Turmoil and Transition: Insights into Ancient Chinese Dynasties
In the spring of the twenty-fourth year, Wang Jue passed away in March. □ Ruo returned from Jin. In the summer, on the first day of May, there was a solar eclipse. In the autumn, in August, there was a grand ritual for rain. In winter, the state of Wu extinguished the state of Chao, burying Ping Gong of Qi.
During the twenty-fourth year’s spring, in January, on the day Xinchou, Duke Huan of Gan met King Jianguo with Jian Gong and Nangong Yan. Liu Zi said to Chang Hong, “Gan’s envoy is going again.” Chang replied, “What harm? We share virtue and justice. ‘The Grand Pledge’ says, ‘King Zhou had millions of barbarian subjects, yet he lost virtue.’ I have ten treacherous ministers who share the same heart and virtue. This is why Zhou rose. Your highness should focus on virtue, and you won’t lack talented people.”
On the day Wu, Prince Jianguo entered Wu. Shi Mi Mou intercepted Shu Sun Yu at Ji. Shu Sun appointed Liang Qi to wait inside the gate and said, “When I cough while looking to the left, then kill him. When I smile looking to the right, then stop.” Shu Sun met Shi Bo, who said, “My lord has kept you waiting because of the covenant. Hence the delay. I’m not neglecting the etiquette of your humble city, so please go with me. Shi Mi Mou, take my son.”
Shu Sun accepted the gifts and returned. In February, □ Ruo returned from Jin, honoring Jin. In March, on the day Geng Xu, the Marquis of Jin sent Shi Jingbo to mourn the Zhou family’s loss. Shi Bo stood at the sacrificial altar and asked the assembled crowd. Jin declined Prince Jianguo’s envoy. In the summer, on the first day of May, there was a solar eclipse. Zi Shen said, “It will flood.” Zhao Zi said, “It’s a drought. The sun is passing, and yet the yang is not strong enough. If it were strong, it would be excessive. Can there not be a drought? When the yang isn’t strong, it accumulates.”
In June, on the day Ren Shen, Prince Jianguo’s army attacked Xia and Xing, both of which collapsed. The Duke of Zheng went to Jin, and Zidashu met Fan Xiansi. Xianzi asked, “How is the royal family?” He replied, “The elderly in my country can’t take care of it. I dare to reach the royal family. The people also have a saying, ‘A widow who doesn’t care about her longitude worries about the downfall of the Zhou clan.’ Now the royal family is restless, and our small country is afraid. However, how would we know the worries of a great country? Please plan ahead!”
The poem says, “The pot is empty. Only the shame of the cup.” The discomfort of the royal family is the shame of Jin. Xianzi was afraid and discussed it with Xuanzi. He then summoned a meeting with the vassals, scheduling it for next year. In the autumn, in August, there was a grand ritual for rain, indicating a drought. In winter, in October, on the day Gui You, Prince Jianguo used the precious jade of Cheng Zhou in the river. On the day Jia Xu, the ferryman found it on the river. Yin Buning opposed the warm southern invasion, captured the jade and intended to sell it, but it became stone.
The king inspected and donated it, giving it to Dong Zi. Chu’s son acted as a boatman to capture Wu’s territory. Shen Yinxu said, “This is a disaster for Chu. Without pacifying the people and tiring them out, Wu didn’t move and yet rushed. Wu followed Chu, and the territory was unprepared. Can the city not perish? At Yue, official Xu Han worked the king at Yuzhang’s border. Yue’s prince returned to the king’s boat. The granary and Dream led the army with the king. The king and Yuyang returned. Wu followed Chu, and the border was unprepared, so it destroyed Chao and Zhongli and returned. Shen Yinxu said, “The beginning of the loss of Ying is here. The king moved and lost the leaders of two families. Nearly so, but didn’t reach Ying. The poem says, ‘Whoever gave birth to a difficult step still struggles today.’ This is what the king said.”