Hereditary House of Zheng, Twelfth

Duke Huan of Zheng, named You, was the youngest son of King Li of Zhou and the half-brother of King Xuan of Zhou. In the twenty-second year of King Xuan's reign, You was first enfeoffed in the land of Zheng. Thirty-three years after his enfeoffment, the people found him convenient and loved him. King You of Zhou appointed him as Minister of Education. He pacified and united the people of Zhou, and the people of Zhou were very pleased; those from the Yellow River and Luo River regions all thought of him fondly. After serving as Minister of Education for one year, because King You of Zhou doted on Bao Si, the royal governance was often improper, and some feudal lords rebelled against him. At this time, Duke Huan of Zheng asked Grand Historian Bo, saying: "The royal house is full of upheavals. Where can I go to escape?" Grand Historian Bo replied: "Only the area east of the Luo River, south of the Yellow River and Ji River, is suitable to dwell." Duke Huan asked: "Why?" He replied: "That place is near the states of Guo and Kuai. The rulers of Guo and Kuai are greedy and fond of profit, and the people do not submit to them. Now you serve as Minister of Education, and the people all love you. If you indeed request to dwell there, the rulers of Guo and Kuai, seeing that you are in charge of government affairs, will readily cede land to you. If you actually dwell there, the people of Guo and Kuai will all become your people." Duke Huan said: "I wish to go south to the Yangtze River. What do you think?" He replied: "In the past, Zhu Rong served as the Fire Officer under Gaoxin, and his merits were great, but his descendants have not yet risen to prominence in the Zhou dynasty. The state of Chu is his descendant. When the Zhou dynasty declines, Chu will surely prosper. If Chu prospers, it will be disadvantageous to Zheng." Duke Huan said: "I wish to dwell in the west. What do you think?" He replied: "The people there are greedy and fond of profit, making it difficult to dwell there long." Duke Huan said: "When the Zhou dynasty declines, which states will prosper?" He replied: "Probably Qi, Qin, Jin, and Chu. Qi is of the Jiang clan, descendants of Boyi, who assisted Yao in managing rituals. Qin is of the Ying clan, descendants of Boyi, who assisted Shun in pacifying and taming all things. As for the ancestors of Chu, they all had merit for the world. After King Wu of Zhou conquered King Zhou of Shang, King Cheng of Zhou enfeoffed Shu Yu in the land of Tang. That place is strategically dangerous. Relying on this, if they have virtue and rise simultaneously with the Zhou dynasty's decline, they will certainly prosper." Duke Huan of Zheng said: "Good." So he finally petitioned the King of Zhou, moved his people east to the area east of the Luo River, and indeed Guo and Kuai offered ten cities, thus establishing the state of Zheng there.

Two years later, the Quan Rong killed King You of Zhou at the foot of Mount Li, and also killed Duke Huan of Zheng. The people of Zheng collectively established his son Jue Tu, who became Duke Wu of Zheng.

In the tenth year of Duke Wu of Zheng, he took the daughter of the Marquis of Shen as his wife, called Wu Jiang. She gave birth to the crown prince Wu Sheng. The birth was difficult, and when he was born, the lady did not love him. Later she gave birth to the younger son Shu Duan. Duan's birth was smooth, and the lady loved him. In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Wu of Zheng fell ill. The lady requested Duke Wu to establish Duan as crown prince, but Duke Wu did not listen. That year, Duke Wu of Zheng died, and Wu Sheng succeeded, becoming Duke Zhuang of Zheng.

In the first year of Duke Zhuang of Zheng, he enfeoffed his younger brother Duan in the city of Jing, calling him Grand Uncle. Ji Zhong said: "Jing is larger than the capital; it cannot be enfeoffed to a son by a concubine." Duke Zhuang of Zheng said: "Wu Jiang wants it this way; I dare not go against her." Duan arrived at Jing, repaired and prepared armor and weapons, and plotted with his mother Wu Jiang to attack the capital of Zheng. In the twenty-second year, Duan indeed attacked the capital of Zheng, with Wu Jiang as an internal ally. Duke Zhuang of Zheng raised troops to attack Duan, and Duan fled. He attacked Jing, and the people of Jing betrayed Duan, who fled to the city of Yan. Yan was defeated, and Duan fled to the state of Gong. Then Duke Zhuang of Zheng moved his mother Wu Jiang to the city of Chengying, swearing: "Until we meet at the Yellow Springs, I will not see her." After more than a year, he regretted it and missed her. Kaoshu of Yinggu presented something to Duke Zhuang, and Duke Zhuang gave him food. Kaoshu said: "I have a mother; please allow me to give the food you bestowed to my mother." Duke Zhuang of Zheng said: "I miss my mother greatly, but I detest breaking my oath. What can I do?" Kaoshu said: "Dig into the ground until you reach the Yellow Springs, and then you can meet." So he did this and saw his mother.

In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Mu of Song died, and Prince Feng fled to Zheng. Zheng invaded the lands of Zhou and cut down the crops. In the twenty-fifth year, Wei Zhouyu killed his ruler Duke Huan of Wei and established himself, joining with Song to attack Zheng because of Prince Feng. In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng first paid court to King Huan of Zhou. King Huan of Zhou was angry about the crop-cutting and did not treat him with proper ritual. In the twenty-ninth year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng, angry at King Huan of Zhou's lack of proper ritual, exchanged the Fang lands and Xu fields with Lu. In the thirty-third year, Song killed Kong Fu. In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng did not pay court to King Huan of Zhou, and King Huan of Zhou led the states of Chen, Cai, Guo, and Wei to attack Zheng. Duke Zhuang of Zheng, together with Ji Zhong and Gao Qumi, raised troops to defend themselves, and the king's army was greatly defeated. Zhu Dan shot King Huan of Zhou in the arm. Zhu Dan requested to pursue, but Duke Zhuang of Zheng stopped him, saying: "Offending a superior is already difficult to manage; how dare we bully the Son of Heaven?" So he stopped. That night, he sent Ji Zhong to inquire after King Huan of Zhou's illness.

In the thirty-eighth year, the Northern Rong attacked Qi. Qi sent an envoy to request aid, and Zheng sent Crown Prince Hu to lead troops to rescue Qi. Duke Xi of Qi wanted to marry his daughter to him, but Crown Prince Hu declined, saying: "We are a small state; we are not a match for Qi." At that time, Ji Zhong was with him and urged him to marry, saying: "The ruler has many favored concubines. Without a strong external ally, the crown prince will not be able to succeed. Three princes could become ruler." The three princes referred to were Crown Prince Hu, his younger brother Tu, and the next younger brother Zi Wei.

In the forty-third year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng died. Initially, Ji Zhong was greatly favored by Duke Zhuang of Zheng, who made him a minister. Duke Zhuang sent him to Deng to take a wife, and she bore Crown Prince Hu. Therefore, Ji Zhong established him as ruler, who became Duke Zhao of Zheng.

Duke Zhuang of Zheng also married the daughter of the Yong clan of Song, who bore Li Gong Tu. The Yong clan was favored in Song. Duke Zhuang of Song heard that Ji Zhong had established Hu, so he sent someone to lure Ji Zhong and seize him, saying: "If you do not establish Tu, I will execute you." He also seized Tu and demanded property. Ji Zhong agreed with Song and formed an alliance with Song. He brought Tu back to Zheng and established him as ruler. Duke Zhao of Zheng, Hu, heard that Ji Zhong was coerced by Song to establish his younger brother Tu. On the day Dinghai of the ninth month, Hu fled to Wei. On the day Jihai, Tu arrived in Zheng and succeeded, becoming Duke Li of Zheng.

In the fourth year of Duke Li of Zheng, Ji Zhong monopolized state power. Duke Li of Zheng was concerned about this and secretly sent his son-in-law Yong Jiu to try to kill Ji Zhong. Yong Jiu's wife, who was Ji Zhong's daughter, learned of this and said to her mother: "Which is closer, a father or a husband?" The mother said: "There is only one father; any man can be a husband." The daughter then told Ji Zhong, who in turn killed Yong Jiu and displayed his body in the marketplace. Duke Li of Zheng could do nothing about Ji Zhong and angrily said of Yong Jiu: "Plotting with a woman deserves to die!" In the summer, Duke Li of Zheng fled and dwelt in the border city of Li. Ji Zhong welcomed Duke Zhao of Zheng, Hu, and on the day Yihai of the sixth month, Hu reentered Zheng and succeeded.

In autumn, Duke Li of Zheng, Tu, relying on the people of Li, killed the Zheng grandee Shan Bo, and then dwelt there. The feudal lords, hearing that Duke Li of Zheng had fled, attacked Zheng but did not conquer it and left. Song gave Duke Li of Zheng many troops, allowing him to defend himself in Li, and because of this, Zheng did not attack Li either.

In the second year of Duke Zhao of Zheng, ever since Duke Zhao was crown prince, his father Duke Zhuang of Zheng had wanted to make Gao Qumi a minister. Crown Prince Hu detested him, but Duke Zhuang of Zheng did not listen and eventually made Gao Qumi a minister. When Duke Zhao of Zheng succeeded, Gao Qumi feared that he would kill him. On the day Xinmao of the winter tenth month, Gao Qumi went out hunting with Duke Zhao of Zheng and shot and killed him in the wilderness. Ji Zhong and Gao Qumi dared not welcome back Duke Li of Zheng, so instead they established Duke Zhao's younger brother Zi Wei as ruler, who became Zi Wei, without a posthumous name.

In the first year of Ziwei's reign, in the seventh month, Duke Xiang of Qi assembled the feudal lords at Shouzhi. Ziwei of Zheng went to the meeting, with Gao Qumi serving as his assistant in the rites, accompanying him. Ji Zhong claimed illness and did not go. The reason for this was that Ziwei had once quarreled with Duke Xiang of Qi when the latter was still a prince, and they had become enemies. When the assembly of lords was called, Ji Zhong urged Ziwei not to go. Ziwei said: "Qi is powerful, and Duke Li is living in Li. If I do not go, this will be the occasion for them to lead the lords in attacking me and restoring Duke Li. It is better for me to go. How could going necessarily bring disgrace, and how could it come to that?" In the end, he went. Ji Zhong, fearing that Qi would kill him as well, therefore claimed illness. When Ziwei arrived, he did not apologize to the Marquis of Qi. The Marquis of Qi was angry, so he ambushed armored soldiers and killed Ziwei. Gao Qumi escaped and returned. After returning, he plotted with Ji Zhong and summoned Ziwei's younger brother, Prince Ying, from the state of Chen, installing him as ruler. This was Zhengzi. In this same year, Duke Xiang of Qi sent Pengsheng to get Duke Huan of Lu drunk and then pull his arms and kill him.

In the eighth year of Zhengzi, Guan Zhifu and others in Qi raised a rebellion and killed their ruler, Duke Xiang of Qi. In the twelfth year, Chang Wan of Song killed his ruler, Duke Min of Song. Ji Zhong of Zheng died.

In the fourteenth year, the formerly exiled Duke Li of Zheng, Tu, who was staying in Li, sent someone to lure and seize the Zheng grandee Fu Jia, threatening him to help him return to his state. Fu Jia said: "Release me, and I will kill Zhengzi for you and welcome you back to the state." Duke Li of Zheng made a covenant with him and then released him. On the day Jiazi in the sixth month, Fu Jia killed Zhengzi and his two sons, then welcomed Duke Li, Tu. Tu re-entered Zheng from Li and ascended the throne. Earlier, a snake inside the city wall and a snake outside the city wall fought at the southern gate of Zheng, and the snake inside died. Six years later, Duke Li of Zheng indeed returned to his state. After returning, he rebuked his uncle Yuan, saying: "When I was in exile, you, uncle, had no intention of letting me return. This is too much." Yuan said: "Serving the ruler without a second mind is the duty of a minister. Yuan knows his guilt." He then committed suicide. Duke Li of Zheng then said to Fu Jia: "You served the ruler with a second mind." He then killed him. Fu Jia said: "Great kindness is not repaid; indeed it is so!"

In the first year of Duke Li of Zheng, Tu's later reign, Duke Huan of Qi began to dominate as hegemon.

In the fifth year, Yan, Wei, and Tui, the younger brother of King Hui of Zhou, attacked King Hui of Zhou. King Hui fled to Wen and they installed the younger brother Tui as king. In the sixth year, King Hui of Zhou reported the emergency to Zheng. Duke Li of Zheng raised troops and attacked Prince Tui of Zhou but did not prevail. He then returned to the state together with King Hui of Zhou, and King Hui of Zhou stayed in Li. In the seventh year, in spring, Duke Li of Zheng and the Earl of Guo attacked and killed Prince Tui, and welcomed King Hui of Zhou back to the Zhou capital.

In autumn, Duke Li of Zheng died, and his son, Duke Wen of Zheng, Jie, succeeded to the throne. Duke Li of Zheng had initially reigned for four years, then fled and lived in Li for seventeen years, then returned to his state and reigned for seven years, making a total of twenty-eight years including his time in exile.

In the seventeenth year of Duke Wen of Zheng, Duke Huan of Qi led troops to defeat the state of Cai, then proceeded to attack Chu, reaching Zhaoling.

In the twenty-fourth year, a low-ranking concubine of Duke Wen of Zheng, named Yan Ji, dreamed that Heaven gave her an orchid, saying: "I is Boyou. I am your ancestor. Use this orchid as your son, for the orchid has a fragrance that fills the state." She told the dream to Duke Wen of Zheng. Duke Wen favored her and gave her a grass orchid as a token. She then gave birth to a son, whom they named Lan.

In the thirty-sixth year, Prince Chong'er of Jin passed through Zheng. Duke Wen of Zheng did not treat him with proper ceremony. The younger brother of Duke Wen of Zheng, Shu Zhan, said: "Chong'er is worthy, and moreover he is of the same surname. When he is in distress and passes through your territory, you must not fail to treat him with propriety." Duke Wen of Zheng said: "There are many exiled princes of various states passing through. How can I treat them all with ceremony!" Shu Zhan said: "If you do not treat him with propriety, then kill him. If you do not kill him, and if he returns to Jin, he will become a source of trouble for Zheng." Duke Wen of Zheng did not listen.

In the thirty-seventh year, in spring, Prince Chong'er of Jin returned to Jin and ascended the throne. This was Duke Wen of Jin. In autumn, Zheng invaded the state of Hua. Hua submitted to Zheng's orders, but soon rebelled again and became friendly with Wei. Zheng then attacked Hua. King Xiang of Zhou sent Bo Fu to plead on Hua's behalf. Duke Wen of Zheng resented that when King Hui of Zhou had earlier fled and lived in Li, it was Duke Wen's father, Duke Li of Zheng, who helped him return to the Zhou capital, but King Hui had not bestowed any rank or emoluments on Duke Li. He also resented that King Xiang of Zhou had assisted Wei and Hua. Therefore, he did not heed King Xiang's plea and instead imprisoned Bo Fu. King Xiang of Zhou was angry and allied with the Di people to attack Zheng, but did not succeed. In winter, the Di people attacked King Xiang of Zhou, and the king fled to Zheng. Duke Wen of Zheng had the king stay in Fan. In the thirty-eighth year, Duke Wen of Jin escorted King Xiang of Zhou back to Chengzhou.

In the forty-first year, Zheng assisted Chu in attacking Jin. Because Duke Wen of Jin had been treated without ceremony when he passed through Zheng earlier, Zheng turned its back on Jin and assisted Chu. In the forty-third year, Duke Wen of Jin and Duke Mu of Qin together besieged Zheng, punishing it for assisting Chu in attacking Jin, and for the old grudge of Duke Wen of Zheng's lack of ceremony when Duke Wen of Jin had passed through. Earlier, Duke Wen of Zheng had three wives, and had five favored sons, all of whom died early due to offenses. Duke Wen of Zheng was angry and expelled all the princes. Prince Zilan fled to Jin and followed Duke Wen of Jin in besieging Zheng. At that time, Zilan served Duke Wen of Jin with great respect and caution, and Duke Wen of Jin loved him. Zilan then privately communicated with Jin, requesting to return and become the heir apparent. Jin at that time wanted to capture Shu Zhan and kill him. Duke Wen of Zheng was very afraid and did not dare to speak of this matter to Shu Zhan. When Shu Zhan heard of it, he said to Duke Wen of Zheng: "I once spoke to you, but you did not listen to me. Jin has indeed become a disaster. However, the reason Jin is besieging Zheng is because of me. If I die, it will spare Zheng. This is my wish." He then committed suicide. The people of Zheng handed over Shu Zhan's corpse to Jin. Duke Wen of Jin said: "I must see the ruler of Zheng in person and humiliate him before I leave." The people of Zheng were very worried, and so sent someone privately to Qin, saying: "Breaking Zheng will only strengthen Jin; this is of no benefit to Qin." The Qin army then withdrew. Duke Wen of Jin wanted to send Zilan back to become the heir apparent of Zheng and informed Zheng of this. The Zheng grandee Shi Gui said: "I have heard that the Ji clan was the proper wife of Hou Ji, and her descendants should have one who will prosper. The mother of Zilan is a descendant of that clan. Moreover, all the sons of the proper wife have already died, and among the remaining sons by concubines, none is as worthy as Zilan. Now the siege is urgent, and Jin has made this request. What could be more advantageous than this?" They then agreed to Jin's request, formed an alliance with Jin, and finally installed Zilan as the heir apparent. The Jin army then withdrew.

In the forty-fifth year, Duke Wen of Zheng died, and Zilan succeeded to the throne. This was Duke Miu of Zheng.

In the first year of Duke Miu of Zheng, in spring, Duke Mu of Qin sent three generals leading troops, intending to launch a surprise attack on Zheng. When they reached Hua, they encountered the Zheng merchant Xian Gao. Xian Gao pretended to present twelve oxen to the Qin army as a token of hospitality. Therefore, the Qin army turned back without reaching Zheng, and Jin defeated the Qin army at Xiao. Earlier, in the previous year, when Duke Wen of Zheng had died, the Zheng minister of works, Zeng He, had sold information about Zheng to Qin, which is why the Qin army had come. In the third year, Zheng raised troops to follow Jin in attacking Qin, and defeated the Qin army at Wang.

In the previous year, Prince Shangchen of Chu killed his father, King Cheng of Chu, and ascended the throne. In the twenty-first year, Zheng and Hua Yuan of Song attacked Zheng. Hua Yuan had killed a sheep to feast his soldiers but did not give any to his charioteer, Yang Zheng. Yang Zheng became angry, drove the chariot into the Zheng army, and Zheng captured Hua Yuan. Song came to ransom Hua Yuan, but Hua Yuan also escaped. Jin sent Zhao Chuan leading troops to attack Zheng.

In the twenty-second year, Duke Miu of Zheng died, and his son Yi succeeded to the throne. This was Duke Ling of Zheng.

In the first year of Duke Ling of Zheng, in spring, Chu presented a large turtle to Duke Ling. Zijia and Zigong were about to have an audience with Duke Ling. Zigong’s index finger twitched on its own, and he said to Zijia: “In the past, whenever my index finger twitched, I was sure to taste some rare delicacy.” When they entered the palace, they saw Duke Ling eating turtle soup. Zigong laughed and said: “Just as I expected!” Duke Ling asked him why he laughed, and Zigong told him in detail. Duke Ling summoned him but deliberately did not give him any turtle soup. Zigong became angry, dipped his finger into the cauldron, tasted it, and left. Duke Ling was furious and wanted to kill Zigong. Zigong and Zijia plotted to strike first. That summer, they killed Duke Ling of Zheng. The people of Zheng wanted to install Duke Ling’s younger brother Quji, but Quji declined, saying: “If one must be chosen according to worthiness, then I am not worthy; if one must be chosen according to seniority, then Gongzi Jian is older than me.” Gongzi Jian was Duke Ling’s half-brother by a concubine and Quji’s elder brother. Thus they installed Gongzi Jian, who became Duke Xiang of Zheng.

After Duke Xiang of Zheng ascended the throne, he intended to exterminate the entire Miu family. The Miu family was the family of Zigong, who had killed Duke Ling. Quji said: “If you must exterminate the Miu family, then I will leave Zheng.” So the plan was abandoned. All members of the Miu family were appointed as grandees.

In the first year of Duke Xiang of Zheng, Chu, angered that Zheng had accepted a bribe from Song and released Hua Yuan, attacked Zheng. Zheng turned its back on Chu and became close to Jin. In the fifth year, Chu attacked Zheng again, and Jin came to its aid. In the sixth year, Zijia died, and the people of Zheng also expelled his family because they had participated in the murder of Duke Ling.

In the seventh year, Zheng and Jin formed an alliance at Yanling. In the eighth year, King Zhuang of Chu, because Zheng had allied with Jin, came to attack and besieged Zheng for three months. Zheng offered to surrender and submitted to Chu. The King of Chu entered through the Huang Gate. Duke Xiang of Zheng bared his upper body, led a sheep forward, and said: “I was unable to govern the border regions properly, causing Your Majesty to become angry and come to this small and remote state—this is my crime. How dare I not obey your commands? If Your Majesty banishes me to the south of the Yangtze or gives me to a feudal lord, I will comply. If Your Majesty does not forget Kings Li and Xuan of Zhou, as well as Duke Huan and Duke Wu of Zheng, and takes pity without bearing to cut off their altars of grain and soil, granting me a barren piece of land so that I may reform my ways and serve Your Majesty anew, that is my wish, but I dare not hope for it. I venture to speak my heart; I will follow whatever command is given.” King Zhuang of Chu thereupon withdrew his forces thirty li and encamped. The Chu ministers said: “We have come from Yingdu, and the officers and men have long been weary. Now that we have obtained Zheng, to abandon it—why?” King Zhuang said: “The reason for the campaign was to punish those who did not submit. Now that it has submitted, what more is there to seek?” In the end, he withdrew his army and left. Jin, hearing that Chu was attacking Zheng, sent troops to rescue Zheng. They were hesitant in coming, so they moved slowly. By the time they reached the Yellow River, the Chu army had already withdrawn. Some Jin generals wanted to cross the river, others wanted to return; in the end they crossed the Yellow River. King Zhuang of Chu, hearing this, turned his army back to attack the Jin forces. Zheng, on the contrary, helped Chu and inflicted a great defeat on the Jin army by the Yellow River. In the tenth year, Jin attacked Zheng because it had turned its back on Jin and become close to Chu.

In the eleventh year, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Song. Song urgently requested help from Jin. Duke Jing of Jin wanted to send troops to rescue Song, but Bo Zong remonstrated with Duke Jing, saying: “Heaven is now opening the way for Chu’s fortunes; it cannot be attacked.” So they sought a brave man and found Xie Yang from Huo, styled Zihu, and sent him to deceive Chu, telling Song not to surrender. Xie Yang passed through Zheng, which was close to Chu, and Zheng seized Xie Yang and presented him to Chu. The King of Chu rewarded him generously and made an agreement with him, telling him to speak the opposite and urge Song to surrender quickly. After repeated coercion, Xie Yang agreed. Then the men of Chu had Xie Yang ascend a lookout tower and call out to Song. But Xie Yang violated his agreement with Chu and conveyed the order of the ruler of Jin, saying: “Jin is mobilizing its entire forces to rescue Song. Though Song is in dire straits, do not surrender to Chu! The Jin army is about to arrive!” King Zhuang of Chu was enraged and wanted to kill him. Xie Yang said: “For a ruler to issue commands is righteousness; for a minister to accept commands is trust. I accepted the command of my ruler to go on a mission; I would rather die than abandon it.” King Zhuang said: “You had already agreed with me, yet you broke your oath—where is your trust?” Xie Yang said: “The reason I agreed with Your Majesty was to fulfill my ruler’s command.” As he was about to die, he turned his head and said to the Chu army: “Let no minister forget those who die for their loyalty!” The younger brothers of the King of Chu all urged him to pardon Xie Yang, so he pardoned him and sent him back. Jin enfeoffed him as a Senior Grandee.

In the eighteenth year, Duke Xiang of Zheng died, and his son Dao Gong, named Xi, succeeded him.

In the first year of Duke Dao of Zheng, the Duke of Xu slandered Zheng before Chu. Duke Dao sent his younger brother Gun to Chu to plead his case. The plea was unsuccessful, and Chu imprisoned Gun. Thereupon Duke Dao of Zheng came and made peace with Jin, and thus became close to Jin. Gun privately cultivated a friendship with Chu’s Zifan, who spoke on his behalf, and Gun was released and returned to Zheng.

In the second year, Chu attacked Zheng, and the Jin army came to its aid. In that same year, Duke Dao of Zheng died, and his younger brother Gun was installed; this was Duke Cheng of Zheng.

In the third year of Duke Cheng of Zheng, King Gong of Chu said: “I have shown kindness to Duke Cheng of Zheng.” He sent someone to form an alliance with Zheng. Duke Cheng of Zheng secretly formed an alliance with Chu. In autumn, Duke Cheng of Zheng went to court Jin. Jin said: “Zheng has secretly made peace with Chu.” So they seized him. They sent Luan Shu to attack Zheng. In the spring of the fourth year, Zheng, fearing a siege by Jin, had Gongzi Ru install Xu, the elder half-brother of Duke Cheng by a concubine, as ruler. In the fourth month of that year, Jin, hearing that Zheng had installed a new ruler, released Duke Cheng of Zheng and sent him back. The people of Zheng, hearing that Duke Cheng had returned, also killed the ruler Xu and welcomed Duke Cheng. The Jin army withdrew.

In the tenth year, Zheng turned its back on its alliance with Jin and formed an alliance with Chu. Duke Li of Jin, enraged, raised an army and attacked Zheng. King Gong of Chu rescued Zheng. Jin and Chu fought at Yanling. The Chu army was defeated; Jin shot and wounded the eye of King Gong of Chu. Both sides withdrew their forces and departed. In the thirteenth year, Duke Dao of Jin attacked Zheng, and his army camped by the Wei River. Zheng defended the city, and the Jin army also withdrew.

In the fourteenth year, Duke Cheng of Zheng died, and his son Yun succeeded him. This was Duke Xi of Zheng.

In the fifth year of Duke Xi of Zheng, the Zheng minister Zisi was having an audience with Duke Xi. Duke Xi did not treat him with proper ceremony. Zisi became angry and had a cook poison Duke Xi with medicine. He announced to the feudal lords that Duke Xi had “died suddenly from illness.” He installed Duke Xi’s son Jia, who was then five years old; this was Duke Jian of Zheng.

In the first year of Duke Jian of Zheng, various princes plotted to kill the minister Zisi. Zisi discovered this and, on the contrary, killed all the princes. In the second year, Jin attacked Zheng. Zheng formed an alliance with Jin, and the Jin army withdrew. In winter, Zheng again formed an alliance with Chu. Zisi, fearing death, thus maintained close relations with both Jin and Chu. In the third year, the minister Zisi wanted to make himself ruler. The prince Zikong sent Weizhi to kill the minister Zisi and replace him. Zikong also wanted to make himself ruler. Zichan said: “Zisi did what should not have been done, and you killed him. Now if you imitate him, there will be no end to the disorder.” Thereupon Zikong heeded Zichan’s words and became the minister of Duke Jian of Zheng.

In the fourth year, Jin, angered that Zheng had formed an alliance with Chu, attacked Zheng. Zheng formed an alliance with Jin. King Gong of Chu rescued Zheng and defeated the Jin army. Duke Jian of Zheng wanted to make peace with Jin, and Chu again imprisoned the Zheng envoy.

In the twelfth year, Duke Jian of Zheng was angered that the chief minister Zikong monopolized the state’s power, so he killed him and appointed Zichan as a high minister. In the nineteenth year, Duke Jian of Zheng went to Jin to request that the ruler of Wei be allowed to return to his state, and he granted Zichan six cities. Zichan declined, accepting only three. In the twenty-second year, Wu sent Yanzhou Jizi (Jizha) as an envoy to Zheng. When he met Zichan, it was like meeting an old acquaintance. He said to Zichan: “The rulers of Zheng are extravagant and indulgent; disaster is about to come, and political power will fall into your hands. When you govern, you must act according to ritual; otherwise, Zheng will be ruined.” Zichan entertained Jizi generously. In the twenty-third year, the various princes, vying for favor, slaughtered each other and also sought to kill Zichan. One prince remonstrated, saying: “Zichan is a benevolent man. The reason Zheng still exists is entirely due to Zichan. Do not kill him!” So they desisted.

In the twenty-fifth year, Zheng sent Zichan to Jin to inquire about Duke Ping of Jin’s illness. Duke Ping said: “The divination results indicate that Shishen and Tai Tai are causing the affliction, but the scribes do not know who they are. May I ask what spirits these are?” Zichan replied: “Gaoxin had two sons. The elder was called Ebo, and the younger was called Shishen. They lived in the Kuang Forest but could not get along, daily taking up weapons to attack each other. Emperor Yao considered them unworthy, so he moved Ebo to Shangqiu to oversee the Chen star, and the Shang people continued this, so the Chen star became the Shang star. He moved Shishen to Daxia to oversee the Shen star, and the Tang people continued this, serving the Xia and Shang dynasties. Their last ruler was Tang Shuyu. When Yi Jiang of King Wu of Zhou was pregnant with Taishu, she dreamed that the Heavenly Emperor said to her: ‘I will name your son Yu, grant him the land of Tang, entrust him to oversee the Shen star, and multiply his descendants.’ When Taishu was born, the palm lines on his hand resembled the character ‘Yu,’ so he was named accordingly. When King Cheng of Zhou destroyed Tang, he enfeoffed Taishu there. Thus the Shen star is the star of Jin.” From this perspective, Shishen is the spirit of the Shen star. In ancient times, Jintian had a descendant named Mei, who served as chief of water officials. He gave birth to Yunge and Tai Tai. Tai Tai could succeed to his father’s office, dredging the Fen and Tao rivers, building dikes to enclose the great marsh, and allowing people to dwell in Taiyuan. Zhuanxu therefore rewarded him, granting him the Fen River basin. The four states of Shen, Si, Ru, and Huang generation after generation guarded his sacrifices. Now Jin has occupied the Fen River basin and destroyed these states. From this perspective, Tai Tai is the spirit of the Fen and Tao rivers. However, these two spirits will not harm your body. For the spirits of mountains and rivers, when there are floods or droughts, sacrifices of propitiation are performed to dispel the calamity; for the spirits of sun, moon, and stars, when snow, frost, wind, or rain come at untimely seasons, such sacrifices are performed; as for your illness, it arises from diet, sorrow and joy, and women.” Duke Ping and Shuxiang said: “Excellent! Truly a learned and widely informed gentleman!” So they bestowed generous gifts on Zichan.

In the summer of the twenty-seventh year, Duke Jian of Zheng paid a court visit to Jin. In winter, fearing the might of King Ling of Chu, he also went to pay court to Chu, with Zichan accompanying him. In the twenty-eighth year, Duke Jian of Zheng fell ill and sent Zichan to meet with the feudal lords, forming an alliance with King Ling of Chu at Shen, where they executed Qingfeng of Qi.

In the thirty-sixth year, Duke Jian of Zheng died, and his son, Duke Ding, named Ning, succeeded. In autumn, Duke Ding paid a court visit to Duke Zhao of Jin.

In the first year of Duke Ding, Gongzi Qiji of Chu killed his ruler, King Ling, and established himself as king—this was King Ping of Chu. He wished to show kindness to the various feudal lords, so he returned to Zheng the lands that King Ling had seized from Zheng.

In the fourth year, Duke Zhao of Jin died. The six ministers of Jin grew powerful, and the ducal house became lowly. Zichan said to Han Xuanzi: “In governing the state, one must rely on virtue. Do not forget the foundation on which your state stands.”

In the sixth year, a fire broke out in Zheng. Duke Ding of Zheng wished to perform sacrifices to dispel the calamity. Zichan said: “It is better to cultivate virtue.”

In the eighth year, Crown Prince Jian of Chu fled to Zheng. In the tenth year, Crown Prince Jian conspired with Jin to attack Zheng. Zheng killed Crown Prince Jian, and his son Sheng fled to Wu.

In the eleventh year, Duke Ding of Zheng went to Jin. Jin and Zheng conspired together, executed the rebellious ministers of Zhou, and sent King Jing of Zhou back to Zhou.

In the thirteenth year, Duke Ding of Zheng died, and his son, Duke Xian, named Chai, succeeded. Duke Xian died in his thirteenth year, and his son, Duke Sheng, named Sheng, succeeded. At this time, the six ministers of Jin were powerful, encroaching upon and seizing land from Zheng, and Zheng thus declined.

In the fifth year of Duke Sheng, the chief minister Zichan of Zheng died. The people of Zheng all wept, grieving for him as if they had lost their own kin. This Zichan was the youngest son of Duke Cheng of Zheng. He was benevolent by nature, loved the people, and served his ruler with loyalty and sincerity. Confucius once passed through Zheng and was as close to Zichan as a brother. When he heard of Zichan’s death, Confucius wept for him, saying: “He was a benevolent man handed down from antiquity!”

In the eighth year, the Fan and Zhongxing clans of Jin rebelled against Jin and urgently sought help from Zheng. Zheng sent troops to rescue them. Jin attacked Zheng and defeated Zheng’s army at Tie.

In the fourteenth year, Duke Jing of Song destroyed Cao. In the twentieth year, Tian Chang of Qi killed his ruler, Duke Jian of Qi, and Tian Chang became the chief minister of Qi. In the twenty-second year, King Hui of Chu destroyed Chen. Confucius died.

In the thirty-sixth year, Zhibo of Jin attacked Zheng, seizing nine cities.

In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Sheng of Zheng died, and his son, Duke Ai, named Yi, succeeded. In the eighth year of Duke Ai, the people of Zheng killed Duke Ai and established Chou, the younger brother of Duke Sheng, as ruler—this was Duke Gong. In the third year of Duke Gong, the three clans of Han, Zhao, and Wei destroyed Zhibo. In the thirty-first year, Duke Gong died, and his son, Duke You, named Ji, succeeded. In the first year of Duke You, Han Wuzi attacked Zheng and killed Duke You. The people of Zheng established Tai, the younger brother of Duke You, as ruler—this was Duke Xu.

In the fifteenth year of Duke Xu, Han Jinghou attacked Zheng, seizing Yongqiu. Zheng built city walls at Jing.

In the sixteenth year, Zheng attacked Han, defeating Han’s army at Fushu. In the twentieth year, the three clans of Han, Zhao, and Wei were enfeoffed as feudal lords. In the twenty-third year, Zheng besieged Yangdi of Han.

In the twenty-fifth year, the ruler of Zheng killed his chief minister Ziyang. In the twenty-seventh year, Ziyang’s partisans together killed Duke Xu, named Tai, and established Yi, the younger brother of Duke You, as ruler—this was Lord Zheng.

In the second year of Lord Zheng’s reign, Fushu of Zheng rebelled and again submitted to Han. In the eleventh year, Han attacked Zheng, seizing Yangcheng.

In the twenty-first year, Duke Ai of Han destroyed Zheng and annexed its territory.

The Grand Historian says: The common saying goes, “When power and profit are the basis of a relationship, once power and profit are gone, the friendship becomes distant.” This was the case with Fu Xia. Although Fu Xia used the method of seizing and killing Duke Zhao of Zheng to welcome Duke Li of Zheng, Duke Li ultimately betrayed and killed him. How was this different from Li Ke of Jin? As for Xun Xi, who held fast to his integrity, he died but could not preserve Xiqi. The origins of disorder indeed have many causes!

The son of King Li was enfeoffed at Zheng. Generations served as Minister of Education, and the poem “Black Robes” was recited. The states of Guo and Kuai offered up their cities; Ji Zhong and Zhu Dan monopolized power and issued orders. Since Duke Zhuang of Zheng offended the King of Zhou, Duke Li of Zheng also fled into exile. Dwelling in Liyi, he finally entered Zheng; dreaming of orchids, he fathered a son. Bofu died in captivity; Shuzhan was sent on a mission and his corpse returned. After Dukes Xi and Jian, the ducal house was no longer strong. Though Fushu was returned, the power of Duke Ai of Han daily grew.