Is “Before the battle between Jin and Chu, the Jin army voluntarily retreated three she (ninety li) to repay the former kindness of King Cheng of Chu.” true?
attested in history
The Zuo Commentary, Duke Xi, 28th year, records: 'The Marquis of Jin ordered a retreat of three she.' The Records of the Grand Historian, Hereditary House of Jin, also records that Chong'er promised to 'retreat three she' while in Chu, and during the battle, although Hu Yan advocated fighting from a military perspective, Duke Wen of Jin still fulfilled the promise. This is a true reflection of the military etiquette of the Spring and Autumn period.
Hu Yan
The promise to retreat three she (ninety li) before the Battle of Chengpu
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