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Duke Wen of Jin was angered by Zheng’s “fence-sitting” diplomatic tendencies during the power struggle between Jin and Chu. Zheng had ostensibly submitted to Jin while secretly maintaining ties with Chu, a stance that deeply frustrated the Jin ruler.
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During the exile of Chong’er, when he passed through the State of Zheng, Duke Wen of Zheng failed to receive him with due courtesy, thus sowing the seeds of personal resentment.