Chapter 4: Father’s Righteous Severance of Family Ties

During the Warring States period, although the uprising led by Shu Duan was swiftly and decisively crushed by the cunning Duke Zhuang of Zheng through a strategy of feigned retreat to lure the enemy, the political turmoil that stirred the Spring and Autumn era was far from over.

Shu Duan himself was insignificant and ineffective, but his son, Gong Sun Hua, did not resign himself to defeat when his father was soundly beaten by his elder uncle, nor did he flee alongside him. Though their rebellion failed, Gong Sun Hua never abandoned his ambition to usurp the throne. His flight to the State of Wei was largely because he recognized another fiercely ambitious figure there—Duke Zhuang of Wei—whose power he could leverage to realize his own dreams.

The title "Duke Zhuang of Wei the Former" exists because in Wei’s long history spanning over 800 years, there were two Dukes Zhuang. To distinguish between them, they were called the Former Duke Zhuang and the Later Duke Zhuang. The Former Duke Zhuang is noted in historical records primarily due to his wife, Zhuang Jiang, daughter of Duke Zhuang of Qi, who is far more famous. Zhuang Jiang was renowned for her beauty, famously depicted in the "Shi Jing" (Book of Songs) in the "Wei Feng Shuo Ren" section with the lines: "Hands like soft reeds, skin like congealed fat, neck like a jade cicada, teeth like gourd seeds, forehead like a moth, eyebrows like a silkworm, a skillful smile so charming, beautiful eyes so wondrous." These verses are said to describe Zhuang Jiang. Additionally, she is recognized as the first historically documented female poet in Chinese history, a fact acknowledged by the great Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi. Poems such as "Yan Yan," "Bo Zhou," "Green Garment," and "Sun and Moon" from the "Shi Jing" are attributed to her.

Despite her gentle beauty, Zhuang Jiang’s political judgment was poor. Childless herself, she treated the illegitimate son of one of Duke Zhuang’s deceased concubines, Wan, as her own. However, her perspective diverged from that of Duke Zhuang, who favored another son born to an obscure favored concubine—Prince Zhou Xu.

Since Duke Zhuang had no legitimate heir, it would seem natural to establish the favored Prince Wan as the crown prince. Yet, this was unlikely. Empowered by Duke Zhuang’s favor, Prince Zhou Xu spent his days brandishing weapons with ambitions to inherit power, and Duke Zhuang did not intervene.

When two tigers fight, one will surely be wounded. In the 23rd year of Duke Zhuang of Wei’s reign, 735 BCE, he passed away. Prince Wan succeeded to the throne, but was met with great dissatisfaction from Duke Huan of Wei. The new Duke Huan was known for his indulgence and luxury, which earned him criticism and scorn. Humiliated and enraged by this, Zhou Xu left the capital, Chenge, to return to his own fief.

Duke Huan quickly forgot Zhou Xu, but Zhou Xu never ceased plotting to seize power. Together with Shi Hou, he recruited soldiers and amassed forces. Shi Que, Duke Huan’s father, tried repeatedly to discipline his son in vain. Left to their conniving devices, Zhou Xu and Shi Hou’s management led to upheaval. In the 16th year of Duke Huan of Wei’s reign, 719 BCE, Zhou Xu employed cunning schemes to ascend the throne. Though the people lacked the strength to resist, they expressed clear reluctance. Aware of this, Zhou Xu sought to win public support by allying with external powers to wage expansionist wars, hoping that military victories would command respect and submission.

However, despite his victories, Zhou Xu failed to improve his standing among the people. His incessant warmongering only deepened their disdain, leaving him uncertain how to proceed.

At this critical juncture, Zhou Xu thought of Shi Que, his father and Wei’s venerable elder, a man renowned for his wisdom and influence. He sent Shi Hou to seek advice, but Shi Que, having retired from political affairs and harboring a deep dislike for Zhou Xu, refused to help.

Thus, father and son conspired. They tricked the overconfident Zhou Xu and Shi Hou into traveling to the State of Chen to meet Duke Huan of Chen, ostensibly to seek support from the Zhou king to stabilize the realm. Yet disaster awaited them—upon arrival, instead of receiving Duke Huan of Chen in welcome, they were met by fully armed Chen soldiers prepared for battle. Taken completely by surprise, Zhou Xu and Shi Hou were powerless and soon became prisoners of Chen.

Though retired, Shi Que’s resolve to overthrow Zhou Xu remained steadfast. Seizing the opportunity, he feigned counsel to Zhou Xu and Shi Hou to visit Chen, secretly sending a messenger ahead to inform Duke Huan of Chen that the two were traitors who had murdered their sovereign and usurped the throne, requesting their capture and extradition. Duke Huan of Chen heeded Shi Que’s advice.

Once Zhou Xu and Shi Hou realized they had fallen into a trap, under Shi Que’s urging, Wei immediately dispatched envoys to Chen to execute Zhou Xu. Prince Wei Jin returned to assume the dukedom, becoming Duke Xuan of Wei. Thus, the Zhou Xu rebellion came to an end, and Wei temporarily restored stability. Shi Que, who sacrificed even his own son to quell the chaos, was later revered—giving rise to the idiom "righteousness over family ties."

Upon arriving in Chen, Right Minister Chou first expressed gratitude to Duke Huan of Chen and the senior officials, then escorted Zhou Xu from his prison to the execution grounds. Upon seeing Right Minister Chou, Zhou Xu cried out, “You are my servant; how dare you come to kill me?” Chou replied, “Wei already had an example of a minister killing his lord; I am merely imitating that precedent!” With no retort, Zhou Xu accepted his fate.

Shi Hou was then taken to the execution site. He pleaded, “I deserve death. I only ask to be taken to see my father one last time before you kill me.” The executioner said, “I am executing you under your father’s orders. If you truly care for him, then let me carry your head to see him.” With that, he drew his sword and beheaded Shi Hou.

Prince Wei Jin returned from the State of Xing to Wei and ascended the throne as Duke Xuan of Wei. He honored Shi Que as the elder statesman and sent envoys bearing rich gifts to Chen to express thanks. From then on, relations between Wei and Chen grew increasingly cordial.

In the Zheng state’s military training grounds, Duke Zhuang of Zheng led his troops in singing a rousing passage from the “Nine Songs.” Since dividing and dismantling the armies of the five allied states, he could no longer contain his anger and commanded his soldiers to train day and night, preparing to strike back at their enemies.

Months later, Duke Zhuang received news that Zhou Xu had been executed in Chen and that Wei had installed a new ruler. Duke Zhuang remarked, “What Zhou Xu did has nothing to do with the new duke. But four states remain hostile, especially Song, which is most detestable. We must punish them.”

No sooner had he spoken than Prince Zi Feng of Song arrived from Changge to Xinzheng to pay homage to Duke Zhuang. Weeping, Zi Feng implored, “Song seeks to kill me. Your Highness must protect me!” Duke Zhuang comforted him for a long while and arranged for him to stay in the guest quarters.

The next day, Duke Zhuang summoned his ministers to discuss an expedition against Song. Minister Ji Zu said, “Recently, the five states allied to invade us. If we now attack Song alone, the other four will surely aid Song. This battle may not be secure…”