晉世家（下）

In the first year of Duke Jing, spring, the Chen minister Xia Zhengshu assassinated his lord Duke Ling of Chen. In the second year, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Chen and executed Zhengshu.

In the third year, King Zhuang of Chu besieged Zheng. Zheng appealed urgently to Jin. Jin sent Xun Linfu commanding the center army, Sui Hui the upper army, and Zhao Shuo the lower army, with Xi Ke, Luan Shu, Xian Hu, Han Jue, and Gong Shuo as their seconds. In the sixth month they reached the Yellow River and learned that Chu had already subdued Zheng — Duke Mu of Zheng had stripped to the waist and sworn an oath, and Chu had departed. Xun Linfu wished to turn back. Xian Hu said: "We came to rescue Zheng. Not to arrive is unacceptable — the commanders will lose heart." They crossed the river.

Chu, having subdued Zheng, intended merely to water its horses at the Yellow River as a gesture before withdrawing. But Chu and Jin engaged in a great battle. Zheng, having just submitted to Chu and fearing it, turned against Jin and aided the Chu attack. Jin's army was routed and fled to the river, fighting to cross. So many men had their fingers severed by those clutching at boats. Chu captured the Jin commander Zhi. Upon returning, Linfu said: "I was supreme commander. The army was defeated. I deserve execution. I request death." Duke Jing was inclined to grant it. Sui Hui said: "When Duke Wen fought Chu at Chengpu, King Cheng returned and executed Ziyu — and Duke Wen was delighted. Now Chu has already defeated our army. If we also execute our own commander, we help Chu destroy its enemy." The execution was halted.

In the seventeenth year, Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo were convicted and their clan was annihilated. Han Jue said: "Can the merit of Zhao Cui and Zhao Dun be forgotten? How can we extinguish their sacrifices?" A junior Zhao son, Wu, was therefore established as the Zhao heir and his fief was restored.

In the nineteenth year, summer, Duke Jing fell ill and installed his crown prince Shouman — this was Duke Li. A month later, Duke Jing died.

In the first year of Duke Li, newly enthroned, he wished to make peace among the feudal lords and swore an oath with Duke Huan of Qin, facing each other across the Yellow River. But upon returning, Qin broke the oath and conspired with the Di to attack Jin. In the third year, Jin sent Lü Xiang to reproach Qin, then led the feudal lords in an attack, reaching the Jing River and defeating Qin at Masui, capturing their general Cheng Cha.

In the sixth year, spring, Zheng broke with Jin and allied with Chu. Jin was furious. Luan Shu said: "We cannot lose the feudal lords during our generation." They mobilized. Duke Li personally led the army and crossed the Yellow River in the fifth month. When word came that Chu was sending a rescue force, Fan Wenzi urged the duke to return. Xi Zhi said: "We raised our army to punish treachery. To see a strong enemy and retreat gives us no authority to command the lords." They gave battle.

On the guisi day, an arrow struck King Gong of Chu in the eye. Chu's army was defeated at Yanling. Ziyu collected the remnants and wished to resume fighting. Jin was alarmed. King Gong summoned Ziyu, but his attendant, the boy Yanggu, had given him wine, and Ziyu was too drunk to appear. The king was furious, rebuked Ziyu, and Ziyu killed himself. The king then withdrew his forces. Jin thereby overawed the feudal lords and sought hegemony as commander of All-Under-Heaven.

Duke Li had many outside favorites among his consorts. Upon his return, he wished to eliminate all the great ministers and install his favorites' brothers. In the eighth year, Duke Li was out hunting and drinking with his consort. Xi Zhi killed a boar and presented it, but a eunuch seized it. Xi Zhi shot and killed the eunuch. The duke was furious: "Ji Zi defies me!" In the twelfth month, the duke ordered Xu Tong with eight hundred men to ambush and kill the three Xi ministers. In the intercalary month, while Duke Li was visiting the estate of Jiang Li, Luan Shu and Zhonghang Yan led their partisans to seize Duke Li, imprison him, and kill Xu Tong. They sent for Prince Zhou from the Zhou court and installed him — this was Duke Dao.

Duke Dao, Zhou, was the grandson of Jie — a younger son of Duke Xiang of Jin who never reached the throne. Jie was titled Earl Huan and was the most beloved of his sons. Earl Huan sired Huibo Tan. Tan sired Duke Dao, Zhou. Zhou was fourteen when he was enthroned. He said: "My grandfather and father both failed to take the throne and fled to Zhou, where they died in exile. I considered myself too distant a relation and never expected to become lord. Now the great ministers, not forgetting the legacy of Dukes Wen and Xiang, have graciously installed Earl Huan's descendant. Through the blessings of the ancestral temples and the ministers, I am permitted to carry on Jin's sacrifices — dare I not tremble with reverence? Ministers, I ask you to assist me!" He expelled seven disloyal men, restored old meritorious families, distributed kindness, and gathered the descendants of Duke Wen's companions. In autumn he attacked Zheng, defeated its army, and advanced to Chen.

In the third year, Jin convened the feudal lords. Duke Dao asked which ministers could be employed. Qi Xi recommended Xie Hu — who was Qi Xi's personal enemy. Asked for a second recommendation, he named his own son Qi Wu. The gentlemen said: "Qi Xi may truly be called impartial! In recommending outsiders he does not conceal his enemies; in recommending from within he does not conceal his son." While the lords were assembled, the duke's brother Yang Gan disrupted the ranks. Wei Jiang punished his driver. Duke Dao was angry, but was counseled otherwise and ultimately valued Jiang, entrusting him with governance and the pacification of the Rong barbarians. The Rong became close allies. In the eleventh year, Duke Dao said: "Since I employed Wei Jiang, I have convened the lords nine times and pacified the Rong and Di — all through his efforts."

In the fifteenth year, Duke Dao died and his son Duke Ping, Biao, succeeded.

In Duke Ping's fourteenth year, Ji Zha of Yanling came as Wu's envoy and spoke with Zhao Wenzi, Han Xuanzi, and Wei Xianzi: "The governance of Jin will ultimately pass to these three families."

In the nineteenth year, Qi sent Yan Ying to Jin. He spoke privately with Shu Xiang: "Jin is in its final generation. The duke levies heavy taxes to build terraces and pools but does not attend to governance. Political power resides in private houses. How long can this last?" Yan Ying agreed.

In the twenty-sixth year, Duke Ping died and his son Duke Zhao, Yi, succeeded. Duke Zhao died after six years. The six great ministerial families were powerful; the ducal house was weak. His son Duke Qing, Quji, succeeded.

In Duke Qing's sixth year, King Jing of Zhou died and the royal princes fought over the succession. Jin's six great ministers pacified the Zhou court's disorder and installed King Jing.

In the twelfth year, the descendants of the Jin ducal house — the grandchildren of Qi Xi and the sons of Shu Xiang — fell into the duke's disfavor. The six ministerial families, wishing to weaken the ducal house, used the law to exterminate these clans entirely, dividing their fiefs into ten counties and appointing their own sons as magistrates. Jin grew weaker still, and the six families grew ever more powerful.

In the fourteenth year, Duke Qing died and his son Duke Ding, Wu, succeeded.

In Duke Ding's fifteenth year, Zhao Yang sent the Handan magistrate Wu on a mission. Wu proved disloyal, and Yang intended to kill him. Wu allied with Zhonghang Yin and Fan Jishe to attack Zhao Yang, who fled to defend Jinyang. Duke Ding besieged Jinyang. Xun Li, Han Buxin, and Wei Chi were enemies of the Fan and Zhonghang clans and redirected their troops against them. The Fan and Zhonghang forces revolted. The duke's forces struck them and prevailed. The Fan and Zhonghang forces fled to Zhaoye and held it. Han and Wei interceded for Zhao Yang with the duke, who pardoned Yang and restored his position. In the twenty-second year, Jin defeated the Fan and Zhonghang clans. Both fled to Qi.

In the thirtieth year, Duke Ding met King Fuchai of Wu at Huangchi. They contested precedence, with Zhao Yang in attendance. Wu was ultimately given precedence.

In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Ding died and his son Duke Chu, Zao, succeeded.

In Duke Chu's seventeenth year, Zhi Bo together with Zhao, Han, and Wei divided the Fan and Zhonghang territories as their own fiefs. Duke Chu was furious and appealed to Qi and Lu, intending to attack the four ministerial families. The four families, alarmed, turned and attacked Duke Chu. Duke Chu fled toward Qi and died on the road. Zhi Bo then installed Duke Zhao's great-grandson Jiao as lord of Jin — this was Duke Ai.

In Duke Ai's fourth year, Zhao Xiangzi, Han Kangzi, and Wei Huanzi jointly killed Zhi Bo and divided all his territory.

In the eighteenth year, Duke Ai died and his son Duke You, Liu, succeeded.

During Duke You's time, Jin was so diminished that it was the Jin lord who attended court upon the lords of Han, Zhao, and Wei — not the reverse. Jin held only Jiang and Quwo; all else had passed to the Three Jin.

In the nineteenth year of Duke Lie, King Weilie of Zhou formally invested Zhao, Han, and Wei as feudal lords.

In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Lie died and his son Duke Xiao, Qi, succeeded. In Duke Xiao's ninth year, Marquis Wu of Wei first took the throne and attacked Handan but failed. In the seventeenth year, Duke Xiao died and his son Duke Jing, Jujiu, succeeded. That year was the first year of King Wei of Qi.

In Duke Jing's second year, Marquis Wu of Wei, Marquis Ai of Han, and Marquis Jing of Zhao destroyed the remaining Jin state and divided its territory into three. Duke Jing was reduced to the status of a commoner. Jin's sacrifices were extinguished forever.