He acquired many talented advisors, such as Baili Xi (百里奚), Jian Shu (蹇叔), Pi Bao (丕豹), and Gongsun (公孫).
He is the son of Duke De and younger brother of Duke Cheng. He married the daughter of Duke Xian of Jin (獻), and married his daughter, Huaiying (懷嬴), to Duke Wen of Jin. He helped his son-in-law win the Battle of Chengpu, (城濮之戰) against Chu.
His posthumous name Mu means "reverent".