秦本纪 — Shiji

The ancestors of Qin traced their lineage to the imperial descendant Zhuanxu. A woman named Nuxiu was weaving when a black bird fell and dropped an egg; she swallowed it and gave birth to Daye. Daye married the daughter of Shaodian, named Nuhua, who bore Dafei. Together they assisted Yu in controlling the waters, and when the work was completed, the emperor bestowed upon Yu a black jade tablet. Yu said, 'This was accomplished not by me alone but with Dafei as my assistant.' Emperor Shun declared, 'Hark, Fei! You aided Yu in his great task—thus I grant you a black banner with hanging ribbons. Your descendants shall achieve greatness.' He gave him a wife from the Yao clan. Dafei accepted and served Shun in training birds and beasts, which became docile under his care. He was known as Baiyi. Shun granted him the surname Ying. Dafei had two sons: the elder was Dalian, whose descendants were called the Niaosu clan; the younger was Ruomu, whose line was called the Fei clan. His great-great-grandson was Feichang, whose descendants spread throughout China and among the barbarian tribes. Feichang served King Tang of Shang as his charioteer and defeated Jie at Mingtiao. Dalian's great-great-grandsons were Mengxi and Zhongyan, who had the bodies of birds but spoke like men. Emperor Taiwu heard of them and consulted the oracles about employing them as chariot drivers; the results were favorable, so he hired them and gave them wives. From Taiwu onward, Zhongyan's descendants consistently rendered service and aided the Shang state, so the Ying clan produced many distinguished families and became nobles. One of these was Zhongjue, who guarded the western frontier in the Rong territory. He sired Feilian, who fathered Elai. Elai was a man of great strength; Feilian was swift of foot. Father and son both served King Zhou of Shang with their abilities. When King Wu of Zhou marched against Zhou, he killed Elai as well. At that time Feilian was north of the city building stone fortifications for the king. Upon returning, he had nothing to report, so he erected an altar on Mount Huo and made offerings. He obtained a stone coffin bearing the inscription: 'The emperor commands that Chufu shall not share in Shang's chaos; here is your stone coffin to glorify your clan.' He died and was buried on Mount Huo.

Feilian also had a son named Jisheng. Jisheng fathered Mengzeng, who found favor with King Cheng of Zhou and was known as Zhai Gaolang. Gaolang sired Hengfu, who sired Zhaofu. Zhaofu gained the trust of King Mu of Zhou through his superb horsemanship. The king obtained the famous horses Qiji, Wenli, Hualiu, and Lueer, and went on a western tour, enjoying himself so much he forgot to return. When the rebel Xu Yankong rose in revolt, Zhaofu drove the royal chariot, racing back a thousand li in a single day to save the kingdom. King Mu enfeoffed Zhaofu with the city of Zhao, and from this his clan took the surname Zhao. From Feilian through Jisheng five generations down to Zhaofu, they lived separately in Zhao. Zhao Cui was a descendant of this line. Elai's son was Elai Ge, who died young and left a son named Nüfang. Nüfang fathered Panggao, who fathered Taiji, who fathered Daluo, who fathered Feizi. Because of Zhaofu's favor, they all dwelt in the Zhao city and took the surname Zhao. Feizi lived at Quqiu and loved horses and livestock, excelling at breeding them. The people of Quqiu reported this to King Xiao of Zhou, who summoned Feizi to tend the horses at the Qian and Wei rivers, where they multiplied greatly. The king wished to make Feizi the heir of Daluo. Shao Hou's daughter had already been married to Daluo and bore a son named Cheng who was the proper heir. Shao Hou therefore appealed to the king: 'Long ago our ancestor from Lishan was married to the Rong noble Xuxuan and bore Zhongjue, who out of loyalty returned to Zhou and guarded the western frontier, maintaining peace there. Now I have again married a wife to Daluo and produced an heir. The alliance between Shao and Luo through marriage has won the submission of all western Rong. This is how Your Majesty's royal authority prevails. Please consider this carefully.' Thereupon King Xiao declared: 'In ancient times Baiyi served Shun as his animal-tender, and because his herds flourished he received lands and a surname. Now his descendants also tend my horses—I shall grant them a portion of land as a vassal. They shall have Qin as their city and continue the sacrificial rites of the Ying clan. The title shall be Qin Ying.' Nor did he set aside the daughter of Shao Hou to be Daluo's proper heir, for the sake of harmony with the western Rong. Qin Ying bore Qin Hou, who reigned ten years and died. He was succeeded by Gongbo, who reigned three years and died. Then came Qin Zhong. In the third year of Qin Zhong's reign, King Li of Zhou behaved tyrannically and some lords rebelled. The western Rong turned against the Zhou court and annihilated the clan of Daluo at Quqiu. When King Xuan of Zhou ascended the throne, he made Qin Zhong a great officer and sent him to punish the western Rong. The Rong killed Qin Zhong. He had reigned twenty-three years and died in exile. He had five sons; the eldest was Zhuanggong. King Xuan summoned Zhuanggong and his four brothers, giving them seven thousand troops to attack the western Rong. They succeeded, and the king restored the lands of Qin Zhong and the former territories of Daluo at Quqiu, making Zhuanggong Grand Marshal of the Western Frontier. Zhuanggong dwelt in his ancestral Quqiu and had three sons; the eldest was Shifu. Shifu declared, 'Since the Rong have slain my grandfather Zhong, I will not enter the city unless I kill the Rong king.' He prepared to attack the Rong and yielded his position to his younger brother Xianggong, who was the heir apparent. Zhuanggong reigned forty-four years and died; his heir Xianggong succeeded him.

In the first year of Duke Xiang's reign, he married his sister Miao Ying to the Feng king. In the second year, the Rong besieged Quqiu; Shifu attacked them but was captured. After more than a year he was released. In the seventh year, spring, King You of Zhou deposed the heir apparent in favor of Bao Si's son and repeatedly deceived the lords, who consequently rebelled. The Rong and QuRong tribes together with the marquis of Shen attacked Zhou, slew King You at Lishan, and divided the empire. Duke Xiang of Qin led troops to rescue Zhou and fought valiantly, earning merit. To escape the Rong, Zhou moved east to Luoyang; Duke Xiang escorted King Ping of Zhou on this journey. The king enfeoffed Duke Xiang as a lord and granted him the lands west of the Qi River, declaring: 'The Rong are lawless; they have seized my territories of Qi and Feng. If Qin can drive them out, these lands shall be yours.' He swore an oath with Duke Xiang and confirmed his title. Thus Qin became a state, sending envoys to other lords and exchanging gifts. Duke Xiang offered a sacrifice at the western Zhi shrine, presenting three colts, three oxen, and three rams to the Lord on High.

In the twelfth year, Duke Xiang attacked the Rong as far as Qishan, then died. He was succeeded by Duke Wen. In the first year of Duke Wen's reign he dwelt in the Western Frontier palace. In the third year he led seven hundred men on an eastern hunt. In the fourth year he reached the junction of the Qian and Wei rivers and declared: 'Long ago the Zhou took my ancestor Qin Ying from this place, and in the end he became a lord.' He consulted the oracle, which was favorable, and built a settlement there. In the tenth year he established the Fuzhi shrine with three sacrificial animals. In the thirteenth year he first appointed historians to record events; many of the people were converted. In the sixteenth year Duke Wen attacked the Rong, who fled. He then gathered the remaining Zhou people in the region, extending Qin's territory to the Qi River; lands east of the Qi were offered to Zhou. In the nineteenth year he obtained the treasure of Chen. In the twentieth year the first law against three families committing crimes was promulgated. In the twenty-seventh year he struck the southern mountain, felling a giant tree. In the forty-eighth year Duke Wen's heir apparent died; he was posthumously named Duke Jing. Duke Jing's eldest son was made heir apparent—the grandson of Duke Wen. In the fiftieth year Duke Wen died and was buried west of the mountain. Duke Jing's son succeeded as Duke Ning.

Gongbo was born. Gongbo reigned for three years and died. Qin Zhong was born. In the third year of Qin Zhong's reign, King Li of Zhou ruled without the Way; some of the feudal lords rebelled against him. The Western Rong revolted against the royal house and destroyed the clan of Da Luo at Quanqiu. When King Xuan of Zhou came to the throne, he appointed Qin Zhong as a grand officer and sent him to chastise the Western Rong. The Western Rong killed Qin Zhong. Qin Zhong had reigned for twenty-three years and died among the Rong. He had five sons, the eldest of whom was named Duke Zhuang. King Xuan then summoned all five brothers, gave them seven thousand soldiers, and dispatched them to attack the Western Rong; they defeated them.

Duke De Gong's first year, he dwelt in the great Zheng palace at Yong and offered three hundred animal sacrifices at Fuzhi. The oracle about dwelling at Yong proved favorable: 'In time your descendants shall water their horses at the Yellow River.' The lords of Liang and Rui came to pay respects. In his second year the practice of summer sacrifice to expel malevolent spirits by using dogs was instituted. Duke De Gong lived thirty-three years before ascending the throne and reigned two years. He left three sons: the eldest Duke Xuan, the middle son Duke Cheng, and the youngest Duke Mu.

Duke Xuan ascended the throne. In his first year, Wey and Yan attacked Zhou and expelled Duke Hui, installing Prince Tai. In the third year, the lord of Zheng and the uncle of Guo killed Prince Tai and restored Duke Hui. In the fourth year Duke Xuan built the Mizhi shrine. He defeated Jin at Heyang. In the twelfth year Duke Xuan died. He had nine sons, none of whom succeeded; his brother Duke Cheng became ruler. Duke Cheng's first year saw the lords of Liang and Rui paying respects. Duke Huan of Qi attacked the mountain Rong, reaching Gu Zhu. Duke Cheng reigned four years and died. Seven sons he had, none succeeded; his brother Duke Mu took the throne.

Duke Mu, personal name Renhao, ascended in his first year and personally led the attack on the Maojin tribes, defeating them. In his fourth year he sent envoys to bring back a bride from Jin—the sister of Prince Shen Sheng. That same year Duke Huan of Qi attacked Chu, reaching Shaoling. In the fifth year Duke Xian of Jin destroyed Yu and Guo, capturing the lord of Yu and his minister Baili Xi, for Jin had bribed Yu with jade and horses to secure passage. Baili Xi was made a servant in Duke Mu's household. He escaped from Qin and fled to Chu, where he was seized at the border. Duke Mu, hearing of his wisdom, wished to ransom him at great cost, but feared Chu would refuse. He therefore sent an envoy to Chu: 'Your Majesty's prisoner, Baili Xi, is among my servants. I beg to ransom him with five black goats.' Chu agreed. Baili Xi was over seventy years old. Duke Mu released him from captivity and discussed affairs of state. Xi declined: 'I am a minister of a ruined state—what help could I offer?' Duke Mu replied: 'The lord of Yu did not employ you, therefore he perished. This was not your fault.' He pressed the question for three days, and Duke Mu was greatly pleased. He entrusted Xi with the government, styling him the Five-Goat Minister.

Baili Xi remonstrated: 'I am not the equal of my friend Jian Shu, whose wisdom is unknown in the world. I once wandered in distress in Qi, begging food from the people of Zhi; Jian Shu took me in. I wished to serve the lord of Qi, Wuzhi, but Jian Shu restrained me, and I escaped that disaster. I then went to Zhou. Prince Tai of Zhou loved cattle; I supported myself by raising cows for him. When Tai wished to employ me, Jian Shu stopped me, and I departed before any harm came. I served the lord of Yu; again Jian Shu restrained me. I knew the lord would not employ me, yet I was selfishly attached to my salary and stayed. When I followed his counsel, I escaped danger; when I ignored it, the lord of Yu met his fate. Thus I know Jian Shu's worth.' Duke Mu sent lavish gifts to summon Jian Shu and made him Senior Minister.

In the fifteenth year, Jin raised troops to attack Qin. Duke Mu responded by sending Pi Bao with Qin's army. In September, on the day of renwu, they engaged Duke Hui of Jin at Hanqu (Han). The lord of Jin abandoned his forces, seeking advantage over Qin, but his horses became bogged down in the marsh.

When the battle at Han concluded, Duke Hui of Jin found himself encircled. His mounted forces were mired in mud, unable to maneuver as Qin's army closed in. The engagement proved decisive—Jin's commander, separated from his retreating infantry, was cut off and taken captive. Qin's victory at Han represented a critical shift in the balance of power between the two states.

When these three hundred men heard that Qin was attacking Jin, they all sought to join the campaign. Upon seeing Duke Mu in danger, they threw themselves into battle with desperate courage, repaying his kindness for the horse meat.

Duke Mu then took the Duke of Jin prisoner and returned home. He issued an order throughout the realm: "Fast and purify yourselves; I shall offer sacrifice to the Supreme Lord with the Duke of Jin as the offering." The King of Zhou heard of this and said: "Jin shares our surname." He then interceded for the Duke of Jin. Duke Yiwu's sister was also Duke Mu's wife, and when she heard of this, she put on mourning garments and went barefoot, saying: "Your servant's brother cannot come to your aid—I have failed your majesty's command." Duke Mu replied: "I took the Duke of Jin as my achievement. Now that the Son of Heaven has interceded for him, you should not grieve." He then formed a covenant with the Duke of Jin and promised to release him. He gave the Duke of Jin lodging in the finest quarters and presented him with the seven sacrificial animals.

In the eleventh month, the Duke of Jin Yiwu was released. Yiwu ceded the territory west of the Yellow River and sent his heir Prince Yu to Qin as a hostage. Qin betrothed one of its noble daughters to Yu.

In the eighteenth year, Duke Huan of Qi died.

In the twenty-second year, Prince Yu of Jin heard that the Duke of Jin was ill. "Liang is my mother's homeland," he said, "and Qin has destroyed it. I have many brothers. When the Duke passes on, Qin will certainly keep me here, and Jin will think lightly of me. They will surely set up another son instead." Prince Yu then fled back to Jin.

In the twenty-third year, Duke Hui of Jin died. His son Yu succeeded him as Duke of Jin. Qin resented Yu for fleeing, so they invited Prince Chong'er of Jin, who was in Chu, and gave him in marriage the former wife of Prince Yu. Chong'er at first declined, but eventually accepted.

In the twenty-fourth year, spring, Qin sent word to Jin's senior ministers that Chong'er wished to return. Jin agreed, and sent an escort to convey Chong'er back.

In the second month, Chong'er became Duke of Jin. He was known as Duke Wen.

Duke Wen ordered the execution of Prince Yu, who had become Duke Huai.

That autumn, Dai, the younger brother of King Xiang of Zhou, attacked the King with the Di people. The King fled and took residence in Zheng.

In the thirtieth year, Duke Mu assisted Duke Wen in besieging Zheng. Someone from Zheng said to Duke Mu: "If we destroy Zheng, it will only strengthen Jin. Whatever Zheng gains, Qin gains nothing. A powerful Jin is a threat to Qin." Duke Mu withdrew his forces. Jin also withdrew.

In the thirty-second year, winter, Duke Wen of Jin died.

A man from Zheng sought to betray Zheng to Qin: "I am stationed at the city gate. Zheng can be taken by surprise." Duke Mu consulted Jian Shu and Baili Xi, who replied: "To march through several states over a thousand li to surprise an enemy—rarely does such an expedition succeed. Besides, the man is betraying Zheng. How do we know that some citizen of our own state has not informed Zheng of our plans? This cannot be done."

Duke Mu said: "You do not understand. I have already decided." He mobilized the army, placing Baili Xi's son Mengming Shi, Jian Shu's son Xiqi Shu, and Baiyi Bing in command.

The two elders withdrew and said to their sons: "When your army is defeated, it will surely be at the Yao defile."

In the thirty-third year, spring, the Qin army marched eastward, changing the territory of Jin. When they passed north of the Zhou capital's gates, Wangsun Man said: "The Qin army shows no discipline. How could it fail to be defeated?"

The army reached Hua. A Zheng merchant named Gao was taking twelve oxen to sell in Zhou. When he saw the Qin forces, fearing capture or death, he presented his oxen to them, saying: "I have heard that a great state intends to punish Zheng. The Lord of Zheng has strictly reinforced his defenses and prepared for siege. He sends me with these twelve oxen to refresh the soldiers."

At that time, Duke Wen of Jin had not yet been buried. The heir apparent, Duke Xiang, flew into a rage: "Qin has humiliated me, an orphan, and exploited this time of mourning to attack my town of Hua." He dressed in mourning garments of coarse black cloth, raised an army, and ambushed the Qin forces at Yao. He attacked and utterly defeated them—not a single man escaped. The three Qin generals were captured.

The wife of Duke Wen of Jin was a daughter of Qin. She pleaded for the three captured generals: "Duke Mu's resentment toward these three men runs deep in his marrow. I beg that they be released so that our lord may have the satisfaction of executing them himself." The Duke of Jin agreed.

When the three generals returned to Qin, Duke Mu met them at the suburbs dressed in ordinary clothes. He faced the three men and wept: "It was I who wronged you three by not heeding the counsel of Baili Xi and Jian Shu. You three are innocent." Then he restored them to their former positions and ranks, and treated them with increasing generosity.

In the thirty-fourth year, the Chu heir apparent Shangchen murdered his father King Cheng and seized the throne. Duke Mu then sent Mengming Shi and others to attack Jin again. The battle was fought at Pengya, and Qin fared poorly. They withdrew.

You Yu smiled and said: "This is precisely why China falls into disorder. When the sage-emperor Huangdi first created propriety, music, and legal institutions, he led by example, and only then was modest order achieved. But in later generations, they grew increasingly arrogant and licentious. They wielded the intimidating power of law to coerce the people below. When the people were exhausted, they resented their rulers with appeals to benevolence and righteousness. Thus arose conflict between high and low, complaint and counter-complaint, until finally came usurpation and murder, even the destruction of entire lineages—all of this stemming from such causes." With the Rong and Yi it is not so. Their rulers embrace pure virtue in dealing with their subjects, while their subjects offer loyalty and trust in serving their rulers. The governance of an entire kingdom flows as naturally as the governance of a single body. They do not know how else it could be. This is true sage-kingship."

Duke Mu withdrew and consulted his Interior Secretary Liao: "I have heard that a neighboring state with a sage is a threat to any rival. Now You Yu is virtuous. He is a danger to me. What can be done?"

The Rong king accepted them and was delighted, spending an entire year in indulgence without returning You Yu.

Only then did Qin recall You Yu. You Yu had repeatedly remonstrated with the Rong king, but his counsel went unheeded. Qin also repeatedly sent agents to privately persuade You Yu. Finally, You Yu defected to Qin.

"Listen, soldiers! Be silent and attend. I make this solemn oath. The ancients consulted the white-haired elders, and so had no cause for regret. I now recall with deep regret that I did not heed the counsel of Jian Shu and Baili Xi. I make this oath so that generations to come may remember my errors."

In the thirty-ninth year, Duke Mu died and was buried at Yong. One hundred and seventy-seven people were buried alive with him. Among Qin's finest and most virtuous ministers were three men from the Ziyu clan—named Yanxi, Zhongxing, and Zhenhu—who were among those who followed Duke Mu in death.

Duke Mu had forty sons. His heir apparent Ying succeeded him, becoming Duke Kang.

Duke Kang's first year. The previous year, when Duke Mu died, Duke Xiang of Jin had also died. Duke Xiang had a younger brother named Yong, whose mother was from Qin. Duke Zhao of Jin, wishing to install him, sent Sui Hui to bring Yong to Jin, and Qin escorted him with troops to Lingle. Jin then enthroned Duke Xiang's heir instead, and turned back to attack the Qin forces. The Qin army was defeated, and Sui Hui fled to Jin.

The Left Geng Bai Qi attacked Xincheng. The Fifth Grand Master Li fled from Qin and went over to Wei. Ren Bi was made governor of Hanzhong. In the fourteenth year, the Left Geng Bai Qi attacked the armies of Han and Wei at Yique, beheading two hundred and forty thousand men, capturing Gongsun Xi, and seizing five cities. In the fifteenth year, the Grand Liang-maker Bai Qi attacked Wei, took Yuan, and then returned it. He attacked Chu and took Wan. In the sixteenth year, the Left Geng Cuo seized Zhi and Deng. Ran was dismissed, and the Ducal Son Shi was enfeoffed at Wan, the Ducal Son Kui at Deng, and Wei Ran at Tao, making them feudal lords. In the seventeenth year, the Lord of Chengyang came to court, and the Lord of Eastern Zhou also came to court. Qin renamed Yuan as Puban and Pishi. The King went to Yiyang.

In the eighteenth year, Cuo attacked Yuan and Heyong, breaching the bridge to capture them. In the nineteenth year, the King assumed the title of Western Emperor and the King of Qi that of Eastern Emperor, but both soon renounced them. Lü Li returned of his own accord and submitted. Qi destroyed Song; the King of Song was in Wei and died at Wen. Ren Bi died. In the twentieth year, the King went to Hanzhong, then to Shangjun and the Northern River. In the twenty-first year, Cuo attacked the Henei region of Wei. Wei offered Anyi; Qin expelled its people, recruited settlers in Hedong and bestowed ranks upon them, and pardoned convicts to be moved there. The Lord of Jingyang was enfeoffed at Wan.

In the twenty-second year, Meng Wu attacked Qi. The region east of the Yellow River was organized into nine counties. The King of Qin met with the King of Chu at Wan, and with the King of Zhao at Zhongyang. In the twenty-third year, Commandant Si Li joined with the Three Jin states and Yan to attack Qi, defeating Qi west of the Ji River. The King met with the King of Wei at Yiyang and with the King of Han at Xincheng. In the twenty-fourth year, he met with the King of Chu at Yan, and again at Rang. Qin captured Wei's Ancheng and advanced as far as Daliang; Yan and Zhao came to Wei's rescue, and the Qin army withdrew. Wei Ran was dismissed from the chancellorship. In the twenty-fifth year, Qin seized two cities of Zhao.

In Duke Kang's second year, Qin attacked Jin and captured Wucheng, avenging the battle of Lingle.

In his fourth year, Jin attacked Qin and took Shaoliang.

In his sixth year, Qin attacked Jin and captured Jimi. They fought at Hequ, and the Jin army was soundly defeated.

The Jin were troubled that Sui Hui was causing trouble in Qin, so they sent Wei Chouyu to feign defection, forming a plot with Sui Hui. They succeeded in rescuing Sui Hui, who returned to Jin.

Duke Kang reigned twelve years and died. His son Gong succeeded him as Duke Gong.

Duke Gong's second year: Zhao Chuan of Jin assassinated his lord Duke Ling.