Diplomatic Conventions and Funerary Rites in Ancient China
In the eighth year of spring, the Duke of Song and the Marquis of Wei met at Chui. In March, the Duke of Zheng sent Wan to return the ancestral temple. On Gengyin day, we entered the temple. In summer, in the sixth month of Ji Hai, the Marquis of Cai, Kao Fu, passed away. On Xinhai day, the Marquis of Cai also passed away. In autumn, in the seventh month of Gengwu, the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Qi, and the Marquis of Wei formed an alliance at the Tile House. In August, the burial of Duke Xuan of Cai took place. In September, on Xinmao day, the Duke and the people of Ju formed an alliance at Fula. In winter, in the twelfth month, Wu Hai passed away.
In the eighth year of spring, the Marquis of Qi was about to pacify Song and Wei, and had a scheduled meeting. The Duke of Song requested to meet first with a gift from Wei and the Marquis agreed, so they met at Quqiu. The Duke of Zheng requested to release the sacrifice to Mount Tai and sacrificed to Duke Zhou, exchanging Mount Tai’s ancestral temple for land. In March, the Duke of Zheng sent Wan to return the ancestral temple, not sacrificing to Mount Tai. In summer, Duke Guo’s father Guo began working as an official in Zhou. In April, Duke Hui of Zheng went to Chen to marry a woman. On Xinhai day, the woman’s family returned. On Jiayin day, she entered Zheng. Chen Zhenshi sent his daughter, the first to marry and then to ancestor. Zhenzi said, “This is not a husband and wife. It is false to the ancestors, not etiquette, how can they nurture?” The people of Qi finally pacified Song and Wei at Zheng. In autumn, they met at Wen and formed an alliance at the Tile House to release the Eastern Gate. In August, the Duke of Zheng greeted the Qi people and the king, a courtesy. The Duke and the people of Ju formed an alliance at Fula to make good relations. In winter, the Duke of Qi sent someone to tell the three countries. The Duke said to Zhongzhong, “The king released the map of the three countries to make the people, the king’s kindness. The king heard the order and dared not to accept the king’s enlightenment.” Wu Hai passed away. Yufu asked for posthumous title and family. The Duke asked Zhongzhong for his family. Zhongzhong said, “The emperor established virtue, gave birth to give surname, Zuo Tu and called Zushi. The vassals take the word as a title, so the family. Officials have world achievements, there are official families, the city is like it.” The public name is called Zhan.
The eighth year of spring in ancient China marked a period of significant diplomatic activities and ceremonial rituals among the vassal states. During this time, the Duke of Song and the Marquis of Wei met at Chui, demonstrating the strategic alliances and diplomatic protocols that governed interstate relations. The Duke of Zheng’s decision to send Wan to return the ancestral temple underscored the cultural significance of ancestral worship and territorial exchanges in maintaining political stability.
In summer, the passing of the Marquis of Cai and the subsequent funerary rites highlighted the ceremonial importance of honoring the deceased among the vassal states. The alliances forged in autumn at the Tile House between the Duke of Song, the Marquis of Qi, and the Marquis of Wei aimed to mitigate past conflicts and strengthen mutual defense strategies. The diplomatic gestures exchanged during these meetings exemplified the hierarchical etiquette and diplomatic norms that governed state interactions in ancient China.
The alliance formed at Fula in September between the Duke and the people of Ju further exemplified the efforts to foster peaceful relations and strategic partnerships among vassal states. The diplomatic engagements culminated in the winter with discussions about territorial boundaries and mutual obligations, showcasing the intricate balance of power and diplomacy in the Spring and Autumn Period.
In conclusion, the eighth year of spring in ancient China witnessed a complex interplay of diplomacy, ceremonial rituals, and political maneuvering among the vassal states. Through the meticulous documentation in historical texts like the “Spring and Autumn Annals,” we gain profound insights into the cultural practices, governance structures, and diplomatic conventions that shaped ancient Chinese civilization. The enduring legacy of these diplomatic engagements continues to influence contemporary Chinese diplomatic strategies and international relations, highlighting the enduring relevance of historical precedents in modern geopolitics.