CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
King Cheng of Chu楚成王
Second son of King Wen of Chu.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 13
- RELATION RECORDS
- 25
- SOURCE WORKS
- 4
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
King Cheng of Chu, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
3 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
King Ling of Chu—King Cheng of Chuancestor
Marquis of Cai—King Cheng of Chuin-law
Queen Dowager Xuan—King Cheng of Chusiblings
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
8 figures · 11 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
King Cheng of ChuisZiwen’s ruler
King Cheng of Chu→Cheng Dechenappoint
King Cheng of Chu→Zi Yudispatch
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
5 figures · 7 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
King Cheng of Chu→Duke Xiang of Songcatch
Duke Wen of Jin→King Cheng of Chupromise retreat
Duke Huan of Qi—King Cheng of Chuhostile
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
3 figures · 4 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
King Cheng of Chu→Duke Wen of Jincourteous reception
King Ling of Chu→King Cheng of Chuimitate
Jiang Shi→King Cheng of Chureward
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
Son of King Wu, succeeded to the throne. Monarch of Chu, treated Chong'er with generosity. Younger brother of Zhuang'ao, killed Zhuang'ao and seized the throne.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
Second son of King Wen of Chu. Monarch of Chu, killed his elder brother and seized the throne. King of Chu, exterminated the family of Zi Yuan, appointed Dou Gou Yu Tu as Prime Minister.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend15 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
13 relations21 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ promise retreat →King Cheng of Chu
- King Cheng of Chu→ courteous reception →Duke Wen of Jin
- Duke Huan of Qi→ hostile →King Cheng of Chu
- Duke Wen of Zheng→ revere →King Cheng of Chu
Verified original text · 21
请避君王三舍
promise retreat · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35
成王亦待以国君之礼，设享九献
courteous reception · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35
19 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Discourses of the States
2 relations1 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ receive offerings →King Cheng of Chu
- Ziwen→ secret memorial →King Cheng of Chu
Verified original text · 1
楚成王以周礼享之
receive offerings · Discourses of the States, 晋语四
- Official history5 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
9 relations14 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ promise retreat →King Cheng of Chu
- King Cheng of Chu→ courteous reception →Duke Wen of Jin
- Duke Wen of Jin→ receive offerings →King Cheng of Chu
- Duke Huan of Qi→ hostile →King Cheng of Chu
Verified original text · 14
晋败子玉于城濮。
败楚 · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
请辟王三舍
承诺退避三舍 · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history10 profile notes
Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
11 relations12 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ promise retreat →King Cheng of Chu
- King Cheng of Chu→ courteous reception →Duke Wen of Jin
- Duke Wen of Jin→ courted →King Cheng of Chu
- King Cheng of Chu→ seek peace →Duke Mu of Qin
Verified original text · 12
退三舍辟之，所以报也。
退避三舍 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
享毕，夜出，文芈于于军
offer ritual · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
10 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Regarding the request of King Cheng of Chu before his death, both books record that he wanted to eat bear paw (bear's paw), but the novel adds specific dialogue in which Pan Chong sees through his intention to delay time and refuses.
- based on factWhat is the detail that King Cheng of Chu requested to eat bear paw before death and was refused?
The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Hereditary House of Chu', records: 'In the winter of the tenth month, Shangchen surrounded King Cheng with palace guards. King Cheng requested to eat bear paw before dying, but was not allowed. On the day of Dingwei, King Cheng hanged himself.' However, the Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, chapter 46, adds the specific detail of Pan Chong's coercion: 'King Cheng said, "I have just ordered the cook to prepare bear paw, and I will eat it when it is cooked; even if I die, I will have no regret!" Pan Chong said in a stern voice, "Bear paw is hard to cook; do you wish to delay time to wait for outside rescue? Please act on your own, and do not wait for me to take action!"'
Relationship network
- promise retreat← Duke Wen of Jin → King Cheng of Chuhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
Original text (4)
请避君王三舍
晋败子玉于城濮。
Original relation: 败楚 · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
请辟王三舍
Original relation: 承诺退避三舍 · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
退三舍辟之，所以报也。
Original relation: 退避三舍 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
- courteous receptionKing Cheng of Chu → Duke Wen of Jinhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
Original text (4)
成王亦待以国君之礼，设享九献
成王厚遇重耳
Original relation: treat generously · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
享毕，夜出，文芈于于军
Original relation: offer ritual · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
微楚之惠不及此
Original relation: 有惠 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
- receive offerings← Duke Wen of Jin → King Cheng of Chuhist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 楚世家Discourses of the States, 晋语四
Original text (2)
楚成王以周礼享之
成王以诸侯客礼飨
Original relation: courteous reception · Records of the Grand Historian, 楚世家
Original text (1)
- hostile← Duke Huan of Qi → King Cheng of Chuhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 23Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表Records of the Grand Historian, 楚世家Records of the Grand Historian, 齐太公世家
Original text (4)
桓公曰：“寡人当先取舒国，以剪楚翼。”
遂伐楚
Original relation: attack · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
齐桓公以兵侵楚
Original relation: invade · Records of the Grand Historian, 楚世家
齐桓公率诸侯伐蔡，蔡溃。遂伐楚
Original relation: attack · Records of the Grand Historian, 齐太公世家
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
许僖公如是，王亲释其缚，受其璧，焚其榇。”王从之
- revere← Duke Wen of Zheng → King Cheng of ChulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 34Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 43
Original text (2)
郑文公开言，欲尊楚王为盟主
阴使人通款于楚曰……晋侯恶许之昵就上国也
Original relation: 通款 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 43
Original text (1)
竟将其妹更嫁于楚国，为楚成王夫人
Original text (1)
蔡侯至楚，见了成王，备述竖貂之语。
- catchKing Cheng of Chu → Duke Xiang of Songhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 33Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 34Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
Original text (6)
成得臣先把宋襄公两袖紧紧捻定
楚王拿住了襄公
将宋公释放
Original relation: release · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 34
三十三执宋襄公，复归之。
Original relation: 执宋襄公 · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
泓之战，楚败公。
Original relation: 败宋于泓 · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
宋公及楚人战于泓
Original relation: 战于泓 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
Original text (1)
- meet allianceKing Cheng of Chu → Duke Xiang of SonglitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 33
Original text (1)
- wanted to give← Duke Cheng of Wei → King Cheng of ChulitCorrect Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
Original text (1)
- ruler-subjectKing Cheng of Chu → ZiwenlitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 20Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 23Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 24
Original text (3)
遂拜斗谷於菟为令尹
Original relation: 拜为令尹 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 20
楚成王已拜斗子文为大将
子文曰：“彼八国之君
- secret memorial← Ziwen → King Cheng of ChulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 20Discourses of the States, 楚语下
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- dispatchKing Cheng of Chu → Zi Yuhist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 18
Original text (3)
使子玉伐宋。
王怒，少与之师
Original relation: 少与之师 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 15
王思之，故使止子玉曰：“毋死。”
Original relation: command · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 18
- rebukeKing Cheng of Chu → Zi YuhistRecords of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Records of the Grand Historian, 楚世家
Original text (2)
让责子玉
成王怒，诛子玉
Original relation: kill · Records of the Grand Historian, 楚世家
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
郑文夫人芈氏、姜氏劳楚子于柯泽
- appointKing Cheng of Chu → Cheng DechenlitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 34Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 39Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 40
Original text (3)
即命得臣为大将
拜成得臣为大将
Original relation: appoint general · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 39
晋侯在外十九年矣
Original relation: admonish · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 40
- offer plan← Cheng Dechen → King Cheng of ChulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 33Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 41
Original text (2)
大夫成得臣进曰
使其子大心部领残军，去见楚王，自请受诛。
Original relation: ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 41