“Chronicles of Ancient Chinese States”

Diplomacy and Conflict:Chronicles of Ancient Chinese States

In the spring of the third year, during the first month on the day Zhengyue, the Duke assembled with the Marquis of Jin, the Duke of Song, and the Earl of Cao to attack Zheng. On Xinhai, the burial of Duke Mu of Wei took place. In the second month, the Duke returned from the expedition against Zheng. On Jiazi, there was a new palace disaster. Mourning lasted for three days. On Yihai, the burial of Duke Wen of Song took place. In the summer, the Duke went to Jin. Zheng’s Gongzi Qujie led troops to attack Xu. The Duke returned from Jin. In autumn, Shusun Qiaoru led troops to besiege Ji. There was a great rain sacrifice. Jin’s Xi Ke and Wei’s Sun Liangfu attacked Shejiu. In the winter, in the eleventh month, the Duke of Jin sent Xun Geng to visit. The Duke of Wei sent Sun Liangfu to visit. On Bingwu, Xun Geng’s alliance was concluded. On Dingwei, Sun Liangfu’s alliance was concluded. Zheng attacked Xu.

In the spring of the third year, the vassals attacked Zheng, camped at Boniu, and undertook the Yi campaign, continuing eastward into Zheng. Zheng’s Gongzi Yan led troops to resist them, commanding the eastern borders to defeat the Quyumen and Qiu Yu. Huang Xu presented victories to Chu. In the summer, the Duke went to Jin and paid respects at the field of Wenyang. Xu relied on Chu and did not attend to Zheng. Zheng’s Ziliang attacked Xu. Jin returned Gongzi Guchen and Lianyin Xianglao’s corpses to Chu to seek peace. Therefore, Xun Geng assisted the central army, so Chu allowed it. The King sent to Xun Geng, saying, “Will you resent me?” He replied, “The two countries govern warfare, and I am incompetent, unable to fulfill my responsibilities, and am treated as a captive. The official does not engage in disputes and drumming, allowing me to return and be executed. This is your kindness. I am truly incompetent. Who else dares to resent?” The King asked, “Then how will you repay me?” He replied, “With your spirit, I will return the bones to Jin and the corpses of your foreign ministers to my ancestors. If I am exempt from execution by following your kindness, I will also give you the heads of the foreign ministers to my ancestors for execution. If I do not obtain permission and instruct my descendants to fulfill their duties, leading the subordinate army to maintain and expand the border, even though I encounter officials, I dare not disobey. I will exhaust my efforts until death, having no other intentions, to fulfill my duties, which is how I repay you.” The King said, “Jin cannot compete.” Heavy courtesy was given and he was returned. In autumn, Shusun Qiaoru besieged Ji and took the fields of Wenyang. Ji surrendered, so it was besieged. Jin’s Xi Ke and Wei’s Sun Liangfu attacked Shejiuru to eliminate the remnants of the Red Di. Shejiuru was defeated, leading to the loss of the people. In the winter, in the eleventh month, the Duke of Jin sent Xun Geng to visit and seek an alliance. The Duke of Wei sent Sun Liangfu to visit and seek an alliance. The Duke inquired of Zang Xuanshushu, saying, “Between Zhongxing and Jin, who has a position of three? Regarding the Duke of Song and Wei, which minister shall precede?” He replied, “The top minister of a subsidiary state is in the middle of a large state, the middle in its lower ranks, and the lower one among its top ministers. The top minister of a small state is under a large state’s top ministers, the middle one among its top ministers, and the lower one among its lower top ministers. The top and bottom are so established. Wei is not in a subordinate state. Jin is the main league, and it shall take the lead.” On Bingwu, they concluded an alliance with Jin, and on Dingwei, they concluded an alliance with Wei, following the ritual. In the twelfth month, on Jiaxu, Jin formed six armies. Han Jue, Zhao Kuo, Gong Shuo, Han Chuan, Xun Zhui, and Zhao Zhan were all ministers, rewarded for their meritorious deeds. The Duke of Qi went to Jin, preparing to bestow jade. Xi Ke hurried forward and said, “This journey, your lord will be a laughingstock among women. My Lord does not dare to rely on it.” The Duke of Jin enjoyed the Duke of Qi’s presence. The Duke of Qi looked at Han Jue, who said, “Does your lord know me?” The Duke of Qi said, “The service has changed.” Han Jue ascended, raised his goblet, and said, “I do not dare to love death, but rather to serve both lords in this hall.” When Xun Luo was in Chu, a man from Zheng was planning to put him in the middle and go out. After discussing it, he has not been returned by the Chu people. The man from Jia went to Jin. Xun Luo looked favorably on him and revealed himself. The man from Jia said, “I have no merit, dare I have its essence? I’m a small person, can’t falsely accuse a gentleman.” Then go to Qi.