According to historical records, notably the Zuo Zhuan (Zuo’s Commentary) and Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Duke Wu of Zheng (Zheng Wu Gong) had two sons with his wife Lady Jiang.
A mother’s favoritism
The elder, named Wusheng (later known as Duke Zhuang of Zheng), was born feet-first – a difficult breech birth that terrified Lady Jiang and left her with a lifelong resentment toward him. The younger son, Duan, was handsome and charming, quickly becoming the favored child.
Lady Jiang repeatedly urged her husband to bypass tradition and name Duan as heir. However, Duke Wu adhered to the established principle of primogeniture and formally designated Wusheng as crown prince.
The accession of Duke Zhuang and a mother’s demand
In 743 BCE, Duke Wu died, and Wusheng ascended the throne as Duke Zhuang of Zheng. He also inherited his father’s role serving in the royal court of the Zhou king.
Distressed that her beloved younger son held no territory or title, Lady Jiang confronted Duke Zhuang:
“Now that you are ruler, your brother is grown yet still lives under my roof – what kind of life is that?”
When Duke Zhuang asked her preference, she first requested the strategically vital city of Zhiyi (in modern-day Si River, Henan). Duke Zhuang refused, citing his father’s decree that Zhiyi must never be granted away. She then demanded Jingcheng (near present-day Xingyang, Henan) – another major city.
Though reluctant, Duke Zhuang yielded to avoid offending his mother, saying,
“Mother, please don’t be angry; we can always find a way.”
The appointment of “Great Uncle of Jingcheng”
The next day, Duke Zhuang announced his decision to enfeoff his brother Duan with Jingcheng. Minister Zhai Zu strongly objected:
“Jingcheng is as large and powerful as our capital! If Duan, already favored by the queen mother, gains such a stronghold, he will surely rebel.”
Duke Zhuang replied calmly,
“This is my mother’s wish. As a son, I cannot disobey.”
Ignoring counsel, he granted Jingcheng to Duan, who thereafter became known as “Great Uncle of Jingcheng” (Great Young Brother of Jingcheng, or Jingcheng Taishu).
A secret conspiracy
Before departing for Jingcheng, Duan bid farewell to Lady Jiang. She pulled him aside and whispered:
“Your brother shows no brotherly love. I forced him to give you this city – he agreed outwardly but resents it deeply. Once you’re in Jingcheng, train your troops. When the time comes, attack from outside while I open the gates from within. If you become ruler, I’ll die in peace.”
Emboldened, Duan began amassing soldiers, accepting fugitives and outlaws into his ranks. Over years, his power grew unchecked.
Duke Zhuang’s calculated patience
Reports of Duan’s growing army reached Duke Zhuang. Alarmed ministers urged immediate action, warning that “a tiger, once grown, will devour its master.” Yet Duke Zhuang dismissed their concerns, even defending his brother:
“Is it not for the good of Zheng that Great Uncle trains his men so diligently?”
When Duan seized two nearby towns, Minister Zhai Zu again pleaded for military intervention. Duke Zhuang responded coldly:
“Great Uncle is dear to our mother. I would rather lose cities than wound family bonds and grieve her.”
General Zi Feng (Gongzi Lü, uncle of Duke Zhuang) warned:
“If you indulge him now, he won’t spare you later!”
Duke Zhuang remained unmoved:
“Wait. In time, all will see who is right and who is wrong.”
The trap is set
Soon after, Duke Zhuang announced he would travel to Luoyi to serve the Zhou king. Lady Jiang, believing the capital vulnerable, sent a secret messenger to Duan urging immediate revolt.
But Duke Zhuang had anticipated this. He had never truly left Zheng. Instead, he dispatched General Zi Feng to intercept the messenger, seize the incriminating letter, and prepare an ambush. While pretending to be in Luoyi, Duke Zhuang secretly led 200 chariots to hide near Jingcheng – like a fisherman waiting for the bite.
The fall of the rebellious brother
Disguised as merchants, Zheng soldiers infiltrated Jingcheng. As Duan marched his army toward the capital, they set fire to the city gates. Seeing the signal, General Zi Feng stormed in and captured Jingcheng.
Within two days, Duan learned his base had fallen. His troops, realizing they’d been misled into attacking their rightful lord, deserted en masse. Cornered and defeated, Duan fled to a small neighboring town – but it offered no refuge against the converging Zheng forces.
Despairing, he lamented:
“My mother loved me too well – and thus destroyed me.”
He took his own life.
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