Brief: This article chronicles the epic journey of Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er), one of China’s Five Hegemons. It details his nineteen years of exile, marked by humiliation – such as begging for food at Wulu – and the fierce loyalty of his retainers. The narrative highlights his diplomatic promise to “retreat three she” to King Cheng of Chu and his eventual rescue by Duke Mu of Qin. The story culminates in his return to Jin, where he vowed to “remain full without forgetting hunger,” symbolizing his commitment to his followers. This rise from destitution to hegemony culminated in the decisive Battle of Chengpu in 632 BCE.
A family fractured by intrigue
Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er), the 22nd ruler of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (reigned 636–628 BCE), is renowned as one of the Five Hegemons. His path to power was extraordinary, marked by nineteen years of exile before his dramatic return and eventual dominance over the central states.
The story begins with his father, Duke Xian of Jin. In his later years, the Duke grew increasingly irrational. Seeking to please a young concubine, Li Ji, he intended to make her son, Xiqi, his heir. Following her machinations, he had his eldest son and crown prince, Shen Sheng, killed. Fearing similar fates, Shen Sheng’s brothers, Chong’er and Yiwu, fled the state. Duke Xian, convinced they were part of Shen Sheng’s faction, sent assassins after them. Chong’er narrowly escaped an attempt by the assassin Bo Di at Pu City and found refuge in the State of Di, where he was joined by many talented Jin nobles, including Hu Mao, Hu Yan, Zhao Cui, Wei Chou, Hu Yegu, Xian Zhen and Jie Zhitui.
The long road of exile
After Duke Xian’s death in 651 BCE, Jin was plunged into turmoil. Xiqi and another son, Zhuozhu, briefly held the throne before being killed by ministers. With the help of Duke Mu of Qin, Yiwu returned to become Duke Hui of Jin. An unpopular and paranoid ruler, Duke Hui feared his brother Chong’er and again dispatched Bo Di to assassinate him. Warned by a letter, Chong’er and his retinue were forced to flee once more, embarking on a journey marked by hardship and humiliation.
Their first goal was the powerful State of Qi. En route, seeking passage through the State of Wei, they were refused entry by Duke Wen of Wei, who saw no benefit in aiding a destitute prince. The greatest trial came at Wulu, where, starving, they begged farmers for food and were mocked. Later, exhausted and desperate, they could only manage a broth of wild vegetables. Zhao Cui arrived later, sharing a small bamboo tube of thin porridge mixed with water among the group. This profound hunger left an indelible mark on them all.
Seeking allies: From Qi to Chu
In Qi, Duke Huan received them generously, but after his death and the ensuing chaos, they moved on. The State of Song, under the wounded Duke Xiang, welcomed them but was too weak to offer military aid for a return to Jin. The State of Zheng ignored them entirely. Finally, in the State of Chu, King Cheng of Chu treated Chong’er with the honors due a feudal lord. When King Cheng jestingly asked how Chong’er would repay him if he became ruler of Jin, Chong’er famously promised, “If our armies should ever meet on the battlefield, I would retreat three ‘shes’ (ninety ‘li’, or forty-five kilometers) for you.” This answer, while respectful, angered the Chu general Cheng Dechen.
He then turned and secretly said to King Cheng of Chu, “Chong’er speaks so irresponsibly. He would surely prove ungrateful in the future. Wouldn’t it be better to kill him sooner rather than later?” King Cheng of Chu replied, “Don’t say that. He is, after all, a guest, and we must treat him well.”
A rare opportunity
Duke Mu of Qin had originally installed Yiwu as the ruler of Jin, who became Duke Hui of Jin. However, Duke Hui proved ungrateful and even launched an attack against Qin, only to suffer a crushing defeat and be captured. Duke Mu’s wife, Lady Mu Ji, who was Duke Hui’s half-sister, pleaded on behalf of Jin. Duke Hui admitted his wrongdoing to Duke Mu, ceded five cities outside the Yellow River, and sent his crown prince, Yu, to Qin as a hostage, thereby restoring peace between Qin and Jin. To strengthen ties with Prince Yu, Duke Mu married his daughter, Huaiying, to him.
In 638 BCE, Prince Yu learned that his father was ill and, fearing the throne might pass to someone else, secretly fled back to Jin without even taking Huaiying with him. The following year, after Duke Hui’s death, Prince Yu ascended the throne and severed relations with Qin. Duke Mu regretted his earlier decision to support Yiwu. Now that Yiwu was dead, Prince Yu had unexpectedly turned into another Yiwu. Therefore, Duke Mu decided to support Prince Chong’er as the rightful ruler of Jin and had him brought from the State of Chu.
The final alliance: The Power of Qin
One day, King Cheng of Chu said to Chong’er,
“Duke Mu of Qin has sent someone here to invite you, my lord, to his state. He intends to help you return to your homeland. This is good news.”
Chong’er politely demurred, saying,
“I would rather stay with Your Majesty. What need is there for me to go to Qin?”
King Cheng of Chu advised him,
“Do not say that. My state is too far from your noble country. Even if I wished to send you back, we would have to pass through several other states. Qin is closest to your homeland – you could set out in the morning and arrive by evening. Moreover, with the Duke Mu of Qin willing to assist you, I can rest assured. Listen to me and go!”
Only then did Chong’er bid farewell to King Cheng of Chu and set out for the State of Qin.
The Return: A lesson remembered
In 636 BCE, Duke Mu of Qin dispatched a large army to escort Chong’er back to Jin. As they prepared to cross the Yellow River, a revealing incident occurred. Hu Shu, the steward in charge of baggage, carefully loaded all their worn-out belongings – tattered clothes, old shoes, leftover food – onto the boats, remembering their years of privation. Chong’er laughed, saying,
“I am returning to be a ruler. What need have I for these rags?”
He ordered the items thrown ashore.
Witnessing this, Hu Yan was dismayed. Presenting a piece of jade given to him by Duke Mu, he knelt before Chong’er and offered to remain in Qin as an “external minister,” implying he and the other veterans were now like the discarded “old clothes and broken shoes.” Stung, Chong’er realized his error. He had begun to forget the hunger of Wulu before even tasting power. With remorse, he ordered the humble possessions retrieved, vowing never to forget the loyalty and shared suffering of his companions. This moment cemented the principle of “remaining full without forgetting hunger”.
Ascension and Hegemony
Crossing the river, Chong’er’s forces, backed by Qin, met with success. Duke Huai of Jin fled, and the ministers of Jin welcomed Chong’er as their rightful sovereign, Duke Wen of Jin. Drawing on the wisdom hardened by exile and the loyalty of his tested followers, Duke Wen rapidly consolidated power. Within four years, he had secured victory at the Battle of Chengpu (632 BCE) against Chu, formally receiving the mandate from the Zhou king and succeeding Duke Huan of Qi as the acknowledged Hegemon of the central states.
Note
Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er, Chong Er)
A prince of Jin who endured 19 years of exile and later became one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period. He was wise, grateful, and loyal to his followers.
Duke Xian of Jin
Chong’er’s father; a reckless ruler who killed his own heir and forced Chong’er into exile to favor a concubine’s son.
Shensheng (Shen Sheng)
The loyal crown prince of Jin, wrongfully killed to make way for a new heir.
Duke Hui of Jin (Yiwu)
Chong’er’s brother; a cruel and ungrateful ruler who sent assassins to kill Chong’er.
Duke Mu of Qin
A wise ruler who helped Chong’er return to Jin and seize the throne.
King Cheng of Chu
A powerful southern ruler who treated Chong’er with respect during his exile.
Hu Yan, Zhao Cui, Xian Zhen, Jie Zhitui
Loyal followers who stayed with Chong’er through starvation and danger.
Prince Muyi
Duke Xiang of Song’s rational brother who opposed rigid idealism in war.
Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BCE)
A chaotic era when many small states fought for power; loyalty and wisdom were highly valued.
Five Hegemons
Five powerful rulers who maintained order and protected the Zhou king.
Exile of a Prince
A common fate for royal heirs who lost power struggles; they wandered between states for survival.
Loyal Retinue
A core virtue: ministers who remained faithful to their lord even in extreme hardship.
Nineteen Years of Exile
Symbol of enduring extreme hardship to achieve a great goal.
Retreat three ‘she’
A promise Chong’er made: if his army met Chu’s in war, he would retreat 90 li (≈45 km) to repay kindness. Later became a famous idiom.
Remaining full without forgetting hunger
A lesson that Chong’er learned: never forget past suffering and loyal followers after gaining success.
Battle of Chengpu
The decisive battle where Chong’er defeated Chu and became a hegemon.
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