田敬仲完世家

Chen Wan was the son of Chen Ligong Gong. At his birth, a historian from Zhou passed through Chen, and Ligong Gong had Wan's fortune divined. The hexagram showed "Contemplation" transforming into "Obstruction": "Behold the splendor of the realm; beneficial to be a guest of the king. Shall this one inherit the state of Chen? Not here but in another land? Not in his own person, but in his descendants. If in another land, it must be the Jiang clan—the Jiang, descendants of the Four Mountains. Nothing can hold two great positions; when Chen declines, shall this one flourish?"

Ligong Gong was the youngest son of Chen Wengong, and his mother was a woman from Cai. When Wengong died, his brother Bao succeeded him as Huan Gong. Huan Gong was born of a different mother than Ligong Gong. When Huan Gong fell ill, people from Cai killed Huan Gong Bao and the heir apparent Mian on behalf of Ligong Gong, placing him on the throne as Ligong Gong.

Having taken the throne, Ligong Gong married a woman from Cai. This woman was immoral and frequently returned to Cai, and Ligong Gong often went to Cai as well. Huan Gong's youngest son, Lin, resented Ligong Gong for killing his father and brother, so he induced Cai people to assassinate Ligong Gong. Lin then established himself as Zhuang Gong. Thus Chen Wan could not take the throne and became a Chen official. As for Ligong Gong's death, since he left the state through licentiousness, the Spring and Autumn Annals records: "The Cai people killed Chen Tuo," thereby condemning him.

Wu Yu died and begat Wu Zi Kai and Xi Zi Qi. Tian Xi Zi Qi served Duke Jing of Qi as a Grand Master. He collected taxes from the people using small measures for receipts but distributed grain using large measures, showing hidden kindness to the people, and Duke Jing did not forbid it. Thus the Tian family won the hearts of the Qi people, and their clan grew ever stronger; the people longed for the Tian family.

After Yan Ying's death, the Fan and Zhonghang clans rebelled in Jin. Jin attacked them urgently, and Fan and Zhonghang requested grain from Qi. Tian Xi Zi wished to cause trouble and build alliances among the lords, so he persuaded Duke Jing: "Fan and Zhonghang have shown kindness to Qi; we cannot fail to rescue them." Qi sent Tian Xi Zi to rescue them and deliver grain.

Duke Jing's heir apparent died, and later there was a beloved concubine named Rui Zi who bore a son named Tu. Duke Jing fell ill and instructed his chief ministers, Duke Hui Zi and Gao Zhao Zi, to make Tu the heir apparent. When Duke Jing died, the two chief ministers Gao and Guo established Tu, who became Yan Ru Zi. Tian Xi Zi was displeased and wished to install another son of Duke Jing, Yang Sheng. Yang Sheng had always been on good terms with Qi.

Bao Mu was angry and said: "Have the great officers forgotten Duke Jing's command?" The great officers wished to retreat, but Yang Sheng bowed his head to the ground and said: "If it is acceptable, establish me; if not, let it be." Bao Mu, fearing disaster would befall himself, then said: "All are sons of Duke Jing—why should any be unacceptable?" They thus established Yang Sheng at Tian Xi Zi's house, who became Duke Dao.

Bao Mu and Duke Dao of Qi had a rift, and Bao Mu killed Duke Dao. The Qi people together established his son Ren, who became Duke Jian. Tian Cheng Zi and Jian Zhi both served as chief ministers on the left and right, assisting Duke Jian. Tian Cheng Zi secretly resented Jian Zhi, who enjoyed the duke's favor and could not be removed. Thus Tian Cheng Zi continued Xi Zi Qi's policies, lending grain with large measures and collecting with small ones. The people of Qi sang: "Oh, gather the millet, return to Tian Cheng Zi!"

Tian Cheng Zi went out, and hearing of the duke's anger, feared he would be executed. Tian Zi Xing said: "Hesitation is the ruin of enterprises." Tian Cheng Zi thereupon attacked Zi Wo. Zi Wo led his followers in an assault on the Tian family but was defeated and fled. Tian Cheng Zi's followers caught and killed both Zi Wo and Jian Zhi. Duke Jian fled, and Tian Cheng Zi's men pursued and captured him at Xuzhou.

Tian Cheng Zi then established Duke Jian's younger brother Ao, who became Duke Ping. When Duke Ping took the throne, Tian Cheng Zi became chief minister. Having killed Duke Jian, Tian Cheng Zi feared the lords would jointly attack him, so he returned all the territories taken from Lu and Wei. He made agreements west with the Jin clans of Han, Wei, and Zhao, and maintained ties south with Wu and Yue. He performed meritorious deeds and awarded promotions, treating the common people with kindness, and thus Qi was pacified once more.

Tian Cheng Zi said to Duke Ping: "Whatever virtues you desire to bestow upon others, Your Grace, you should carry out yourself; whatever punishments you wish to impose, I ask to carry out for you." After five years, all Qi governance fell to Tian Cheng Zi. He thereupon executed all the powerful men among the Bao, Yan, and Jian clans and the ducal relatives. He seized territory from Anping eastward to Langya for his own fief, which was larger than Duke Ping's own revenues.

Tian Cheng Zi selected tall women—at least seven feet in height—from throughout Qi as his concubines. His harem numbered in the hundreds, and he did not forbid guests and household retainers from entering it. When Tian Cheng Zi died, he had over seventy sons.

Tian Pan died, and his son Zhuang Zi Bai succeeded him. Tian Zhuang Zi served Duke Xuan of Qi. In the forty-third year of Duke Xuan's reign, Qi attacked Jin, destroyed the Yellow City, and besieged Yanghu. The following year, they attacked Lu, Ge, and Anling. The next year, they took one Lu city.

Zhuang Zi died, and his son Tai Gong He succeeded him. Tian Tai Gong served Duke Xuan of Qi. In the forty-eighth year of Duke Xuan's reign, Qi took the city of Cheng. The following year, Duke Xuan met the Zheng lord at Xicheng and attacked Wei, taking Wuan Qiu. In the fifty-first year of Duke Xuan's reign, he died. Tian Hui rebelled from Lin Qiu.

Zhuang Zi died, and his son Tai Gong He succeeded him. Tian Tai Gong served Duke Xuan of Qi. In the forty-eighth year of Duke Xuan's reign, Qi took the city of Cheng. The following year, Duke Xuan met the Zheng lord at Xicheng and attacked Wei, taking Wuan Qiu. In the fifty-first year of Duke Xuan's reign, he died. Tian Hui rebelled from Lin Qiu.

Duke Xuan died, and his son Kang Gong Dai succeeded him. After fourteen years, Kang Gong Dai was addicted to wine and women and neglected governance. Tai Gong thereupon relocated Kang Gong Dai to the sea, granting him one city to support his ancestral sacrifices. The following year, Lu defeated Qi at Pinglu. Three years later, Tai Gong met Duke Wen of Wei at Zhuoze, requesting to be recognized as a lord. Duke Wen of Wei then sent envoys to the Zhou Son of Heaven and all the lords, requesting that Qi's chief minister Tian He be established as a lord. The Zhou Son of Heaven approved.

Duke Xuan died, and his son Kang Gong Dai succeeded him. After fourteen years, Kang Gong Dai was addicted to wine and women and neglected governance. Tai Gong thereupon relocated Kang Gong Dai to the sea, granting him one city to support his ancestral sacrifices. The following year, Lu defeated Qi at Pinglu. Three years later, Tai Gong met Duke Wen of Wei at Zhuoze, requesting to be recognized as a lord. Duke Wen of Wei then sent envoys to the Zhou Son of Heaven and all the lords, requesting that Qi's chief minister Tian He be established as a lord. The Zhou Son of Heaven approved.

In the nineteenth year of Kang Gong Dai's reign, Tian He was established as Duke of Qi, entered among the lords of Zhou, and the era was formally recorded.

In the nineteenth year of Kang Gong Dai's reign, Tian He was established as Duke of Qi, entered among the lords of Zhou, and the era was formally recorded.

In the nineteenth year of Kang Gong Dai's reign, Tian He was established as Duke of Qi, entered among the lords of Zhou, and the era was formally recorded.

Duke Tai Gong He of Qi lived two years and died. His son Huan Gong Wu succeeded him.

In the fifth year of Duke Huan Wu's reign, Qin and Wei attacked Han. Han sought aid from Qi. Duke Huan Wu assembled his ministers and consulted: "Is it better to rescue early or late?" Zou Ji said: "Better not to rescue." Duan Ganpeng said: "If we do not rescue, Han will fall to Wei. Better to rescue." Tian Chen Si said: "Your Grace's counsel is mistaken! When Qin and Wei attack Han, Chu and Zhao will surely come to its aid—this is heaven giving Yan to Qi."

Duke Huan Wu said: "Well spoken." He secretly informed the Han envoy and sent him away. Han, believing it had Qi's aid, fought Qin and Wei. When Chu and Zhao heard of this, they indeed mobilized to aid Han. Qi then secretly marched an army to attack Yan and took Sangqiu.

That same year, the former Duke Kang of Qi died without heirs, and all his cities and estates fell to the Tian family.

Wei Gong then summoned the Grand Official of Jimo and said to him: "Since you took up your post at Jimo, slanderous reports have arrived daily. But when I sent observers to Jimo, the fields were cultivated, the people were well-provided, and the officials had no backlogs of business. The east was peaceful. You do not curry favor with my attendants to win praise." He enfeoffed him with ten thousand households.

Wei Gong then summoned the Grand Official of Jimo and said to him: "Since you took up your post at Jimo, slanderous reports have arrived daily. But when I sent observers to Jimo, the fields were cultivated, the people were well-provided, and the officials had no backlogs of business. The east was peaceful. You do not curry favor with my attendants to win praise." He enfeoffed him with ten thousand households.

He then mobilized forces westward, attacked Zhao and Wei, and defeated and besieged King Hui Wei at Zhuoze. King Hui Wei requested to surrender the city of Guan in exchange for peace, and the Zhao people returned our Great Wall. Thus Qi was greatly shaken; everyone dared not conceal faults but strived to be utterly sincere. Qi achieved excellent governance, and for over twenty years no lord dared raise armies against Qi.

The king angrily removed his hand from the qin and clutched his sword: "Sir, you have merely observed my appearance—what makes you so certain of the playing's excellence?"

Zou Ji replied: "The great string, thick and yielding yet warm—this is the ruler. The small strings, crisp and clear—this is the minister. Grasping deeply and releasing gently—this is governance. Harmonious and resonant, the large and small complementing each other, twisted and oblique yet not harming one another—this is the four seasons. By this I know it is excellent."

Zou Ji replied: "The great string, thick and yielding yet warm—this is the ruler. The small strings, crisp and clear—this is the minister. Grasping deeply and releasing gently—this is governance. Harmonious and resonant, the large and small complementing each other, twisted and oblique yet not harming one another—this is the four seasons. By this I know it is excellent."

Zou Ji replied: "The great string, thick and yielding yet warm—this is the ruler. The small strings, crisp and clear—this is the minister. Grasping deeply and releasing gently—this is governance. Harmonious and resonant, the large and small complementing each other, twisted and oblique yet not harming one another—this is the four seasons. By this I know it is excellent."

The king said: "Well spoken regarding music."

The King of Qi asked: "Qin has sent Wei Ran to offer us the title of emperor. What do you think?" The minister replied: "Your Majesty's question comes abruptly, but the source of trouble is subtle. I wish Your Majesty to accept the title but not hastily proclaim it. If Qin proclaims it first and the world accepts it, then Your Majesty may proclaim it too, without being late. Besides, modestly yielding in the contention for an imperial title does no harm. If Qin proclaims it and the world detests it, then Your Majesty can refrain from proclaiming it and thereby win over the world—this will be a great advantage. Furthermore, if two emperors are established, does Your Majesty think the world will honor Qi or Qin?" The king said: "They will honor Qin." The minister said: "If we renounce the title, will the world love Qi or Qin?" The king said: "They will love Qi and hate Qin."

He said: 'Two emperors have made a pact to attack Zhao; which brings greater advantage, that or attacking the tyrannical Song?' The king said: 'Attacking the tyrannical Song is more advantageous.' He replied: 'Even if the pact is balanced, if you share the imperial title with Qin, the world will only honor Qin and slight Qi. If you renounce the title, the world will love Qi and hate Qin. Attacking Zhao is not as profitable as attacking the tyrannical Song. Therefore, I wish Your Majesty would clearly renounce the imperial title to win the hearts of the world, break the pact, distance yourself from Qin, not contend for eminence, and in the interval take Song. Once you possess Song, Wei's Yangdi will be imperiled; with Jixi, Zhao's lands east of A will be endangered; with Huaibei, Chu's eastern territory will be threatened.'

If you hold Tao and Pinglu, the gates of Liang will not open. Renounce the imperial title and take on the cause of attacking the tyrannical Song; your state will be powerful and your name revered. Yan and Chu will submit outwardly, and no one under heaven will dare disobey—this is an act worthy of Tang and Wu. But to honor Qin only for appearances and let the world hate you—that is what it means to mistake submission for eminence. I hope Your Majesty will give this earnest consideration.' Thereupon Qi abandoned the imperial title and resumed the title of king. Qin also abandoned its imperial title. In the thirty-eighth year, Qi attacked Song.

King Zhaoxiang of Qin angrily said: 'I love Song just as I love Xincheng and Yangjin. Han Nie is my friend, yet he attacks what I love. Why?' Su Dai, on behalf of Qi, said to the King of Qin: 'Han Nie attacks Song for Your Majesty's sake. If Qi grows strong, aided by Song, Chu and Wei will certainly be afraid. In fear, they will turn west to serve Qin. Then Your Majesty will not need to trouble a single soldier, not one man will be injured, and without effort you will sever Anyi. This is what Han Nie prays for on Your Majesty's behalf.'

The King of Qin said: "I am troubled by how hard it is to know Qi's true intentions. One moment it joins the Vertical Alliance, the next the Horizontal Alliance—what is the meaning of this?" The reply was: "Can anyone in the world truly understand Qi's intentions? When Qi attacks Song, it does so knowing that Qin is a great power of ten thousand chariots and that it must rely on Qin's support; if Qi does not serve Qin in the west, Song's security will be unsettled. The grey-haired travelling scholars of the central states all rack their brains to drive a wedge between Qi and Qin. Those who ride west, leaning on their carriage rails and fastening their traces—not one speaks well of Qi. Those who ride east—not one speaks well of Qin. Why is that? Because none of them wants Qi and Qin to unite. How can Jin and Chu be thought wise while Qi and Qin are thought foolish!"

"If Jin and Chu unite, they will surely discuss how to deal with Qi and Qin; if Qi and Qin unite, they will surely plot against Jin and Chu. Please decide foreign policy on this basis." The King of Qin said: "Approved." Thereupon Qi launched an attack on Song; the King of Song fled into exile and died in Wen. Qi sliced away the Huai-bei region of Chu in the south, encroached on the three Jin states in the west, and sought to annex the Zhou royal house and become Son of Heaven. The rulers of Zou, Lu and other lords along the Si River all declared themselves vassals, and the feudal lords were terrified. In the 39th year, Qin came to attack and captured nine of our border cities. In the 40th year, Yan, Qin, Chu and the three Jin states conspired together, each sending elite troops to attack, and defeated us west of the Ji River. The King broke off the siege and withdrew.

The king said: "Well spoken."

From then on, Zou Ji was trusted and his advice followed. Through this, Qi achieved great peace and order throughout the realm."

After King Xiang was enthroned, he made the daughter of the Grand Historian his queen; she became known as Queen Jun and bore a son, Jian. The Grand Historian Jiao said: 'This girl married herself without a matchmaker. She is not of my seed; she has defiled my lineage.' To the end of his life, he never saw Queen Jun. Queen Jun was virtuous, and never failed in her duties as a daughter because of her father's refusal to see her. King Xiang stayed in Ju for five years; Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile →, using Jimo as his base, broke the Yan army, welcomed King Xiang back from Ju, and entered Linzi. All the former territories of Qi were restored to Qi. Qi enfeoffed Tian DanTian DanHere's the translation to English: **The General Who Rebuilt Qi from Ruins**When Yan captured Qi and reduced it to two cities, one man saved the kingdom — using fire, faith, and a clever trick with fish to rally his people.View profile → as Lord of Anping. In the 14th year, Qin attacked our cities Gang and Shou. In the 19th year, King Xiang died, and his son Jian succeeded him.

Zou Jizi replied, "I await your instruction."

Chunyu Kun said, "One who preserves integrity preserves prosperity; one who loses integrity loses everything."

Zou Jizi said, "I accept your command. I shall never stray from your guidance."

Zou Jizi said, "I accept your command. I shall never stray from your guidance."

Zou Jizi said, "I accept your command. I shall attend carefully to all who serve at the royal side."