“Chronicling Ancient Alliances and Disputes”
In the spring of the first year, King Zheng ascended the throne in January. The Duke of Zheng convened with the leaders of Jin, Zhao Wu, Chu, Qi, Song, Wei, Chen, Cai, Zheng, Xu, and Cao at Guo. In March, they took Yung. In the summer, the younger brother of the Duke of Qin, Jin Xian, fled to Jin. In June, Duke Hu of Zhu passed away. In autumn, Ju went to Ji from Qi. Ju’s Zhang Xuan fled to Wu. The Duke of Zheng led an army to the border of Yung. The Duke of Zhu’s mourning was conducted.
In the winter, on the 11th month, the Duke of Chu passed away. The Duke’s son Bi fled to Jin.
In the spring of the first year, Chu’s Prince Wei proposed a marriage alliance with Zheng and was received by the Duke’s family. The envoy Wu Ju was sent to mediate. The Zheng people disliked him and sent the envoy Zi Yu to discuss the matter. Wei was accommodated outside the city. After the marriage proposal, there were crowds to welcome him. Zi Chan was troubled and asked Zi Yu to decline, stating, “Our small city cannot accommodate all these people. We ask to delay the visit.”
The envoy Yin instructed Grand Minister Bo Zhou Li to respond: “Your lord has insulted our Duke by suggesting that Wei should be entertained in the manner of a common guest. If Wei had the chance to make offerings at the ancestral temple and then come, it would have been better. As it stands, it seems the Duke is being treated as insignificant. This is unacceptable. It would be better for the Duke to plan accordingly.”
Zi Yu replied, “Small states have their own issues and rely on their practicalities. The big states often harbor malicious intents. Small states should not be penalized for this. If the big state does not act properly, it will cause troubles.”
Wu Ju was aware of the preparations and requested to be allowed to enter. This was permitted. In the first month, he entered and made the necessary offerings. The Duke convened with allies in Guo, seeking to renew the alliance with Song.
Qi Wu advised Zhao Wenzi: “The Song alliance has empowered Chu against Jin. The current Duke’s untrustworthiness is evident to the vassals. If you do not act cautiously, you might end up like Song. The trust you have earned among the vassals is crucial, and any breach could lead to your downfall. Even though you have achieved much, ending in disgrace is still a concern.”
Wenzi responded: “Although the Song alliance was tainted, my intentions were honest. Chu’s strength over Jin is a different matter. As long as my approach is guided by integrity and virtue, there is no fear of failure. The righteous path will ultimately prevail.”
The Chu envoy Wei requested to use sacrificial animals as recorded in old texts. The Jin officials consented. In March, the alliance was renewed with Chu. Chu’s Prince Wei made offerings of ceremonial garments. The Duke of Zheng praised the prince’s appearance. However, other officials had mixed feelings about the tribute.
Zhao Meng commented, “Even though the Duke of Chu is strong, his actions might be overbearing. A powerful ruler should be cautious not to alienate their allies.”
In the summer, Zhao Meng, Shu Sun Bao, and the high officials from Cao entered Zheng and were honored by the Duke of Zheng. Zi Pi cautioned Zhao Meng, indicating that although he was treated with respect, there were underlying issues. Zhao Meng’s final tribute was minimal but significant.
The situation continued with Zhao Meng and others scrutinizing the Duke of Chu’s actions, questioning his intentions and governance. Zhao Meng observed that while Chu’s power appeared strong, its aggressive approach could backfire. He warned of potential consequences if the ruler’s power continued unchecked, echoing concerns about long-term stability.
In the spring, a new conflict arose as the state of Lu attacked Ju, which was seen as a breach of earlier alliances. The Chu state, while condemning the attack, was involved in its own controversies and faced criticism for not properly managing its internal affairs and alliances. Zhao Meng expressed concern over the repercussions of such actions and their impact on the state’s long-term stability.
Throughout the period, complex alliances and rivalries shaped the political landscape, illustrating the challenges faced by states in maintaining peace and managing conflicts. The actions and decisions of various leaders had significant ramifications, reflecting the intricate nature of ancient Chinese diplomacy and governance.