鄭世家

Duke Huan of Zheng, named You, was a younger son of King Li of Zhou and a half-brother of King Xuan. In the twenty-second year of King Xuan's reign, You was first enfeoffed at Zheng. After thirty-three years in his fief, the common people all found him accessible and loved him. King You appointed him Minister of the Masses. He harmonized and gathered the Zhou people, and the Zhou people all approved. The people between the Yellow River and the Luo thought of him fondly. After one year as minister, King You — on account of Lady Bao — allowed the royal administration to go astray, and some of the feudal lords rebelled.

Duke Huan asked the Grand Historian Bo: "The royal house is beset by troubles. Where can I flee to escape death?" The Grand Historian replied: "Only the lands east of the Luo and south of the Yellow River and Ji Rivers are habitable." The duke asked: "Why?" The reply: "That land is near Guo and Kuai. The lords of Guo and Kuai are greedy and profit-seeking, and the people do not support them. You, my lord, serve as Minister of the Masses — the people all love you. If you sincerely petition to settle there, the lords of Guo and Kuai, seeing that you currently hold power, will readily cede you land. If you settle there in earnest, the people of Guo and Kuai will all become your people."

The duke said: "What if I go south to the Yangtze region?" The reply: "Long ago, Zhurong served as Fire Officer under Gaoxin — his merit was great — yet among his descendants under the Zhou, none have risen. Chu descends from him. When Zhou weakens, Chu will surely rise. Its rise would not be to Zheng's advantage." The duke said: "What about settling in the west?" The reply: "The people there are greedy and grasping — it would be hard to stay long." The duke said: "When Zhou declines, which states will rise?" The reply: "Qi, Qin, Jin, and Chu, I should think. Qi is of the Jiang surname, descended from Bo Yi, who assisted Yao in establishing ritual. Qin is of the Ying surname, descended from Bo Yi who assisted Shun in managing all creatures. And the ancestors of Chu all once performed great services for All-Under-Heaven. When King Wu of Zhou conquered King Zhou, King Cheng enfeoffed Shu Yu at Tang — the terrain there is rugged and strategic. With such virtue and with Zhou in decline, it too will surely rise." Duke Huan said: "Very well." He then petitioned the king, moved his people east of the Luo, and the lords of Guo and Kuai did indeed cede ten settlements. He consolidated them into a state.

Two years later, the Quanrong killed King You below Mount Li and killed Duke Huan as well. The people of Zheng together installed his son Juetu — this was Duke Wu.

In Duke Wu's tenth year, he married a daughter of the Lord of Shen as his consort, called Wu Jiang. She bore the heir apparent, Wusheng — the birth was difficult, and consequently the consort did not love him. Later she bore a younger son, Shu Duan. Duan's birth was easy, and the consort loved him. In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Wu fell ill. The consort begged the duke to install Duan as heir apparent; the duke refused. That year Duke Wu died, and Wusheng succeeded — this was Duke Zhuang.

In the first year of Duke Zhuang, he enfeoffed his brother Duan at Jing, with the title Grand Uncle. Zhai Zhong said: "Jing is larger than the capital. This is no way to enfeoff a younger son." Duke Zhuang said: "Wu Jiang desires it. I dare not refuse her." Duan went to Jing, repaired and built up his armor and weapons, and conspired with his mother Wu Jiang to attack Zheng. In the twenty-second year, Duan did indeed attack Zheng, with Wu Jiang acting as his agent inside the city. Duke Zhuang raised troops and attacked Duan. Duan fled. He attacked Jing, but the people of Jing turned against Duan. Duan fled to Yan. Yan fell, and Duan fled to Gong.

Duke Zhuang thereupon relocated his mother Wu Jiang to Chengying and swore an oath: "Until we reach the Yellow Springs, let us never meet again." After more than a year, he regretted his words and missed his mother. Kaobu of Yinggu brought tribute to the duke, and the duke bestowed food upon him. Kaobu said: "Your servant has a mother. May I bring your gift of food to her?" Duke Zhuang said: "I miss my mother terribly, but I loathe breaking my oath. What can I do?" Kaobu said: "Dig into the earth until you reach the yellow springs, and then you may meet." The duke followed his advice and was reunited with his mother.

In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Mu of Song died and Prince Feng fled to Zheng. Zheng encroached upon Zhou territory and seized its grain. In the twenty-fifth year, Zhou Xu of Wey assassinated his lord Duke Huan and took the throne himself, then joined Song in attacking Zheng on account of Feng. In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Zhuang first presented himself at the court of King Huan of Zhou. King Huan, angry about the grain seizure, treated him discourteously. In the twenty-ninth year, furious at Zhou's lack of courtesy, Duke Zhuang exchanged the fields of Beng and Xu with Lu. In the thirty-third year, Song killed Kong Fu. In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Zhuang did not attend the Zhou court. King Huan of Zhou led the forces of Chen, Cai, Guo, and Wey to attack Zheng.

Duke Zhuang, together with Zhai Zhong and Gao Qumi, raised troops to defend themselves. The royal army was badly defeated. Zhu Dan shot and hit the king in the arm. Zhu Dan asked to pursue him. The Lord of Zheng stopped him, saying: "To offend a superior is already difficult enough — would we dare to humiliate the Son of Heaven?" They halted. That night, he sent Zhai Zhong to inquire after the king's condition.

In the thirty-eighth year, the Northern Rong attacked Qi. Qi sent for help, and Zheng dispatched Crown Prince Hu to lead troops to Qi's rescue. Duke Xi of Qi wished to give him a bride. Hu declined: "We are a small state — no match for Qi." Zhai Zhong accompanied him and urged him to accept, saying: "The lord has many favorites in the inner palace. If the heir apparent has no powerful ally, he will not be installed. All three princes could become the lord." The three princes in question were Crown Prince Hu, his brother Tu, and the next brother Ziwei.

In the forty-third year, Duke Zhuang of Zheng died. From the beginning, Zhai Zhong had been greatly favored by Duke Zhuang, who made him a minister. The duke had married a Deng woman who bore Crown Prince Hu, and so Zhai Zhong installed him — this was Duke Zhao.

Duke Zhuang had also married a woman of the Yong family of Song, who bore Duke Li, Tu. The Yong family had influence in Song. When Duke Zhuang of Song heard that Zhai Zhong had installed Hu, he lured Zhai Zhong into a trap and seized him, declaring: "If you do not install Tu, you will die." He also held Tu and demanded bribes. Zhai Zhong agreed, swore an oath with Song, and brought Tu back to install him. Duke Zhao Hu, hearing that Zhai Zhong had been coerced by Song into installing his brother Tu, fled to Wey on the dinghai day of the ninth month. On the jihai day, Tu arrived in Zheng and was enthroned — this was Duke Li.

In the fourth year of Duke Li, Zhai Zhong monopolized state governance. Duke Li resented this and secretly ordered his son-in-law Yong Jiu to assassinate Zhai Zhong. Jiu's wife was Zhai Zhong's daughter. She learned of the plot and asked her mother: "Which is closer — a father or a husband?" Her mother replied: "A father is the only one you will ever have, but any man can be a husband." The daughter then told Zhai Zhong. Zhai Zhong struck first, killed Yong Jiu, and exposed his corpse in the market. Duke Li, helpless against Zhai Zhong, cursed Yong Jiu: "He who shares his plans with a woman — death is only fitting!" In summer, Duke Li withdrew to the border town of Li. Zhai Zhong welcomed Duke Zhao Hu back, and on the yihai day of the sixth month, Hu re-entered Zheng and resumed the throne.

In autumn, Duke Li Tu, from his base at Li, used the men of Li to kill his minister Shan Bo and took up residence there. When the feudal lords heard that Duke Li had fled, they attacked Zheng but could not take it and withdrew. Song gave Duke Li some troops, and he defended himself at Li. Zheng therefore also refrained from attacking Li.

In the second year of Duke Zhao: ever since Duke Zhao had been crown prince, his father Duke Zhuang had wanted to make Gao Qumi a minister. Crown Prince Hu had opposed it, but Duke Zhuang did not listen and ultimately appointed Qumi as minister. When Duke Zhao took the throne, Qumi feared the duke would kill him. On the xinmao day of the tenth month of winter, Qumi accompanied Duke Zhao on a hunt and shot him dead in the field. Zhai Zhong and Qumi dared not invite Duke Li to return, so they installed Duke Zhao's younger brother Ziwei as ruler. This was Ziwei — he received no posthumous title.

In the seventh month of Ziwei's first year, Duke Xiang of Qi convened a meeting of the feudal lords at Shouzhi. Ziwei of Zheng went to the meeting, with Gao Qumi as his minister-escort. Zhai Zhong claimed illness and did not go. The reason was that when Duke Xiang of Qi was still a prince, he and Ziwei had once quarreled and become enemies. When the meeting was convened, Zhai Zhong begged Ziwei not to attend. Ziwei said: "Qi is powerful, and Duke Li is at Li. If I do not go, Qi will lead the lords to attack us and restore Duke Li. I had better go. Why should I necessarily be humiliated? It surely will not come to that!" He went. Zhai Zhong feared Qi would kill him too, and therefore feigned illness.

When Ziwei arrived, he did not apologize to the Lord of Qi. The Lord of Qi was furious, laid an ambush, and killed Ziwei. Gao Qumi fled back to Zheng. He conferred with Zhai Zhong, and they summoned Ziwei's younger brother, Prince Ying, from Chen and installed him — this was the Lord of Zheng. That year, Duke Xiang of Qi had Peng Sheng crush Duke Huan of Lu to death while drunk.

In the eighth year of the Lord of Zheng, Guan Zhifu and others in Qi staged a revolt and assassinated their lord Duke Xiang. In the twelfth year, Chang Wan of Song assassinated his lord Duke Min. Zhai Zhong of Zheng died.

In the fourteenth year, the exiled Duke Li Tu, still based at Li, sent agents to kidnap the Zheng minister Fu Jia and demanded entry. Fu Jia said: "Release me, and I will kill the Lord of Zheng and bring you in." Duke Li swore an oath with him and released him. On the jiazi day of the sixth month, Fu Jia killed the Lord of Zheng and his two sons and welcomed Duke Li Tu, who re-entered from Li and resumed the throne. Earlier, a snake from inside the city and a snake from outside had fought at the south gate of Zheng — the inside snake died. Six years later, Duke Li did indeed return from outside.

Upon his return, Duke Li rebuked his uncle Yuan: "I was exiled from my state, and you had no intention of bringing me back. That was very harsh." Yuan replied: "Serving one's lord with undivided loyalty is a minister's duty. Yuan acknowledges his fault." He then killed himself. Duke Li then said to Fu Jia: "You served your lord with divided loyalty." He had him executed. Fu Jia said: "It is true indeed — a great service goes unrewarded!"

In the first year of Duke Li's restored reign, Duke Huan of Qi first achieved hegemony.

In the fifth year, Yan and Wey, together with King Hui of Zhou's brother Tui, attacked the king. The king fled to Wen, and Tui was installed as king. In the sixth year, King Hui appealed to Zheng for help. Duke Li raised troops and attacked Prince Tui, but could not prevail. He then escorted King Hui home, and the king took up residence at Li. In the seventh year, spring, Duke Li of Zheng and the Earl of Guo ambushed and killed Prince Tui and restored King Hui to Zhou.

In autumn, Duke Li died. His son Duke Wen, Jie, succeeded. Duke Li had first reigned four years, then lived in exile at Li for seventeen years, then reigned again for seven years — twenty-eight years in all, including the exile.

In Duke Wen's seventeenth year, Duke Huan of Qi led troops to crush Cai, then attacked Chu, advancing as far as Zhaoling.

In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Wen's lowly concubine, Yan Ji, dreamed that heaven gave her an orchid and said: "I am Bo Chou. I am your ancestor. Take this as a token for your son — the orchid has the fragrance of a state." She told Duke Wen of her dream. He favored her and gave her a sprig of orchid as a token. She bore a son, named Lan.

In the thirty-sixth year, the Jin prince Chong'er passed through Zheng. Duke Wen treated him discourteously. Duke Wen's brother Shu Zhan said: "Chong'er is a worthy man and shares our royal surname. He passes through in dire straits — we cannot be discourteous." Duke Wen said: "Exiled princes of all the lords pass through here — how can we show full courtesy to every one?" Shu Zhan said: "If you will not show him courtesy, then kill him. If you do not kill him and he returns to his state, he will be a threat to Zheng." Duke Wen did not listen.

In the thirty-seventh year, spring, the Jin prince Chong'er returned to his state and was enthroned — this was Duke Wen of Jin. In autumn, Zheng invaded Hua, which submitted, but later defected to Wey. Zheng attacked Hua. King Xiang of Zhou sent Bo Guo to intercede for Hua. Duke Wen of Zheng resented the fact that when King Hui had been a fugitive at Li, Duke Wen's father Duke Li had restored him, yet King Hui never rewarded Duke Li with rank or emolument. He also resented King Xiang's support for Wey and Hua. He therefore ignored King Xiang's plea and imprisoned Bo Guo. The king was furious and attacked Zheng with the Di people but could not prevail. In winter, the Di attacked King Xiang, who fled to Zheng. Duke Wen of Zheng housed the king at Fan. In the thirty-eighth year, Duke Wen of Jin restored King Xiang to Chengzhou.

In the forty-first year, Zheng aided Chu against Jin — because Duke Wen of Jin had been discourtesied during his passage, Zheng turned against Jin and sided with Chu. In the forty-third year, Duke Wen of Jin and Duke Mu of Qin jointly besieged Zheng, to punish it for aiding Chu against Jin and for the earlier discourtesy when Duke Wen passed through. Duke Wen of Zheng had originally had three consorts whose five favored sons had all died early through their own transgressions. The duke was furious and had all his remaining princes expelled. Zi Lan fled to Jin and joined Duke Wen of Jin in besieging Zheng. At that time, Lan served Duke Wen of Jin with great deference and won his affection. He secretly negotiated with Jin to gain entry into Zheng as heir apparent. Jin then demanded that Shu Zhan be surrendered for punishment. Duke Wen of Zheng was afraid but dared not speak to Shu Zhan about it. Shu Zhan heard nonetheless and said to the Lord of Zheng: "I warned you, my lord, but you would not listen, and Jin has become our scourge. But since Jin besieges Zheng on my account, if I die and Zheng is spared, that is my wish." He then killed himself. The people of Zheng delivered Shu Zhan's corpse to Jin.

Duke Wen of Jin said: "I insist on seeing the Lord of Zheng in person — to humiliate him and then leave." The people of Zheng were alarmed and secretly sent word to Qin: "Destroying Zheng only strengthens Jin. That is not in Qin's interest." Qin withdrew its troops. Duke Wen of Jin then proposed installing Lan as heir apparent and informed Zheng. The Zheng minister Shi Gui said: "I have heard that the Ji surname was the original consort of Houji, and that her descendants are destined to flourish. Zi Lan's mother descends from that line. Moreover, all the consort's sons are dead, and among the remaining sons, none is as worthy as Lan. The siege presses hard, and Jin asks this as its condition — what greater benefit could there be?" Zheng agreed, swore an oath with Jin, and installed Zi Lan as heir apparent. Jin's army then withdrew.

In the forty-fifth year, Duke Wen died and Zi Lan succeeded — this was Duke Mu.

In the first year of Duke Mu, spring, Duke Mu of Qin sent three generals with troops to surprise-attack Zheng. When they reached Hua, they encountered Xian Gao, a Zheng merchant, who pretended to have been sent with twelve oxen to welcome the army. The Qin force therefore turned back without reaching Zheng, and Jin defeated them at Xiao. Earlier, when Duke Wen of Zheng had died the previous year, the Zheng Minister of Works Zeng He had sold intelligence about Zheng's situation — that is why the Qin troops had come. In the third year, Zheng sent troops to follow Jin in attacking Qin and defeated the Qin army at Wang.

The previous year, Crown Prince Shang Chen of Chu had assassinated his father King Cheng and taken the throne. In the twenty-first year, Zheng fought with Hua Yuan of Song when Song attacked Zheng. Hua Yuan had slaughtered a sheep and fed his troops but excluded his charioteer Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen, in his fury, drove straight into the Zheng lines. Zheng captured Hua Yuan. Song ransomed him, but he escaped on his own as well. Jin sent Zhao Chuan with troops to attack Zheng.

In the twenty-second year, Duke Mu of Zheng died and his son Yi succeeded — this was Duke Ling.

In the first year of Duke Ling, spring, Chu presented a softshell turtle to Duke Ling. Zi Jia and Zi Gong were about to attend court. Zi Gong's index finger twitched, and he told Zi Jia: "Whenever my finger twitches, I am always served some rare delicacy." When they entered and saw that Duke Ling was being served turtle soup, Zi Gong laughed and said: "Just as I predicted!" Duke Ling asked why he was laughing, and Zi Gong told him everything. Duke Ling summoned him but deliberately did not give him any soup. Zi Gong was furious, dipped his finger into the soup, tasted it, and left. The duke was enraged and wished to kill Zi Gong. Zi Gong and Zi Jia conspired and struck first. In summer, they assassinated Duke Ling.

The people of Zheng wished to install Duke Ling's brother Quji, but Quji demurred: "If it must be by merit, then Quji is unworthy. If it must be by seniority, then Prince Jian is elder." Jian was Duke Ling's half-brother and Quji's elder brother. They therefore installed Jian — this was Duke Xiang.

In Duke Xiang's seventh year, Zheng allied with Jin at Yanling. In the eighth year, King Zhuang of Chu, angered that Zheng had allied with Jin, attacked and besieged Zheng for three months. Zheng surrendered the city to Chu. The King of Chu entered through the Huang Gate. Duke Xiang of Zheng, stripped to the waist and leading a ram, came to greet him: "I was unable to serve your border towns, and I have brought your royal anger upon my humble city — the fault is mine. I dare not but submit to your commands. If Your Majesty would relocate us to south of the Yangtze, or bestow us upon the other lords, I submit to your commands. But if Your Majesty, remembering Kings Li and Xuan, and Dukes Huan and Wu, in your compassion cannot bear to extinguish our altars of state, and grants us barren land so that we may again serve Your Majesty — that would be my wish, though I dare not hope for it. I lay bare my heart and submit to your commands."

King Zhuang withdrew thirty li before encamping. His ministers said: "From Ying to here, the officers and men have labored long. Now that we have taken the state, shall we give it up?" King Zhuang said: "We attacked because they would not submit. Now they have submitted — what more should we seek?" He departed.

In the eleventh year, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Song. Song appealed urgently to Jin. Duke Jing of Jin wished to send troops to rescue Song, but Bo Zong counseled the Lord of Jin: "Heaven is presently opening the way for Chu. It cannot yet be attacked." They therefore sought out a bold warrior and found Xie Yang of Huo, styled Zihu, to deceive Chu and tell Song not to surrender. Passing through Zheng — which was allied with Chu — he was seized and handed over to Chu.

The King of Chu bestowed lavish gifts upon him and made a deal: he was to reverse his message and tell Song to surrender at once. After three rounds of coercion, Xie Yang agreed. Chu then placed him on a tower-chariot and ordered him to call out to the Song defenders. But he broke his agreement with Chu and delivered his Lord of Jin's true message: "Jin is currently mobilizing its entire army to rescue Song. Though the situation is desperate, do not surrender to Chu under any circumstances — Jin's troops are arriving now!" King Zhuang was furious and prepared to execute him.

Xie Yang said: "When a ruler can give commands, that is righteousness. When a minister can carry out commands, that is faithfulness. I received my lord's command before departing — I will die, but I will not fail." The king said: "You agreed to my terms and then broke them — where is your faithfulness?" Xie Yang replied: "The reason I agreed to your terms was to accomplish my lord's command." As he was about to die, he turned to the Chu army and said: "Let all who serve as ministers never forget that a man may die for his loyalty!" The king's brothers all urged him to pardon Xie Yang, and the king released him and sent him home. Jin elevated him to the rank of senior minister.

In the fifth year of Duke Xi, the Zheng chancellor Zi Si attended court before Duke Xi. Duke Xi showed him no courtesy. Zi Si was furious and had his cook poison Duke Xi, announcing to the feudal lords that "Duke Xi died suddenly of illness." He installed Duke Xi's son Jia, who was five years old at the time — this was Duke Jian.

In the first year of Duke Jian, the princes plotted to kill Chancellor Zi Si. Zi Si discovered the plot and instead executed all the princes. In the second year, Jin attacked Zheng; Zheng allied with Jin, and Jin withdrew. In winter, Zheng also allied with Chu. Zi Si, fearing punishment, therefore cultivated ties with both Jin and Chu. In the third year, Chancellor Zi Si attempted to make himself ruler. Prince Zi Kong had Captain Yin Zhi kill Zi Si and replaced him. Zi Kong then also wished to make himself ruler. Zi Chan said: "Zi Si acted wrongly, and we executed him for it. Now to imitate him means the disorder will never cease." Zi Kong accepted this and served as chancellor to Duke Jian of Zheng.

In the twelfth year, Duke Jian, angered that Chancellor Zi Kong monopolized power, had him executed and appointed Zi Chan as minister. In the nineteenth year, Duke Jian went to Jin to petition for the return of the Lord of Wey and enfeoffed Zi Chan with six towns. Zi Chan declined and accepted only three. In the twenty-second year, Wu sent Ji Zha of Yanling to Zheng. He met Zi Chan as if they were old friends and said: "Those who govern Zheng are extravagant. Trouble approaches. The government will fall to you. When you govern, you must govern by ritual; otherwise Zheng will fail." Zi Chan received Ji Zha with great hospitality. In the twenty-third year, the princes competed for favor and killed one another, and some wanted to kill Zi Chan. Another prince remonstrated: "Zi Chan is a humane man. It is Zi Chan who has preserved Zheng. Do not kill him!" They desisted.

In the twenty-fifth year, Zheng sent Zi Chan to Jin to inquire after Duke Ping's illness. Duke Ping said: "The divination says the spirits Shi Chen and Tai Dai are causing the affliction. My historians cannot explain it — may I ask?" Zi Chan replied with a long discourse on the ancestral spirits of the stars and rivers associated with Jin's territory, tracing the genealogies from the sage-emperors through the founding of Tang and Jin, explaining how Shi Chen was the spirit of the constellation Shen (Orion) and Tai Dai was the spirit of the Fen and Tao rivers. He concluded: "But neither of these spirits is harming your body. For spirits of mountains and rivers, one performs exorcism rites against floods and drought. For spirits of the sun, moon, and constellations, one performs exorcism rites against unseasonable snow, frost, wind, and rain. As for your illness, it arises from food and drink, grief and joy, and women." Duke Ping and Shu Xiang said: "Excellent! A gentleman of vast learning!" They treated Zi Chan with the greatest honor.

In the thirty-sixth year, Duke Jian died and his son Duke Ding, Ning, succeeded. In autumn, Duke Ding attended the court of Duke Zhao of Jin.

In the first year of Duke Ding, Prince Qiji of Chu assassinated his lord King Ling and installed himself as King Ping. Wishing to bestow virtue upon the feudal lords, he returned to Zheng all the land King Ling had seized.

In the fourth year, Duke Zhao of Jin died. His six great ministers were powerful and the ducal house was weak. Zi Chan told Han Xuanzi: "To govern, you must use virtue. Do not forget the principles by which you were established."

In the sixth year, there was a fire in Zheng. The duke wished to perform exorcism rites. Zi Chan said: "Better to cultivate virtue."

In the eighth year, Crown Prince Jian of Chu came to Zheng as a refugee. In the tenth year, Prince Jian conspired with Jin to attack Zheng. Zheng killed Jian. His son Sheng fled to Wu.

In the eleventh year, Duke Ding visited Jin. Jin and Zheng together plotted to punish the disloyal ministers at Zhou and restore King Jing.

In the thirteenth year, Duke Ding died and his son Duke Xian, Chai, succeeded. Duke Xian reigned thirteen years and died. His son Duke Sheng, Sheng, succeeded. At this time, Jin's six great ministers were powerful and encroached upon Zheng. Zheng consequently weakened.

In the fifth year of Duke Sheng, Zi Chan, chancellor of Zheng, died. The people of Zheng all wept, grieving as though they had lost a parent. Zi Chan was a younger son of Duke Cheng of Zheng. He was a humane man who loved people and served his lord with loyal devotion. Confucius once passed through Zheng and treated Zi Chan as a brother. When he heard of Zi Chan's death, Confucius wept and said: "He was the legacy of ancient kindness!"

In the eighth year, the Fan and Zhonghang clans rebelled in Jin and appealed to Zheng for aid. Zheng rescued them. Jin attacked Zheng and defeated the Zheng army at Tie.

In the fourteenth year, Duke Jing of Song destroyed Cao. In the twentieth year, Tian Chang of Qi assassinated his lord Duke Jian and served as chancellor of Qi. In the twenty-second year, King Hui of Chu destroyed Chen. Confucius died.

In the thirty-sixth year, Zhi Bo of Jin attacked Zheng and took nine towns.

In the thirty-seventh year, Duke Sheng died and his son Duke Ai, Yi, succeeded. In Duke Ai's eighth year, the people of Zheng killed Duke Ai and installed Duke Sheng's brother Chou — this was Duke Gong. In Duke Gong's third year, the Three Jin destroyed Zhi Bo. In his thirty-first year, Duke Gong died and his son Duke You, Yi, succeeded. In the first year of Duke You, Han Wuzi attacked Zheng and killed Duke You. The people of Zheng installed Duke You's brother Tai — this was Duke Ru.

In Duke Ru's fifteenth year, Marquis Jing of Han attacked Zheng and took Yongqiu. Zheng fortified Jing.

In the sixteenth year, Zheng attacked Han and defeated Han's forces at Fushu. In the twentieth year, Han, Zhao, and Wei were ranked as feudal lords. In the twenty-third year, Zheng besieged Han's Yangzhai.

In the twenty-fifth year, the lord of Zheng killed his chancellor Ziyang. In the twenty-seventh year, Ziyang's partisans assassinated Duke Ru Tai and installed Duke You's brother Yi as ruler — this was Lord Zheng.

In the second year of Lord Zheng Yi, Fushu defected from Zheng and returned to Han. In the eleventh year, Han attacked Zheng and took Yangcheng.

In the twenty-first year, Marquis Ai of Han destroyed Zheng and annexed its territory.