田敬仲完世家

Chen Wan was the son of Duke Li of Chen, whose personal name was Ta. When Wan was born, the Grand Historian of Zhou was passing through Chen. Duke Li of Chen had him divine Wan's fortune. The hexagram drawn was Guan changing to Pi: "This reads 'Contemplating the glory of the state, it is favorable to be a guest of the king.' Will he replace Chen and possess a state? Not here but in a foreign land? Not in his own person but in his descendants. If in a foreign land, it must be among the Jiang surname. The Jiang are descendants of the Four Peaks. No two things can both be great — when Chen declines, this line will flourish."

Duke Li was the youngest son of Duke Wen of Chen, his mother a woman of Cai. When Duke Wen died, Duke Li's elder brother Bao succeeded — this was Duke Huan. Duke Huan and Ta had different mothers. When Duke Huan fell ill, people of Cai killed Duke Huan Bao and his heir apparent Mian on Ta's behalf, and installed Ta as Duke Li. After taking the throne, Duke Li married a Cai woman. The Cai woman was promiscuous with men of Cai and frequently returned there; Duke Li also visited Cai often. Duke Huan's youngest son Lin resented Duke Li for killing his father and brother. He had the men of Cai lure Duke Li into a trap and kill him, then installed himself — this was Duke Zhuang. Thus Chen Wan could not succeed to the throne and served as a minister of Chen. Duke Li was killed because of licentiousness abroad, and the Spring and Autumn Annals therefore say "the men of Cai killed Chen Ta" — to condemn him.

Duke Zhuang died and his brother Chuqiu was installed — this was Duke Xuan. In Duke Xuan's twenty-first year, he killed his heir apparent Yukou. Yukou and Wan were close friends, and Wan feared the disaster would reach him. He therefore fled to Qi. Duke Huan of Qi wished to make him a minister, but Wan declined: "I am a wandering exile. To have escaped the burden of a fugitive's load is already my lord's grace — I dare not accept a high position." Duke Huan appointed him Master of Works. Yi Zhong of Qi wished to give his daughter to Wan in marriage and had a divination performed. The reading said: "This is the phoenix in flight, its harmonious cry resounding. A descendant of the Gui surname shall be nurtured among the Jiang. In five generations they shall flourish, equal to the chief ministers. After eight generations, none shall rival them." The marriage was completed. When Wan fled to Qi, Duke Huan of Qi had been on the throne fourteen years.

Wan died and was given the posthumous name Jingzhong. Jingzhong sired Meng Yi. Upon coming to Qi, Jingzhong took the character Chen and transformed it to the surname Tian.

Tian Meng Yi sired Min Meng Zhuang. Min Meng Zhuang sired Wen Zi Xuwu. Tian Wenzi served Duke Zhuang of Qi.

Luan Cheng, a great minister of Jin, staged a rebellion in Jin and fled to Qi. Duke Zhuang of Qi received him lavishly. Yan Ying and Tian Wenzi remonstrated, but Duke Zhuang would not listen.

Wenzi died. He sired Huan Zi Wuyu. Tian Huanzi Wuyu was a man of great strength who served Duke Zhuang of Qi and enjoyed great favor.

Wuyu died. He sired Wu Zi Kai and Xi Zi Qi. Tian Xizi Qi served Duke Jing of Qi as a great minister. When collecting taxes and levies from the people, he received them using small measures; when distributing grain to the people, he gave using large measures — thus performing hidden kindness upon the people. Duke Jing did not stop him. Through this the Tian clan won the hearts of the Qi populace. Their clan grew ever stronger, and the people looked to the Tian family. Yan Ying repeatedly remonstrated with Duke Jing, but Duke Jing would not listen. Later, on a mission to Jin, Yan Ying spoke privately with Shu Xiang: "The governance of Qi will ultimately pass to the Tian family."

After Yan Ying died, the Fan and Zhonghang clans rebelled in Jin. Jin attacked them fiercely, and they requested grain from Qi. Tian Qi, wishing to sow disorder, cultivated partisan ties among the feudal lords and persuaded Duke Jing: "The Fan and Zhonghang clans have shown us favor many times. Qi cannot fail to rescue them." Qi sent Tian Qi to aid them and ship grain.

Duke Jing's heir apparent had died. He had a favored consort called Ruizi who bore a son, Tu. When Duke Jing fell ill, he ordered his two chief ministers, Guo Huizi and Gao Zhaozi, to install Tu as heir apparent. Duke Jing died. The two ministers, Gao and Guo, installed Tu — this was the Young Lord Yan. But Tian Qi was displeased and wished to install another of Duke Jing's sons, Yangsheng. Yangsheng had always been on good terms with Tian Qi. When the Young Lord was enthroned, Yangsheng fled to Lu.

Tian Qi feigned loyalty to Gao Zhaozi and Guo Huizi. At every court audience he would ride alongside them and say: "The great ministers never wanted to install the Young Lord. Now that he is installed and you serve as his regents, all the ministers feel threatened and are plotting rebellion." He also deceived the ministers: "Gao Zhaozi is a man to be feared — we should strike before he acts." The ministers followed him. Tian Qi and Bao Mu led the ministers with armed men into the palace and attacked Gao Zhaozi. Gao Zhaozi heard of it and, together with Guo Huizi, tried to rescue the duke. The duke's forces were defeated. Tian Qi's men pursued Guo Huizi, who fled to Ju. They then returned and killed Gao Zhaozi. Yan Yu fled to Lu.

Tian Qi sent men to Lu to fetch Yangsheng. Yangsheng arrived in Qi and was hidden in Tian Qi's house. Tian Qi invited the ministers: "My mother is holding a fish-and-bean sacrifice. Please come and drink." They gathered to drink at the Tian residence. Tian Qi had concealed Yangsheng inside a large sack and placed it in the center of the room. He opened the sack, brought Yangsheng forth, and declared: "This is the lord of Qi!" The ministers all prostrated themselves. When they were about to swear the oath, Tian Qi lied: "Bao Mu and I jointly planned to install Yangsheng." Bao Mu was furious: "Have the ministers forgotten Duke Jing's command?" The ministers hesitated. Yangsheng bowed his head to the floor and said: "If it is possible, install me. If not, let it be." Bao Mu, fearing the consequences would fall on himself, said: "They are all sons of Duke Jing — why should it not be possible?" Yangsheng was thereupon installed at Tian Qi's house — this was Duke Dao. The Young Lord Tu was relocated to Tai and then killed. With Duke Dao installed, Tian Qi became chancellor and monopolized Qi's government.

In the fourth year, Tian Qi died and his son Chang succeeded — this was Tian Chengzi.

Bao Mu had a feud with Duke Dao of Qi and assassinated him. The people of Qi together installed his son Ren — this was Duke Jian. Tian Chang Chengzi and Jian Zhi both served as Left and Right Chancellors under Duke Jian. Tian Chang harbored enmity toward Jian Zhi, but Jian Zhi was favored by Duke Jian, and Tian Chang lacked the power to remove him. He therefore revived Xi Zi's policy: lending grain using large measures and collecting repayment using small ones. The people of Qi sang: "Old woman, gather your greens — and bring them home to Tian Chengzi!" The Qi minister Yu Yang advised Duke Jian at court: "Tian and Jian cannot both stand. Your lordship must choose." The duke did not listen.

Zi Wo was a kinsman of Jian Zhi's clan and had always been at odds with the Tian family. Tian Bao, a distant relative of the Tian clan, served Zi Wo and was in his favor. Zi Wo said: "I wish to annihilate the legitimate Tian line and install Bao as head of the Tian clan." Bao replied: "I am too distant from the main line." He refused. Later, Bao told the Tian family: "Zi Wo intends to destroy the Tian clan. If you do not strike first, disaster will come." Zi Wo was quartered in the ducal palace. Tian Chang and his three brothers drove to the palace intending to kill Zi Wo. Zi Wo barred the gates. Duke Jian was drinking with women on the Sandalwood Terrace and was about to attack Tian Chang. The Grand Historian Ziyu said: "Tian Chang does not dare to cause disorder — he is merely removing a threat." Duke Jian halted. Tian Chang emerged, heard that the duke was angry, feared execution, and was about to flee. Tian Zixing said: "Hesitation is the enemy of action." Tian Chang thereupon attacked Zi Wo. Zi Wo led his followers against the Tian family but was defeated and fled. Tian followers pursued and killed Zi Wo and Jian Zhi.

Duke Jian fled the capital. Tian followers pursued and captured him at Xuzhou. Duke Jian said: "Had I followed Yu Yang's advice earlier, I would not have come to this." The Tian followers feared that if Duke Jian were restored, he would execute them. They killed Duke Jian. He had reigned four years. Tian Chang then installed Duke Jian's brother Ao — this was Duke Ping. With Duke Ping on the throne, Tian Chang served as chancellor.

Having killed Duke Jian, Tian Chang feared the feudal lords would unite to punish him. He therefore returned all the land that had been seized from Lu and Wey, established western alliances with the Zhao, Han, and Wei houses of Jin, and opened southern communications with Wu and Yue. He distributed rewards, promoted merit, and cultivated the affection of the common people. Qi was thereby stabilized.

Tian Chang said to Duke Ping of Qi: "Bestowing virtue and granting what people desire — let my lord do this. Imposing punishments and carrying out what people hate — let your minister do this." After five years of this arrangement, all governance in Qi had passed to Tian Chang. Tian Chang then exterminated the Bao, Yan, and Jian Zhi clans along with the strongest members of the ducal lineage. He carved out for himself a personal fief stretching from Anping in the east to Langya — larger than the territory that Duke Ping himself consumed.

Tian Chang then selected all women in Qi who stood seven chi or taller for his private harem. His harem numbered in the hundreds, and he allowed guests and retainers to come and go freely among them. By the time Tian Chang died, he had more than seventy sons.

Tian Chang died. His son Xiangzi Pan succeeded him as head of the clan and chancellor of Qi. Chang was given the posthumous name Chengzi.

Tian Xiangzi served as chancellor under Duke Xuan of Qi. The Three Jin houses killed Zhi Bo and divided his territory. Xiangzi placed his brothers and clansmen in charge of all the major cities of Qi, exchanged envoys with the Three Jin, and prepared to take full possession of the state of Qi.

Xiangzi died. His son Zhuangzi Bai succeeded. Tian Zhuangzi served as chancellor under Duke Xuan of Qi. In Duke Xuan's forty-third year, they attacked Jin, destroyed Huangcheng, and besieged Yanghu. The following year they attacked Lu, Ge, and Anling. The year after that, they took one city from Lu.

Zhuangzi died. His son Taigong He succeeded. Tian Taigong served as chancellor under Duke Xuan of Qi. In Duke Xuan's forty-eighth year, they took Cheng from Lu. The next year, Duke Xuan met with the men of Zheng at Xicheng. They attacked Wey and took Wuqiu. Duke Xuan died in his fifty-first year. Tian Hui rebelled from Linqiu.

Duke Xuan died and his son Duke Kang, Dai, succeeded. Fourteen years into Dai's reign, he was given to wine and women and did not attend to governance. Taigong thereupon exiled Duke Kang to the seashore, giving him one city for the maintenance of his ancestral sacrifices. The following year, Lu defeated Qi at Pinglu.

In the third year, Taigong met Marquis Wen of Wei at Zhuoze and petitioned to be recognized as a feudal lord. Marquis Wen of Wei sent envoys to speak to the Zhou Son of Heaven and the other lords, requesting that Tian He, the chancellor of Qi, be established as a feudal lord. The Son of Heaven granted it. In the nineteenth year of Duke Kang, Tian He was installed as Marquis of Qi, listed among the states of the Zhou system, and inaugurated his first regnal year.

In the second year after Marquis Taigong He was installed, He died and his son Duke Huan, Wu, succeeded. In Duke Huan Wu's fifth year, Qin and Wei attacked Han. Han appealed to Qi for help. Duke Huan summoned his ministers to deliberate: "Is it better to rescue Han early or late?" Zou Ji said: "Better not to rescue them at all." Duan Ganpeng said: "If we do not rescue them, Han will break and be absorbed by Wei. Better to rescue them." Tian Chensi said: "Your Lordship's deliberation misses the point! Qin and Wei are attacking Han and Chu — Zhao will surely intervene. This is Heaven giving Yan to Qi." Duke Huan said: "Excellent." He secretly informed the Han envoy and sent him away. Han, believing it had Qi's support, engaged Qin and Wei in battle. Chu and Zhao, hearing of this, did indeed raise troops to rescue Han. Qi thereupon launched a surprise attack on the state of Yan and seized Sangqiu.

In the sixth year, Qi rescued Wey. Duke Huan died and his son King Wei, Yinqi, succeeded. That same year, the former Duke Kang of Qi died, leaving no heir. His maintenance fief reverted entirely to the Tian house.

In the first year of King Wei of Qi, the Three Jin took advantage of Qi's mourning to attack our Lingqiu. In the third year, the Three Jin destroyed the remaining Jin state and divided its territory. In the sixth year, Lu attacked us and entered Yangguan. Jin attacked us, reaching Boling. In the seventh year, Wey attacked us and took Xueling. In the ninth year, Zhao attacked us and took Zhen.

From the time King Wei first took the throne, he did not govern, delegating administration to his ministers and great officers. Over nine years, the feudal lords all attacked, and the state was in disorder. Then King Wei summoned the magistrate of Jimo and said to him: "Ever since you took charge of Jimo, criticism has reached me daily. Yet when I sent inspectors to Jimo, I found the fields opened up, the people well supplied, the offices with no backlog, and the eastern region at peace. This means you do not bribe my attendants to seek praise." He enfeoffed him with ten thousand households. He summoned the magistrate of A and said: "Ever since you guarded A, praise has reached me daily. Yet when I sent inspectors to A, the fields were uncultivated and the people were poor and suffering. When Zhao attacked Zhen, you could not rescue it. When Wey took Xueling, you did not even know. This means you bribe my attendants with gifts to seek praise." That day, he boiled the magistrate of A alive, along with all the attendants who had praised him.

He then raised troops, struck west against Zhao and Wey, defeated Wei at Zhuoze, and besieged King Hui. King Hui offered the city of Guan to negotiate peace. The men of Zhao returned our Long Wall. From then on, the state of Qi was filled with awe. Everyone dared not conceal wrongdoing and strove to act with sincerity. Qi was brought to excellent order. When the feudal lords heard of this, none dared send troops against Qi for over twenty years.

In King Wei's twenty-third year, he met the King of Zhao at Pinglu. In the twenty-fourth year, he met King Hui of Wei for a hunting party. King Hui asked: "Does Your Majesty have any treasures?" King Wei said: "None." The King of Liang said: "Even in my small state, I have ten pearls an inch across that illuminate twelve chariots fore and aft. How can a state of ten thousand chariots have no treasures?" King Wei said: "What I consider treasures differs from Your Majesty. I have a minister named Tanzi — when I station him at Nancheng, the men of Chu dare not raid eastward, and the twelve lords along the Si River all come to court. I have a minister named Panzi — when I station him at Gaotang, the men of Zhao dare not fish eastward in the Yellow River. I have an official named Qianfu — when I station him at Xuzhou, the men of Yan sacrifice at their north gate and the men of Zhao at their west gate, and over seven thousand households have migrated to follow him. I have a minister named Zhongshou — when I charge him with suppressing bandits, nothing is left on the road unclaimed. These illuminate a thousand li — how can mere pearls illuminating twelve chariots compare?" King Hui of Liang was ashamed and departed unhappily.

In the twenty-sixth year, King Hui of Wei besieged Handan, and Zhao appealed to Qi for rescue. King Wei summoned his ministers: "Shall we rescue Zhao or not?" Zou Ji said: "Better not." Duan Ganpeng said: "Not to rescue them would be neither righteous nor advantageous." King Wei asked: "Why?" The reply: "If Wei annexes Handan, how does that benefit Qi? Moreover, if we rescue Zhao and camp on its border, Zhao is unscathed and Wei intact. Better to attack Xiangyang in the south and wear Wei down. Once Handan falls, we exploit Wei's exhaustion." King Wei followed this strategy.

Afterward, Chancellor Zou Ji and Tian Ji were on bad terms. Gongsun Yue counseled Zou Ji: "Why not propose an attack on Wei? Tian Ji will certainly command. If the battle is won, the credit goes to your strategy. If lost, Tian Ji either dies on the field or flees in defeat, and his fate is in your hands." Zou Ji therefore spoke to King Wei, and Tian Ji was sent south to attack Xiangyang. In the tenth month, Handan fell. Qi then launched its army against Wei and dealt a crushing defeat at Guiling. Qi thus became the strongest of the feudal lords, assumed the title of king, and issued commands to All-Under-Heaven.

In the thirty-sixth year, King Wei died and his son King Xuan, Bijiang, succeeded.

In King Xuan's first year, Qin employed Shang Yang. Zhou conferred the title of Hegemon upon Duke Xiao of Qin.

In the second year, Wei attacked Zhao. Zhao allied with Han and together they struck Wei. Zhao fared badly in the fighting at Nanliang. King Xuan recalled Tian Ji to his former position. Han appealed to Qi for rescue. King Xuan summoned his ministers: "Is it better to rescue early or late?" Zou Ji said: "Better not." Tian Ji said: "If we do not rescue them, Han will break and be absorbed by Wei. Better to rescue early." Sunzi said: "If we rescue Han before the Han and Wei armies are exhausted, we will simply be taking Wei's blows on Han's behalf, and end up taking orders from Han. Moreover, Wei intends to conquer a state — when Han sees destruction approaching, it will turn east and plead with Qi. If we first deepen our bond with Han and then intervene late to exploit Wei's exhaustion, we can reap double profit and gain the name of honor." King Xuan said: "Excellent." He secretly informed the Han envoy and sent him away. Han, relying on Qi's support, fought five battles without success and finally entrusted its fate to Qi in the east. Qi then raised its army, with Tian Ji and Tian Ying as generals and Sunzi as strategist. They rescued Han and Zhao and struck Wei, inflicting a devastating defeat at Maling. They killed Wei's general Pang Juan and captured Crown Prince Shen of Wei. Afterward, the kings of all Three Jin states visited King Xuan of Qi at Bowang through Tian Ying's mediation, swore oaths, and departed.

King Xuan delighted in scholars of literature and persuasion. Men such as Zou Yan, Chunyu Kun, Tian Pian, Jie Yu, Shen Dao, and Huan Yuan — seventy-six of them — were all given residences, appointed as Senior Grand Masters, and tasked not with administration but with discussion and debate. The academy at Jixia thus flourished again, with several hundred to a thousand scholars.

In the nineteenth year, King Xuan died and his son King Min, Di, succeeded.

In King Min's first year, Qin sent Zhang Yi to meet with the chief ministers of the feudal lords at Niesang. In the third year, Tian Ying was enfeoffed at Xue. In the fourth year, a bride was received from Qin. In the seventh year, Qi and Song attacked Wei and defeated them at Guanze.

In the thirty-sixth year, the King of Qi assumed the title Eastern Emperor, while King Zhao of Qin became Western Emperor. Su Dai came from Yan and entered Qi, meeting the king at the eastern gate of Zhanghua. The King of Qi said: "Welcome! Qin's envoy Wei Ran has offered me the imperial title. What do you think?" Su Dai replied: "Your Majesty's question is abrupt, and the source of the danger is subtle. I would suggest you accept the title but refrain from actually using it. If Qin uses it and All-Under-Heaven accepts it, then you may use it too — there is no harm in being second. But if you defer the title: should Qin use it and All-Under-Heaven resent it, you can refrain and thereby win All-Under-Heaven's support — that is a great asset. Moreover, if two emperors are established, does All-Under-Heaven honor Qi or Qin?" The king said: "Qin." "And if you renounce the title, does All-Under-Heaven love Qi or Qin?" The king said: "They would love Qi and hate Qin." "And as between the two emperors' pact to attack Zhao and attacking tyrannical Song, which is more profitable?" The king said: "Attacking Song." Su Dai replied: "The pacts are equal. But if you become emperor alongside Qin, All-Under-Heaven will honor only Qin and slight Qi. If you renounce the title, All-Under-Heaven will love Qi and hate Qin. Attacking Zhao is less profitable than attacking Song. Therefore, I urge Your Majesty to openly renounce the title to win All-Under-Heaven, break the pact and treat Qin as a guest, avoid contesting primacy, and in the interval, take Song." Qi thereupon renounced the title and reverted to being a king. Qin also renounced the imperial title.

In the thirty-eighth year, Qi attacked Song. King Zhao of Qin was furious.

In the fortieth year, Yan, Qin, Chu, and the Three Jin jointly conspired and each sent crack troops to attack Qi. They defeated Qi west of the Ji River. King Min withdrew. The Yan general Yue Yi entered Linzi and seized all of Qi's treasures and stored artifacts. King Min fled to Wey. The Lord of Wey vacated his palace for him, called himself a subject, and provided supplies. King Min was arrogant and rude, and people mistreated him. He left, fled to Zou and Lu, but displayed a haughty manner. The lords of Zou and Lu refused him entry. He fled to Ju. Chu sent Nao Chi with troops ostensibly to rescue Qi and had him made chancellor to King Min. Nao Chi then killed King Min and together with Yan divided Qi's conquered territory and seized its valuables.

When King Min was killed, his son Fa Zhang changed his name and worked as a menial servant in the household of the Grand Historian Jiao of Ju. The grand historian's daughter noticed that Fa Zhang's appearance was extraordinary and considered him no ordinary man. She took pity on him, secretly gave him food and clothing, and the two became intimate. After Nao Chi had left Ju, the people of Ju and Qi's exiled ministers gathered to seek King Min's son, wishing to enthrone him. Fa Zhang feared they would kill him. After a long time, he finally dared to declare: "I am King Min's son." The people of Ju together installed Fa Zhang — this was King Xiang. He held the city of Ju and sent word throughout Qi: "The king has been enthroned at Ju."

King Xiang held Ju for five years. Tian Dan, from Jimo, attacked and destroyed the Yan army, welcomed King Xiang from Ju, and entered Linzi. All of Qi's former territory was restored. Qi enfeoffed Tian Dan as Lord of Anping.

In the sixth year of King Jian's reign, Qin attacked Zhao. Qi and Chu moved to rescue Zhao. Qin calculated: "If Qi and Chu are truly committed to rescuing Zhao, we withdraw. If they are not, we press the attack." Zhao ran out of food and requested grain from Qi. Qi refused. Zhou Zi said: "Better to give it and thereby make Qin withdraw. If we refuse, Qin's troops will not retreat — Qin's strategy will succeed and ours will fail. Zhao serves as a buffer for Qi and Chu, just as teeth depend on lips — when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. Destroy Zhao today, and the threat reaches Qi and Chu tomorrow. The urgency of rescuing Zhao is like carrying a leaking jar to pour water on a burning pot. To rescue Zhao is high righteousness; to drive back Qin's army is glorious renown. To rescue a perishing state with righteousness and repel mighty Qin with martial prestige — to neglect this and instead hoard grain is a grave error in statecraft." The King of Qi did not listen. Qin destroyed over four hundred thousand Zhao troops at Changping and went on to besiege Handan.

In the forty-fourth year, Qin troops attacked Qi. King Jian followed the advice of his chancellor Hou Sheng and did not fight, surrendering his army to Qin. Qin captured King Jian and exiled him to Gong. Qi was abolished and made into commanderies. All-Under-Heaven was united under Qin, and King Zheng of Qin assumed the title of Emperor.

Originally, Queen Junwang had been wise: she served Qin with punctiliousness and kept faith with the feudal lords. Qi, moreover, occupied the eastern seaboard. While Qin relentlessly attacked the Three Jin, Yan, and Chu, each of the five states was occupied with defending itself against Qin — that is why King Jian reigned over forty years without suffering attack. When Queen Junwang died, Hou Sheng became chancellor. He accepted large quantities of Qin bribery gold and frequently sent envoys to Qin. Qin also lavished gold upon them, and the envoys all became double agents, urging the king to abandon the Vertical Alliance and attend Qin's court, to neglect military preparations, and not to assist the other five states against Qin. Qin was therefore able to destroy the five states. After the five had fallen, Qin's troops marched into Linzi and no one among the people dared resist. King Jian surrendered and was exiled to Gong.

The people of Qi resented King Jian for not joining the feudal lords early in a Vertical Alliance against Qin, and for listening to treacherous ministers and envoys until he lost his state. They sang: "Pines! Cypresses! The guests who housed Jian at Gong — was it they?" — condemning Jian for trusting the wrong advisors.