Chen Dynasty: Rise, Fall, and Cultural Legacy
In the thirty-fourth year, initially, Duke Ai of Chen married Lady Zheng. Eldest Ji bore Crown Prince Dao, while the younger Ji gave birth to Yan. [Annotation: According to the Sui Ying, the text says, “Chen Hou’s younger brother, Zhao, killed Chen’s son Yan Shi.” The Zuo Zhuan says, “Duke Ai of Chen’s consort, Lady Zheng, bore Crown Prince Dao Yan.” The current text mentions two consorts and separates Yan Shi into two persons, which could be inaccurate.]
Two concubines were present: the senior concubine bore Liu, while the junior concubine bore Sheng. Liu was favored by Duke Ai, who assigned his brother, Situ Zhao, to her. Duke Ai fell ill and, after three months, Situ Zhao killed Crown Prince Dao. He then declared Liu as the Crown Prince. Enraged, Duke Ai sought to execute Zhao, who then mobilized troops to besiege Duke Ai. Duke Ai met his demise at Zhao’s hands. [Gathering Explanations: Xu Guang said, “At that time in the thirty-fifth year.”]
Zhao eventually made Liu the ruler of Chen. In the fourth month, Chen dispatched envoys to Chu. When King Ling of Chu heard of the turmoil in Chen, he killed the Chen emissary. [Annotation: This is likely Situ Zhao. One source states “Tiao” as well.]
King’s son Qijie from Wuyi fled to Jin after Situ Zhao killed Crown Prince Dao Yan. Duke Ping of Jin asked Historian Zhao, “Did Chen ultimately perish?” Zhao replied, “Chen, the lineage of Zhuan Xu. [Collection Explanation: Fu Qian said, “Chen’s ancestor was Emperor Shun’s descendant Zhuan Xu.” The Chen clan obtained power in Qi and ultimately perished. [Collection Explanation: Jia Kui said, “Nothing can prosper concurrently.”]
From Mu to Gushou, none disobeyed orders. [Collection Explanation: Jia Kui said, “Mu was Shun’s predecessor, the thought after Gushou. Up to Gushou, no one had heard of disobeying heavenly orders to terminate the lineage. Zheng Zong said, “Mu was the predecessor of Shun.” Jing An’s Guoyu said, “Jia Yi is in charge.” [Annotation: According to Guo Kui, Mu was the predecessor of Shun. Therefore, Shun’s moral authority extended to the present.] Then, the barbarian king of Zhou gave him the surname Hu, and he worshiped the Emperor of Yu. And it must be succeeded by hundreds of generations of worship. [Collection Explanation: Du Yu said, “That year was also named the descendant of Hu Gong. After the incident, Zhou Wen Wang gave him the surname Gui, and he worshipped the Emperor of Yu.] [Annotation: Du Yu said, “That year, Hu Gong Man, who was his descendant, was born. He had given the surname of his ancestors. And worshipped the Emperor of Yu.]” According to Du Yu, Zhou Wen Wang gave him the surname of Yu, and he gave him the surname of Zhou. Du Yu said, “That year, when he became a son, he was named the Zhou Shi.” [Annotation