Feudal throne succession is a critical period of power transition. However, as it involves the transfer of supreme authority, it often triggers internal conflicts or even national instability. The root causes of such disasters typically lie in the tests of human nature under the allure of power, flaws in institutional design, or interference from external forces, which may ultimately undermine the foundations of the state or even lead to the decline and fall of a dynasty.
The Scion in Exile
In his later years, Duke Xian of Jin, infatuated with his concubine Li Ji, sought to make her son Xiqi his heir. This led to the persecution and death of the rightful crown prince, Shen Sheng, forcing other princes like Chong’er and Yiwu into exile.
Chong’er’s wanderings lasted nineteen years. He sought refuge in states such as Di, Qi, Wey, Cao, Song, Zheng, Chu, and Qin, enduring immense hardship. This prolonged ordeal, however, honed his political acumen and built a valuable network of loyal followers and interstate connections.
Return and First Service to the King
With the military support of Duke Mu of Qin, Chong’er finally returned to Jin and ascended the throne as Duke Wen. Not long after, crisis struck the Zhou royal court. King Xiang of Zhou was attacked in Luoyang by his half-brother, who had allied with disloyal ministers and Di tribal forces. Defeated, King Xiang fled to Zheng and issued a plea for help to the various states.
While many states sent condolences or supplies, none committed troops to restore the king.
Advisers pointed out that only the powerful states of Qin and Jin, aspiring to hegemony and boasting ministers of great talent, could muster the necessary force. King Xiang sent envoys to both. Duke Wen of Jin acted immediately, leading his army towards Luoyang. As Jin forces mobilized, Qin troops also reached the Yellow River.
Duke Wen sent a messenger to Duke Mu of Qin, stating that Jin would handle the king’s restoration, implying Qin’s assistance was unnecessary. Though his ministers urged joint action to share credit, the magnanimous Duke Mu of Qin yielded, allowing Duke Wen the sole glory of rescuing the Son of Heaven.
Duke Wen’s army defeated the Di forces and the rebels, escorting King Xiang back to Luoyang. The Zhou ministers hailed him as a second Duke Huan of Qi. Grateful, King Xiang rewarded Duke Wen with four cities near the capital, extending Jin’s influence directly into the royal domain.
The Gathering Storm: Song’s Plea and Jin’s Strategy
Later, the State of Song, which had once kindly hosted the exiled Chong’er, appealed for help. Song was under attack by a Chu-led coalition including Chen, Cai, Zheng, and Xu, commanded by the formidable Chu general Cheng Dechen (style name Ziyu).
Duke Wen convened his council. General Xian Zhen argued that subduing the southern power of Chu was the path to hegemony. Minister Hu Yan proposed a clever stratagem: attack Cao and Wei, two smaller states that had recently submitted to Chu. This would force Chu to divert troops from Song to rescue its allies, thereby relieving Song.
Duke Wen agreed to help Song. In 632 BCE, Jin swiftly conquered Cao and Wei, allowing Duke Wen to settle old personal grudges from his exile days in those states. Because the rulers of these two states had not only refused to assist Chong’er during his exile but had even humiliated him.
A Calculated Retreat
King Cheng of Chu, wary of confronting the experienced Duke Wen, ordered Cheng Dechen to withdraw. Cheng Dechen, confident and on the verge of capturing Song, refused. He sent an arrogant ultimatum to Duke Wen: withdraw from Cao and Wei, and Chu would leave Song.
Hu Yan angrily rejected this, detaining the envoy. Jin further pressured Chu by persuading the captured rulers of Cao and Wei to formally renounce Chu. Enraged by this betrayal and the failed diplomacy, Cheng Dechen abandoned the siege of Song and marched directly to confront the Jin army.
As the Chu army advanced, Xian Zhen advocated for immediate battle. However, Hu Yan reminded everyone of Duke Wen’s old promise to King Cheng of Chu: if their armies ever met, Jin would “retreat three Shes” (ninety li; In China ancient times, a military march of thirty li was called ‘one she’, and ‘three she’ was ninety li; ninety li equals forty-five kilometers.”) as a gesture of gratitude.
While some officers saw this as humiliating before a mere Chu general, Hu Yan masterfully framed it as a strategic and moral move: it honored the debt to King Cheng, painted Jin as the reasonable party, and would lure the proud Chu forces into overextension. Duke Wen agreed. The Jin army retreated ninety li in three stages, finally making a stand at Chengpu. Allied forces from Qin, Qi, and Song also arrived to support Jin.
The Decisive Battle of Chengpu
The Chu army, perceiving the retreat as weakness, grew overconfident. Despite advice to withdraw with honor, the proud Cheng Dechen pursued Jin to Chengpu.
On the eve of battle, Duke Wen, anxious about Chu’s military reputation, had a nightmare of being overpowered by the King of Chu. Hu Yan cleverly interpreted it as an auspicious sign of heavenly favor, bolstering the duke’s courage.
Duke Wen of Jin said to Hu Yan,
“I’m a bit scared. Last night I had a dream where I was still in Chu, wrestling with the king. I couldn’t throw him off and fell flat on my back. He lay on top of me, hitting my head. Even now, my head still hurts a little!”
Hu Yan was quite the talker and immediately cheered him up, saying,
“Great joy, great joy! We are certain to win the battle!”
The duke asked,
“What do you mean by that?”
Hu Yan replied,
“I interpret dreams, and I’m very accurate. Your highness lying on your back and facing the sky clearly means you have the support of Heaven. The king of Chu lying face down on you means he is kneeling and submitting to you in defeat.”
Upon hearing this, the duke’s headache vanished, and he felt a surge of courage. He then rallied his troops to prepare for battle against the Chu army, determined to emerge victorious.
In the battle, Xian Zhen employed clever tactics. He feigned a retreat, luring the proud and impulsive Cheng Dechen into a reckless pursuit that broke the Chu formation.
The reinforcements from Qin and Qi had also arrived, and the Song troops were well-prepared. The combined forces cut the Chu army into several segments and encircled them.
The Jin forces then attacked the flanks, while the allied armies divided and surrounded the Chu troops. The coalition army of Chen, Cai, Zheng, and Xu was routed.
True to his vow of gratitude, Duke Wen ordered his troops not to pursue the fleeing Chu soldiers relentlessly. Even when the mighty Jin warrior Wei Chou had trapped the retreating Chu generals, a messenger arrived with the duke’s command to let them go, repaying King Cheng’s past kindness. The Battle of Chengpu ended in a complete and decisive victory for Jin.
Ascension to Hegemony
News of the victory reached King Xiang of Zhou in Luoyang. He sent an imperial envoy to formally congratulate and reward Duke Wen. Seizing this moment, Duke Wen convened a grand assembly of allied feudal lords. There, under the mandate of the Son of Heaven (Heavenly King), he was officially recognized as the leader and Hegemon of the feudal states, solidifying the legacy he had forged through decades of exile, resilience, and strategic brilliance.
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