of Tian Chengzi Chang.
In the twenty-third year of Duke Huan, the Mountain Rong attacked Yan, and Yan urgently requested help from Qi. Duke Huan of Qi went to Yan’s rescue, attacked the Mountain Rong, and pursued them as far as Guzhu before returning. Duke Zhuang of Yan then escorted Duke Huan into Qi’s territory. Duke Huan said: “Except for the Son of Heaven, feudal lords do not escort each other beyond their own borders. I cannot be discourteous to Yan.” So he marked a ditch as the boundary and ceded to Yan the territory he had passed through, commanding the ruler of Yan to revive the governance of the Duke of Shao and present tribute to the Zhou royal house, as in the times of King Cheng and King Kang. When the feudal lords heard of this, they all submitted to Qi.
In the twenty-seventh year of Duke Huan, the mother of Duke Min of Lu was called Ai Jiang. She was the younger sister of Duke Huan of Qi. Ai Jiang committed adultery with Prince Qingfu of Lu. Qingfu killed Duke Min, and Ai Jiang wished to establish Qingfu as ruler. The people of Lu established Duke Xi instead. Duke Huan summoned Ai Jiang and killed her.
In the twenty-eighth year of Duke Huan, Duke Wen of Wei encountered disaster from the Di tribes and urgently requested help from Qi. Qi led the feudal lords to build a city at Chuqiu and established the ruler of Wei.
In the twenty-ninth year of Duke Huan, Duke Huan was playing in a boat with his wife, Cai Ji. Cai Ji was familiar with the water and rocked the boat. Duke Huan was frightened and told her to stop, but she would not listen. Duke Huan got off the boat, became angry, and sent Cai Ji back to Cai, though he did not sever relations. Cai also became angry and married Cai Ji to someone else. When Duke Huan heard of this, he became furious and raised troops to attack Cai.
In the spring of the thirty-first year of Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Huan led the feudal lords to attack Cai, and Cai’s army was defeated. Thereupon he attacked Chu. King Cheng of Chu sent troops and asked, “Why have you entered my territory?” Guan Zhong replied, “Formerly, the Duke of Shao Kang commanded our late lord Tai Gong, saying, ‘The five ranks of feudal lords and the nine regional chiefs—you may punish them all, to assist the Zhou royal house.’ He granted our late lord a sphere of authority, reaching east to the sea, west to the Yellow River, south to Muling, and north to Wudi. Chu should have presented pack-moss for filtration but did not, so the sacrificial supplies for the Zhou royal house were incomplete; thus we have come to inquire. King Zhao went on an expedition south and did not return; thus we have come to investigate.” The King of Chu said, “That the tribute was not offered is indeed the case—this is my crime. How dare I fail to supply it! As for King Zhao’s southward expedition and failure to return, you should ask the riverside about that.” The Qi army advanced to the Xing region. In summer, the King of Chu sent Qu Wan to lead troops to resist the Qi army; the Qi army withdrew and camped at Shaoling. Duke Huan showed off his numerous troops to Qu Wan. Qu Wan said, “If you proceed by righteousness, then it is acceptable; if not, then Chu regards Mount Fangcheng as its wall and the Yangzi and Han rivers as its moat—how could you advance?” Thereupon they formed an alliance with Qu Wan and returned. Passing through Chen, Yuan Taotu of Chen deceived the Qi army, telling them to return by the eastern route, but this was discovered. In autumn, Qi attacked Chen. In this year, Jin killed Crown Prince Shensheng.
In the summer of the thirty-fifth year of Duke Huan, he met the feudal lords at Kuiqiu. King Xiang of Zhou sent Zai Kong to bestow on Duke Huan the sacrificial meat for the altars of King Wen and King Wu, a red bow and arrows, and a large chariot, and commanded that he not descend to bow. Duke Huan wanted to consent, but Guan Zhong said, “This cannot be,” so he descended and bowed, then accepted the gifts. In autumn, he again met the feudal lords at Kuiqiu, and Duke Huan displayed an even more arrogant demeanor. The Son of Heaven of Zhou sent Zai Kong to attend the covenant. Many among the feudal lords rebelled. The Marquis of Jin was ill and arrived late, meeting Zai Kong. Zai Kong said, “The Marquis of Qi has become arrogant; you should not go.” The Marquis of Jin heeded him. In this year, Duke Xian of Jin died, and Li Ke killed Xiqi and Zhuozi. Duke Mu of Qin, because of his wife’s relationship, sent Prince Yiwu back to Jin to become its ruler. Duke Huan then attacked Jin’s internal disorder, reaching Gaoliang, and sent Xi Peng to establish the ruler of Jin, then returned.
At this time, the Zhou royal house was in decline; only Qi, Chu, Qin, and Jin were strong states. Jin had just joined the covenant when Duke Xian died, and internal disorder arose within the state. Duke Mu of Qin was remote and distant, not attending the covenants of the central states. King Cheng of Chu had just begun to subdue the Jing Man, possessing their lands, and considered himself a barbarian. Only Qi presided over the covenants of the central states, and Duke Huan was able to propagate his virtuous government, so all the feudal lords came to attend the covenants. Thereupon Duke Huan declared, “I campaigned south to Shaoling, gazing at Mount Xiong; north I attacked the Shanrong, Lizhi, and Guzhu; west I attacked Daxia and crossed the Liusha; I wrapped my horses’ hooves and hung my chariots to climb Mount Taihang, reaching Mount Bei’er and then returned. No feudal lord dared defy me. I have convened three military gatherings and six peaceful gatherings, nine times assembled the feudal lords, and once rectified the realm. In former times, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou received the mandate of heaven—how do they compare to me? I wish to perform the feng sacrifice on Mount Tai and the shan sacrifice on Mount Liangfu.” Guan Zhong firmly remonstrated, but Duke Huan would not listen; thereupon Guan Zhong dissuaded Duke Huan by saying that only when rare and exotic objects from afar arrived could the feng sacrifice be performed, and then Duke Huan desisted.
In the thirty-eighth year of Duke Huan, King Xiang of Zhou’s younger brother Dai conspired with the Rong and Di to attack the Zhou royal house. Qi sent Guan Zhong to the Zhou royal house to mediate the Rong affair. The Zhou royal house wished to receive Guan Zhong with the rites of a high minister, but Guan Zhong kowtowed and said, “I am merely a vassal of a feudal lord; how dare I presume!” He declined three times, then accepted the rites of a lower minister to present himself. In the thirty-ninth year of Duke Huan, King Xiang of Zhou’s younger brother Dai came to take refuge in Qi. Qi sent Zhong Sun to the Zhou royal house to plead for Dai and apologize. King Xiang was angry and did not comply.
In the forty-first year of Duke Huan, Duke Mu of Qin captured Duke Hui of Jin and then released him to return. In this year, Guan Zhong and Xi Peng both died. When Guan Zhong was ill, Duke Huan asked, “Among the ministers, who can serve as chief minister?” Guan Zhong said, “No one knows a subject better than the ruler.” Duke Huan said, “What about Yi Ya?” He replied, “He killed his own son to curry favor with the ruler—this is contrary to human nature; he cannot be used.” Duke Huan said, “What about Kai Fang?” He replied, “He abandoned his own kin to curry favor with the ruler—this is contrary to human nature; he is difficult to approach.” Duke Huan said, “What about Shu Diao?” He replied, “He castrated himself to curry favor with the ruler—this is contrary to human nature; he is difficult to approach.” After Guan Zhong died, Duke Huan did not adopt Guan Zhong’s advice, and in the end favored and employed these three men, who then usurped great power.
In the forty-second year of Duke Huan, the Rong attacked the Zhou royal house. The Zhou royal house sent an urgent appeal to Qi, and Qi ordered the feudal lords each to send troops to garrison the Zhou royal house. In this year, the Jin prince Chong’er came, and Duke Huan married his daughter to him.
In the forty-third year of Duke Huan. Initially, Duke Huan of Qi had three principal wives: Wang Ji, Xu Ji, and Cai Ji, but none bore him sons. Duke Huan was fond of women and had many favored concubines; six were treated as equals to his wives: Chang Wei Ji bore Wugui; Shao Wei Ji bore Hui Gong Yuan; Zheng Ji bore Xiao Gong Zhao; Ge Ying bore Zhao Gong Pan; Mi Ji bore Yi Gong Shangren; and Song Hua Zi bore Prince Yong. Duke Huan and Guan Zhong entrusted Xiao Gong to Duke Xiang of Song and established him as crown prince. Yong Wu was favored by Wei Gong Ji, and through the eunuch Shu Diao, sent lavish gifts to Duke Huan, also gaining his favor; Duke Huan agreed to establish Wugui as crown prince. After Guan Zhong died, the five princes all sought to be established as ruler. On the day Yihai of the tenth month in winter, Duke Huan of Qi died. Yi Ya entered the palace, and together with Shu Diao, relying on the favored concubines, killed many officials and established Prince Wugui as ruler. Crown Prince Zhao fled to Song.
When Duke Huan was ill, the five princes each formed factions contending for the succession. By the time Duke Huan died, they attacked each other, so the palace was empty, and no one dared to encoffin Duke Huan. Duke Huan’s corpse lay on the bed for sixty-seven days, and maggots crawled out of the door. On the day Yihai of the twelfth month, Wugui ascended the throne, and only then was Duke Huan encoffined and notice of his death sent to the feudal lords. On the night of the day Xinsi, he was placed in the coffin and the coffin was laid in the ancestral temple.
Duke Huan had more than ten sons; those who eventually became ruler were five: Wugui reigned for three months and then died, without a posthumous title; next was Xiao Gong; next was Zhao Gong; next was Yi Gong; next was Hui Gong. In the first year of Xiao Gong, in the third month, Duke Xiang of Song led the armies of the feudal lords to escort Crown Prince Zhao of Qi back and attacked Qi. The people of Qi were afraid and killed their ruler Wugui. The people of Qi were about to establish Crown Prince Zhao, but the partisans of the four princes attacked the crown prince, and he fled to Song. Song thereupon fought with the four princes of Qi. In the fifth month, Song defeated the armies of the four princes of Qi and established Crown Prince Zhao as ruler—this was Duke Xiao of Qi. Because Duke Huan and Guan Zhong had entrusted the crown prince to it, Song came to campaign. Because of the internal disorder, it was not until the eighth month that Duke Huan of Qi was buried.
In the spring of the sixth year of Duke Xiao, Qi attacked Song because it did not attend the covenant of Qi. In summer, Duke Xiang of Song died. In the seventh year of Duke Xiao, Duke Wen of Jin ascended the throne.
In the tenth year of Duke Xiao, Duke Xiao died. Pan, the younger brother of Duke Xiao, through Wei’s Prince Kai Fang, murdered the son of Duke Xiao and established himself—this was Zhao Gong. Zhao Gong was the son of Duke Huan; his mother was Ge Ying.
In the first year of Zhao Gong, Duke Wen of Jin defeated the Chu army at Chengpu, met the feudal lords at Jiantu, and paid court to the Son of Heaven of Zhou. The Son of Heaven of Zhou made Duke Wen of Jin the hegemon. In the sixth year of Zhao Gong, the Di invaded Qi. Duke Wen of Jin died. The Qin army was defeated at Xiao. In the twelfth year of Zhao Gong, Duke Mu of Qin died.
In the fifth month of the nineteenth year, Zhao Gong died, and his son She ascended the throne as ruler of Qi. She’s mother was not favored by Zhao Gong, and the people of the state did not fear him. Shang Ren, the younger brother of Zhao Gong, because he had failed in the struggle for the succession at the time of Duke Huan’s death, secretly cultivated worthy men and showed affection to the common people, and the people were pleased. By the time Zhao Gong died and his son She ascended, weak and isolated, Shang Ren, together with the multitude, killed the ruler She at the gravesite in the tenth month, and Shang Ren established himself as ruler—this was Yi Gong. Yi Gong was the son of Duke Huan; his mother was Mi Ji.
In the fourth spring of Duke Yi’s reign, originally, when Duke Yi was still a prince, he went hunting with the father of Bing Rong and, failing to win the quarry, after he ascended the throne, he cut off the feet of Bing Rong’s father, yet made Bing Rong his servant. Yong Zhi’s wife was very beautiful; Duke Yi brought her into his palace and made Yong Zhi his chariot attendant. In the fifth month, Duke Yi was enjoying himself at the Shen Pool. Bing Rong and Yong Zhi were bathing together and joking with each other. Yong Zhi said: “Son of the man with severed feet!” Bing Rong said: “Husband of the woman who was taken!” Both were enraged by these words and thus bore a grudge against Duke Yi. They plotted to go with Duke Yi on an excursion into the bamboo grove, and there in the chariot they killed Duke Yi, threw his corpse into the bamboo grove, and fled.
After Duke Yi ascended the throne, he was arrogant and tyrannical, and the people did not submit to him. The people of Qi deposed his son and went to Wei to welcome Prince Yuan, establishing him as ruler—this was Duke Hui. Duke Hui was the son of Duke Huan. His mother was a woman of Wei, called Shao Wei Ji, and because she was avoiding the turmoil in Qi, she lived in Wei.
In the second year of Duke Hui, the Chang Di people invaded. Prince Chengfu attacked and killed their leader, burying him at the North Gate. In Jin, Zhao Chuan killed his ruler, Duke Ling.
In the tenth year, Duke Hui died, and his son, Duke Qing, named Wuye, succeeded him. Originally, Cui Zhu was favored by Duke Hui. After Duke Hui died, the Gao and Guo clans, fearing his overbearing influence, drove him away, and Cui Zhu fled to Wei.
In the first year of Duke Qing, King Zhuang of Chu grew powerful and attacked Chen. In the second year, he besieged Zheng. The Earl of Zheng surrendered, but soon after, King Zhuang restored him to his position.
In the sixth spring, Jin sent Xi Ke as an envoy to Qi. Duke Qing of Qi had his mother watch from behind a curtain. As Xi Ke ascended the steps, Duke Qing’s mother laughed at him. Xi Ke said: “If I do not avenge this insult, I will never cross the Yellow River again!” After returning home, he requested to attack Qi, but Duke Jing of Jin did not consent. When Qi envoys came to Jin, Xi Ke seized four of them at Henei and killed them. In the eighth year, Jin attacked Qi. Qi sent Prince Qiang to Jin as a hostage, and only then did the Jin army withdraw. In the tenth spring, Qi attacked Lu and Wei. The high officials of Lu and Wei went to Jin to request troops, all using Xi Ke’s connections. Jin sent Xi Ke to command eight hundred chariots as commander of the central army, Shi Xie to command the upper army, and Luan Shu to command the lower army, to rescue Lu and Wei and attack Qi. On the day Renshen of the sixth month, they engaged Duke Qing of Qi’s army at the foot of Mount Miji. On the day Guiyou, they drew up battle lines at An. Pang Choufu served as Duke Qing’s chariot attendant on the right. Duke Qing said: “Charge forward! We’ll defeat the Jin army and then have our meal.” He shot and wounded Xi Ke, the blood flowing down to his shoes. Xi Ke wanted to withdraw to the camp, but his charioteer said: “I have just entered the battle and been wounded twice; I dare not speak of pain, fearing it might affect morale. I hope you will endure.” So they continued fighting. During the battle, Qi’s situation became critical. Pang Choufu, fearing that Duke Qing would be captured, exchanged positions with him, making Duke Qing the right attendant. The chariot became entangled in a tree and stopped. The young Jin officer Han Jue bowed before Duke Qing’s chariot and said, “Our lord sent me to rescue Lu and Wei,” mocking him in this way. Pang Choufu ordered Duke Qing to get down and fetch water to drink. Duke Qing took the opportunity to escape, got out of danger, and returned to his own army. Xi Ke of Jin wanted to kill Pang Choufu. Pang Choufu said: “If a man who dies in place of his ruler is executed, then in the future no minister will be loyal to his ruler.” Xi Ke spared him, and so Pang Choufu was able to flee back to Qi. At this time, the Jin army pursued the Qi army all the way to Maling. Duke Qing of Qi requested to offer precious vessels as an apology, but Xi Ke would not consent. He insisted on obtaining the Xiao Tong Shu Zi, the one who had laughed at him, and also demanded that Qi change all its field ridges to run east-west. Duke Qing of Qi replied: “Xiao Tong Shu Zi is the mother of the ruler of Qi. The mother of the ruler of Qi is like the mother of the ruler of Jin. What do you intend to do with her? Moreover, you came on a punitive expedition in the name of righteousness, yet you end with violent acts—is this permissible?” Then Xi Ke consented and also made Qi return the lands it had seized from Lu and Wei.
In the eleventh year, Jin began to establish the six ministries, rewarding those who had rendered merit in the battle of An. Duke Qing of Qi went to Jin for an audience and wished to honor Duke Jing of Jin as king, but Duke Jing did not dare to accept it, so he returned home. After returning, Duke Qing relaxed restrictions on the parks and forests, reduced taxes, relieved orphans, comforted the sick, and distributed accumulated wealth to aid the people, and the people were greatly pleased. He treated the other feudal lords generously. Until Duke Qing’s death, the people were attached to him, and the other lords dared not invade.
In the seventeenth year, Duke Qing died, and his son, Duke Ling, named Huan, succeeded him.
In the ninth year of Duke Ling, Luan Shu of Jin killed his ruler, Duke Li. In the tenth year, Duke Dao of Jin attacked Qi, and Qi sent Prince Guang to Jin as a hostage. In the nineteenth year, Prince Guang was established as heir apparent, with Gao Hou as his tutor, and he was sent to meet the other lords and form an alliance at Zhongli. In the twenty-seventh year, Jin sent Zhongxing Xianzi to attack Qi. The Qi army was defeated, and Duke Ling fled into the city of Linzi. Yan Ying remonstrated with Duke Ling, but Duke Ling would not listen. Yan Ying said: “The ruler truly lacks courage!” The Jin army then besieged Linzi. The defenders of Linzi held firm and dared not engage. The Jin army burned the outer city wall and withdrew.
In the twenty-eighth year, originally, Duke Ling had married a woman of Lu, who bore him a son, Guang, and he was established as heir apparent. Later, there were also Zhong Ji and Rong Ji. Rong Ji was favored. Zhong Ji gave birth to a son, Ya, and entrusted him to Rong Ji. Rong Ji requested that Ya be established as heir apparent, and Duke Ling agreed. Zhong Ji said: “This cannot be done. Guang has been established as heir apparent and has already participated in alliances of the feudal lords. Now, to depose him for no reason—you will surely regret it.” Duke Ling said: “This is for me to decide.” So he banished the heir apparent Guang to the eastern border and had Gao Hou assist Ya as heir apparent. When Duke Ling became critically ill, Cui Zhu welcomed the former heir apparent Guang and established him as ruler—this was Duke Zhuang. Duke Zhuang killed Rong Ji. On the day Renchen of the fifth month, Duke Ling died, and Duke Zhuang ascended the throne. He seized the heir apparent Ya at Joudou Zhi Qiu and killed him. In the eighth month, Cui Zhu killed Gao Hou. Jin, hearing of the turmoil in Qi, attacked Qi and advanced as far as Gaotang.
In the third year of Duke Zhuang, the Jin high official Luan Ying fled to Qi, and Duke Zhuang treated him with great generosity. Yan Ying and Tian Wenzi remonstrated, but Duke Zhuang would not listen. In the fourth year, Duke Zhuang of Qi sent Luan Ying secretly into Jin’s Quwo to act as an internal ally, and sent troops to follow him. They ascended Mount Taihang and entered Mengmen. Luan Ying was defeated, and the Qi army withdrew, having captured Zhaoge.
In the sixth year, originally, the wife of Tang Gong was very beautiful. After Tang Gong died, Cui Zhu married her. Duke Zhuang committed adultery with her, repeatedly going to Cui’s house, and also gave away Cui Zhu’s cap to others. An attendant said: “This must not be done.” Cui Zhu was very angry. Taking advantage of Duke Zhuang’s attack on Jin, he wanted to conspire with Jin to launch a surprise attack on Qi, but found no opportunity. Duke Zhuang had once flogged the eunuch Jia Ju. Jia Ju still served him but spied on Duke Zhuang’s movements for Cui Zhu in order to avenge the grievance. In the fifth month, the ruler of Ju came to pay a visit to Qi, and Qi held a banquet for him on the day Jiaxu. Cui Zhu claimed to be ill and did not attend court. On the day Yihai, Duke Zhuang went to inquire about Cui Zhu’s illness, and then again pursued Cui Zhu’s wife. Cui Zhu’s wife entered the inner chamber and closed the door with Cui Zhu. Duke Zhuang embraced a pillar and began to sing. The eunuch Jia Ju stopped Duke Zhuang’s attendants and officials, let them enter, and then closed the gate. Cui Zhu’s partisans rushed out from inside with weapons. Duke Zhuang climbed a terrace to beg for a settlement, but was not allowed. He begged to swear an oath, but was not allowed. He begged to commit suicide in the ancestral temple, but was also not allowed. They all said: “Your minister Cui Zhu is gravely ill and cannot follow orders. This place is close to the ruler’s palace. We, your servants, are searching for an adulterer; we know of no other orders.” Duke Zhuang jumped over the wall to flee, but was shot in the thigh. He fell down and was then killed. Yan Ying stood outside Cui Zhu’s gate and said: “If the ruler dies for the state, his minister should die for him. If the ruler flees for the state, his minister should flee for him. But if the ruler dies or flees for his own private affairs, unless he is a personal favorite, who would dare to bear that responsibility?” When the gate opened, Yan Ying entered, pillowed his head on Duke Zhuang’s corpse, wept loudly, leaped up three times, and then left. Someone said to Cui Zhu: “You must kill him.” Cui Zhu said: “He is a man to whom the people look up. Releasing him will win the people’s hearts.”
On the day dingchou, Cui Zhu installed Zhuang Gong’s half-brother Chu Jiu as ruler—this was Jing Gong. Jing Gong’s mother was the daughter of Shu Sun Xuanbo of Lu. After Jing Gong ascended the throne, he appointed Cui Zhu as Right Chancellor and Qing Feng as Left Chancellor. The two chancellors, fearing unrest, swore an oath with the people of the state, saying: “Anyone who does not support the Cui and Qing clans shall die!” Yan Ying looked up to heaven and said: “I, Yan Ying, only follow those who are loyal to the ruler and beneficial to the state!” He refused to swear the oath. Qing Feng wanted to kill Yan Ying, but Cui Zhu said: “He is a loyal minister; let him go.” The Grand Historian of Qi wrote: “Cui Zhu assassinated Zhuang Gong.” Cui Zhu killed him. The Grand Historian’s younger brother then wrote the same, and Cui Zhu killed him as well. The Grand Historian’s youngest brother again wrote the same, and only then did Cui Zhu spare him.
In the first year of Jing Gong, initially, Cui Zhu had sons Cheng and Qiang. After their mother died, Cui Zhu married a woman from the Dongguo clan, who bore a son named Ming. The Dongguo woman had her former husband’s son, Wu Jiu, and her younger brother, Yan, assist the Cui clan. Cheng committed a crime, and Wu Jiu and Yan punished him severely, establishing Ming as the heir. Cheng requested retirement to the Cui estate for his old age, and Cui Zhu agreed, but Wu Jiu and Yan refused, saying: “The Cui estate is the location of the ancestral temple; it cannot be done.” Cheng and Qiang were greatly angered and informed Qing Feng. Qing Feng had a grudge against Cui Zhu and wished for his downfall. Cheng and Qiang killed Wu Jiu and Yan in Cui Zhu’s residence, and all the household members fled. Cui Zhu was enraged; having no one around, he had a eunuch drive him to see Qing Feng. Qing Feng said: “Allow me to eliminate them for you.” He sent Cui Zhu’s enemy, Lu Pu Nie, to attack the Cui clan, killing Cheng and Qiang and wiping out the entire Cui clan. Cui Zhu’s wife committed suicide. Cui Zhu, with no home to return to, also took his own life. Qing Feng became chancellor and monopolized all power.
In the third year, in the tenth month, Qing Feng went out hunting. Initially, after Qing Feng killed Cui Zhu, he became even more arrogant, indulging in drinking and hunting, and not attending to state affairs. Qing She managed the government, but internal conflicts had already arisen. Tian Wenzi said to Tian Huanzi: “Disaster is about to occur.” The four clans—Tian, Bao, Gao, and Luan—jointly plotted against the Qing clan. Qing She sent armored troops to surround Qing Feng’s palace, and the retainers of the four clans attacked together, defeating them. Qing Feng returned but could not enter, and fled to Lu. The people of Qi rebuked Lu, so Qing Feng fled to Wu. Wu granted him Zhufang as a fief, where he gathered his clan to live, becoming wealthier than when he was in Qi. That autumn, the people of Qi reinterred Zhuang Gong and exposed Cui Zhu’s corpse in the marketplace to appease the populace.
In the ninth year, Jing Gong sent Yan Ying as an envoy to Jin. Yan Ying privately spoke with Shu Xiang, saying: “The government of Qi will ultimately fall to the Tian clan. Although the Tian clan has no great virtue, they use public authority to bestow private favors, showing kindness to the people, and the people love them.” In the twelfth year, Jing Gong went to Jin, met Duke Ping of Jin, and wished to attack Yan together with him. In the eighteenth year, Jing Gong again went to Jin and met Duke Zhao of Jin. In the twenty-sixth year, Jing Gong hunted in the outskirts of Lu, took the opportunity to enter Lu, and together with Yan Ying inquired about Lu’s ritual system. In the thirty-first year, Duke Zhao of Lu, fleeing the disaster caused by the Ji clan, took refuge in Qi. Qi wished to grant him a fief of a thousand altars, but Zijia dissuaded Duke Zhao. Duke Zhao then requested Qi to attack Lu, and they seized the land of Yun for Duke Zhao to reside in.
In the thirty-second year, a comet appeared. Duke Jing of Qi sat in the Boqin Terrace and sighed, saying: “How magnificent! Who will possess all this?” All the ministers wept, but Yanzi laughed, and Duke Jing became angry. Yanzi said: “I laugh at the ministers for being too flattering.” Duke Jing said: “The comet appears in the northeast, directly over Qi’s celestial division; that is why I am worried.” Yanzi said: “Your Highness builds high terraces and digs deep moats, levies taxes as if afraid of not getting enough, and imposes punishments as if afraid they are not severe enough. The bo star is about to appear; what is there to fear from a comet?” Duke Jing said: “Can prayers avert the disaster?” Yanzi said: “If spirits can be prayed to come, they can naturally be prayed to depart. The suffering and resentful people number in the tens of thousands, and Your Highness has one person pray—how can that outweigh the voices of the multitude?” At that time, Duke Jing delighted in constructing palaces, amassing dogs and horses, living in extreme luxury, with heavy taxes and harsh punishments, so Yanzi used these words to remonstrate with him.
In the forty-second year, King Helü of Wu attacked Chu and entered the capital Ying.
In the forty-seventh year, Yang Hu of Lu attacked his ruler but was unsuccessful and fled to Qi, requesting Qi to attack Lu. Baozi admonished Duke Jing, so they imprisoned Yang Hu. Yang Hu managed to escape and fled to Jin.
In the forty-eighth year, a friendly alliance was held at Jiagu with Duke Ding of Lu. Li Chu said: “Kong Qiu understands ritual but is timid. Let the Lai people perform music and dance, and take the opportunity to seize the ruler of Lu; thus we can achieve our goal.” Duke Jing, fearing that Kong Qiu would assist Lu and that Lu might become hegemonic, followed Li Chu’s plan. During the meeting, when the Lai people presented their music and dance, Confucius ascended the steps, ordered the relevant officials to seize and execute the Lai people, and reproached Duke Jing with ritual propriety. Duke Jing felt ashamed, so he returned the Lu territory he had seized as an apology, then withdrew his forces and departed. That year, Yan Ying died.
In the fifty-fifth year, the Fan and Zhonghang clans rebelled against their ruler in Jin. Jin attacked them urgently, and they came to Qi to request grain. Tian Qi, wanting to foment rebellion and build a faction among the rebellious ministers, advised Duke Jing, saying: “The Fan and Zhonghang clans have repeatedly shown kindness to Qi; we cannot fail to rescue them.” Thus, Duke Jing sent Tian Qi to rescue them and deliver grain.
In the fifty-eighth year, in summer, the legitimate son of Duke Jing’s wife, Lady Yan Ji, died. Duke Jing’s favored concubine, Rui Ji, bore a son named Tu. Tu was young, his mother of low status and poor conduct, and the various high ministers feared he would become the heir, so they said they wished to choose the eldest and most worthy among the princes as crown prince. Duke Jing, old and averse to discussing succession, and doting on Tu’s mother, wanted to establish Tu as crown prince but was afraid to speak of it. So he said to the ministers: “Let us enjoy ourselves—why must the state worry about lacking a ruler?” In autumn, Duke Jing fell ill and ordered Guo Huizi and Gao Zhaozi to establish his youngest son, Tu, as crown prince, and to expel the other princes, relocating them to Lai. Duke Jing died, and Crown Prince Tu ascended the throne—this was Yan Ruzi. In winter, before Duke Jing was buried, the other princes, fearing execution, all fled. Tu’s various half-brothers—Prince Shou, Ju, and Qian—fled to Wei, while Prince Zang and Yangsheng fled to Lu. The people of Lai sang: “Duke Jing is dead, yet we do not join in his burial; the affairs of the three armies, we do not join in planning. O people, O people, where will you go?”
In the first year of Duke Yanru, Tian Qi pretended to serve the Gao and Guo families. Every time he attended court, Tian Qi acted as the outrider on the chariot and said, “You have the ruler’s trust, but the grandees all feel their positions are precarious and are plotting rebellion.” He also said to the grandees, “Gao Zhaozi is formidable. Strike before he moves, and take the initiative.” The grandees followed his advice. In the sixth month, Tian Qi and Bao Mu, together with the grandees, led troops into the ducal palace to attack Gao Zhaozi. When Gao Zhaozi heard this, he and Guo Huizi went to rescue the ruler. The ruler’s army was defeated. Tian Qi’s followers pursued them. Guo Huizi fled to Ju, and then they turned back and killed Gao Zhaozi. Yan Yu fled to Lu. In the eighth month, Bing Yizi of Qi also fled. Tian Qi defeated the two chancellors and then sent someone to Lu to summon Prince Yangsheng. Yangsheng arrived in Qi and was secretly hidden in Tian Qi’s house. On the day Wuzi of the tenth month, Tian Qi invited the grandees, saying, “My mother has offerings of fish and beans; I hope you will come to a drinking party.” At the drinking party, Tian Qi placed Yangsheng in a sack, set it in the middle of the seats, opened the sack, and let Yangsheng out, saying, “This is the ruler of Qi!” The grandees all prostrated themselves and paid homage. When about to swear an oath with the grandees to establish Yangsheng as ruler, Bao Mu was drunk. Tian Qi falsely accused the grandees, saying, “Bao Mu and I planned together to establish Yangsheng.” Bao Mu angrily said, “Have you forgotten the command of Duke Jing?” The grandees looked at each other and wanted to back out. Yangsheng stepped forward, knocked his head on the ground, and said, “If it can be done, establish me; if not, let it be.” Bao Mu, fearing disaster, then said, “They are all sons of Duke Jing—what is not acceptable!” So they swore an oath with him and established Yangsheng as ruler; this was Duke Dao of Qi. Duke Dao entered the palace, sent someone to move Duke Yanru to Tai, killed him in a tent, and expelled Rui Zi, his mother. Rui Zi was originally of low status, and the boy was young, so they had no power, and the people of Qi also despised them.
In the first year of Duke Dao, Qi attacked Lu and seized the cities of Huan and Chan. Previously, when Yangsheng was in exile in Lu, Ji Kangzi had married his younger sister to him. When Yangsheng returned and became ruler, he sent someone to fetch her. But Ji Ji committed adultery with Ji Fanghou and revealed the truth. Lu dared not send her back, so Qi attacked Lu and finally brought back Ji Ji. Ji Ji was favored, and Qi returned the territory it had seized from Lu.
Bao Zi had a grudge against Duke Dao and their relationship was poor. In the fourth year, Wu and Lu attacked Qi’s southern border. Bao Zi killed Duke Dao and reported the death to Wu. King Fuchai of Wu wept for three days outside the military camp and was about to take the sea route to attack Qi. The people of Qi defeated them, and the Wu army then withdrew. Zhao Yang of Jin attacked Qi, reaching Lai and then retreating. The people of Qi jointly established Duke Dao’s son Ren, who was Duke Jian of Qi.
In the fourth year of Duke Jian, in the spring, previously Duke Jian and his father Yangsheng had both been in Lu, and Jian Zhi was favored. When Duke Jian ascended the throne, he put Jian Zhi in charge of government. Tian Chengzi feared him and frequently glanced around at court. The charioteer Yang said to Duke Jian, “The Tian and Jian families cannot coexist; you, my lord, must choose one of them.” Duke Jian did not listen. Zi Wo (Jian Zhi) went to court in the evening. Tian Ni committed murder and happened to encounter him, so Zi Wo arrested Tian Ni and imprisoned him. The Tian clan was in harmony, so they had the prisoner feign illness and gave wine to the jailers, got them drunk, killed them, and escaped. Zi Wo swore an oath with the Tian clan in the Chen ancestral temple. Previously, Tian Bao wanted to become a retainer of Zi Wo. He had Gongsun recommend Tian Bao, but Tian Bao stopped due to a mourning period. Later he finally became a retainer and was favored by Zi Wo. Zi Wo said to him, “I will drive out all the Tian clan and establish you as their successor—can this be done?” Tian Bao replied, “I am a distant branch of the Tian clan. Moreover, among them, only a few have opposed you—why drive out all of them?” He then informed the Tian clan. Zi Xing (Tian Ni) said, “He has the ruler’s trust; if we do not strike first, he will surely harm you.” Zi Xing resided in the ducal palace.
In the summer, on the day Renshen of the fifth month, Tian Chengzi and his four brothers rode in a chariot to the ducal palace. Zi Wo was in a tent, came out to welcome them, and they then entered the palace and closed the gates. The eunuchs resisted them, and Zi Xing killed the eunuchs. Duke Jian was drinking wine with his women on the Tan Terrace. Tian Chengzi moved him to the bedchamber. Duke Jian took up a halberd to strike Tian Chengzi, but Grand Scribe Zi Yu said, “It is not to harm you; it is to remove harm for you.” Tian Chengzi came out and stayed in the armory. Hearing that Duke Jian was still angry, he prepared to flee, saying, “Where is there no ruler?” Zi Xing drew his sword and said, “Hesitation is the bane of action. Who is not a member of the Tian clan? If I do not kill you, let the Tian clan ancestral temple be my witness.” Tian Chengzi then stayed. Zi Wo returned, gathered his followers, and attacked the palace gates and side gates, but did not succeed, so he fled. The Tian clan pursued him. The people of Fengqiu captured Zi Wo and reported it, killing him at Guoguan. Tian Chengzi wanted to kill Dalu Zifang, but Tian Ni pleaded for him and was pardoned. Using Duke Jian’s command, he requisitioned a chariot on the road and fled out of Yong Gate. Tian Bao gave him a chariot, but he did not accept it, saying, “Tian Ni pleaded for me, and Tian Bao gave me a chariot—I have private relations with them. Serving Zi Wo and having private ties with his enemies—what face do I have to see the men of Lu and Wei?”
On the day Gengchen, Tian Chang captured Duke Jian at Quzhou. Duke Jian said, “If I had early heeded the words of the charioteer Yang, I would not have come to this.” On the day Jiawu, Tian Chang killed Duke Jian at Quzhou. Tian Chang then established Duke Jian’s younger brother Ao, who was Duke Ping of Qi. After Duke Ping ascended the throne, Tian Chang assisted him, monopolizing the government of Qi, and cut off the land east of Anping in Qi as Tian’s fief.
In the eighth year of Duke Ping, Yue destroyed Wu. Duke Ping died in his twenty-fifth year, and his son, Duke Xuan Ji, succeeded him.
Duke Xuan died in his fifty-first year, and his son, Duke Kang Dai, succeeded him. Tian Hui rebelled at Linqiu.
In the second year of Duke Kang, Han, Wei, and Zhao were first enfeoffed as feudal lords. In the nineteenth year, Tian Chang’s great-grandson Tian He first became a feudal lord and moved Duke Kang to the coast.
In the twenty-sixth year, Duke Kang died, and the Lü clan’s sacrifices were thus cut off. Tian eventually possessed Qi, later becoming King Wei of Qi, and was strong and powerful in the world.
The Grand Historian says: I came to Qi, from Mount Tai connecting to Mount Langye, north to the sea, with fertile land of two thousand li. The people there are broad-minded and possess deep wisdom—this is their nature. With the sage-like brilliance of Taigong, he laid the foundation of the state; with the strength of Duke Huan, he promoted good governance, thereby becoming the leader of the feudal lords’ alliances and dominating the world—was this not indeed fitting? Magnificent! It was truly the style of a great state!
Taigong assisted the Zhou dynasty, truly employing strategy. Having become famous in the East Sea, he then settled at Yingqiu. Xiaobai achieved hegemony, convening the feudal lords many times. But when he became indulgent in inner favorites, calamity arose, and the corpse was left to flow out through the gate. Duke Zhuang lost virtue, and Cui Zhu became his enemy. The Chen clan monopolized power, bestowing wealth generously while collecting taxes lightly. Dukes Dao and Jian encountered calamity; Tian and Kan could not compare. The far-reaching residual enterprise—how was it changed by a single transformation?