衛康叔世家

Kang Shu, personal name Feng, was a younger full brother of King Wu of Zhou. After him there was still Yan Ji, the youngest of all.

When King Wu had conquered Yin Zhou, he further enfeoffed Wu Geng Lufu, the son of King Zhou of Shang, among the remnant Yin population, ranking him among the lords to maintain his ancestors' sacrifices without interruption. But since Wu Geng had not yet been fully pacified and might harbor treasonous intentions, King Wu ordered his brothers Guan Shu and Cai Shu to serve as overseers and counselors to Wu Geng, to maintain harmony among the people. When King Wu died, King Cheng was young. The Duke of Zhou governed on King Cheng's behalf, directing the state. Guan Shu and Cai Shu suspected the Duke of Zhou and, together with Wu Geng, raised a rebellion intending to attack Chengzhou. The Duke of Zhou, bearing King Cheng's mandate, raised an army and attacked Yin. He killed Wu Geng and Guan Shu, banished Cai Shu, and enfeoffed Kang Shu as Lord of Wei with the Yin remnant population, settled between the Yellow River and the Qi River on the old Shang ruins.

The Duke of Zhou, fearing that Kang Shu was too young, solemnly admonished him: "You must seek out the worthy men, noble gentlemen, and elders of Yin, and ask them why the former Yin rose and why it fell, and devote yourself to loving the people." He warned that the reason King Zhou fell was his addiction to wine — the ruin of wine lay in the employment of women, and so the disorder of Zhou began. He composed the "Catalpa Materials" as a model for the noble man to follow. These were called the Announcement to Kang, the Announcement on Wine, and the Catalpa Materials — these three mandates. Kang Shu governed his state according to these commands and was able to unite and settle his people. The people were greatly pleased.

When King Cheng grew up and assumed governance, he elevated Kang Shu to serve as the Zhou Minister of Justice and bestowed treasured sacrificial vessels upon Wei, to honor its virtue.

When Kang Shu died, his son Kang Bo succeeded. Kang Bo was followed by Kao Bo, Si Bo, Wen Bo, Jing Bo, and Zhen Bo in succession. Then Duke Qing succeeded.

Duke Qing offered rich bribes to King Yi of Zhou, and King Yi commanded that Wei be elevated to the rank of marquis. Duke Qing died after twelve years. His son Duke Xi succeeded.

In the thirteenth year of Duke Xi, King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi, and the Gonghe Regency administered the government. In the twenty-eighth year, King Xuan of Zhou took the throne.

In Duke Xi's forty-second year he died. His crown prince Gong Bo Yu was established. But Gong Bo's younger brother He had been favored by Duke Xi and given great wealth. He used his wealth to bribe men, and attacked Gong Bo at the tomb site. Gong Bo fled into Duke Xi's tomb tunnel and killed himself. The people of Wei buried him beside Duke Xi, gave him the posthumous name Gong Bo, and established He as Lord of Wei — this was Duke Wu.

Duke Wu took the throne and restored the governance of Kang Shu. The people were at peace. In his forty-second year, the Quanrong killed King You of Zhou. Duke Wu led troops to assist Zhou in repelling the Rong and performed great service. King Ping of Zhou elevated Duke Wu to the rank of duke. He died in his fifty-fifth year. His son Duke Zhuang Yang succeeded.

In Duke Zhuang's fifth year, he married a Qi woman as his consort. She was beautiful but had no children. He also married a Chen woman, who bore a son, but the child died young. The Chen woman's younger sister was also favored by Duke Zhuang and bore a son, Wan. When Wan's mother died, Duke Zhuang had the Qi consort adopt him and made him crown prince. Duke Zhuang had a favored concubine who bore a son, Zhouyu. In the eighteenth year, Zhouyu had grown up and was fond of warfare. Duke Zhuang gave him a military command. Shi Que remonstrated: "An illegitimate son who loves warfare, given command — disorder will start from this." The duke did not listen. In the twenty-third year, Duke Zhuang died. Crown Prince Wan took the throne — this was Duke Huan.

In the second year of Duke Huan, his brother Zhouyu was arrogant and extravagant. Duke Huan demoted him, and Zhouyu fled into exile. In the thirteenth year, the younger brother of the Lord of Zheng, Duan, attacked his elder brother and was defeated. Zhouyu sought friendship with Duan. In the sixteenth year, Zhouyu gathered Wei's fugitives and launched a surprise attack, killing Duke Huan. He proclaimed himself lord of Wei. On behalf of Duan, he wished to attack Zheng and invited Song, Chen, and Cai to join. All three agreed. But Zhouyu was newly established, loved war, and had murdered Duke Huan — the people of Wei all despised him. Shi Que therefore used Duke Huan's mother's family connections in Chen and pretended to be friendly toward Zhouyu. At the outskirts of Zheng, Shi Que conspired with the lord of Chen. They had the Right Steward Chou bring food, then killed Zhouyu at Pu. They welcomed Duke Huan's brother Jin from Xing and established him — this was Duke Xuan.

In the seventh year of Duke Xuan, Lu murdered its lord Duke Yin. In the ninth year, Hua Du of Song murdered his lord Duke Shang and Minister Kong. In the tenth year, the Lord of Quwo in Jin murdered his lord Duke Ai.

In the eighteenth year: earlier, Duke Xuan had loved his consort Yi Jiang. Yi Jiang bore a son, Ji, who was made crown prince, with the Right Prince as his tutor. The Right Prince obtained a Qi bride for the crown prince, but before she entered his chambers, Duke Xuan saw the intended bride and found her beautiful. He took her for himself and obtained a different wife for the crown prince. Duke Xuan's Qi bride bore sons Shou and Shuo, with the Left Prince as their tutor. Crown Prince Ji's mother had died. Duke Xuan's principal consort and Shuo together slandered Crown Prince Ji. Duke Xuan, who felt guilty about having taken the crown prince's bride, harbored resentment against his son and wished to depose him. When the slanders reached him, he was furious. He sent Crown Prince Ji on a mission to Qi and ordered bandits to intercept and kill him at the border, giving the crown prince a white pennant and instructing the border bandits to kill whoever carried it.

As Ji was about to depart, Shou — Shuo's elder brother and Ji's half-brother — knew of Shuo's hatred for the crown prince and of the duke's intent to kill him. He told Ji: "The border bandits will see the white pennant and kill you. Do not go." Ji said: "To defy my father's command in order to preserve my life — that I cannot do." He set out. Seeing that Ji would not stop, Shou seized the white pennant from him and galloped ahead to the border. The bandits saw the token and killed him. After Shou was dead, Crown Prince Ji arrived and told the bandits: "The one you should have killed is me." The bandits killed Ji as well and reported to Duke Xuan. Duke Xuan made Shuo the crown prince. In the nineteenth year, Duke Xuan died. Crown Prince Shuo took the throne — this was Duke Hui.

The Left and Right Princes were resentful that Shuo had been established. In the fourth year of Duke Hui, the two princes, angry that Duke Hui had slandered and killed the former Crown Prince Ji to take his place, raised a rebellion, attacked Duke Hui, and installed Ji's brother Qianmou as ruler. Duke Hui fled to Qi.

Lord Qianmou of Wei held the throne for eight years. Duke Xiang of Qi led the lords on a royal mandate to jointly attack Wei, restore Duke Hui, and execute the Left and Right Princes. Lord Qianmou fled to the Zhou court. Duke Hui was restored. He had first ruled for three years before fleeing, was in exile for eight years before returning — counting both periods together, his total reign was thirteen years.

In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Hui, resentful that Zhou had sheltered Qianmou, joined Yan in attacking Zhou. King Hui of Zhou fled to Wen. Wei and Yan installed King Hui's brother Tui as king. In the twenty-ninth year, Zheng restored King Hui. In the thirty-first year, Duke Hui died. His son Duke Yi Chi succeeded.

Duke Yi took the throne and became obsessed with cranes, indulging in extravagant pleasures. In his ninth year, the Di invaded Wei. Duke Yi wished to raise troops, but the soldiers refused to obey. The ministers said: "The lord loves cranes — let the cranes fight the Di." The Di then entered and killed Duke Yi.

From the time Duke Yi was established, neither the people nor the ministers accepted him. From the point when Duke Yi's father, Duke Hui Shuo, had slandered Crown Prince Ji and taken his place down to Duke Yi, the people had always wished to overthrow the line. They ultimately destroyed Duke Hui's descendants and instead established Shen, the son of Zhao Bo Wan — Qianmou's brother — as ruler. This was Duke Dai.

Duke Dai Shen died in his first year. Duke Huan of Qi, noting Wei's repeated disorders, led the lords in attacking the Di, built Chuqiu for Wei, and installed Dai's brother Hui as lord of Wei. Originally, when the Di killed Duke Yi, the people of Wei pitied their state and wished to restore the line of Crown Prince Ji — the son of Duke Xuan who had died earlier. But Ji's sons were also dead, and Shou, who had died in Ji's place, had no sons. Ji had two brothers by the same mother: the first was Qianmou, who had once served as lord for eight years before being removed; the second was Zhao Bo. Both Zhao Bo and Qianmou had already died. So they established Zhao Bo's son Shen as Duke Dai. When Duke Dai died, they established his brother Hui as Duke Wen.

Duke Wen, when first established, reduced taxes, equalized punishments, labored in person, and shared the people's hardships, thereby winning the hearts of the Wei populace.

In the sixteenth year, Prince Chonger of Jin passed through Wei and was treated discourteously. In the seventeenth year, Duke Huan of Qi died. In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Wen died. His son Duke Cheng Zheng succeeded.

In the third year of Duke Cheng, Jin wished to borrow passage through Wei to rescue Song. Duke Cheng refused. Jin crossed the southern Yellow River instead to rescue Song. Jin demanded troops from Wei. The Wei ministers wished to comply, but Duke Cheng would not. The minister Yuan Xuan attacked Duke Cheng, who fled. Duke Wen of Jin, Chonger, then attacked Wei, dividing its territory and giving it to Song — punishing both the earlier discourtesy and the refusal to aid Song. Duke Cheng of Wei fled to Chen. After two years, he went to Zhou to request readmission and met with Duke Wen of Jin. Jin sent someone to poison Duke Cheng, but the duke privately asked the Zhou court's poison-master to weaken the dose, and so he survived. Later, Zhou interceded with Duke Wen of Jin, who ultimately allowed Duke Cheng back into Wei. Yuan Xuan was executed, and Lord Xia of Wei fled. In the seventh year, Duke Wen of Jin died. In the twelfth year, Duke Cheng paid court to Duke Xiang of Jin. In the fourteenth year, Duke Mu of Qin died. In the twenty-sixth year, Bing Chu of Qi murdered Duke Yi. In the thirty-fifth year, Duke Cheng died. His son Duke Mu succeeded.

In the second year of Duke Mu, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Chen and killed Xia Zhengshu. In the third year, King Zhuang besieged Zheng. Zheng surrendered, and Chu released it. In the eleventh year, Sun Liangfu rescued Lu by attacking Qi, recovering lost territory. Duke Mu died. His son Duke Ding Zang succeeded. Duke Ding died after twelve years. His son Duke Xian Kan succeeded.

In the thirteenth year of Duke Xian, the duke ordered the music master Cao to teach a palace concubine the qin. She played badly, and Cao whipped her. The concubine, being a favorite, slandered Cao to the duke. The duke also had Cao whipped three hundred strokes. In the eighteenth year, Duke Xian invited Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi to dine. Both came. But as the day wore on he did not summon them. Instead he went shooting geese in the park. The two followed him there, but the duke did not remove his hunting gear to speak with them. Both were furious and went to Su. Later, when Sun Wenzi's son attended the duke's drinking parties, he had music master Cao sing the final stanza of the "Artful Words." Cao, still furious over his three hundred lashes, sang it with relish — intending to provoke Sun Wenzi and take revenge on Duke Xian. Wenzi spoke to Qu Boyu about it. Boyu said: "I know nothing of this." They then attacked and drove out Duke Xian. Duke Xian fled to Qi, where the Duke of Qi settled him at Juyi. Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi jointly established Duke Ding's brother Qiu as lord of Wei — this was Duke Shang.

Duke Shang took the throne and enfeoffed Sun Wenzi Linfu at Su. In the twelfth year, Ning Xi and Sun Linfu competed for favor and fell into mutual enmity. Duke Shang sent Ning Xi to attack Sun Linfu. Linfu fled to Jin and sought to restore the former Duke Xian. Duke Xian was in Qi. Duke Jing of Qi, hearing of this, accompanied Duke Xian to Jin to seek restoration. Jin attacked Wei on his behalf and lured Wei into a covenant. Duke Shang met with Duke Ping of Jin, who seized both Duke Shang and Ning Xi and restored Duke Xian. Duke Xian had been in exile for twelve years before returning.

In the first year after Duke Xian's return, he executed Ning Xi.

In the third year, Jizha of Yanling from Wu passed through Wei on a mission and met Qu Boyu and Shi Qiu. He said: "Wei has many men of virtue — the state will face no troubles." Passing through Su, he heard Sun Linfu playing the chime-stones and said: "Joyless — the sound is too sorrowful. This is what has caused Wei's disorder." That year, Duke Xian died. His son Duke Xiang E succeeded.

In the sixth year of Duke Xiang, King Ling of Chu convened the lords. Duke Xiang pleaded illness and did not attend.

In his ninth year, Duke Xiang died. Earlier, Duke Xiang had a lowly concubine whom he favored. She became pregnant and dreamed that someone said to her: "I am Kang Shu. I ordain that your son shall surely possess Wei. Name him 'Yuan.'" The concubine was amazed and consulted Kong Chengzi. Chengzi said: "Kang Shu is the ancestor of Wei." When she gave birth to a boy, she reported it to Duke Xiang. He said: "This is Heaven's appointment." He named the child Yuan. Since Duke Xiang's principal consort had no sons, Yuan was established as heir — this was Duke Ling.

In the fifth year of Duke Ling, he went to pay court to Duke Zhao of Jin. In the sixth year, the Chu prince Qiji murdered King Ling and took the throne as King Ping. In the eleventh year, there was a fire.

In the thirty-eighth year, Confucius came. Duke Ling paid him a stipend equal to what he had received in Lu. Later there was a falling-out and Confucius left. Afterward he returned again.

In the thirty-ninth year, Crown Prince Kuaikui and Duke Ling's consort Nanzi were on hostile terms. Kuaikui wished to kill Nanzi. He conspired with his follower Xi Yang: during a morning audience, Xi Yang was to kill the consort. But Xi Yang lost his nerve and did not carry through. Kuaikui kept signaling him with his eyes. The consort noticed, grew frightened, and cried out: "The crown prince wants to kill me!" Duke Ling was furious. Crown Prince Kuaikui fled to Song, and later went to the Zhao clan in Jin.

In the spring of the forty-second year, Duke Ling was traveling in the suburbs and ordered Prince Ying to drive. Ying was Duke Ling's youngest son, styled Zinan. Duke Ling, resentful that the crown prince had fled, said to Ying: "I will make you my heir." Ying replied: "I am not worthy to disgrace the altars of state. May the lord reconsider." In summer, Duke Ling died. The consort ordered that Ying be made crown prince, saying: "This was Duke Ling's command." Ying said: "The exiled crown prince Kuaikui has a son, Zhe, here in Wei. I dare not accept." Wei then established Zhe as ruler — this was Duke Chu.

On the yiyou day of the sixth month, Zhao Jianzi of Jin wished to install Kuaikui. He had Yang Hu forge orders and sent over ten Wei men in mourning dress to return, while Jianzi escorted Kuaikui. When the Wei people heard of this, they sent troops to attack Kuaikui. Kuaikui could not enter and retreated to Su, fortifying his position. The Wei army also stood down.

In the fourth year of Duke Chu Zhe, Tian Qi of Qi murdered his lord, the child ruler. In the eighth year, Bao Zi of Qi murdered his lord Duke Dao.

Confucius entered Wei from Chen. In the ninth year, Kong Wenzi asked Confucius about military affairs. Confucius did not reply. Afterward Lu invited Confucius back, and he returned to Lu.

In the twelfth year: earlier, Kong Yu Wenzi had married the elder sister of Crown Prince Kuaikui and fathered Kui. A handsome servant of the Kong household named Hun Liangfu became the lover of Kui's mother after Kong Wenzi died. The crown prince was at Su, and Kui's mother sent Liangfu to him. The crown prince told Liangfu: "If you can get me into the state, I will reward you with a carriage of honor, exempt you from three death sentences, and give you whatever you wish." They swore an oath, and Kuaikui promised to give him Kui's mother as his wife. In the intercalary month, Liangfu and the crown prince entered Wei, lodging at the Kong estate's outer garden. At dusk, the two concealed themselves under cloaks and rode in, with the eunuch Luo driving, to the Kong residence. The Kong household elder Luan Ning questioned them. They claimed to be female relatives. They entered and went to Lady Boji. After eating, Kui's mother took up a halberd and went ahead. The crown prince followed with five armed men, driving a boar before them. Lady Boji seized Kui in the privy, forced him to swear an oath, and then dragged him up the tower. Luan Ning had been about to drink wine — his meat was not yet cooked — when he heard of the turmoil. He sent word to Zhong You. He called for a guard and chariot, swallowed his wine and meat on the run, and escorted Duke Chu Zhe in flight to Lu.

Zhong You was about to enter when he met Zigao coming out. Zigao said: "The gate is already shut." Zilu said: "I will go anyway." Zigao said: "It is too late — do not rush into danger." Zilu said: "I eat their bread; I will not flee their danger." Zigao departed. Zilu entered. At the gate, Gongsun Gan shut the door and said: "Do not go in!" Zilu said: "Is this Gongsun? He seeks the profit and flees the peril. I am not like that — I take the salary, so I must face the crisis." A messenger came out, and Zilu got in. He said: "What use has the crown prince for Kong Kui? Even if you kill him, someone will take his place." He also said: "The crown prince has no courage. If you set fire to the tower, he will release Kong Shu." The crown prince heard this, and in alarm sent Shi Qi and Meng Yan against Zilu. They struck him with a halberd, cutting his cap-strings. Zilu said: "A gentleman dies with his cap on." He tied his cap-strings and died. When Confucius heard of the Wei turmoil, he said: "Alas! Chai will come back, but You is dead." Kong Kui was forced to install Crown Prince Kuaikui — this was Duke Zhuang.

Duke Zhuang Kuaikui was the father of Duke Chu, and had lived in exile. He resented the ministers for not having welcomed him. In his first year on the throne, he wished to execute all the high ministers, saying: "I have been abroad a long time — surely you have heard about it?" The ministers threatened rebellion, and he desisted.

In the second year, Confucius of Lu died.

In the third year, Duke Zhuang ascended the city wall and saw the Rong district. He said: "What are these Rong barbarians doing here?" The Rong people were offended. In the tenth month, the Rong reported to Zhao Jianzi of Jin, who besieged Wei. In the eleventh month, Duke Zhuang fled. The Wei people established Prince Banshi as lord. Qi attacked Wei, captured Banshi, and installed Prince Qi as lord instead.

In the first year of Lord Qi, Shi Manfu of Wei drove out his lord Qi, who fled to Qi. Duke Chu Zhe returned from Qi and was restored. Originally Duke Chu had ruled for twelve years before fleeing and was in exile for four years before returning. In the first year after his restoration, he rewarded those who had followed him into exile. He ruled twenty-one years and died. Duke Chu's uncle Qian attacked Duke Chu's sons and installed himself — this was Duke Dao.

Duke Dao died in his fifth year. His son Duke Jing Fu succeeded. Duke Jing died after nineteen years. His son Duke Zhao Jiu succeeded. At this time the three Jin successor states were powerful, and Wei was like a minor lordship, subordinate to them.

In the sixth year of Duke Zhao, Prince Wei murdered him and took the throne — this was Duke Huai. In Duke Huai's eleventh year, Prince Tui murdered Duke Huai and took the throne — this was Duke Shen. Duke Shen's father was Prince Shi; Shi's father was Duke Jing. Duke Shen died after forty-two years. His son Duke Sheng Xun succeeded. Duke Sheng died after eleven years. His son Marquis Cheng succeeded.

In the eleventh year of Marquis Cheng, Gongsun Yang entered Qin. In the sixteenth year, Wei further demoted its title to 'Marquis.'

In the twenty-ninth year, Marquis Cheng died. His son Marquis Ping succeeded. Marquis Ping died after eight years. His son Lord Si succeeded.

In the fifth year of Lord Si, he further demoted his title to mere 'Lord,' holding only Puyang.

Lord Si died after forty-two years. His son Lord Huai succeeded. In the thirty-first year of Lord Huai, he went to pay court to Wei (the Warring State). Wei imprisoned and killed Lord Huai. Wei then installed Lord Si's younger brother as ruler — this was Lord Yuan. Lord Yuan was Wei's son-in-law, which is why Wei installed him. In the fourteenth year of Lord Yuan, Qin captured Wei's eastern territory. Qin established the Eastern Commandery for the first time, relocated Wei's lord to Yewang County, and incorporated Puyang into the Eastern Commandery. In Lord Yuan's twenty-fifth year he died. His son Lord Jiao succeeded.

In the ninth year of Lord Jiao, Qin unified All-Under-Heaven and established the First Emperor. In Lord Jiao's twenty-first year, the Second Emperor deposed Lord Jiao to commoner status. Wei's sacrifices were extinguished.

The Grand Historian says: When I read the Hereditary Houses and reached the story of Duke Xuan's crown prince being killed over a woman, and his brother Shou contesting death in an act of mutual yielding — this is like the Crown Prince Shensheng of Jin who dared not expose Lady Li Ji's crimes, both abhorring the thought of wounding their father's will. Yet they all died in the end — how tragic! That father and son should kill each other, that brothers should destroy one another — what is this?

The Minister of Justice received his fief; the 'Catalpa Materials' was composed. King Cheng bestowed the vessels; King Yi elevated the title. Duke Wu could restore the Way; from Duke Wen began the recovery. The Odes praise the returning swallows; the tradition extols Shi Que. Leather-capped, shooting geese — riding in carriages, employing cranes. Duke Xuan indulged his licentious favorite, and strife was born between Ji and Shuo. Kuaikui gave offense; Duke Chu did evil. Wei's fortune declined day by day, and it ended with Lord Jiao.