According to Zuo Zhuan, after Zhao Dun supported Duke Ling of Jin to ascend to the throne, Jin Linggong was far from being a gentleman, pursuing pleasure, not striving for progress, disobeying the monarch's rules, levying heavy taxes to satisfy his decadent and luxurious life, enjoying the magnificent court decoration, shooting people with slingshots from a height, and watching people avoid bullets. After being shot, he was miserable.
On one occasion, his cook didn't stew the bear's paw well, so he immediately killed the cook, dismembered the body and put it into a laundry list, ordered the maid-in-waiting to carry it out, and deliberately put the body behind the court of the minister, in order to deter the minister of admonition. But two good people had to give him a hard time. These two men are Zhao Dun and Shiji. As ministers of life, they were worried about the fate of the state of Jin and decided to take their own risks. Shi Ji said, I walked first. If we protest at the same time, once Gong Ling turns against us, no one will dare to protest. So Shi Ji went into the palace, and Gong Ling pretended not to see it. Historical Records kowtowed to the eaves of Gong Ling step by step. Gong Ling knew he couldn't escape, so he had to say, I know I was wrong and I regret it. Historical records happily praised, if this is the case, it is really the reliance of the ministers, and the country is very lucky. I don't know what I mean. He thought it must be directed by Zhao Dun, so he sent a killer to kill Zhao Dun who supported him to ascend to the throne. But he didn't expect the murderer to be a just man.
According to historical records, I wanted to lurk in Zhao Dun's yard at dawn. When he climbed over the eaves and hid in the dark, he saw that Zhao Dun had put on his royal costume and was ready to go to court. However, because it was still early, Zhao Dun sat on a stool and closed his eyes. I was deeply moved and felt that Zhao Dun was a wise man. He worked hard for his country day and night and sat at home so respectful to the monarch. Such a good leader couldn't be killed, so he quietly withdrew from the Zhao government. But on second thought, I would be disloyal if I didn't carry out the monarch's orders, but I would rather die in a tree.
When Gong Ling couldn't make another plan, he wanted to ambush the thugs and get rid of Zhao Dun in the name of buying Zhao Dun a drink. Timmy Ming, Zhao Dun's driver, was placed in Piandian. At the banquet, he sensed Gong Ling's attempt, and hurried to the hall, loudly saying to Zhao Dun that it was etiquette for the courtiers to accompany the monarch to drink. If the wine was mixed, he should take the initiative to ask for a long way. Go ahead. Take Zhao Dun and go. At first, Gong Ling let a fierce dog chase him. The fierce dog was killed by Timmy. Then he ordered the soldiers to rush over and kill Timmy. Just as Zhao Dun was about to stab him, things took a turn for the better. One of the warriors was saved by Zhao Dun. At this time, he turned around and stood in front of all the soldiers to cover Zhao Dun's escape.
When Zhao Dun fled to the border, he was afraid to run again. While he was still alive, it was reported that Zhao Dun's brother Zhao Chuan killed Gong Ling. Zhao Dun hurried back, but officials of the State of Jin accused Zhao Dun of regicide and wrote a straight book "Zhao Dun regicide". Zhao Dun felt very wronged and wanted to explain, but historian Dong Hu said, "The son is just, and it won't be worse if he dies. On the contrary, he doesn't ask for a thief, but who he asks for. It means that as an official, you don't punish the sinner who killed you, so who killed you? Zhao Dun is hard to argue, so he can only sigh as he talks.
More than a hundred years later, when Confucius commented on this matter, he praised the historian Dong Hu, but felt sorry for Zhao Dun. He said: "Dong Hugu has a good history, but his calligraphy is not hidden. Doctor Zhao and Gu Zhiliang also suffered misfortune for the law. Do you regret it? "