| | In the twenty-second year, spring, the people of Chen killed their crown prince Yuku; Gongzi Wan and Zhuan Sun of Chen fled to Qi. Zhuan Sun came from Qi to take refuge here. Duke Qi appointed Jing Zhong as an official. He declined, saying: "A wandering subject like me is fortunate if I am pardoned and treated with leniency by the government; you forgive my lack of familiarity with instruction and discipline, and exempt me from punishment, relieving me of burdens—this is your grace, and I have already gained much. How dare I disgrace a high position and invite official censure? Please allow me to die in order to make this request known." "The Book of Songs says: 'The carriages are so lofty, they invite me with bows; would I not wish to go? But I fear my friends.' " He was then appointed as the head of artisans. They drank wine with Duke Huan and enjoyed themselves. The duke said, "Continue the celebration with torchlight." He declined, saying: "I have divined for the day but not for the night; I dare not!" The gentlemen said, "Wine completes a ritual, but should not lead to excess—that is righteousness. To complete the ritual for one's ruler and prevent him from falling into excess—that is benevolence." Initially, Yishi divined about marrying his daughter to Jing Zhong. His wife interpreted the omen and said: "It is auspicious. This means 'The phoenix soars, its harmonious cries resound 锵锵.'" "The descendants of Gui will be nurtured by the Jiang clan." "In five generations, they shall flourish and rise to the rank of chief minister." "After eight generations, none will surpass them in greatness." Duke Lie of Chen was the son of Cai, so the people of Cai killed Wu Fu and placed him on the throne." He gave birth to Jing Zhong. When he was young, a historian from Zhou who had studied the Yijing visited Duke Chen. Duke Chen made him divinate for Jing Zhong and received the hexagram Guan changing into Pi. He said: "This means 'Observing the light of the state, it is advantageous to serve as a guest at court.'" Will this mean that he will replace Chen and possess the state? Not here, but in a foreign land. Not for himself, but for his descendants; it refers to one who will shine far away and bring glory from elsewhere. Kun represents earth, Xun represents wind, Qian represents heaven; the wind acts as heaven over the earth—this is a mountain. Possessing the material of a mountain and illuminated by heavenly light, thus residing above the earth. Therefore it says: "Observing the light of the country, it is advantageous to serve at court." The courtyard is filled with a hundred tributes, presented with jade and silk; all the beauty of heaven and earth is present, hence it says: "It is advantageous to serve at court." There remains something yet to be observed, thus it says: "Perhaps in the future!" The wind moves and becomes evident on the earth; therefore it says: "Perhaps in a foreign land!" If it is to be in a foreign land, it must surely be among those of the Jiang surname. Jiang is the descendant of Dayue. Mountains and high peaks are matched with heaven. Nothing can have two great powers coexist. "When Chen declines, this is when they will flourish!" When the state of Chen first declined, Duke Huan of Chen began to grow powerful in Qi. When it later fell, Chengzi gained power.
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