He was named after the Rongdi (戎狄) leader Guizhu (詭諸), whom his father and predecessor, Duke Wu, captured alive.

He is also renowned for the slaughter and exile of many ducal family members of Jin and for favoring one of his concubines, Li Ji.

In 656 BC, the 21st year of his reign, Li Ji plotted a scheme for Shensheng which caused him to go back to Quwo to offer sacrifices for his deceased mother, Qi Jiang (齊姜).

When Prince Shensheng heard that his father sent men to capture him, he committed suicide on the twelfth month of that year.

In 655 BC, the 22nd year of his reign, Duke Xian of Jin sent troops to Pu and Erqu to capture Chong'er and Yiwu.

As expected, officials in Guo blamed Duke Xian for the new trouble they were encountering on the northern border.

Bringing gifts of jade and horses, Xun Xi arrived in the State of Yu to request passage.

Under the influence of his new beloved, the Duke of Yu immediately agreed, over the protestations of his own official, Gong Zhiqi (宮之奇).

Li Ke was then granted permission to station the Jin army outside the Yu capital to rest.

The Duke of Yu and Baili Xi were held captive and brought back to the State of Jin.

In 652 BC, the 25th year of his reign, he sent troop to attack the Di tribe and capture Prince Chong'er, but the army retreated when they met resistance.

In that same year, the younger sister of Li Ji, also a concubine of Duke Xian of Jin, gave birth to Prince Zhuo.

In the summer of 651 BC, the 26th year of his reign, Duke Huan of Qi held an alliance meeting in Kuiqiu (葵丘), west of modern Minquan County in Shanxi.

Another is Qi Jiang (齊姜), formerly the concubine of Duke Wu of Jin, who gave birth to Princess Bo Ji (伯姬) and Shensheng.

He also had Hu Ji (狐姬) from the northern Rong tribe (戎) who gave birth to Chong'er.