CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Duke Wen of Zheng郑文公
Son of Duke Li of Zheng, ascended the throne as Duke Wen.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 10
- RELATION RECORDS
- 15
- SOURCE WORKS
- 4
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Duke Wen of Zheng, 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
2 figures · 2 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Duke Li of Zheng—Duke Wen of Zhengfather-son
Duke Wen of Zheng—Duke Mu of Zhengbirth
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 4 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Duke Wen of Zheng→Duke Huan of Qirequest alliance
Duke Wen of Zheng→King Cheng of Churevere
Duke Wen of Zheng→King Xiang of Zhougreet emperor
King Hui of Zhou→Duke Wen of Zhenggrant belt and mirror
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
6 figures · 8 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Duke Wen of Jin→Duke Wen of Zhengattack
King Xiang of Zhou→Duke Wen of Zhengresent
Duke Huan of Qi→Duke Wen of Zhengattack Zheng
Duke Mu of Qin→Duke Wen of Zhengattack
Duke Xiang of Song→Duke Wen of Zhengattack
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Duke Wen of Zheng→King Xiang of Zhouaccept
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
Ruler of Zheng, did not treat Chong'er with respect; sided with Chu in the south.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
Son of Duke Li of Zheng, ascended the throne as Duke Wen. As ruler of Zheng, seeing Qi's power, he requested an alliance. As ruler of Zheng, he formed an alliance with Qi to defend against Chu.
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 / legend13 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
8 relations9 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ attack →Duke Wen of Zheng
- Duke Wen of Zheng→ not accept →Duke Wen of Jin
- Duke Wen of Zheng→ request alliance →Duke Huan of Qi
- Duke Mu of Qin→ attack →Duke Wen of Zheng
Verified original text · 9
晋师既入郑境，秦穆公亦引著谋臣百里奚
attack · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 43
传令门官，闭门勿纳
not accept · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35
7 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history3 profile notes
Discourses of the States
1 relations1 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ attack →Duke Wen of Zheng
Verified original text · 1
郑文公亦不礼焉
discourteous · Discourses of the States, 晋语四
- Official history3 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
2 relations3 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ attack →Duke Wen of Zheng
- Duke Wen of Zheng→ not accept →Duke Wen of Jin
Verified original text · 3
晋文公与秦穆公共围郑，讨其助楚攻晋者
围郑 · Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家
郑文公弗礼
discourteous · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
- Official history10 profile notes
Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
10 relations10 verified quotations- Duke Wen of Jin→ attack →Duke Wen of Zheng
- Duke Huan of Qi→ attack Zheng →Duke Wen of Zheng
- King Xiang of Zhou→ resent →Duke Wen of Zheng
- Duke Wen of Zheng→ arrest envoy →King Xiang of Zhou
Verified original text · 10
及郑，郑文公亦不礼焉
insulted · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
夏，诸侯伐郑，以其逃首止之盟故也。
attack Zheng · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 12
8 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Zheng Wengong's court to Chu and participation in the Yu meeting are real history.
The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Hereditary House of Chu', records that in the 33rd year of King Cheng of Chu, Duke Xiang of Song summoned Chu to participate in a meeting: 'So he went, and arrived at Yu, where he was seized and humiliated by the Duke of Song'; and in the 34th year, 'Zheng Wengong paid court to Chu in the south'. The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, chapter 34, also describes the King of Chu inviting the feudal lords to Yu: 'The five lords of Chen, Cai, Zheng, Xu, and Cao all came to the meeting at Yu, and together with Duke Xi of Lu, there were six, gathered in one place to discuss. Zheng Wengong spoke first, wishing to honor the King of Chu as the leader of the alliance.' Both records reflect the historical fact that Zheng Wengong paid court to Chu and participated in the Yu meeting during the struggle for hegemony between Qi and Chu.
Relationship network
- attack← Duke Wen of Jin → Duke Wen of Zhenghist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 43Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家Discourses of the States, 晋语四Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
Original text (4)
晋师既入郑境，秦穆公亦引著谋臣百里奚
郑文公亦不礼焉
Original relation: discourteous · Discourses of the States, 晋语四
晋文公与秦穆公共围郑，讨其助楚攻晋者
Original relation: 围郑 · Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家
及郑，郑文公亦不礼焉
Original relation: insulted · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
- not acceptDuke Wen of Zheng → Duke Wen of Jinhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 35Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家
Original text (3)
传令门官，闭门勿纳
郑文公弗礼
Original relation: discourteous · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
三十六年，晋公子重耳过，文公弗礼。
Original relation: rude · Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家
Original text (1)
夏，诸侯伐郑，以其逃首止之盟故也。
- request allianceDuke Wen of Zheng → Duke Huan of QilitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 19
Original text (1)
郑文公见齐势愈大，恐其侵伐，遂遗使请盟。
Original text (1)
秦兵营于氾南，在郑城之东
- revereDuke 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
- resent← King Xiang of Zhou → Duke Wen of ZhenglitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 37Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
Original text (2)
郑捷欺朕太甚
王怒，将以狄伐郑。
Original relation: attack Zheng · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 14
Original text (1)
- greet emperorDuke Wen of Zheng → King Xiang of ZhoulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 38
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- father-son← Duke Li of Zheng → Duke Wen of ZhenglitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 19Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 8
Original text (2)
- grant belt and mirror← King Hui of Zhou → Duke Wen of ZhenglitCorrect Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 8
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)