管蔡世家

Guan Shuxian and Cai Shudu were sons of King Wen of Zhou and younger brothers of King Wu. King Wu had ten full brothers. Their mother was Tai Si, the chief wife of King Wen. Their eldest was Bo Yikao, then Wu Wangfa (the future King Wu), then Guan Shuxian, then Zhou Gongdan (the Duke of Zhou), then Cai Shudu, then Cao Shuzhenduo, then Cheng Shuwu, then Huo Shuchu, then Kang Shufeng, and finally Ya Jizai. Ya Jizai was the youngest. Among these ten full brothers, only Fa and Dan were men of virtue, serving King Wen as his chief assistants. For this reason, King Wen bypassed Bo Yikao and designated Fa as his heir.

When King Wen died, Fa succeeded him as King Wu. Bo Yikao had already died earlier. After King Wu conquered the tyrant Zhou of Shang and unified the realm, he enfeoffed his meritorious brothers. He granted Guan Shuxian the state of Guan and Cai Shudu the state of Cai, placing them jointly in charge of Wu Geng, son of the Shang tyrant, to govern the remaining Shang people. He granted Zhou Gongdan the state of Lu as his deputy, making him the Duke of Zhou. He granted Cao Shuzhenduo the state of Cao, Cheng Shuwu the state of Cheng, and Huo Shuchu the state of Hu. Kang Shufeng and Ya Jizai were still young and received no enfeoffment.

After King Wu died, King Cheng was young, and the Duke of Zhou wielded authority over the royal house. Guan Shu and Cai Shu suspected the Duke of Zhou of ill intent toward King Cheng, so they enlisted Wu Geng and raised a rebellion. The Duke of Zhou, acting on King Cheng's command, marched against them, executed Wu Geng, killed Guan Shu, and exiled Cai Shu, granting him ten chariots and seventy men to accompany him. He then divided the remaining Shang people into two portions: one he granted to Wei Boqi of Song to continue the Shang sacrificial rites, and the other he granted to Kang Shufeng as lord of Wei, establishing him as the Duke of Kang of Wei. Ya Jizai was enfeoffed at Ya. Both Ya Ji and the Duke of Kang displayed virtuous conduct, and the Duke of Zhou recommended the Duke of Kang as Minister of Justice and Ya Ji as Minister of Works to assist King Cheng in governance, and both earned good reputations throughout the realm.

Cai Shudu died in exile. His son was Hu, who reformed his conduct and followed virtue with gentle goodness. When the Duke of Zhou heard of this, he appointed Hu as an official in Lu, and the state of Lu was well governed. The Duke of Zhou then spoke to King Cheng and restored Hu's enfeoffment at Cai to honor the sacrifices to Cai Shudu. This was Cai Zhong. The other five brothers each went to their own states but held no positions in the royal government.

Cai Zhong died, and his son Cai Bohuang succeeded him. Cai Bohuang died, and his son Gong Hou succeeded him. Gong Hou died, and his son Li Hou succeeded him. Li Hou died, and his son Wu Hou succeeded him. In Wu Hou's time, King Li of Zhou lost control of the realm, fled to Zhi, and the joint regency of Gong and He administered the government, with many lords breaking away from Zhou. Wu Hou died, and his son Yi Hou succeeded him.

Duke Mu gave his younger sister in marriage to Duke Huan of Qi as his lady. In the eighteenth year, Duke Huan of Qi was boating with the Qi lady, and the lady capsized the boat. Duke Huan tried to stop her, but she did not. The duke was furious and sent the Qi lady back to Cai but did not sever the relationship. The Marquis of Cai was indignant and married her to his younger brother. Duke Huan was furious and attacked Cai; Cai's forces scattered, and he captured Duke Mu, advancing south to Shaoling. Other lords then interceded with Qi on Cai's behalf, and the Marquis of Qi returned Duke Mu.

In the twenty-ninth year, Duke Mu died, and his son Zhuang Hou Jiawu succeeded him. In Zhuang Hou's third year, Duke Huan of Qi died. In the fourteenth year, Duke Wen of Jin defeated Chu at Chengpu. In the twentieth year, Chu's Crown Prince Shangchen assassinated his father King Cheng and seized the throne. In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Mu of Qin died. In the thirty-third year, King Zhuang of Chu ascended the throne. In the thirty-fourth year, Zhuang Hou died, and his son Wen Hou Shen succeeded him.

In Ling Hou's second year, Chu's Prince Wei assassinated King Jiao Ao and seized the throne, becoming King Ling. In the ninth year, Chen's Minister of War Zhao assassinated his lord Duke Ai. Chu sent Prince Qijin to destroy Chen and take possession of it. In the twelfth year, King Ling of Chu, considering that Ling Hou had assassinated his father, invited Ling Hou to a meeting at Shen. With soldiers lying in ambush, they plied him with wine until he was drunk, then killed him. They executed seventy of his officers and men. He ordered Prince Qijin to besiege Cai. In the eleventh month, they destroyed Cai and made Qijin the lord of Cai.

Three years later, Chu's Prince Qijin assassinated his lord King Ling and seized the throne, becoming King Ping. King Ping then sought out Jing Hou's youngest son Lu and enthroned him, establishing him as Ping Hou. That same year, Chu also restored Chen. When King Ping first ascended the throne, he wished to befriend the lords, so he restored the lines of Chen and Cai. Ping Hou died in his ninth year. Ling Hou's grandson Dongguo attacked Ping Hou's son and seized the throne, becoming Dao Hou. Dao Hou's father was Yin Taizi You. Yin Taizi You was Ling Hou's heir apparent, but when Ping Hou took the throne, he killed Yin Taizi You. Therefore, when Ping Hou died, Yin Taizi You's son Dongguo attacked Ping Hou's son and took the throne, becoming Dao Hou. Dao Hou died after three years, and his younger brother Zhao Hou Shen succeeded him.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, he met the Marquis of Wei at Shaoling. Zhao Hou privately sought favor with Zhou Chang and tried to rank above Wei. Wei sent Shi Qiu to speak of the Duke of Kang's virtue, and Wei was ranked above Cai. Summer came, and Jin destroyed Shen. Chu was furious and attacked Cai. Zhao Hou sent his son to Wu as a hostage to join the attack on Chu. That winter, with King Helü of Wu, they defeated Chu and entered Ying. Cai hated Zichang, who was terrified and fled to Zheng.

Bo Yikao's descendants are not known to have received any enfeoffment. Wu Wangfa's descendants became rulers of Zhou, as related in the Basic Annals. Guan Shuxian was executed for rebellion with no descendants. Zhou Gongdan's descendants became rulers of Lu, as related in this hereditary house. Cai Shudu's descendants became rulers of Cai, as related in this hereditary house. Cao Shuzhenduo had descendants who became rulers of Cao, as related in this hereditary house. Cheng Shuwu's descendants are not found thereafter. Huo Shuchu's line was destroyed during the time of Duke Xian of Jin. Kang Shufeng's descendants became rulers of Wei, as related in this hereditary house. Ran Jizai's descendants are not found thereafter.

The Grand Historian remarks: Guan and Cai raised a rebellion that does not deserve much attention. Yet when King Wu died and King Cheng was young, the realm was suspicious, and it depended on the ten full brothers—men like Cheng Shu and Ran Ji—to serve as support and assistance, so that the lords finally submitted to Zhou. Therefore, they are included in this hereditary house.

The Grand Historian remarks: Guan and Cai raised a rebellion that does not deserve much attention. Yet when King Wu died and King Cheng was young, the realm was suspicious, and it depended on the ten full brothers—men like Cheng Shu and Ran Ji—to serve as support and assistance, so that the lords finally submitted to Zhou. Therefore, they are included in this hereditary house.

Cao Shuzhenduo was a younger brother of King Wu. After King Wu conquered the Shang tyrant, he enfeoffed Shuzhenduo in Cao. Shuzhenduo died, and his son Taibo Pi succeeded him. Taibo died, and his son Zhongjun Ping succeeded him. Zhongjun Ping died, and his son Gongbo Hou succeeded him. Gongbo Hou died, and his son Xiaobo Yun succeeded him. Xiaobo Yun died, and his son Yibo Xi succeeded him.

In Gong Gong's sixteenth year, Duke Ling of Jin fell ill. Initially, Prince Chong'er of Jin was in exile and passed through Cao. The lord of Cao had no courtesy, wanting to see his ribs which were close together. Li Xie's son Xi told the prince not to look, but the lord of Cao ignored him. Li Xie privately befriended Prince Chong'er. In the twenty-first year, Duke Wen of Jin, Chong'er, attacked Cao and captured Gong Gong Xiang, bringing him back. He ordered the army not to enter the neighborhood or doorways of Li Xie's family. Someone remonstrated with Duke Wen: "In ancient times, when Duke Huan of Qi assembled the lords, he restored those of different surnames. Now Your Lordship has imprisoned the lord of Cao and destroyed a state of the same surname. How can you command the lords?" Jin then released and returned Gong Gong Xiang.

When Bo Yang took the throne, he was fond of hunting and falconry. In his sixth year, a commoner of Cao named Gongsun Qiang was also fond of hunting and falconry. He caught a white goose and presented it to Bo Yang, discussing hunting and falconry, and thereby inquired about governmental affairs. Bo Yang was delighted with him and, because he was favored, made him Master of Works to handle government. The dreamer's son then fled.

In the forty-fifth year, a minister in Lu assassinated his ruler Duke Yin. In the forty-sixth year, Huafu Du of Song murdered his ruler Duke Shang, along with Kongfu. In the fifty-fifth year, Duke Huan died, and his son Duke Zhuang (Xigu) succeeded. In the twenty-third year of Duke Zhuang, Duke Huan of Qi first assumed hegemony. In the thirty-first year, Duke Zhuang died, and his son Duke Xi (Yi) succeeded. Duke Xi died in his ninth year, and his son Duke Zhao (Ban) succeeded. In the sixth year of Duke Zhao, Duke Huan of Qi defeated Cai and then advanced as far as Shaoling in Chu. In the ninth year, Duke Zhao died, and his son Duke Gong (Xiang) succeeded.

In the sixteenth year of Duke Gong, earlier, the Jin prince Chong'er passed through Cao during his exile. The ruler of Cao treated him discourteously and wanted to see his fused ribs. Xi Fuji remonstrated, but the duke ignored him; however Xi Fuji privately treated Chong'er with kindness. In the twenty-first year, Duke Wen of Jin (Chong'er) attacked Cao, captured Duke Gong and took him back, ordering his troops not to enter the village quarter of Xi Fuji's clan. Someone advised Duke Wen of Jin: 'In the past, Duke Huan of Qi assembled the feudal lords and restored states with different surnames; now you imprison the ruler of Cao and destroy a state of your own surname—how can you command the feudal lords?' Jin then returned Duke Gong to Cao. In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Wen of Jin died.

In the thirty-fifth year, Duke Gong died, and his son Duke Wen (Shou) succeeded. Duke Wen died in his twenty-third year, and his son Duke Xuan (Qiang) succeeded. Duke Xuan died in his seventeenth year, and his younger brother Duke Cheng (Fuchu) succeeded. In the third year of Duke Cheng, Duke Li of Jin attacked Cao, captured Duke Cheng and took him back, but soon released him. In the fifth year, Luan Shu and Zhonghang Yan of Jin ordered Cheng Hua to assassinate their ruler Duke Li. In the twenty-third year, Duke Cheng died, and his son Duke Wu (Sheng) succeeded. In the twenty-sixth year of Duke Wu, Prince Qiji of Chu murdered his ruler King Ling and usurped the throne. In the twenty-seventh year, Duke Wu died, and his son Duke Ping (Xu) succeeded.

Duke Ping died in his fourth year, and his son Duke Dao (Wu) succeeded. That year, Song, Wei, Chen, and Zheng all suffered conflagrations. In the eighth year of Duke Dao, Duke Jing of Song succeeded. In the ninth year, Duke Dao went to pay court to Song, and Song imprisoned him; Cao then enthroned his younger brother Ye, who became Duke Sheng. Duke Dao died in Song, and his body was returned to Cao for burial. In the fifth year of Duke Sheng, a younger brother of Duke Ping named Tong murdered Duke Sheng and replaced him—this was Duke Yin. In the fourth year of Duke Yin, a younger brother of Duke Sheng named Lu murdered Duke Yin and replaced him—this was Duke Jing. Duke Jing died in his fourth year, and his son Boyang succeeded. In Boyang's third year, a man of Cao dreamed of a crowd of gentlemen standing in the altar hall, plotting to destroy Cao. Shuzhen Duo of Cao stopped them, asking them to wait for Gongsun Qiang; they agreed. At daybreak, they searched for this man throughout Cao, but there was no such person. The dreamer warned his son: 'When I am gone, if you hear that Gongsun Qiang has taken power, you must leave Cao; do not stay to suffer Cao's calamity.'

When Bo Yang came to the throne, he was fond of hunting and fowling. In his sixth year, a commoner of Cao named Gongsun Qiang, who also loved hunting, caught a white goose and presented it. He then discoursed on the arts of the chase and thereby sought to discuss affairs of state. Bo Yang was delighted, showed him great favor, and made him Minister of Works, granting him a voice in government. At this, the son of the dreamer fled. Gongsun Qiang instructed the Lord of Cao in the ways of hegemony. In the fourteenth year, the Lord of Cao followed his counsel: he turned his back on Jin and encroached upon Song. Duke Jing of Song led his troops to punish Cao, and Jin sent no rescue. In the fifteenth year, Song extinguished Cao, seized Lord Bo Yang and Gongsun Qiang, returned to Song, and put them to death. Thus Cao's line of sacrifices was cut off. The Grand Historian remarks: I have sought to understand why Duke Gong of Cao failed to employ Xi Fuji—there were three hundred men riding in ornamented carriages, yet I perceive that he knew only that virtue was not being built. And as for the dream of Zhenduo, was that not an attempt to prolong the sacrifices of Cao?

Just as Gongsun Qiang failed to attend to governance, the sacrifices to Shu Duo were abruptly cut off. King Wu's younger brothers were enfeoffed at Guan, Cai, and Huo. When the Duke of Zhou served as prime minister, slanderous rumors were fabricated.

The Wolf’s Stumble told of hardships; the Owl denounced the evil ones. Hu could mend his ways and thus regained his noble fief. Duke Xian was captured by Chu and met discourteous treatment from the Lord of Xi. Duke Mu was seized by Qi, when on a boat a jest gave deep offense. Duke Gong of Cao slighted Jin, but Xi Fuji foresaw the danger. Bo Yang dreamed of the altars; the fortune of Zhenduo was overthrown.