Duke Li of Zheng (鄭 厲公, ? – 673 BC; reigned 701–697 BC and 680–673 BC) was a ruler of the state of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period of China. His personal name was Tu (突), and his courtesy name was Ziyuan (子元). He was a son of Duke Zhuang of Zheng and Yong Ji, a half-brother of Duke Zhao of Zheng, and an elder brother of Zi Mei of Zheng and Zi Ying of Zheng.
Career
In the 26th year of Duke Zhuang of Zheng (718 BC), when Wei led the army of Nan Yan to invade Zheng, he and his elder brother Crown Prince Hu (Crown Prince Hu) commanded the troops of Jeyi and lay in wait behind the enemy. In the sixth month, they defeated the Nan Yan army at Bukje.1
In the 30th year of Duke Zhuang of Zheng (714 BC), when the Northern Rong invaded Zheng, he advised his father to place an ambush and lure the enemy into it. The plan was carried out, and Zheng inflicted a crushing defeat on the Northern Rong.2
In 701 BC, after his father Duke Zhuang of Zheng died, his elder brother Hu, the legitimate son, succeeded him. However, because their father had many favored wives during his lifetime,3 Hu's position was unstable. The Yong clan, maternal relatives of Prince Tu, were ministers of Song and enjoyed the favor of Duke Zhuang of Song.435 When Duke Zhuang of Song heard that Hu had ascended the throne, he captured Cai Zhong in the ninth month.643 Duke Zhuang of Song threatened Cai Zhong and forced him to install Prince Tu as ruler and to pay bribes to Song, and he also captured Prince Tu.43 Cai Zhong, yielding to the threats, returned to Zheng together with Prince Tu, while Crown Prince Hu fled to Wei on the day Dinghai of that month4 or on the day Xinhai.3 Prince Tu then ascended the throne as Duke Li of Zheng on the day Jihai.43
First Reign
In the first year of Duke Li of Zheng (700 BC), Song demanded large bribes from Zheng on the grounds that it had installed Duke Li, and Zheng could not meet these demands, so relations remained unpeaceful.7 To bring peace between the two states, Duke Huan of Lu attempted to hold a covenant meeting with Duke Zhuang of Song three times, but failed.8 Eventually, Duke Li formed an alliance with Duke Huan of Lu on the eleventh month, day Bingxu, and fought with Song on the twelfth month, day Dingwei.8
In the second year of Duke Li of Zheng (699 BC), in the spring of the second month, because of the bribery dispute with Song again, he joined forces with Duke Huan of Lu and the Marquis of Ji, and on the day Jisi fought against the armies of Qi, Song, Wei, and Yan, winning a great victory.9 Afterward he maintained friendly relations with Lu, and in the third year of Duke Li of Zheng (698 BC) he met Duke Huan of Lu at Zhao and formed a three-party alliance.10 However, Song led the armies of Qi, Cai, Wei, and Chen in a retaliatory campaign and ravaged the capital of Zheng.10
In the fourth year of Duke Li of Zheng (697 BC), Cai Zhong wielded full power, and Duke Li, envious of him, ordered Cai Zhong's son-in-law Yong Gui to kill Cai Zhong. However, Yong Gui's wife informed her father of the plot, and as a result Yong Gui was killed by Cai Zhong, and his body was displayed in public.113 In the fifth month,11 Duke Li, rebuking Yong Gui's corpse,311 fled to Cai.11
Exile
In the ninth month of autumn, Duke Li killed Tanbaek (檀伯), the officer guarding the Yak (櫟) region,12 with the help of the people of Yak, and settled there.113 Duke Huan of Lu, together with Duke Zhuang of Song, Duke Hui of Wei, and Duke Zhuang of Chen, attacked Zheng in an attempt to restore Duke Li, but failed.11
In the following year (696 BC), the feudal lords who had tried to restore Duke Li the previous year drew in Marquess Huan of Cai as well, and in the fourth month they attacked Zheng in an attempt to restore Duke Li, but were defeated.13 However, because Duke Zhuang of Song sent troops to support Duke Li, who was in Yak, Zheng did not dare to attack Duke Li.3
In 695 BC, Duke Zhao of Zheng was assassinated by Gu Juemi,143 and in 694 BC Zi Mei, who had succeeded Duke Zhao of Zheng, was killed by Duke Xiang of Qi. However, Cai Zhong ultimately kept Duke Li from returning, so Duke Li was not restored, and Zi Ying succeeded to the throne.153
Restoration
In 680 BC, Duke Li attacked his home state and captured a subordinate chief at Daereung.16 According to the Records of the Grand Historian, he lured the man and intimidated him.3 The subordinate promised to help restore Duke Li and was released, and on the sixth month, day Jiazi, he killed Zi Ying and his two sons and restored Duke Li as promised.163 After his restoration, Duke Li executed the subordinate for harboring double-hearted intentions, and rebuked Yuan Fan (原繁) for not helping him during his exile, whereupon Yuan Fan took his own life.16
In 679 BC, taking advantage of Song's campaign against the state of Ye (郳) together with the feudal lords, he invaded Song.17 In the following year (678 BC), Song, together with Qi and Wei, launched a retaliatory attack on Zheng.18 Moreover, he committed the discourtesy of belatedly informing Chu of his restoration, and in autumn he was attacked by Chu.18 In the ninth month, he punished those who had joined in killing Yong Gui from among Cai Zhong's faction, executing Prince Ol and cutting off the feet of Gang Seo.18 At this time, when his grand-nephew Gong Bu Jeongsuk fled to Wei, he restored him three years later.18 In winter, he formed an alliance with Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Zhuang of Song, Duke Zhuang of Lu, Duke Xuan of Chen, Duke Hui of Wei, Marquess Ai of Cai, and the rulers of Heunam, Hwalbaek, and Deungja.18
In 677 BC, he sent Cheom as an envoy to Qi, but Cheom was captured.19 This was because Qi, although it had become the hegemon, had not paid court to the Zhou king.19
In 676 BC, together with the Duke of Guo and the Marquis of Jin, he resolved a marriage matter of the Zhou royal house.2021
In 675 BC, Prince Tui, supported by the great officers Wi Guk, Byeon Baek, Ja Geum, Chuk Gwe, and Cheom Bo, who were dissatisfied with King Hui of Zhou, as well as the cook Seok Sok, and with the help of Duke Hui of Wei and the Nan Yan leader Zhong Bo, attacked King Hui of Zhou, drove him out, and became king of Zhou.223 In 674 BC, Duke Li of Zheng tried to reconcile King Hui of Zhou and Prince Tui, but failed.23 Duke Li attacked Zhou, captured Nan Yan's Zhong Bo,23 and brought King Hui back to live in Ye.233 In winter, he met Duke Shu of Guo and agreed with him to restore King Hui.23
In 673 BC, together with Duke Shu of Guo, he attacked the royal capital, killed Prince Tui and five great officers,24 and restored King Hui.243 King Hui granted Duke Li the lands of Horoe and Idong and gave him the favor of the royal consort.24 However, Duke Li, regarding these rewards as smaller than those received by Duke Shu of Guo, resented the king.24 He died in the fifth month of summer,24 or in autumn according to another account.3
Footnotes