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Duke Zhuang of Zheng郑庄公

Other StatesHistory × Fiction

The eldest son of Duke Wu of Zheng, he succeeded to the throne as Duke Zhuang and contended with his younger brother by the same mother. He exchanged hostages with King Ping of Zhou, devised a plan to repel the troops of five states, and formed an alliance with Duke Xi of Qi.

DIRECT FIGURES
19
RELATION RECORDS
28
SOURCE WORKS
5

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Duke Zhuang 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.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

7 figures · 7 records
3 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

8 figures · 11 records
5 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

6 figures · 7 records
3 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

2 figures · 3 records

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Records of the Grand Historian

Ruler of the state of Zheng, he contended with his younger brother Shuduan. As the monarch of Zheng, he went to court but was not treated with courtesy by King Huan. Son of Duke Wu of Zheng, he succeeded as the ruler of Zheng, put down the rebellion of Gongshu Duan, and fought against Zhou.

In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition · Bamboo Annals

The eldest son of Duke Wu of Zheng, he succeeded to the throne as Duke Zhuang and contended with his younger brother by the same mother. He exchanged hostages with King Ping of Zhou, was moved by Kaoshu's remonstrance and granted him the title of Grand Master, and devised a plan to repel the troops of five states.

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.

  1. 11 profile notes
    20 relations23 verified quotations
    • Duke Zhuang of Zhengruler-subjectJi Zu
    • Ji ZustrategistDuke Zhuang of Zheng
    • Duke Zhuang of ZhengbattleKing Huan of Zhou
    • King Huan of Zhouruler-subjectDuke Zhuang of Zheng
    Verified original text · 23
    1. 大夫祭足谏曰

      ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 4

    2. 乃改用祭足为上卿

      ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 7

    21 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    Discourses of the States

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  3. 2 profile notes
    5 relations5 verified quotations
    • Duke Zhuang of Zhengfather-sonDuke Li of Zheng
    • Duke Zhuang of ZhengbattleKing Huan of Zhou
    • Duke Zhuang of Zhengfather-sonDuke Zhao of Zheng
    • Duke Zhuang of ZhengbrothersGongshu Duan
    Verified original text · 5
    1. 庄公又娶宋雍氏女,生厉公突。

      father-son · Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家

    2. 周桓王率陈、蔡、虢、卫伐郑。庄公与祭仲、高渠弥發兵自救,王师大败。

      battle · Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家

    3 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. Official history

    Bamboo Annals

    1 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • King Hui of Zhoureside inDuke Zhuang of Zheng
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 周惠王居于郑。

      reside in · Bamboo Annals, 古本辑校

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  5. 15 profile notes
    13 relations17 verified quotations
    • Duke Huan of LuallianceDuke Zhuang of Zheng
    • Duke Zhuang of Zhengruler-subjectJi Zu
    • Duke Zhuang of ZhengbattleKing Huan of Zhou
    • King Huan of Zhouruler-subjectDuke Zhuang of Zheng
    Verified original text · 17
    1. 公及郑伯盟于越。

      alliance · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 4

    2. 郑伯以璧假许田。

      易田 · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 4

    15 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

Regarding the reaction after Duke Zhuang of Zheng shot and wounded the King of Zhou, the official history records it briefly, while the novel adds the plot of his sounding the retreat and explaining.

  • The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Annals of Zhou', Part II, only records: 'In the thirteenth year, [Zheng] attacked Zhou, and Zheng shot and wounded King Huan, who withdrew and returned.' However, in the ninth chapter of Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, it adds that Duke Zhuang of Zheng sounded the retreat and explained: 'Duke Zhuang said: "Originally it was because the Son of Heaven was not enlightened, turning virtue into resentment. Today we resist the enemy, it is absolutely unavoidable. Thanks to the strength of all the ministers, the state is not lost, that is enough. How dare I ask for more! According to your words, if we capture the Son of Heaven, how should we deal with him? Even shooting the king is not permissible. If he is severely wounded and dies, I would bear the name of killing the ruler!"'

Relationship network

20 figures · 54 links
Duke Zhuang of ZhengDuke Zhuang of ZhengDuke Huan of LuDuke Huan of LuDuke Li of ZhengDuke Li of ZhengKing Hui of ZhouKing Hui of ZhouJi ZuJi ZuKing Huan of ZhouKing Huan of ZhouDuke Xi of QiDuke Xi of QiDuke Yin of LuDuke Yin of LuDuke Zhao of ZhengDuke Zhao of ZhengZhou YuZhou YuDuke Wu of ZhengDuke Wu of ZhengGao QumiJiang ShiGongzi YuanDuke Shang of SongXu NanGongzi TuGongzi FengJi ZhongGongshu Duan
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 4; Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Zhou; Discourses of the States, 楚语上; Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 1; Bamboo Annals, 今本-晋纪; Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 5; Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家; Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 2

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.