The Hegemons and the Kuiqiu Covenant

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English translation

Mencius said, “The Five Hegemons were offenders against the Three Kings; today’s lords offend against the Five Hegemons, and today’s ministers offend against their lords. When the Son of Heaven visits the states, it is a royal inspection; when lords come to court, they report on their duties. In spring the ruler inspects plowing and relieves shortages; in autumn he inspects the harvest and assists those in need. In a state where land is cultivated, fields are orderly, elders are cared for, the worthy are honored, and outstanding people hold office, the Son of Heaven rewards the lord with land. Where land lies waste, elders are abandoned, worthy people are lost, and exploitative officials hold office, he rebukes the ruler. If a lord fails to attend court once, his rank is reduced; twice, his land is cut; three times, the royal forces are sent. Thus the Son of Heaven punishes without launching a punitive war, while lords wage war without rightful authority. The Five Hegemons rallied lords to attack other lords, so they offended against the Three Kings. Among them, Duke Huan of Qi was foremost. At the meeting of Kuiqiu, the lords bound sacrificial animals and recorded their pact but did not smear blood in the oath. Their five injunctions were: punish unfilial conduct, do not replace the designated heir, and do not make a concubine the wife; honor the worthy and nurture talent; respect the old and care for the young, remembering guests and travelers; do not make offices hereditary or combine official posts, choose qualified officers, and do not kill senior ministers arbitrarily; do not impose unauthorized defenses or restrictions, obstruct grain trade, or grant fiefs without reporting them. The alliance then pledged to restore friendship. Today’s lords violate all five prohibitions and thus offend against the Five Hegemons. To indulge a ruler’s wrongdoing is a lesser offense; to flatter it is greater. Today’s ministers all flatter their rulers, so they offend against the lords.”

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