| | Yan Yuan died. The Master said, "Heaven is bereaving me." Zilu died. The Master said, "Heaven is helping me." While hunting in the west, they captured a qilin. He said, "My Way has come to an end, my Way has come to an end." After three years, he died along with his body. Heaven's will determines success or failure; a sage understands this, and there are things even one cannot save—it is fate indeed.
|
| | Before the death of Xian Zhi of Jin, Duke Huan of Qi convened the Kuichou assembly, bringing about a second gathering. Before one year had passed since the death of Xiao Wei of Qi, Duke Xi of Lu requested troops to take action. The authority of Duke Wen of Jin was twice acknowledged by the Son of Heaven. One year before his death, the mind of Duke Xi of Lu divided and he served Qi. Duke Wen did not serve Jin. One year before the death of Marquis Pan of Qi, Duke Wen went to Jin, and Marquis Wei and Duke Zheng both came unexpectedly. After Marquis of Qi had died, the feudal lords indeed met with Jin officials at Xincheng. Duke Zhao of Lu did not enter because he was involved in matters concerning Chu. Chu grew strong and confident, convening the feudal lords twice within a year, attacking powerful Wu, punishing rebellious ministers for Qi, and thus eliminating the state of Li. Lu gained its strength to destroy it in the following year, went to Jin, and avoided the difficulty on the riverbank. One year before the death of Duke Zhao of Jin, there was no hardship. Chu experienced internal turmoil, with ministers assassinating their ruler. The feudal lords convened at Pingqiu to plot the punishment of Chu's rebellious ministers, but Duke Zhao was not allowed to join the alliance, and his officials were seized. Wu decisively defeated the six states allied with Chu at Jifu. The duke went to Jin and suffered great humiliation; The Spring and Autumn Annals concealed this by stating he was ill. From this we see that the path one follows is not something to rely on, and therefore one must be especially cautious about whom one serves. This is also a key factor in determining survival or destruction, honor or disgrace. Three years before the death of King Zhuang of Chu, Jin annihilated the Hongdi Lu clan and Jia Shi Liuyu. Three years before the death of Chuzi Shen, Zheng submitted to Xiao Yu. One year after Duke Zhou of Jin died, and two years before the death of Chuzizi Zhao, they joined forces with Chen and Cai to attack Zheng and achieved a great victory. The following year, Qu Jian of Chu convened the feudal lords and expanded Central China. Three years after his death, the rulers of Zhuxia paid homage to Chu. Chuzi Juan succeeded him and died four years later. Its state was not subject to invasion or plunder, yet it became flourishing and powerful; Central China did not take more than a year—why was this? Duke Zhao of Chu was indeed a ruler worthy of the feudal lords; those throughout the world who resented their own rulers all flocked to him and took advantage of his cause. The army launched military campaigns four or five times, always using the many to attack the few, and the concentrated against the scattered—this was the full realization of righteousness. Four or five years before his death, internal discord prevailed in Zhongguo; the armies of Qi, Jin, Lu, and Wei were divided in their defense, while major states attacked minor ones. The rulers of Zhuxia convened twice at Chenyi, but Qi refused to attend. To the south, Wu was present and two rulers were killed; to the north, Zhongguo saw Qi and Wei kill their own kings. Qing Feng seized a ruler and caused chaos in the state, while Shi E's followers gathered into bands. Wei occupied Chenyi and acted treacherously. Lin Fu held Qi in rebellion; Duke Song killed his crown prince, and Lu suffered a great famine. The conduct of Zhongguo marked the signs of a collapsing state. For example, during the reign of Wenxuan, within five years, five rulers in Zhongguo were killed. Because of the conduct of Duke Ling of Jin, a single official was stationed at Feilin, bowing and gesturing in command, yet no feudal lord dared to refuse—this was still like the banks surrounding a marsh.
|
