When Duke Ding of Teng died, the crown prince (later Duke Wen of Teng) said to his minister Ran You: “Years ago, Mencius taught me in Song, and his words have stayed with me ever since. Now I am so unfortunate as to have lost my father, I would like you to go and…
When the crown prince of Teng (later Duke Wen of Teng) was traveling to Chu, he passed through Song and went to see Mencius.
Duke Wen of Teng asked Mencius: “Teng is a small state. We’ve exhausted every effort to serve the large states, yet we still cannot escape their aggression. What should we do?”
Duke Wen of Teng asked Mencius: “The people of Qi are building a fortress at Xue, and I am deeply afraid. What should I do?”
Duke Wen of Teng asked Mencius: “Teng is a small state, squeezed between the great powers of Qi and Chu. Should we submit to Qi, or align ourselves with Chu?”