“Revenge and Upheaval in Ancient China”
In the fourth year of the reign, during the spring of February, the people of Ju invaded Qi and took control of Mou. On the day of Wushen, Zhou Xu of Wei murdered his ruler Huan Gong. That summer, the ruler of Lu met with the ruler of Song at Qing. The rulers of Song, Chen, Cai, and Wei launched an attack on Zheng. In autumn, Hui led an army to join the rulers of Song, Chen, Cai, and Wei in their assault on Zheng. In September, the people of Wei killed Zhou Xu at Pu. During the winter in December, the people of Wei established Jin as their ruler.
The Assassination of Huan Gong and Its Aftermath
In the spring, Zhou Xu of Wei assassinated Huan Gong and took power. The Duke of Lu and the Duke of Song planned a meeting to renew their alliance, but before they could convene, the people of Wei reported the turmoil. In response to this crisis, the Duke of Lu and the Duke of Song met at Qing.
When Duke Shang of Song ascended the throne, Prince Feng fled to Zheng, where he found refuge. The people of Zheng sought to reinstate him. With Zhou Xu now in power in Wei, he harbored a grudge against Zheng for past conflicts and sought to gain favor with other feudal lords to stabilize his rule. He proposed to the state of Song that if they attacked Zheng to eliminate a threat to their ruler, Wei would join forces with Chen and Cai to support the endeavor. The Song agreed, as Chen and Cai were already on good terms with Wei.
The combined forces of Song, Chen, Cai, and Wei besieged the eastern gate of Zheng but withdrew after five days. The Duke of Lu inquired of Zhongzhong about Zhou Xu’s chances of maintaining power. Zhongzhong responded, “I have heard of harmonizing the people with virtue, not with chaos. Trying to control chaos is like attempting to untangle a knotted thread. Zhou Xu relies on military might and is cruel by nature. Without popular support and with cruelty alienating even his closest allies, he is bound to fail. Military power is like fire; if not contained, it will consume itself. Zhou Xu murdered his ruler and abuses his people. Instead of cultivating virtue, he seeks to achieve his ends through chaos. He will not escape unscathed.”
The Continued Assault on Zheng
In the autumn, the feudal lords renewed their assault on Zheng. The Duke of Song sent an envoy to request reinforcements from Lu, but the Duke declined. Yu Fu, a commander, insisted on leading troops to join the campaign, and despite the Duke’s disapproval, he proceeded. The records state, “Yu led the army,” indicating the disapproval of his actions. The coalition forces defeated Zheng’s militia and seized their crops before returning.
Zhou Xu struggled to maintain control over his people and sought advice from his advisor, Shi Zi, on how to secure his rule. Shi Zi suggested seeking an audience with the King, as Chen Huan Gong was currently favored by the King. Since Chen and Wei were allies, Shi Zi believed that if they paid their respects to Chen, they could secure the King’s support. Following this advice, Zhou Xu and Shi Zi traveled to Chen.
The Downfall of Zhou Xu
Shi Que, another advisor, secretly informed the Chen court, stating, “Wei is a small state, and I am old and incapable. These two men, Zhou Xu and Shi Zi, are responsible for the murder of our ruler. Please deal with them accordingly.” The Chen court arrested Zhou Xu and Shi Zi and handed them over to Wei. In September, the people of Wei sent their right chancellor, Chou, to execute Zhou Xu at Pu. Shi Que then ordered his steward, Ruyang Jian, to execute Shi Zi in Chen.
The historical records praise Shi Que as a loyal minister, stating, “Shi Que, a pure minister, despised Zhou Xu and Shi Zi. ‘The righteousness that surpasses familial bonds,’ indeed, refers to him!” Following these events, the people of Wei brought back Prince Jin from Xing. In December, Duke Xuan ascended the throne, and the records note, “The people of Wei established Jin,” signifying the collective will of the people.
This translation and analysis highlight the complexities of loyalty, power struggles, and the ethical dilemmas faced by ministers and rulers in ancient China. Through these historical events, we gain insights into the political maneuvers and moral considerations that shaped the era, reflecting broader themes of justice, loyalty, and the consequences of tyranny.