84 Guan Zhong

A4.47

In the 25th year (652 BC) of his reign, King Hui died, and his son Zheng succeeded as King Xiang. King Xiang's mother died early, and his stepmother was called Queen Hui. Queen Hui gave birth to Shu Dai, who was favored by King Hui, and King Xiang was afraid of him. In the third year, Shu Dai and the Rong and Di conspired to attack King Xiang. King Xiang wanted to kill Shu Dai, so Shu Dai fled to Qi. Duke Huan of Qi sent Guan Zhong to pacify the Rong in Zhou, and sent Xi Peng to pacify the Rong in Jin. The king treated Guan Zhong with the courtesy of a senior minister. Guan Zhong declined and said, "I am an official of low status. Now there are Guo and Gao, two senior ministers appointed by the king. If I accept the king's order with the court courtesy of spring and autumn, where my manners will be no matter how I respond? I, the attendant, can’t do nothing but to decline." The king said, "The envoy of my uncle, your merits are appreciated, please do not disobey my order." Guan Zhong finally accepted the courtesy as a junior minister and returned home. In the ninth year, Duke Huan of Qi died. In the twelfth year, Shu Dai returned to Zhou.

二十五年，惠王崩，子襄王郑立。襄王母蚤死，后母曰惠后。惠后生叔带，有宠于惠王，襄王畏之。三年，叔带与戎、翟谋伐襄王，襄王欲诛叔带，叔带奔齐。齐桓公使管仲平戎于周，使隰朋平戎于晋。王以上卿礼管仲。管仲辞曰：“臣贱有司也，有天子之二守国、高在。若节春秋来承王命，何以礼焉。陪臣敢辞。”王曰：“舅氏，余嘉乃勋，毋逆朕命。”管仲卒受下卿之礼而还。九年，齐桓公卒。十二年，叔带复归于周。