Events in the Spring and Fall of the States

Events of the twenty-eighth year in the spring, during the third month of King Wang’s reign, saw the burial of Duke Dao of Cao. Duke Dao was on a visit to Jin, and then proceeded to the Qian Marquis. In the summer, during the fourth month of Bing Xu, Duke Ning of Zheng passed away. In the sixth month, Duke Ding of Zheng was buried. In the autumn, during the seventh month of Gui Si, Viscount Ning of Teng passed away. In the winter, Duke Dao of Teng was buried.

During the spring of the twenty-eighth year, Duke Wang of Lu visited Jin and was planning to visit the Qian Marquis. Zijia said, “When one seeks help from others but is satisfied with one’s own peace, who will value them? They are self-defeating.” However, Duke Wang did not heed the advice and proceeded with the visit to Jin. The people of Jin responded, “Misfortune has befallen the state of Lu, and the ruler is preoccupied with external affairs. Your Highness should not let anyone disgrace me, only to be satisfied with relatives. Should we not send your envoy?” Duke Wang returned to his state and then proceeded to visit Jin.

Qishi of Jin and Wuzang of Wu were close associates, and Qiyi was about to arrest them. He sought counsel from Sima Shuyou, who said, “In the ‘Annals of Zheng,’ it says, ‘Evil is straight and ugly, righteousness is luxuriant and full of followers.’ The state is without justice, and you fear not to escape it. The ‘Book of Songs’ says, ‘When the people have many complaints, they cannot establish themselves.’ Let it be for now, what will you do?” Qiyi replied, “The Qishi clan seeks revenge privately; what does the state have to do with it?” He then arrested them. Qishi bribed Xunli, who spoke on their behalf to the Duke of Jin. The Duke of Jin then arrested Qiyi. Qiyi’s retainers said, “Since we will all die, it would comfort our lord to hear of the deaths of Qishi and Wuzang.” They were then killed.

In the summer of the sixth month, Jin killed Qiyi and Yangshiwo. Yangshiwo was Qiyi’s supporter and contributed to the chaos, hence he was killed. Thus, the Qishi and Yangshi clans were wiped out. Initially, Shuhang wanted to marry into the Wuchen clan of Shengong. His mother wished to marry his ally. Shuhang said, “My mother has many children and few heirs, and I am suffering from my uncle’s clan.” His mother said, “Your wife killed three husbands, one lord, one son, and caused the downfall of a country and two ministers. Should we not punish her? I have heard that Zheng’s Mu’s young concubine, Yaozi’s daughter, was also Zheng Mao’s sister. Zheng Mao died early without descendants, but Yaozhong was beautiful and would lead to disaster. In the past, Youshi bore a daughter, with dark hair and great beauty. She was named Xuanqi. Yuezheng Hou Kui married her, and they had Bofeng, who had a pig’s heart, was greedy and never full of hatred, and was called Fengshi. After Yishi of Yuqiang destroyed her, Kui was not deified. The fall of the three generations and the abandonment of Gongzi are all things. What can women do? If there is something extraordinary, it can move people, but if it is not virtuous, it will inevitably lead to disaster.” Shuhang was afraid and dared not take her. Ping Gong forced him to take her, and Boshishi was born. Boshishi was born, and Shurong’s mother went to see her aunt and said, “Shu Siyi gave birth to a son.” Aunt looked at it and returned. She said, “This is the voice of a wolf. Langziya…