King Wu of Zhou
Ji was a small state during the Shang Dynasty that was inhabited by a tribe that was said to have descended from the Yellow Emperor, and became one of the vassal states of the Zhou Dynasty. According to Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian", King Wu of Zhou, in the 11th year of his reign, deposed King Zhou of Shang and conferred titles to nobles within his domain, including the rulers of the city states Ji and Yan. According to the "Book of Rites", King Wu of Zhou was so eager to establish his legitimacy after his battle victory over the Shang that before dismounting from his wagon, he named the descendants of the Yellow Emperor to the State of Ji. This was the first mention of Ji in history. The 11th year of the reign of King Wu of Zhou approximates to 1045 BC. The Beijing Municipal Government designates 1045 BC as the first year of the city's history.