Duke Huan, Part II

Translator’s summary: An underlying theme of this chapter is Duke Huan’s exaggerated piety, perhaps a device to help conceal his moral faults. The diplomatic and military events here are very confused, although they mostly revolve around the state of Zheng and the intrigues surrounding Hu and Tu—yet another pair of brothers who competed, or were made to compete, for power. The flexible morality of Second Brother Zhai plays an important part in the plot. Ironically, the wily Duke Huan is ultimately doomed by his wicked wife.