“Diplomatic Maneuvers and Military Campaigns in Ancient China”

In the spring of the seventeenth year, Jin, Wei, Chen, and Zheng launched a joint attack on Song. In the summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, we buried our young lord Shēng Jiāng. The Duke of Qi invaded our western borders. In the sixth month, on the day Guǐwèi, the Duke of Qi and I formed an alliance in the valley. The feudal lords convened at Hù.

In the spring of the seventeenth year, Jin Xūnlínfù, Wei Kǒngdá, Chen Gōngsūn Nìng, and Zheng Shíchǔ attacked Song, proclaiming, “Why murder the lord?” They still made Wén Gōng the ruler and returned. The ministers did not write it down, and they lost what they had. In the summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, we buried Shēng Jiāng. There was trouble in Qi, so we delayed. The Duke of Qi invaded our northern borders, and Xiāng Zhòng pleaded for an alliance. In the sixth month, we formed an alliance in the valley. Jin Hóu collected taxes at Huángfù and then reunited the feudal lords at Hù, bringing peace to Song. The Duke did not attend the meeting because of the trouble in Qi. The book says “Feudal Lords,” but there was no merit. Therefore, the Duke of Jin did not see the Duke of Zheng, believing he was acting suspiciously towards Chu. The Zheng family sent a letter to report to Zhao Xuānzǐ, saying, “My lord ascended to the throne three years ago and called on the Marquis of Cai to serve the lord. In September, the Marquis of Cai entered my poor city to act. My poor city, because of the difficulties of the Marquis of Cai, so my lord did not make an agreement with the Marquis of Cai. In November, the March was destroyed and followed the Marquis of Cai to court in charge. In June of the twelfth year, he returned to life to help my lord’s heir and went to court with the kings. In July of the fourteenth year, my lord also appeared to be a servant in charge. Last January, Zhiwu went to court in Yi. In August, my lord also went to court. It is close to Chen and Cai in Chu and dare not betray them. What about the matter of my poor city and the lord? In the position of the middle, a morning to Xiang, and then a visit to the lord. The men and the alone and the three servants came to the end, even if my small state, then contempt them. Now the big country says, ‘You haven’t given me the answer. ‘My poor city is lost, and there is no more to add. The ancients said, ‘Fear of the first and last, and the rest of the body.’ “Also said, ‘The deer’s death does not choose the sound.’ The matter of the small state to the big country, also the person; if not the person, the deer, also run away, what can be chosen? The command is not yet, and also knows the loss. Will gather the tax in waiting for the fish, only to hold the task. Wén Gong, two years in June, Rénshēn, court in Qi. Four years in February, Rénxū, for Qi invade Cai, also complete in Chu. Living in the middle of a big country and follow the strong command, is it a crime? If the big country does not want to escape the life. “Jin Gōngshuò, walked to the Zheng, Zhao Chuan, the husband, the pool for the hostages. In the autumn, Zhou Gān Shù defeated the Róng at the tail, and took their drinks. In October, Zheng’s eldest son, Yí, and Shíchǔ were hostages in Jin. Xiāng Zhòng went to Qi and worshipped at the alliance. I said, “I heard that the Qi people are going to eat Lu’s wheat. In my view, I will not be able to do it. The words of the Qi lord are stolen. Zāng Wénzhòng said, “If the people’s leaders steal, they will die.”