“Intrigue and Betrayal: The Turbulent Saga of Ancient Wei”
In the spring of the sixteenth year, during the first month on Jimao day, Wei’s heir Kuaikui sought refuge in Qi and Wei Hou promptly fled. In the second month, Wei Zi Huan Cheng fled to Song. In the summer, in the fourth month on Jichou day, Confucius passed away.
During the spring of the sixteenth year, Man Cheng and Chu Shibi fled to Song. Wei Hou sent Yan Wuzi to report to Zhou, saying, “Kuaikui offended his lord father and lord mother, fleeing to Jin. Jin, for the sake of the royal family, did not abandon their brother and placed him along the river. Heaven enticed his intentions, allowing him to inherit and guard the fief. I humbly dare to inform the officials.” The king dispatched Duke Ping of Shan to reply, saying, “Duke Ping appreciates your message. Please return and inform Uncle, my Duke, of this matter, and I will rejoice in the accomplishment. Respectfully! When the heavenly opportunity arises, respect it; when it does not, regret follows. Shall we pursue it?”
During the summer, in the fourth month on Jichou day, Confucius passed away. The Duke lamented, saying, “The heavens do not condole, nor pity the elderly. They remove one person to hold the position, leaving me alone in distress. Alas, lamentable! My father, there is no discipline within me.” Zigang said, “Will the ruler not perish in Lu? The Master said, ‘When rites fail, confusion follows; when names fail, faults occur.’ To lose one’s aspirations is confusion; to lose one’s place is a fault. While alive, unable to use, and dead, one is eulogized. This is not proper rites. To be considered one person is not proper names. Your ruler has failed in both.”
In June, the Duke entertained Kong Kui with wine at Pingyang, generously rewarding him, and all the nobles made offerings. They became drunk and saw him off, sending him away at midnight. Lady Zai was loaded into the car at Pingyang and sent to the Western Gate. Zibojizi, who had just become a servant of the Kong family, newly appointed to the Duke’s service, requested to pursue him. Encountering Zai, they killed him and rode in his car. Xu Gong requested to shoot first and fired three times, all hitting the mark. Shooting Zai, he killed him. Or he was from the same car. Kong Kui fled to Song. The eldest son of Chu Jian was slandered. Fleeing from Chengfu to Song, he also avoided the Huashi riots in Zheng, where the people were very kind to him. Also went to Jin and conspired with the Jin people to attack Zheng, then sought to restore it. The Zheng people returned it to its original state. The Jin people sent spies to Zimu, who asked for permission to act and set a deadline. Zimu was arrogant and abusive in his private territory, and the town complained about him. The Zheng people looked into it and found Jin’s spy there. They then killed Zimu. His son, Sheng, is in Wu. Zixi wanted to call him back, but Yegong said, “I heard that Sheng was deceitful and chaotic. Will he not harm?” Zixi said, “I heard that Sheng is trustworthy and courageous. Not for profit, but for advantage, which shall be omitted. If he is dishonest, he will not be brave. You must regret it.” Refuse. Call him to Wu altogether. Ask for Baigong. Ask for Zeng. The Chu people did not understand. Otherwise, I will not forget. “Another day, he asked for it, and he agreed to it.” “Not ready, Jin sent people to Zheng, and Chu saved them. Then he would be angry,” said it, to kill his Then midday and while taking temple cannot give may offer than who consented thereby