History and Fiction: Tales of the Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period from c. 300 BC to AD 220 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Olivia Milburn School of Oriental and African Studies University of London ProQuest Number: 10731298 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10731298 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 p Abstract This thesis focusses on historical and fictional accounts of the hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period: Lord Huan of Qi, Lord Wen of Jin, Lord Mu of Qin, King Zhuang of Chu, King Helu of Wu and King Goujian of Yue. Chapter One describes the methodological basis. Many ancient Chinese texts underwent periods of oral transmission, but the effect on their form and content has been little researched. Theme and formula are important for understanding the development of these texts. The hegemons are also investigated for the degree to which they conform to greater patterns: the Indo-European models of the hero and good ruler. In Chapters Two and Three selected tales about the hegemons are considered. Some were chosen because the same story appeared in a large number of texts over many centuries, in the works of widely differing philosophers and historians. This shows the diffusion and popularity of these tales, and the way that the same story appealed to thinkers of very different persuasions. Others were chosen for the range of literary forms in which they appear. Some show the use of theme and formula with particular clarity, and others the way in which a story was adapted to bring it closer to the models of the hero or good king. In Chapter Four analysis of stories about the hegemons is expanded to cover the full range of tales appearing before the end of the Han dynasty, to demonstrate the degree to which they conform to the stereotypes of the hero and the good king. Chapter Five compares the hegemons to other rulers of their day, and considers their enduring literary legacy. Throughout the imperial period, the hegemons inspired prose, poetry and drama. Apart from their importance as historical figures, the hegemons have an important place in Chinese literary history. 2 From too much love of living, From hope and fear set free, We thank with brief thanksgiving Whatever gods may be, That no life lives forever, That dead men rise up never, That even the weariest river Winds somewhere safe to sea. Swinburne. Declaration This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration. Acknowled gments I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Bernhard Fuehrer, for all his help and advise during the preparation of this thesis. The work in this thesis was funded by the generosity of Simon, Inger and Dorothy Milburn, and Marcus White. I also received grants from the Centre for Asian and African Literatures, and the Center for Chinese Studies at the National Central Library, Taipei. For their help and encouragement during the writing of this thesis, I would like to thank Dr. Stephane Corcuff, Dr. Peter Ditmanson, Kaspars Eichmanis, Dr. Furuta Yoshikazu, Simon Gillespie, Marc Howe, Dr. Huang Mingchorng, Dr. Klaus Kahle, Dr. Andrew Lo, Alex Pevsner, Dr. Ching-fei Shih, Dr. Kim Taylor, Fongyee Walker, Dr. Wang Tzi-cheng, Dr. Marcus White, and Xu Yahui. I would also like to thank the staff of the library of the School of Oriental and African Studies, the University Library at Cambridge, the National Central Library in Taiwan and the library of the Institut des Hautes Etudes Chinoises, College de France, Paris. 4 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................8 Note to the Diagrams ........................................ ......................13 Chapter One .............................................. ,...................................14 The State of the Field .............................................................................................................14 The Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period ...................................................... 19 The Zhou Confederacy and the Chinese World ..................................................................26 Historical Narrative ................................................................................................................30 Tales of the Hegemons as Heroes, and as Rulers ...............................................................36 The Hegemons and the Hegemony ......................................................................................42 The Ancient Chinese Story-teller’s Audience ..................................................................... 44 Chapter Two .................................................. ......................... 47 Lord Huan of Qi ..................................................................................................................... 47 Lord Wen of Jin ..................................................................................................................... 71 Lord Mu of Qin ...................................................................................................................... 89 Chapter Three ........................................................................................ 106 King Zhuang of Chu .............................................................................................................106 King Held ofW u .................................................................................................................. 122 King Goujian of Yue ............................................................................................................143 Chapter Four ..................................................................... 165 The Hegemons as a Group ................................................................................................. 165 The Flegemons as Heroes ....................................................................................................167 The Hegemons as Rulers .....................................................................................................187 Chapter Five.. ..................................................................................................................... 205 The Hegemons in Context .................................................................................................. 205 The Hegemons, Their Predecessors and Their Heirs .......................................................206 Rival Claimants to the Hegemony ......................................................................................215 The Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period as Literary Figures ........................... 223 The Hegemons in Prose .......................................................................................................227 The Hegemons in Poetry .................................................................................................... 237 The Hegemons in Drama .................................................................................................... 242 5 Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 247 Glossary.............. 255 Bibliography ............................................................................................................ 27 Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 268 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 268 t 6 ft Diagrams, Figures and Tables Figure 1...................................................................................................................................41 Figure 2 ................................................................................................ ..............42 Diagram 2:1 .................................................................................. 55 Diagram 2:2 ...... 61 Diagram 2:3 ........ 69 Diagram 2:4 ............................................................................................................. .78 Diagram 2:5...........................................................................................................................82 Diagram 2:6 ........... ...............................................................................................................92 Diagram 2:7...........................................................................................................................97 Diagram 2:8.................................................................................................. 105 Diagram 3:1............................................ 112 Diagram 3:2 .........................................................................................................................127