齐太公世家 — Shiji

Lü Shang had apparently lived in poverty for some time, and was advanced in years when he went fishing by the bank, hoping to attract the attention of the Western Earl of Zhou. The Western Earl planned to go hunting and divined the outcome, which read: 'What you shall capture is neither dragon nor chi, neither tiger nor bear—it is an assistant to a hegemon-king.' When the Earl of Zhou set out on his hunt, he indeed met Lü Shang on the northern bank of the Wei River. Delighted by their conversation, the Earl said: 'My late father the Duke said that a sage would come to Zhou, and that Zhou would flourish. Can you be that person? My father the Duke has longed for you for so long.' He therefore gave him the title Taigong Wang, brought him back in his carriage, and made him his mentor.

Some accounts say that Taigong was a man of broad learning who had once served King Zhou. When Zhou proved tyrannical, Taigong left him. He traveled among the feudal lords seeking employment but found none, until at last he journeyed westward to the Western Earl of Zhou. Others say that Lü Shang was a recluse dwelling on the seacoast. When the Western Earl was imprisoned at Youli, Shen Yisheng and Hong Yao—men who knew of his worth—summoned Lü Shang. Lü Shang also declared: 'I have heard that the Western Earl is virtuous and skilled at caring for the aged. Why not go to him?' The three men sought beautiful women and rare treasures for the Western Earl and presented them to King Zhou as ransom. The Earl was released and returned to his state. Accounts of how Lü Shang came to serve Zhou differ, but ultimately he served as mentor to Kings Wen and Wu.

When the Western Earl of Zhou escaped from Youli and returned, he and Lü Shang secretly plotted to cultivate virtue and overthrow the Shang government. Much of their strategy involved military tactics and clever schemes, which is why later generations, when discussing warfare and Zhou's covert strategies, all trace their teachings back to Taigong as the original strategist.

The Western Earl of Zhou governed with justice. When he arbitrated the dispute between Yu and Rui, poets celebrated him as the one who received the mandate, calling him King Wen. He attacked Chong, Mixu, and Quanyi, greatly expanding the territory around Feng. When the realm was divided three ways, two parts came over to Zhou—largely through Taigong's planning and counsel.

Upon King Wen's death, King Wu ascended the throne. In the ninth year of his reign, he wished to complete King Wen's enterprise and marched eastward to test whether the feudal lords would rally to him. As the army advanced, Lord Protector Lü Shang held a yellow axe in his left hand and a white banner staff in his right, commanding the troops: 'Ho, you gray rhinoceros! Rally your multitudes, you and your boats—those who arrive late shall be beheaded!' They reached Mengjin, where eight hundred feudal lords, arriving without prior summons, gathered together. The lords all declared: 'Zhou can be attacked.' But King Wu said: 'Not yet.' He withdrew the army and composed the Great Declaration with Taigong.

Two years later, King Zhou executed Prince Bigan and imprisoned Jizi. King Wu prepared to attack Zhou, but the turtle divination showed unfavorable omens, and a fierce storm broke. All the ministers were afraid—only Taigong prevailed upon King Wu to march forward. The king did so.

In the eleventh year, on the day of Jiachen in the first month, King Wu swore an oath at Muye and attacked King Zhou of Shang. The Shang army was defeated. Zhou fled, climbed the Luta Platform, and was then pursued and beheaded. The following day, King Wu stood at the Earth Altar. The dukes presented the purifying water, Kang Shu Feng spread the ritual matting, Lord Protector Lü Shang led the sacrificial ox, and Shi Yi recited the prayer announcing to the spirits the punishment of Zhou's crimes. The wealth of Luta was distributed, the grain of Juqiao was dispensed to relieve the poor. Bigan's tomb was enlarged, Jizi was freed from imprisonment. The Nine Tripods were moved, the government of Zhou was reformed, and a new beginning was made throughout the realm. Lord Protector Lü Shang's counsel had been responsible for most of this.

Having pacified Shang, King Wu became ruler of all under heaven. He enfeoffed Lord Protector Lü Shang at Yingqiu in Qi. Traveling east to take up his domain, he stopped frequently along the way, making slow progress. An innkeeper remarked: 'I have heard that opportunity is rare and easily lost. Yet you sleep so contentedly—you hardly seem the sort to establish a domain.' Taigong heard this, set out by night, and arrived at his capital at dawn. Not long after, the Marquis of Lai attacked, contending with Taigong for Yingqiu, which bordered Lai. The Lai people were non-Hua barbarians; taking advantage of the chaos at the end of Shang and the fact that Zhou was newly settled and had not yet consolidated distant territories, they fought Taigong for the domain.

When King Cheng was young, Guan and Cai rebelled, and the Huaiyi peoples rose against Zhou. The king sent Duke Shao Kang to instruct Taigong: 'East to the sea, west to the Yellow River, south to Muling, north to Wudi—over all five lords and nine barons, you have authority to march.' From this, Qi gained the right of military intervention and became a great state. The capital remained at Yingqiu.

During Duke Ai's reign, the Marquis of Ji slandered him to Zhou, and the Zhou court boiled Duke Ai to death, installing his brother Jing in his place as Duke Hu. Duke Hu moved the capital to Bogu during the reign of King Yi of Zhou. Duke Ai's younger half-brother Shan, resenting Duke Hu, gathered his faction among the people of Yingqiu, attacked, and killed Duke Hu to seize the throne as Duke Xian. In his first year, Duke Xian expelled all of Duke Hu's sons, then moved the capital from Bogu to Linzi. In his ninth year, Duke Xian died, and Duke Wu Shou succeeded him.

In the ninth year of Duke Xi's reign, the first year of Duke Yin of Lu began. In the nineteenth year, Duke Huan of Lu assassinated his elder brother Yin and made himself lord. In the twenty-fifth year, the Northern Rong attacked Qi. Zheng sent Prince Hu to bring relief, and Qi wished to give him a wife in marriage. Hu declined, saying: 'Zheng is small and Qi is great—I am no match for them.' He therefore refused.

In the winter of the twelfth month, Duke Xiang went hunting at Gufen and then on to Peiqiu. He saw a wild boar. His followers cried out 'Peng Sheng!' Duke Xiang flew into a rage and shot at it. The boar rose on its hind legs and screamed. Terrified, Duke Xiang tumbled from his carriage, injuring his foot and losing a shoe. Upon returning, he had his shoe-keeper Fu beaten three hundred times before expelling him from the palace.

Fu left the palace. When Wuzhi, Lian Cheng, and Guan Zhi fu heard of the duke's injury, they led their followers to storm the palace. They met Fu, the shoe-keeper. Fu said: 'Do not enter the palace rashly—it will not be easily breached.' Wuzhi did not believe him. Fu showed them his wounds, and only then did they trust him. They waited outside the palace gates while Fu entered first. Once inside, Fu hid Duke Xiang behind a door. After some time, Wuzhi and his men grew anxious and forced their way into the palace. Fu turned to fight alongside the court officials and the duke's favored ministers against Wuzhi's group, but they were defeated and all perished.

Wuzhi entered the palace seeking the duke but could not find him. Someone spotted feet in the doorway, lifted the curtain to look, and there was Duke Xiang. They killed him, and Wuzhi made himself Duke of Qi.

In the spring of Duke Huan's first year, the Duke of Qi Wuzhi went hunting at Yonglin. The local people bore a grudge against Wuzhi. When he came to hunt, they ambushed and killed him. They reported to the Qi nobles: 'Wuzhi assassinated Duke Xiang and made himself lord. We have carefully carried out the execution. We beg that my lords install whichever prince ought to reign—we await your command.'

Originally, Duke Xiang's drunken cruelties had included killing Duke Huan of Lu, having improper relations with his wife, and repeatedly deceiving his ministers. His younger brothers, fearing disaster, fled. The second brother, Jiu, fled to Lu, where his mother was a Lu woman, with Guan Zhong and Zhao Hu as his advisors. The youngest brother, Xiaobai, fled to Ju, with Bao Shuya as his guardian. Xiaobai's mother was a Wei woman, and she had been favored by Duke Xi. From childhood, Xiaobai had been close to the worthy official Gao Xi.

Duke Huan, having been struck by the arrow on his belt hook, had feigned death to deceive Guan Zhong. He then traveled swiftly in a warm carriage, and with secret support from Gao and Guo within the capital, he arrived first and took the throne, raising troops to hold off Lu.

When Duke Huan took the throne, he wished to attack Lu and kill Guan Zhong. Bao Shuya said: 'Your servant was fortunate to follow you, my lord, and see you installed as duke. Your humble servant can add nothing to your majesty. If you wish merely to govern Qi, Gao Xi and I are sufficient. But if you aspire to hegemony, you must have Guan Yiwu. Whatever state he resides in prospers—I cannot afford to lose him.' Duke Huan accepted this advice. He pretended to want Guan Zhong in order to have him killed, but in truth intended to employ him. Guan Zhong understood this and agreed to come.

In the second year of his reign, Duke Huan conquered Tan, whose lord fled to Ju. Originally, when Duke Huan was in exile, he had passed through Tan and been treated without courtesy—hence the attack.

In the fifth year, Duke Huan attacked Lu. Lu's forces were about to be defeated when Duke Zhuang of Lu offered to cede the city of Sui in exchange for peace. Duke Huan agreed. At their meeting at Ke, they sealed a pact. During the ceremony, Cao Mo came forward with a dagger and seized Duke Huan on the altar: 'Return Lu's lost territories!' Duke Huan agreed. Cao Mo then dropped the dagger and withdrew to his position as a subject.

Duke Huan regretted his promise and wished to renege and kill Cao Mo. Guan Zhong said: 'To be coerced into a promise and then to break faith by killing the man—though it brings a moment of satisfaction, it destroys trust among the feudal lords and forfeits the support of the realm. This cannot be done.' Duke Huan therefore returned to Lu the territories lost in three battles. When the other lords heard of this, they trusted Qi and wished to ally with it.

In the seventh year, the feudal lords met Duke Huan at Zhen. From this, Duke Huan's hegemony truly began.

In the fourteenth year, Chen Ligong's son Wan, styled Jingzhong, came to Qi as a refugee. Duke Huan wished to make him a minister, but Wan declined; instead he was appointed Director of Craftsmen. This was the ancestor of Tian Chengzi.

In the twenty-third year, the Shanrong attacked Yan. Yan urgently appealed to Qi for help. Duke Huan came to Yan's aid and then attacked the Shanrong, pursuing them as far as Guzhu before returning. Duke Zhuang of Yan escorted Duke Huan to the Qi border. Duke Huan said: 'Only the Son of Heaven may see a feudal lord to the border. I cannot be discourteous to Yan.' He then had a ditch dug to mark the boundary, and gave back to the Duke of Yan whatever land Qi had taken, instructing the Duke of Yan to restore the government of Shao Gong and present tribute to Zhou as in the prosperous times of Cheng and Kang. When the other lords heard of this, all submitted to Qi.

In the twenty-eighth year, Duke Wen of Wei faced incursions by the Di and urgently appealed to Qi. Duke Huan led the feudal lords in building a fortress at Chuqiu and installing the Wei lord there.

In the twenty-ninth year, Duke Huan was boating with his wife, Lady Cai Ji. Lady Cai Ji, who was a strong swimmer, rocked the boat to tease her husband. Frightened, Duke Huan ordered her to stop. When she refused, he put her off the boat and sent her back to Cai, but did not formally sever the marriage.

Cai also grew indignant and married off its daughter to another state. Duke Huan of Qi, upon learning of this, flew into a rage and launched an expedition against Cai. In the spring of the thirtieth year, Duke Huan of Qi led the vassal lords in attacking Cai, which collapsed. He then marched against Chu. King Cheng of Chu mobilized his forces and demanded: "For what reason have you entered our territory?" Guan Zhong replied: "In ancient times, Duke Zhao of Shao commanded our former lord, the Grand Duke, saying: 'The five lords and nine barons—if any are delinquent, you may exercise authority over them, to assist the House of Zhou.' He granted our former lord the range to march: east to the sea, west to the Yellow River, south to Muling, north to Wudi. The tribute of southern artemisia has not been delivered, and the king's offerings are incomplete—this is why we demand satisfaction. King Zhao traveled south and never returned—this is why we inquire.'" The King of Chu responded: "That the tribute was not delivered is indeed the case, and I bear the fault. How could I dare neglect my offerings? As for King Zhao's failure to return from his southern expedition, you may inquire along the water's edge." The Qi army advanced and encamped at Xing. In summer, King Cheng of Chu dispatched Qu Wan with troops to oppose Qi. The Qi army withdrew to Zhaoling. Duke Huan took pride in Qu Wan's forces, but Qu Wan replied: "If you act with justice, it may be tolerated; if not, Chu will use Fangcheng as its wall and the Yangtze and Han Rivers as its moat. How could you possibly advance?" They then concluded a treaty with Qu Wan and departed.

At this time the House of Zhou was weak; only Qi, Chu, Qin, and Jin were powerful. Jin had only recently joined the alliance when Duke Xian died, and the kingdom fell into turmoil. Qin Mu Gong was remote and did not meet with the Chinese lords. King Cheng of Chu had recently brought the Jingman barbarians under control, and the Yi and Di established their own rule. Only Qi served as the leader of Chinese alliances, and Duke Huan was able to extend its virtuous influence, so the vassal lords gathered in tribute. Duke Huan then declared: "I marched south to Zhaoling, gazing toward Bear Mountain; I campaigned north against the Mountain Rong, Lizhi, and Guzhu; I attacked the west, crossing shifting sands; I tethered horses and hung carts to climb Taihang, reaching Bei'er Mountain before returning. No vassal lord dared disobey me. I have led three military assemblies and six diplomatic assemblies, united the vassal lords, and restored order to the realm. Did the three ancient dynasties receive any more exceptional mandate than this? I wish to ascend Mount Tai and offer sacrifice at Liangfu." Guan Zhong firmly remonstrated; the duke would not listen. He then persuaded the duke by saying that only when rare and wondrous objects from distant lands arrived could the ceremony proceed, and so the duke desisted.

In the thirty-eighth year, King Xiang of Zhou's brother Dai, in conspiracy with the Rong and Di, attacked Zhou. Qi sent Guan Zhong to negotiate peace with the Rong on behalf of Zhou. The king wished to receive Guan Zhong with the rites of Chief Minister. Guan Zhong kowtowed, saying: "I am merely a subject's subject; how dare I!" After three refusals, he accepted the lower minister's rites for his audience.

In the thirty-ninth year, King Xiang's brother Dai fled to Qi. Qi sent Zhongsun to petition the king on Dai's behalf and make apologies. The king was furious and would not relent.

Earlier, when Duke Yi was a prince, he had quarreled with Bing Rong's father over a hunt and failed to catch his prey. After he ascended the throne, he ordered Bing Rong's father's feet cut off and made Bing Rong his driver. The wife of Yong Zhi was beautiful; Duke Yi took her into his palace and made Yong Zhi ride as his chariot companion. In the fifth month, Duke Yi was taking an excursion at Shen Pool. The two men bathed and played. Yong Zhi said: 'You, the one whose feet were cut off!' Bing Rong replied: 'You, whose wife was stolen!' Both were pained by these words and nursed a grudge. They plotted to accompany the duke into the bamboo grove. There, they assassinated Duke Yi in his carriage, abandoned the body in the bamboo grove, and fled. Once Duke Yi had been established, he was arrogant, and the people did not support him. The Qi people deposed his son and welcomed Prince Yuan back from Wei, setting him up as Duke Hui. Duke Hui was a son of Duke Huan; his mother was a lady from Wei called Shao Weiji, who had fled the chaos in Qi and therefore remained in Wei. In the second year of Duke Hui, the Chang Di attacked. Wangzi Chengfu led troops to attack and kill them, burying the bodies at the northern gate. The Jin minister Zhao Chuan assassinated his ruler Duke Ling of Jin. In the tenth year, Duke Hui died, and his son Duke Qing, Wuye, was established. Initially, Cui Zhu had enjoyed favor under Duke Hui. After Duke Hui died, the Gao and Guo clans feared Cui Zhu's encroachment and drove him out; Cui Zhu fled to Wei.

In the sixth year, spring, Qi attacked Song because Song had not joined the alliance with Qi. In summer, the Duke of Song died. In the seventh year, Duke Wen of Jin established himself. In the tenth year, Duke Xiao died. His brother Prince Pan, through the Wei noble Kai Fang, killed Duke Xiao's son and installed himself—Duke Zhao. Duke Zhao was a son of Duke Huan, and his mother was Lady Ge Ying. In the first year of Duke Zhao's reign, Duke Wen of Jin defeated Chu at Chengpu and met with the vassal lords at Jiantu, paying court to the Zhou king, who acknowledged Jin's hegemony. In the sixth year, the Di invaded Qi. Duke Wen of Jin died. The Qin army was defeated at Yao. In the twelfth year, Qin Mu Gong died. In the nineteenth year, fifth month, Duke Zhao died. His son She was established as lord of Qi. She had no favor with Duke Zhao, and the people did not fear him. Duke Zhao's brother Shangren had vied for the succession after Duke Huan's death but failed. Secretly he cultivated worthy men and won the affection of the common people, who were pleased with him. When Duke Zhao died and his son She took the throne—weak and helpless—Shangren joined with supporters and killed the lord She at his grave in the tenth month, and Shangren established himself—Duke Yi. Duke Yi was a son of Duke Huan, and his mother was Lady Mi Ji.

Then the Jin army pursued Qi to Maling. The Qi ruler offered to make amends with precious vessels, but Jin refused. They insisted on obtaining Xiao Tongshuzi, who had laughed at Que Ke, and ordered Qi to change its field furrows to run east-west. The reply was: 'Shuzi is the mother of the Qi ruler. The mother of the Qi ruler is as the mother of the Jin ruler. Where would you place her? Moreover, you began with a righteous attack, yet now intend to follow it with cruelty—can that be justified?' Upon this, Jin relented and ordered the return of lands seized from Lu and Wei. In the eleventh year, Jin first established the Six Ministers, rewarding the merit earned at the Battle of An. Duke Qing of Qi went to pay court to Jin and wished to honor Duke Jing of Jin with the royal title. Duke Jing of Jin dared not accept it, so Duke Qing returned home. After returning, Duke Qing relaxed the restrictions on his parks and preserves, reduced taxes and levies, relieved orphans, comforted the sick, and emptied his stores to rescue the people. The people were overjoyed. He treated the feudal lords with generous ritual. By the time Duke Qing died, the people were attached to him, and no lords invaded. In the seventeenth year, Duke Qing died, and his son Duke Ling, Huan, was established.

In the tenth year, Duke Hui died. His son Duke Qing Wu Ye succeeded him. Initially, Cui Zhu had enjoyed favor with Duke Hui. When Duke Hui died, the Gao and Guo families, fearing his influence, expelled him, and Cui Zhu fled to Wei.

In the first year of Duke Qing's reign, King Zhuang of Chu grew powerful and attacked Chen. In the second year, he besieged Zheng. The lord of Zheng surrendered, then regained his state. In the sixth year, spring, Jin sent Xi Ke on an embassy to Qi. Qi made the duchess observe from behind a curtain. When Xi Ke reported to his lord, the duchess laughed at him. Xi Ke declared: "If this is not repaid, I will not cross the Yellow River again!" Returning home, he requested to attack Qi, but Duke Xian of Jin refused. When a Qi envoy arrived in Jin, Xi Ke seized four Qi envoys in Henan and killed them.

In the eighth year, Jin attacked Qi. Qi sent Prince Qiang as a hostage to Jin, and the Jin army withdrew. In the tenth year, spring, Qi attacked Lu and Wei. The Lu and Wei ministers went to Jin to request troops, both appealing to Xi Ke. Jin sent Xi Ke with eight hundred chariots as commander of the central army, Shi Xie commanding the upper army, and Luan Shu commanding the lower army, to rescue Lu and Wei and attack Qi. In the sixth month, on the day Ren Shen, they joined battle with the Duke of Qi's forces below Mi Ji. On the day Gui You, they drew up in formation at An. Feng Choufu served as the right seat of Duke Qing of Qi. The duke said: "Charge forward and break through the Jin army, then we shall dine together!" He shot and wounded Xi Ke, whose blood flowed to his feet. Xi Ke wished to retreat to his camp. His driver said: "When I first entered battle, you were wounded a second time and did not dare speak of your injury, fearing to alarm the troops. I beg you to endure." He then rejoined the battle. The battle grew intense; Feng Choufu feared the Duke would be captured, so he changed places—the duke took the right seat, and the chariot became entangled in a tree and stopped. Han Jue, a junior Jin officer, knelt before the duke's chariot and said: "Our ruler sent me to rescue Lu and Wei—I'll have some sport with you." Choufu ordered the duke to descend to fetch water, and by this means escaped, leaving the formation. Han Jue wanted to kill Choufu. Choufu said: "To die in place of one's lord and yet be insulted—what loyalty would any subject thereafter show his lord?" Han Jue released him, and Choufu escaped back to Qi. The Jin army pursued Qi to Maling. The Duke of Qi offered treasures as tribute; they would not accept. They demanded the woman who had laughed at Xi Ke—Lady Tong Shu Zi of Xiao. They also demanded that Qi plow its fields eastward. Han Jue replied: "Lady Tong Shu Zi is the mother of the Duke of Qi. The Duke of Qi's mother is like the Duke of Jin's mother. How would you treat her? Moreover, to wage a righteous campaign and then act with brutality—would that be proper?" They then agreed, allowing Qi to regain the territories it had taken from Lu and Wei.

In the eleventh year, Jin first established the six ministers, rewarding the merit of the Battle of An. Duke Qing of Qi went to pay court to Jin. He wished to honor the Duke of Jin with the reverence due a king, but the Duke of Jin dared not accept, and he returned home. Upon his return, Duke Qing reduced the parks and hunting grounds, lightened taxes, aided orphans, inquired after the sick, emptied stores to save the people, and the people were greatly pleased. He treated the vassal lords generously. Until Duke Qing's death, the common people were attached to him, and no vassal lord attacked Qi.

In the seventeenth year, Duke Qing died. His son Duke Ling Huan succeeded him.

In the ninth year of Duke Ling's reign, Luan Shu of Jin assassinated his lord Duke Li. In the tenth year, Duke Tao of Jin attacked Qi. Qi sent Prince Guang as a hostage to Jin. In the nineteenth year, Duke Ling installed Prince Guang as heir apparent, with Gao Hou as his tutor, and ordered him to meet the vassal lords in alliance at Zhongli. In the twenty-seventh year, Jin sent Zhonghang Xianzi to attack Qi. The Qi army was defeated, and Duke Ling fled into Linzi. Yan Ying tried to stop the duke, but he would not listen. Yan Ying said: "Your lordship also lacks courage!" The Jin army then surrounded Linzi. The city held firm and did not venture out; the Jin army burned the outer suburbs and departed.

In the twenty-eighth year. Earlier, Duke Ling had taken a Lu lady as wife and bore a son named Guang, whom he made heir apparent. He also had Lady Zhong Ji and Lady Rong Ji. Lady Rong Ji was a favorite and bore a son named Ya, whom she entrusted to Lady Rong Ji. Lady Rong Ji requested that Ya be made heir apparent, and the duke agreed. Lady Zhong Ji said: "No. Guang's position among the lords is already established. Now to suddenly disinherit him would surely be regretted." The duke said: "It rests with me." He then sent heir apparent Guang eastward and ordered Gao Hou to tutor Prince Ya as heir apparent. When Duke Ling fell ill, Cui Zhu welcomed former heir apparent Guang and installed him—Duke Zhuang. Duke Zhuang killed Lady Rong Ji. On the day Ren Chen of the fifth month, Duke Ling died. Duke Zhuang succeeded him and executed Prince Ya at Goudu Qiu. In the eighth month, Cui Zhu killed Gao Hou.

When Jin learned of Qi's turmoil, it attacked Qi, reaching Gaotang. In the third year of Duke Zhuang's reign, Jin's minister Luan Ying fled to Qi. Duke Zhuang received him generously. Yan Ying and Tian Wenzi remonstrated, but the duke would not listen. In the fourth year, Duke Zhuang of Qi sent Luan Ying as a covert operative to infiltrate Jin's Quwo as an inside agent, with an army following. They ascended Taihang and entered Yamen. Luan Ying was defeated; the Qi army retreated, capturing Chaoge. In the sixth year. Initially, the Lord of Tang had a beautiful wife. When the Lord of Tang died, Cui Zhu took her. Duke Zhuang had an affair with her and visited the Cui household frequently. He gave others the Cui family's ceremonial caps. An attendant said: "This cannot be done." Cui Zhu was furious, and because the duke had attacked Jin, wished to conspire with Jin against Qi but found no opportunity. Duke Zhuang had once caned the eunuch Jia Ju. Jia Ju returned to serve him, acting as a spy for Cui Zhu to settle old scores.

In the fifth month, the Lord of Ju paid court to Qi. On the day Jia Xu, Qi held a feast for him. Cui Zhu claimed illness and did not attend to state affairs. On the day Yi Hai, the duke went to inquire after Cui Zhu's illness and then visited Cui Zhu's wife. She entered her chambers and, with Cui Zhu, shut the door. The duke embraced a pillar and sang. The eunuch Jia Ju blocked the duke's attendants and entered, closing the gate. Cui Zhu's men rose with weapons from within. The duke climbed a tower and begged for terms; they refused. He begged for a covenant; they refused. He begged to die in the ancestral temple; they refused. They all said: "Your lordship's minister Zhu is ill and cannot hear your commands. This place is near the ducal palace. We, your ministers' ministers, only pursue those who are unchaste. We know nothing of any other orders."

The Grand Historian of Qí recorded: "Cuī Zhù murdered Duke Zhuāng." Cuī Zhù killed him. The historian's younger brother wrote it again, and Cuī Zhù killed him too. Another younger brother wrote it once more, and only then did Cuī Zhù release him.

In the first year of Duke Jǐng's reign, Cuī Zhù's wife gave birth to Chéng and Qiáng. Their mother died, and he took a woman of the Dōngguō family as his concubine, who bore him Míng. This woman set her stepson Wújiù and her own son Yǎn to serve the Cuī clan. When Chéng committed a crime, the two ministers urgently prosecuted him and installed Míng as heir apparent. Chéng asked to retire in Cuī, and Cuī Zhù agreed, but the two ministers would not permit it, saying, "Cuī is the ancestral domain and cannot be given away." Chéng and Qiáng, incensed, reported the situation to Qìng Fēng. Qìng Fēng had a grudge against Cuī Zhù and wished him ruined. Chéng and Qiáng killed Wújiù and Yǎn in the Cuī household, and the entire family fled in all directions. Cuī Zhù, finding himself without servants, sent a eunuch to drive him to Qìng Fēng. Qìng Fēng said, "Allow me to avenge you." He sent Lúpú Piè, Cuī Zhù's enemy, to attack the Cuī family. They killed Chéng and Qiáng and annihilated the entire Cuī clan. Cuī Zhù's wife took her own life, and Cuī Zhù's mother also killed herself.

Qìng Fēng became Chief Minister and held all power. In the third year, tenth month, he went out hunting. Having already killed Cuī Zhù, he had grown arrogant, fond of wine and hunting, neglecting governmental affairs. Qìng Shè governed in his stead, but there were internal divisions. Tián Wénzǐ said to Huánzǐ, "Chaos is coming." The Tián, Bào, Gāo, and Luán clans conspired against the Qìng faction. Qìng Shè dispatched troops to surround Qìng Fēng's palace, but the four families' retainers jointly attacked and defeated them. Qìng Fēng returned but could not enter, so he fled to Lǔ. The people of Qí demanded that Lǔ surrender him, and he fled to Wú. The King of Wú granted him Zhūfāng, where he assembled his clan and resided, growing wealthier than he had been in Qí.

That autumn, the people of Qí moved and buried Duke Zhuāng, then displayed Cuī Zhù's corpse in the market to appease the commoners.

In the ninth year, Duke Jǐng sent Yán Yīng to Jìn, who privately remarked to Shū Xiàng: "Government in Qí will ultimately pass to the Tián clan. Though the Tián have no great virtue, they use public power for private ends while showing kindness to the people, who therefore love them."

In the twelfth year, Duke Jǐng visited Jìn and met with Duke Píng, intending to campaign against Yān. In the eighteenth year, he again visited Jìn and met with Duke Zhāo. In the twenty-sixth year, he hunted near the Lǔ capital, then entered Lǔ and with Yán Yīng inquired about Lǔ's rites. In the thirty-first year, Duke Zhāo of Lǔ fled the persecution of the Jì family and came to Qí. Qí wanted to grant him a thousand villages, but Zǐjiā stopped the duke, so instead Duke Zhāo requested that Qí campaign against Lǔ and take the Yǎn region for him to dwell in.

In the thirty-second year, a comet appeared. Duke Jǐng sat in the Bóqǐn palace and sighed, "How magnificent! Who will possess all this?" The ministers all wept, but Yán Yīng laughed. The duke was angry. Yán Yīng said, "I laugh at the ministers' excessive flattery." Duke Jǐng said, "A comet has appeared in the northeast, corresponding to Qí's celestial region. I am worried." Yán Yīng replied, "Your Majesty builds lofty towers and deep pools, collects taxes as if you cannot get enough, and your punishments are severe. When a comet appears, what use is worrying?" The duke asked, "Can it be averted?" Yán Yīng answered, "If prayers could summon spirits, they could also drive them away. But if the people suffer grievances by the ten thousands, how can one man appease them all?" At that time Duke Jǐng delighted in constructing palaces, collecting dogs and horses, and was extravagant; he levied heavy taxes and severe punishments, which was why Yán Yīng remonstrated with him thus.

In the forty-second year, King Hèlǘ of Wú attacked Chǔ and entered Yǐng. In the forty-seventh year, Yáng Hǔ of Lǔ attacked his own lord and, failing, fled to Qí, requesting that Qí campaign against Lǔ. Bào Shē remonstrated with Duke Jǐng, who consequently imprisoned Yáng Hǔ. Yáng Hǔ escaped and fled to Jìn.

Autumn came, and Duke Jǐng fell ill. He commanded Guó Huìzǐ and Gāo Zhàozǐ to install the youngest son Tú as heir apparent, banishing the other princes to Lài. When Duke Jǐng died, the heir Tú succeeded him as Yàn Rúzǐ. That winter, before burial, the princes, fearing execution, all fled. Tú's half-brothers—Princes Shòu, Jū, and Qián—fled to Wèi, while Princes Zǔ and Yángshēng fled to Lǔ. The people of Lài sang: "Duke Jǐng is dead and buried, the three armies have no commander; the teachers and followers—whose faction are they?"

On the eighteenth day of the tenth month, Wùxū, Tián Qǐ invited the ministers, saying, "Chángzhī's mother has prepared a sacrificial feast of fish and beans; I hope you'll all come to drink." At the feast, Tián Qǐ placed Yángshēng in a sack and set him in the center of the room. He opened the sack and brought out Yángshēng, saying, "This man is the lord of Qí!" The ministers all knelt in submission. Tián Qǐ was about to bind the ministers by oath and install him, when Bào Mù was drunk. Tián Qǐ deceived the ministers, saying, "I plotted with Bào Mù to install Yángshēng together." Bào Mù, angry, said, "Have you forgotten Duke Jǐng's command?" The ministers, looking at each other, wished to retract. Yángshēng stepped forward and kowtowed, saying, "If it's acceptable, install me; if not, forget it." Bào Mù, fearing trouble, said, "He is also Duke Jǐng's son—why should he not be acceptable?" He then bound the oath with them, and they installed Yángshēng as Duke Dào.