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34 J. Liu and X. Tong

is also mentioned in many places of Zuo’s Commentary on The Spring and Autumn
Annals (《左传》).
The Spring and Autumn Annals was much more closely associated with Con-
fucius. The following passage is found in Duke Wen of Teng II of Mencius (《孟子 · 滕
文公下》):

“When the peaceful world and the way of benevolence and righteousness fell into decay, the
absurd theory and cruel deeds arouse again. There were ministers who murdered their rulers,
and there were sons who murdered their fathers. Confucius was anxious about it, so he
composed The Spring and Autumn Annals. The writing of history should be the authority
belonging to the sovereign. Confucius said: ‘I am afraid that it is The Spring and Autumn
Annals that makes you understand me, and it is The Spring and Autumn Annals that makes you
blame me!’” (Luo, 2017, p. 211)
In ancient times, Yu harnessed the great floods and the country was restored to order. The
Duke of Zhou subdued the barbarous tribes of the east and north, drove away all the ferocious
animals, and the people enjoyed peace. Confucius completed The Spring and Autumn Annals
and rebellious ministers and villainous sons were struck with terror. (Jiao & Shen, 2014, pp.
452–459)
The Spring and Autumn Annals of Confucius followed the same vein as The Book of
Songs, which is discussed in Li Lou II of Mencius (《孟子 · 离楼下》):

Mencius said, “The Book of Songs lost its popularity as the kingly way declined. In its place
emerged The Spring and Autumn Annals, full of subtleties and implications. Books in a similar
vein include Cheng (《乘》) of Jin, Tao Wu (《梼杌》) of Chu, and The Spring and Autumn
Annals of Lu. The subject of The Spring and Autumn Annals was about the affairs of [Duke]
Huan of Qi and [Duke] Wen of Jin, and its style was historical. Confucius said, ‘Its righteous
decisions were what I ventured to make.’” (Sun, 2011, p. 189)
The importance of The Spring and Autumn Annals is explicitly pointed out in “The
Second Year of Duke Zhao” (昭公二年）of Zuo’s Commentary on The Spring and
Autumn Annals:

In spring of the (Duke’s) second year the ruler of Jin sent Han Xuanzi (Han Qi) (韩起 ?–514
B.C.E.) on an embassy to the State of Lu and to announce that the administration of Jin was
now in his hands. This was in accordance with the rites. When Han Xuanzi was perusing the
library of the Grand Historiographer of Lu he noted Yi Xiang (《易象》) and The Spring and
Autumn Annals of Lu (《鲁春秋》). He commented, “The rituals of the Duke of Zhou are well
preserved in Lu. Now I know the virtues of the Duke of Zhou and the regal accomplishments of
the Lord of Zhou.” (Zuo et al., 2000, pp. 2348–2349)

Thus, The Book of Changes and The Spring and Autumn Annals are indispensable to
the study of classics scholarship.