Duke Xuan, Part II

Translator’s summary: Duke Ling of Chen is assassinated by Xia Zhengshu, who earns no credit for avenging his mother’s honor. In fact, Mr. Xia is punished by King Zhuang of Chu, whose actions as enforcer contribute to his recognition as hegemon, despite his technically foreign status. King Zhuang also shows himself the gentleman in the siege of Zheng and at the battle of Bi; and he has the good sense to bow to the virtue of his grand officer Sir Fan. Even the tribesman Sir Lu of the Red Di is accorded some gentlemanly recognition, as though the chronicler is putting aside his prejudices, in the light of King Zhuang’s example. Contrariwise, the men of the Central States, even those in the Zhou house, continue to behave wantonly. King Zhuang of Chu passes from the scene by the end of the chapter.