卫康叔世家

When King Wu died, his son King Cheng was still young. The Duke of Zhou took on the governance of the kingdom and assumed control of the state. Guan Shu and Cai Shu grew suspicious of the Duke of Zhou and, together with Wu Geng Lùfǔ, raised a rebellion, intending to attack Chengzhou. The Duke of Zhou, acting on King Cheng's orders, led troops against Shang, killed Wu Geng Lùfǔ, executed Guan Shu, and exiled Cai Shu. He then installed Kang Shu as lord of Wei, granting him the lands between the Yellow River and the Qi River—the former territory of Shang. The Duke of Zhou feared that Kang Shu was too young, so he instructed him: "You must seek out the worthy men, gentlemen, and elders of Shang, inquire how their ancestors rose to power and how they lost it, and devote yourself to caring for the people. Tell them that Shang's downfall was due to King Zhou's indulgence in wine and his dependence on women—thus Shang's chaos began." He composed "The Timber and the Wood" as a model for rulers to follow. It was these three documents—"The Announcements to Kang," "The Announcement about Wine," and "The Timber and the Wood"—that established Wei's governance.

Having received these instructions, Kang Shu proved capable of unifying and calming his people, who were greatly pleased. When King Cheng came of age and assumed rule, he appointed Kang Shu as Zhou's Minister of Justice, granting him ceremonial vessels from Wei as a mark of virtue. Kang Shu died and was succeeded by his son Kang Bo; Kang Bo by his son Kao Bo; Kao Bo by his son Si Bo; Si Bo by his son Bo; Bo by his son Jing Bo; Jing Bo by his son Zhen Bo; Zhen Bo by his son Qing Hou.

When Wu Gong came to the throne, he maintained the governance established by Kang Shu, and the people lived in harmony. In the forty-second year, the Quanrong attacked and killed King You of Zhou. Wu Gong led troops to assist King Ping of Zhou in fighting the Rong invaders and achieved great merit. King Ping elevated Wu Gong to the rank of duke. In the fifty-fifth year, Wu Gong died and was succeeded by his son Zhuang Gong Yang.

In Huan Gong's second year, his younger brother Zhou Xu grew arrogant and extravagant. Huan Gong demoted him, and Zhou Xu fled into exile. In the thirteenth year, the younger brother of the Zheng lord, Duan, attacked his older brother, failed, and fled. Zhou Xu sought friendship with him. In the sixteenth year, Zhou Xu gathered together outlaws from Wei and, making a surprise attack, killed Huan Gong, then installed himself as lord of Wei. Zhou Xu, allied with the Zheng lord's brother Duan who wished to attack Zheng, requested troops from Song, Chen, and Cai. All three kingdoms agreed to join him. Zhou Xu, newly installed, was devoted to military pursuits and had assassinated Huan Gong—none of the people of Wei loved him for it.

In Xuan Gong's seventh year, Lu assassinated its lord Yin Gong. In the ninth year, Song's Du assassinated its lord Shang Gong, along with Kong Fu. In the tenth year, Quwo's Zhuang Bo of Jin assassinated its lord Ai Hou. In the eighteenth year: At first, Xuan Gong loved his wife Yi Jiang, who bore him a son named Ji, whom he named heir apparent, ordering a minister of the Right to serve as his tutor. The minister was arranging a marriage for the heir apparent with a lady from Qi, but before she entered his chamber, Xuan Gong saw the woman intended for his heir and, finding her beautiful, took her for himself, finding another bride for his son.

Xuan Gong obtained the Qi woman, and she bore him sons Shou and Shuo, whom he placed under the care of a minister of the Left. When Ji, the heir apparent's mother, died, Xuan Gong's principal wife and Shuo together slandered and vilified Ji. Xuan Gong, having stolen his heir's wife, harbored a secret hatred for the prince and wished to depose him. When he heard the slanders, his anger intensified. He ordered Ji to proceed to Qi while commanding bandits to ambush him at the border and kill him. He gave Ji a white banner as his credentials and instructed the bandits: "When you see someone bearing the white banner, kill him.

When Ji was about to depart, Shuo's elder brother Shou—Ji's half-brother—learned of Shuo's scheme to kill the heir and went to Ji: "The bandits at the border will kill the heir apparent when they see the white banner. The heir apparent must not go." Ji replied: "To defy a father's command in order to survive is not permissible." He set out. Shou, seeing that Ji would not turn back, stole the white banner and galloped ahead to the border. When the bandits saw the banner, they killed Shou. After Shou died, Ji arrived and said: "It is I who should be killed." The bandits slew Ji as well and reported back to Xuan Gong. Xuan Gong then installed Shuo as heir apparent.

In the nineteenth year, Xuan Gong died and the heir apparent Shuo succeeded him—this was Hui Gong. The Left and Right Ministers resented Shuo's installation. In Hui Gong's fourth year, these ministers, harboring resentment toward Hui Gong for slandering and murdering the former heir apparent Ji and seizing the throne, raised a rebellion. They attacked Hui Gong and installed Ji's younger brother Qian Mou as lord, while Hui Gong fled to Qi. Qian Mou ruled for eight years, then Duke Xiang of Qi led the feudal lords at the king's command to attack Wei together, restored Hui Gong to power, and executed the Left and Right Ministers. Qian Mou fled to Zhou, and Hui Gong was restored.

In the nineteenth year, Xuan Gong died and the heir apparent Shuo succeeded him—this was Hui Gong. The Left and Right Ministers resented Shuo's installation. In Hui Gong's fourth year, these ministers, harboring resentment toward Hui Gong for slandering and murdering the former heir apparent Ji and seizing the throne, raised a rebellion. They attacked Hui Gong and installed Ji's younger brother Qian Mou as lord, while Hui Gong fled to Qi. Qian Mou ruled for eight years, then Duke Xiang of Qi led the feudal lords at the king's command to attack Wei together, restored Hui Gong to power, and executed the Left and Right Ministers. Qian Mou fled to Zhou, and Hui Gong was restored.

Hui Gong ruled for three years before going into exile, returned after eight years, and in total—including his first reign—he held power for thirteen years. In the twenty-fifth year, Hui Gong resented Zhou for harboring Qian Mou and allied with Yan to attack Zhou. King Hui of Zhou fled to Wen, and Wei and Yan installed the king's younger brother Sui as ruler. In the twenty-ninth year, Zheng restored King Hui. In the thirty-first year, Hui Gong died and was succeeded by his son Yi Gong Chi.

Duke Huan of Qi, noting Wei's frequent turmoil, led the feudal lords in attacking the Di. He built Chuqiu for Wei and installed Dai Gong's younger brother Hui as lord—this was Wen Gong. Because of the turmoil, Wen Gong had fled to Qi, and the Qi people received him. When the Di had killed Yi Gong, the people of Wei pitied him and wished to restore the line of the son of Xuan Gong who had died earlier—Ji. But Ji's son had also died, and the son of Shou, who had died in Ji's place, had no children. Ji had two full younger brothers: one was Qian Mou, who had ruled in place of Hui Gong for eight years before being deposed; the other was Zhao Bo. Both Zhao Bo and Qian Mou had already died, so they installed Shen, the son of Zhao Bo, as Dai Gong. When Dai Gong died, they installed his younger brother Hui as Wen Gong.

In Cheng Gong's third year, Jin wished to cross Wei's territory to rescue Song. Cheng Gong refused. Jin instead crossed the southern Yellow River to rescue Song. Jin demanded troops from Wei; the Wei minister wished to comply, but Cheng Gong would not. The minister Yuan Xuan attacked Cheng Gong, who fled. Duke Wen of Jin—Chong Er—attacked Wei, parceled out its territory to Song, and punished Wei for the earlier discourtesy and for failing to rescue Song in its time of distress. Cheng Gong fled to Chen.

In Mu Gong's second year, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Chen and killed Xia Zhengshu. In the third year, King Zhuang of Chu besieged Zheng; Zheng surrendered, then was released. In the eleventh year, Sun Liangfu rescued Lu by attacking Qi and recovered the lost territory. Mu Gong died and was succeeded by his son Ding Gong Zang. Ding Gong died in the twelfth year and was succeeded by his son Xian Gong Kan.

Sun Wenzi's son frequently served Xian Gong at drinking sessions. The musician Cao was ordered to sing the final stanza of "Skilled Words." Cao, still resentful of the three hundred lashes, complied—hoping to provoke Sun Wenzi and get revenge on Xian Gong. Sun Wenzi told Qu Boyu about this; Boyu said: "I know nothing of this." He then attacked and drove out Xian Gong, who fled to Qi. Qi settled Xian Gong in the town of Ju. Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi together installed Ding Gong's younger brother Qiu as lord—this was Shang Gong.

Shang Gong Qiu was installed and enfeoffed Sun Wenzi's Linfu at Su. In the twelfth year, Ning Xi and Sun Linfu quarreled over favor and grew hostile. Shang Gong sent Ning Xi to attack Sun Linfu. Linfu fled to Jin and again petitioned to return to Wei. Xian Gong was in Qi, and Duke Jing of Qi, hearing of this, accompanied Xian Gong to Jin to petition for his restoration. Jin attacked Wei, enticed Shang Gong into an alliance, and deceived him. Shang Gong met Duke Ping of Jin; Duke Ping seized Shang Gong and Ning Xi and restored Xian Gong to Wei. Xian Gong had been in exile for twelve years before returning.

In the year following his return, Xian Gong executed Ning Xi. In the third year, Wu's Yanling Jiji passed through Wei on his mission. He met Qu Boyu and Shi Qiu and said: "Wei has many worthy men; this kingdom has no cause for misfortune." Passing through Su, Sun Linfu struck the chimes for him, saying: "It is not pleasant—the music is too mournful. It was such discord that threw Wei into chaos." That year, Xian Gong died and was succeeded by his son Xiang Gong Wu.

In Xiang Gong's sixth year, King Ling of Chu summoned the feudal lords; Xiang Gong pleaded illness and did not go. In the ninth year, Xiang Gong died. At first, Xiang Gong had a lowly concubine whom he favored. She became pregnant and dreamed someone told her: "I am Kang Shu—your child shall surely possess Wei. Name him Yuan." The concubine found this strange and inquired of Kong Chengzi. He said: "Kang Shu is Wei's ancestor." When she gave birth to a boy, she reported this to Xiang Gong. He said: "Heaven has so appointed." He named the child Yuan. Xiang Gong's principal wife had no sons, so Yuan was made heir—this was Ling Gong.

In Ling Gong's fifth year, he visited Duke Zhao of Jin. In the sixth year, Chu's Prince Quji assassinated King Ling and installed himself as King Ping. In the eleventh year, there was a fire. In the thirty-eighth year, Confucius came; he was treated generously as in Lu. Later they fell out, and Confucius departed. He came again later. In the thirty-ninth year, the heir apparent Kuai Kui was on bad terms with Ling Gong's wife Nan Zi and wished to kill her. Kuai Kui plotted with his retainer Xi Yang Su; during court, he signaled to kill the lady. Xi Yang Su repented and did not carry it out. Kuai Kui repeatedly glanced at him; the lady noticed and, alarmed, cried out: "The heir apparent intends to kill me!" Ling Gong was enraged. The heir apparent Kuai Kui fled to Song, then later to the Zhao clan in Jin.

On the day of the new moon, Zhao Jianzi wished to bring Kuai Kui into the country. He ordered Yang Hu to dispatch more than ten men in mourning clothes to return to Wei with the edict, while Jianzi escorted Kuai Kui. When the Wei forces heard this, they mobilized to attack Kuai Kui. He could not enter, so he took refuge in Su. The Wei forces withdrew as well. Chu Gong Zhe had ruled for four years when Tian Qi of Qi assassinated his lord Ru Zi. In the eighth year, Bao Zi of Qi assassinated his lord Dao Gong. Confucius traveled from Chen to Wei.

Luan Ning was about to drink wine—the roast meat was not yet done—when he heard the commotion. He sent word to Ziyu. Ziyu was summoning guards and mounting carriages, distributing wine and serving roast meat, when Duke Ling fled to Lu. As Ziyu was about to enter [the palace], he met Zigao coming out. Zigao said, "The gate is already closed." Ziyu said, "I shall try to get through nonetheless." Zigao said, "It's too late—don't go to your doom." Ziyu said, "I cannot avoid danger when there is food [from this master] to eat." Zigao then left. Ziyu entered and reached the gate, where Gongsun Dan blocked it, saying, "Do not enter!" Ziyu said, "Is this Gongsun Dan? He seeks profit and flees from danger. Not so with me—I would rescue him if it meant saving my position, for I must save him from disaster." A messenger came out, and Ziyu was able to enter. He said, "How could the Crown Prince possibly need Kong Kui? Even if he kills him, there will surely be others to follow him." He also said, "The Crown Prince lacks courage. If you set fire to the terrace, he will certainly release Kong Shu."

Kong Kui ultimately enthroned Crown Prince Kuai Kui, who became Duke Zhuang. Duke Zhuang Kuai Kui was the father of Duke Chu, and while living outside [the capital], he resented that none of the ministers had welcomed him to the throne. In the first year of his reign, he wished to put all the great ministers to death, saying, "I have lived outside [the capital] for a long time—have you not heard of it?" The ministers wanted to rebel, but he desisted. In the second year, Confucius died in Lu. In the third year, Duke Zhuang went up the city wall and saw the Rong fortress, saying, "Why are these Rong slaves here?" The Rong fortress was troubled by this. In the tenth month, the Rong fortress reported to Zhao Jianzi, who surrounded Wei. In the eleventh month, Duke Zhuang fled, and the people of Wei enthroned Prince Banshi as lord of Wei. Qi attacked Wei and captured Banshi, installing instead Prince Qi as lord of Wei.

In the first year of Lord Qi's reign, Shi Manfu drove out his lord Qi, who fled to Qi. Duke Chu of Wei returned from Qi and again took the throne. Initially, Duke Chu had been away for twelve years; after four years abroad, he returned. In the year after his return, he rewarded those who had remained loyal during his exile. After twenty-one years, he died. His uncle Qian attacked the son of Duke Chu and enthroned himself as Duke Dai. Duke Dai died after five years. His son Gong went unestablished. Duke Jing's reign lasted nineteen years, and he was succeeded by Duke Zhao. At this time, the three Jin states were powerful, and Wei, a minor marquisate, was subordinate to them. In the sixth year of Duke Zhao, Prince Wei assassinated him and took the throne as Duke Huai. In the eleventh year of Duke Huai, Prince Tai assassinated Duke Huai and took the throne as Duke Shen. Duke Shen's father was Prince Shi; Shi was the son of Duke Jing. Duke Shen died after forty-two years and was succeeded by Duke Sheng. Duke Sheng died after eleven years and was succeeded by Duke Cheng. In the eleventh year of Duke Cheng, Gongsun Yang entered Qin. In the sixteenth year, Wei changed its title to marquis. In the twenty-ninth year, Duke Cheng died and was succeeded by Duke Ping. Duke Ping died after eight years and was succeeded by Prince Sijun. In the fifth year of Prince Sijun, the title was further reduced to lord, and Wei retained only Puyang. After forty-two years, he died and was succeeded by Duke Huaijun. After thirty-one years, Duke Huaijun paid a visit to Wei. Wei imprisoned and killed Duke Huaijun. Wei installed the younger brother of Prince Sijun instead, who became Duke Yuan. Duke Yuan was a son-in-law of Wei, which is why Wei installed him. In the fourteenth year of Duke Yuan, Qin captured the eastern territories of Wei, and Qin initially established the Eastern Commandery, moving the capital from Wei to the county of Yewang, and incorporated Puyang into the Eastern Commandery. After twenty-five years, Duke Yuan died and was succeeded by Lord Junjiao. In the ninth year of Lord Junjiao, Qin unified all under heaven and established the reign of the First Emperor. In the twenty-first year, the Second Emperor demoted Lord Junjiao to commoner status, and Wei's sacrifices ceased.

Kuaikui could not enter Wey; he went to Su, fortified it, and the Wey people then withdrew their troops. In the fourth year of Duke Chu Zhe, Tian Qi of Qi murdered his ruler, the child lord Ruzi. In the eighth year, Baozi of Qi murdered his ruler, Duke Dao. Confucius came from Chen to Wey. In the ninth year, Kong Wenzi asked Zhongni about military affairs, but Zhongni gave no answer. Afterwards, Lu invited Zhongni back, and Zhongni returned to Lu. In the twelfth year: earlier, Kong Yu, styled Wenzi, had married the elder sister of the crown prince Kuaikui, and she bore him Kui. The Kong family’s servant, Hun Liangfu, was handsome and fair. After Kong Wenzi died, Liangfu had an illicit affair with Kui’s mother. The crown prince was staying at Su; Kui’s mother sent Liangfu to the crown prince.

The heir apparent said to Liang Fu, "If you help me return to my state, I shall reward you with a grandee's carriage, pardon you from three capital offenses, and not hold anything else against you." He made a covenant with him and promised to give him Kong Kui's mother as his wife. In an intercalary month, Liang Fu and the heir entered the state and lodged in the outer garden of the Kong residence. At dusk, the two covered themselves with clothing and rode in a carriage, attended by the eunuch Luo Yu as if on a usual visit to the Kong family. The Kong family steward Luan Ning questioned them, and they claimed to be sent by a concubine of a marriage-kin family, and so they entered and went to Bo Ji's chambers. After they had eaten, Kong Kui's mother led the way wielding a dagger-axe, while the heir and five men in armor followed, pulling a boar.

Bo Ji seized Kong Kui in the privy, forced him to swear an oath, and then took him by force to ascend the terrace. Luan Ning was about to drink wine when the roast meat was not yet cooked; hearing the disorder, he sent someone to inform Zhong You. Zhong You summoned the escort to drive the carriage, placed the wine vessels and roast meat on it, and escorted Duke Chu of Wei as he fled to Lu. Zhong You was about to enter the city when he met Zi Gao coming out, who said, "The gate is already shut." Zilu said, "I shall just go in." Zi Gao said, "It is too late; do not step into this calamity." Zilu said, "Eating one's salary, one does not avoid his troubles." Zi Gao then left the city.

Zilu entered and, reaching the gate, Gongsun Gan shut it, saying, "Do not enter and meddle!" Zilu said, "Is this Gongsun? You seek profit but flee from disaster. I am not like that; having taken his salary, I must rescue him from his peril." At that moment a messenger came out, and Zilu was able to get inside. He said, "What use does the heir have for Kong Kui? Even if he kills him, someone will certainly succeed him." He also said, "The heir lacks courage. If the terrace is set on fire, he will surely release Kong Shu." The heir heard this and grew afraid; he sent down Shi Qi and Yu Yan to fight Zilu. They struck him with a dagger-axe and severed his chin-strap. Zilu said, "When a gentleman dies, his cap must not come off." He tied his chin-strap and died.

When Confucius heard of the disorder in Wei, he said, "Alas! Chai will probably come back, but You has surely perished." Kong Kui ultimately set up the heir Kuaikui, who became Duke Zhuang. Duke Zhuang Kuaikui was the father of Duke Chu. He had been dwelling abroad and resented that the great officers had not welcomed and installed him. In the first year of his reign, he wished to execute all the high ministers, saying, "I have long dwelt abroad—have you not heard of it?" The ministers were about to rise in revolt, so he desisted. In the second year, Kong Qiu of Lu died. In the third year, Duke Zhuang ascended the city wall and, seeing Rongzhou, said, "Why are these Rong captives here?" The people of Rongzhou took this to heart. In the tenth month, Rongzhou reported to Zhao Jianzi, who besieged Wei. In the eleventh month, Duke Zhuang fled abroad, and the people of Wei set up Prince Banshi as the ruler of Wei. Qi attacked Wei, took Banshi captive, and replaced him with Prince Qi as the ruler of Wei. In the first year of Lord Qi of Wei, Shi Manzhuan of Wei expelled his lord Qi, who fled to Qi. Duke Chu of Wei, Zhe, returned from Qi and was reinstated. Earlier, Duke Chu had fled after ruling for twelve years and, having been abroad for four years, returned again.

In the first year of Duke Chu's later reign, he rewarded those who had followed him into exile. He died after ruling twenty-one years. Duke Chu's younger uncle Qian attacked his son and set himself up, becoming Duke Dao. Duke Dao died after five years, and his son Duke Jing Fu was established. Duke Jing died after nineteen years, and his son Duke Zhao Jiu was established. At this time the Three Jin were powerful, and Wei was like a minor fief, subordinate to them. In the sixth year of Duke Zhao, Prince Wei murdered him and replaced him as Duke Huai. In the eleventh year of Duke Huai, Prince Tui murdered Duke Huai and replaced him as Duke Shen.

Duke Shen’s father was Prince Shi; Shi’s father was Duke Jing. Duke Shen died in the forty-second year of his reign, and his son, Duke Sheng (Xun), succeeded him. Duke Sheng died in his eleventh year, and his son, Marquis Cheng (Su), succeeded. In the eleventh year of Marquis Cheng, Gongsun Yang entered Qin. In the sixteenth year, Wei further degraded its title to ‘Marquis.’ In the twenty-ninth year, Marquis Cheng died, and his son, Marquis Ping, succeeded. Marquis Ping died in his eighth year, and his son, Lord Si, succeeded. In the fifth year of Lord Si, the title was further degraded to ‘Lord,’ and he held only Puyang.

In the thirty-first year of Lord Huai’s reign, he went to pay court to Wei; Wei imprisoned and killed Lord Huai. Wei then installed the son of a younger brother among Lord Huai’s descendants as ruler — this was Lord Yuan. Lord Yuan was a son-in-law of Wei, so Wei installed him. In the fourteenth year of Lord Yuan, Qin seized Wei’s eastern territories, first established Dong Commandery, moved the ruler of Wei to Yewang County, and annexed Puyang into Dong Commandery. In the twenty-fifth year, Lord Yuan died, and his son, Lord Jiao, succeeded. In the ninth year of Lord Jiao, Qin unified the realm, and the King of Qin was established as the First Emperor. In the twenty-first year, the Second Emperor demoted Lord Jiao to a commoner, and the sacrifices of the Wei lineage were cut off.

The Grand Historian remarks: I have read the Hereditary Houses. When it comes to Duke Xuan’s heir being killed on account of a wife, and his younger brother Prince Shou vying to die in his place, each yielding to the other — this is the same as when Jin’s heir Shensheng did not dare to openly expose Li Ji’s fault: both abhorred wounding their father’s heart. Yet in the end they died — how sorrowful!

Sometimes fathers and sons kill each other, brothers annihilate each other — why indeed? The Minister of Justice received his enfiefment, and the ‘Timber Work’ was composed. King Cheng bestowed the vessel, and King Yi raised his rank. When martial strength was cultivated, they began to adhere to the civil compacts. The Odes praise the returning swallows; the Traditions exalt Shi Que. With a leather cap, he shot a wild goose; riding a carriage, he went for grain. Duke Xuan gave rein to lustful favorites; calamity arose between Ji and Shuo. Kuai Kui committed an offense; Duke Chu acted with wickedness. Wei’s fortune daily declined; it was lost under Lord Jiao.