Rituals and Power Struggles: Insights into Ancient Chinese Dynastic Politics

In the third year of spring, during the first month, the sacrificial ox for the suburban altar suffered a mouth injury, necessitating a replacement through divination. When the replacement ox died, the suburban sacrifice was omitted, despite the usual three postponements. This year also marked the burial of King Kuang of Zhou. During summer, the ruler of Chu campaigned against the Rong of Luhun. Chu forces later invaded Zheng in the summer, while in autumn, the Red Di attacked Qi. Meanwhile, the army of Song besieged Cao. In winter, on the tenth month’s Bing Xu day, Duke Lan of Zheng passed away and was buried as Duke Mu of Zheng.

The third year of spring saw unconventional practices, as the omission of the suburban sacrifice and the postponements were against ritual norms. The postponements are linked to the suburban sacrifices. However, without the sacrifice, postponement is irrelevant. The Marquis of Jin attacked Zheng, reaching Yan. Peace ensued between Zheng and Jin, and their knights entered into an alliance. Chu’s ruler waged war against the Rong of Luhun, proceeding to Luò, where he observed military activities at Zhou’s border. King Ding of Zhou sent Wang Sunman to dissuade the Chu ruler. Chu’s ruler asked about the weight and size of the cauldrons. He replied, “Virtue, not cauldrons, holds importance. During the Xia dynasty, they had virtue, and from distant places, they offered treasures. They made tributes of gold, livestock, and cast cauldrons depicting various creatures, enabling people to understand deities and identify deceit. Thus, people went into rivers, marshes, mountains, and forests, where they never met hostility. The spirit of Chi and Mei were elusive; no one could find them. They cooperated with the upper and lower classes to maintain heaven’s favor. King Jie showed poor virtue, and the cauldron moved to the Shang. It bore the six hundred sacrifices. Shang Zhou was oppressive, and the cauldron moved to the Zhou. The decline of virtue is slight but significant. The establishment of chaotic times is extensive but trivial. When heaven blesses noble virtues, it stops. King Cheng established a cauldron at Jiawu, foreseeing thirty generations and seven centuries as fate. Although Zhou’s virtue is declining, heaven’s decree remains unchanged, and the weight of the cauldron cannot be queried.”

During summer, Chu attacked Zheng, an issue deriving from the previous Jin. Song’s Duke Wen reigned for three years, killing his maternal uncle, Xu and Duke Zhao’s son. The plot by the Wu clan involved attacking the Wu clan at the residence of Sima Zibei. They expelled the Wu and Mu clans. The Wu and Mu clans led an army to invade Song. In autumn, Song besieged Cao, avenging the Wu clan’s disorder. In winter, Duke Mu of Zheng died. Originally, Duke Wen of Zheng had a lowly concubine named Yanji, who dreamt that heaven sent her an orchid, stating, “I will be Baoshou. I am a king and a son. With this orchid, the country has the fragrance, and people obey it.” Later, Duke Wen saw her and used her orchid. She said, “I am not talented but have a son, and I will not believe it. Dare to recruit orchids.” promise. Mu was called and Zi was executed. sought a wife who birthed Hua, Chen, killed the prisoner.