The Shang

This shows some history the Great Shang Dynasty.

## Tang of Shang, Zi L**ü**

**Cheng Tang** (Chinese: 成湯), personal name **Zi Lü** (Chinese: 子履; pinyin: *Zǐ Lǚ*), recorded on oracle bones as **Da Yi** (大乙), was the first king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew Jie, the last ruler of the Xia dynasty.

### Rise of Shang

Tang ruled Shang, one of the many kingdoms under the suzerainty of the Xia dynasty, for 17 years. During Jie's reign, Shang grew in power, initially at the expense of Xia's other vassals. He was able to win many supporters from as many as 40 smaller kingdoms. Tang recognized that Jie mistreated his people and used this to convince others. In one speech, Tang said that creating chaos was not something he wanted, but given the terror of Jie, he had to follow the Mandate of Heaven and use this opportunity to overthrow Xia. As an advantage he pointed out that even Jie's own military generals would not obey his orders.

In the 15th year of Jie's reign, Tang began moving Lü to the capital Bo. About two years later Shang sent his minister Yi Yin as an envoy to Jie. Yi remained in the Xia capital for about three years, before returning to Shang.

The Shang's power continued to grow. In the 26th year of Jie's reign, Shang conquered Wen. Two years later, Shang was attacked by Kunwu, and several years of war between Shang and Kunwu followed. Despite this setback, Shang continued to expand on a number of fronts, gathering vassal troops in Jingbo. The Shang army and allied forces conquered Mitxu (today's 密縣), Wei, and attacked Gu, which too was conquered the following year. About this time Zhong Gu, chief historian of Jie, would flee from the Xia to the Shang.

#### Battle of Mingtiao

The Shang army fought against Jie's Xia forces at Mingtiao (鳴條) in a heavy thunderstorm and defeated them.

Jie himself escaped and fled to Sanzong. The Shang forces under their general Wuzi pursued Jie to Cheng, captured him at Jiaomen, and deposed him, bringing the Xia dynasty to an end. Eventually, Jie was exiled in Nanchao. Jie would eventually die of illness and Tang succeeded him as paramount King, inaugurating the Shang dynasty.

### King of the Great Shang

Tang's reign was regarded as a good one by the Chinese. He lowered taxes and the conscription rate of soldiers. His influence spread to the Yellow River, and many outlying tribes, such as Di and Qiang, became vassal states. He also established Anyang as the new capital of China.

According to the Bamboo Annals, Tang built a palace called Xia She (夏社) to memorialize the Xia dynasty. In the first five years of his reign, there were several droughts. Tang ordered golden coins to be made and distributed to poor families who had been forced to sell their children because of the drought. It was intended for them to use this money to buy their children back.

According to the Bamboo Annals, in the 9th year of his reign, he moved the Nine Tripod Cauldrons, made by Yu the Great, to the Shang Palace.

## Da Ding, Zi ???

**Da Ding** (Chinese: 大丁) or **Tai Ding** (Chinese: 太丁) was the eldest son of King Tang but sources are conflicted as to whether he actually succeeded his father as a Shang dynasty King of China or not.

### Records

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was said by Sima Qian to have died at an early age without succeeding his father King Tang. He was given the posthumous name Tai Ding (Chinese: 太丁) and the throne passed to his younger brother Wai Bing and later to his own son Tai Jia.

Inscriptions on oracle bones unearthed at Yinxu record that he was the second Shang king, given the posthumous name Da Ding (Chinese: 大丁), and succeeded by his sons Da Jia (Tai Jia) and Bu Bing (Wai Bing).

## Tai (Da) Jia, Zi Zhi

**Tai Jia** (Chinese: 太甲) or **Da Jia**, personal name **Zǐ Zhì**, was the son of Prince Da Ding and a king of the ancient Chinese Shang dynasty.

### Biography

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the fourth Shang king, succeeding his uncles Wai Bing and Zhong Ren. He was enthroned in BCE 1535 with Yi Yin as his prime minister and Bo (亳) as his capital.

He was an autocratic ruler who treated his people badly and broke his own laws. A few years into his reign saw internal disorder among the court. Prime Minister Yi Yin advised him to change his ways but the headstrong king ignored the advice of the elder statesman. Eventually Yi Yin had no other choice but to exile the king to the Tong Palace (桐宫), in present-day Southwest Yanshi county, Henan province near the tomb of the first Shang king Tang, to repent.

Sima Qian says that following the exile Yi Yin ruled the country as regent for three years until he felt that the king had sufficiently changed and invited him back to the capital to reclaim his throne. From that point on the king took care of his people and managed the government well. So that in the 10th year of his reign Yi Yin resigned from his post and retired, honoring the king, after his death, as Zhong Zong (中宗).

The *Bamboo Annals* however tell a very different story; claiming that after the exile Yi Yin seized the throne and ruled as king for seven years later until Tai Jia secretly returned to the palace and killed his former Prime Minister. Afterwards the king assigned Yi Yin's land and castle to his sons, Yi She (伊陟) and Yi Fen (伊奋).

Since archaeological evidence shows that Yi Yin was still worshipped by the Shang people several hundred years after his death, the former account is widely considered the more reliable. According to both sources the king ruled for 12 years before death. He was given the posthumous name Tai Jia (太甲) and was succeeded by his son Wo Ding (沃丁).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the third Shang king, succeeding his father Da Ding (大丁), given the posthumous name Da Jia (大甲), and succeeded by his brother Bu Bing (卜丙).

## Wai Bing, Zi Sheng

**Bu Bing** or **Wai Bing**, personal name **Zǐ Shèng**, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian*, he was listed by Sima Qian as the second Shang king, succeeding his father Tang, following the earlier death of his elder brother Tai Ding. He was enthroned in the year of Yihai (Chinese: 乙亥), with Yi Yin as his prime minister and Bo (亳) as his capital. He ruled for about 2 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wai Bing and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhong Ren.

Oracle script inscriptions, on bones unearthed at Yinxu, alternatively record that he was the fourth Shang king, the second son of Da Ding, given the posthumous name "Bu Bing" (Chinese:卜丙), and succeeded by Da Geng. The substitution of *Wai* (外) for *Bu* (卜) is a scribal transmission error dating to antiquity.

## Tai Geng, Zi Bian

**Tai Geng** (Chinese: 太庚) or **Da Geng**, personal name **Zi Bian** (子辨), was a king of the Shang dynasty of ancient China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the sixth Shang king, succeeding his brother Wo Ding (小辛). He was enthroned with Bo (亳) as his capital. He ruled for 25 years (although the *Bamboo Annals* claim 5 years), was given the posthumous name Tai Geng and was succeeded by his son Xiao Jia (小甲).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the fifth Shang king succeeding his uncle Bu Bing (卜丙), given the posthumous name Da Geng (大庚) and succeeded by his brother Xiao Jia.

## Xiao Jia, Zi Gao

**Xiao Jia** (Chinese: 小甲), personal name **Zi Gao** (子高), was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the seventh Shang king, succeeding his brother Tai Geng (太庚). He was enthroned in the year of Dingsi (丁巳) with Bo (亳) as his capital. He ruled for 17 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Jia and was succeeded by brother Yong Ji (雍己).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the sixth Shang king succeeding his brother Da Geng (大庚), given the posthumous name Xiao Jia (小甲) and succeeded by his nephew Da Wu (大戊).

**Tai Wu** (Chinese: 太戊) or **Da Wu** , personal name **Zi Mi** (子密), was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the ninth Shang king, succeeding his brother Yong Ji (太庚). He was enthroned with Bo (亳) as his capital. He appointed Yishe (伊陟) and Chenhu (臣扈) as his higher officers.

In the 7th year of his reign a mulberry tree (桑) and millet (谷) were found growing together in his palace. According to the Records of the Grand Historian***,*** surprisingly, they grew to very tall trees within 7 days. This young king was quite scared and turned to Yishe for explanation, which was in regard to the king's former incapable governance. Tai Wu listen to his intelligent ministers and worked diligently; then, those two unusual trees withered very soon after he became a good king.

In the 11th year of his reign, he ordered Wu Xian (巫咸) to pray at Shanchuan (山川). In the 26th year of his reign, the Queen of West Rong (西戎) sent an envoy to Shang, the king later sent Wangmeng (王孟) on a return visit. In the 31st year of his reign, he appointed Zhongyan (中衍) of Fei vassal (费侯) to the position of Chezheng (车正). In the 35th year of his reign, he wrote a poem called Yanche (寅车). In the 46th year of his reign, there was a great harvest of crops. In the 58th year of his reign, he built the city of Pugu (蒲姑). In the 61st year of his reign, the nine east Barbarians Yi tribes (东九夷) sent envoys to Shang.

He ruled for 75 years, was given the posthumous name Tai Wu and was succeeded by his son Zhong Ding (仲丁).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the seventh Shang king succeeding his uncle Xiao Jia, given the posthumous name Da Wu (大戊) and succeeded by his brother Lü Ji.

## Yong Ji, Zi Zhou (Dian)

**Yong Ji** (Chinese: 雍己) or **Lü Ji**, personal name Zi Dian or Zi Zhou, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the eighth Shang king, succeeding his brother Xiao Jia (小甲). He was enthroned in the year of Jiaxu (甲戌) with Bo (亳) as his capital. He ruled for 12 years, was given the posthumous name Yong Ji and was succeeded by brother Tai Wu (太戊).

Oracle bone script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the eighth Shang king succeeding his brother Tai Wu (大戊), given the posthumous name Lü Ji (呂己) and succeeded by his nephew Zhong Ding (中丁). The economy began to decline under his rule.

## Zhong Ding, Zi Zhuang

**Zhong Ding** (Chinese: 仲丁), personal name **Zǐ Zhuāng**, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the tenth Shang king, succeeding his father Tai Wu (太戊). He was enthroned in the year of Xinchou (Chinese: 辛丑) with Bo (亳) as his capital. In the first year of his reign he moved his capital to Ao (隞). In the sixth year of his reign he attacked the Blue Barbarians (蓝夷). He ruled for 11 years (other sources say 9 years) before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zhong Ding and was succeeded by his brother Wai Ren (外壬).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the ninth Shang king succeeding his uncle Yong Ji (雍己), given the posthumous name Sanzu Ding (三祖丁) and succeeded by his brother Bu Ren.

## Wai Ren, Zi Fa

**Wai Ren** (Chinese: 外壬) or **Bu Ren** (Chinese: 卜壬), personal name Zi Fa, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the eleventh Shang king, succeeding his brother Zhong Ding (仲丁). He was enthroned in the year of Gengxu (Chinese: 庚戌) with Ao (隞) as his capital. During his reign there was a rebellion from Shang's vassals of Pei (邳) and Xian (侁) peoples. He ruled for 15 years (although the *Bamboo Annals* claim 10 years) before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wai Ren and was succeeded by his son He Dan Jia (河亶甲).

Oracle bone script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the tenth Shang king, given the posthumous name Bu Ren (卜壬) and succeeded by his son Jian Jia.

## He Dan Jia, Zi Zheng

**He Dan Jia** (Chinese: 河亶甲) or **Jian Jia** (Chinese: 戔甲), personal name Zi Zheng, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

### Records

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the twelfth Shang king, succeeding his father Wai Ren. He was enthroned in the year of Gengshen (Chinese: 庚申) with Ao (隞) as his capital. In the first year of his reign, he moved his capital to Xiang (Chinese: 相). In the third year of his reign, his Minister Pengbo (Chinese: 彭伯) conquered Pi (Chinese: 邳) who had rebelled against his father. In the fourth year of his reign he launched another attack against the Blue Barbarians. In the fifth year of his reign the Xian (Chinese: 侁人) occupied Banfang (Chinese: 班方) but were later defeated by the king's ministers Pengbo and Weibo (Chinese: 韦伯) and sent an envoy to the Shang. He ruled for 9 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name He Dan Jia and was succeeded by his son Zu Yi.

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the eleventh Shang king, given the posthumous name **Jian Jia** (Chinese: 戔甲) and succeeded by his brother Zu Yi.

## Zu Yi, Zi Teng

**Zu Yi** (Chinese: 祖乙), personal name **Zǐ Téng**, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the thirteenth Shang king, succeeding his Father He Dan Jia (河亶甲). He was enthroned in the year of Jisi (己巳) with Xiang (相) as his capital. In the first year of his reign he moved his capital to Geng (耿) where he held a ceremony and wrote the article of Zuyi. The following year he moved his capital again, this time to Bi (庇) where six years later his palace was completed. During his reign the Shang became stronger than ever thanks to some fine appointments including Wuxian (巫贤) as his prime minister in the third year of his reign and Gaoyu (高圉) as his vassal in the fifteenth year of his reign. He ruled for about 19 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zu Yi and was succeeded by his son Zu Xin (祖辛).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the twelfth Shang king succeeding his brother Jian Jia (戔甲) and given the posthumous name Xia Yi (下乙).

## Zu Xin, Zi Dan

**Zu Xin** (Chinese: 祖辛), personal name Zi Dan, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the fourteenth Shang king, succeeding his Father Zu Yi (祖乙). He was enthroned in the year of Wuzi (戊子) with Bi (庇) as his capital. He ruled for about 16 years (although the *Bamboo Annals* claim 14 years) before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zu Xin and was succeeded by his younger brother Wo Jia (沃甲).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the thirteenth Shang king.

## Wo Jia, Zi Yu

**Wo Jia** (Chinese: 沃甲) or **Qiang Jia** (Chinese: 羌甲), personal name Zi Yu, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the fifteenth Shang king, succeeding his brother Zu Xin (祖辛). He was enthroned in the year of Renyan (壬寅) with Bi (庇) as his capital. He ruled for about 25 years (although other sources claim 20 years) before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wo Jia and was succeeded by his nephew Zu Ding (祖丁).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the fourteenth Shang king, given the posthumous name Qiang Jia (羌甲).

## Zu Ding, Zi Xin

**Zu Ding** (Chinese: 祖丁), personal name Zi Xin, was a king of the Chinese Shang dynasty.

### Records

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the sixteenth Shang king, succeeding his uncle Wo Jia (沃甲). He was enthroned in the year of Dingwei (丁未) with Bi (庇) as his capital. He ruled for about 32 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zu Ding and was succeeded by his cousin Nan Geng (南庚).

Oracle script inscriptions on oracle bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the fifteenth Shang king.

### Attempts at Chronological Dating

The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project, a broad Chinese academic enquiry, published results in 2000 placing Zu Ding as a contemporary of the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten — the latter's reign beginning later than Zu Ding's, but both terminating in the mid-1330s BCE.

## Nan Geng, Zi Geng

**Nan Geng** (Chinese: 南庚), personal name Zi Geng, was a king of the Shang dynasty of ancient China.

### Records

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the seventeenth Shang king, succeeding his cousin Zu Ding. He was enthroned in the year of Bingchen (丙辰) with Bi (庇) as his capital. In the third year of his reign he moved his capital to Yan (奄). He ruled for about 29 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Nan Geng and was succeeded by his cousin's son Yang Jia.

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the sixteenth Shang king.

## Yang Jia, Zi He

**Yang Jia** (Chinese: 陽甲) or **Xiang Jia**, personal name Zi He, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the eighteenth Shang king, succeeding his father's cousin Nan Geng. He was enthroned in the year of Renxu (Chinese: 壬戌) with Yan (Chinese: 奄) as his capital. In the third year of his reign he sent troops against the barbarians of Danshan (Chinese: 丹山). He ruled for about 17 years (although other sources claim 7 years) before his death. He was given the posthumous name Yang Jia and was succeeded by his younger brother Pan Geng.

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the seventeenth Shang king, given the posthumous name **Xiang Jia** (Chinese: 象甲).

## Pan Geng, Zi Xun

**Pán Gēng** (Chinese: 盤庚), personal name Zi Xun, was a Shang dynasty King of China. He is best known for having moved the capital of the Shang dynasty to its final location at Yīn.

### Records

*Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the nineteenth Shang king, succeeding his older brother Yang Jia. Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively identify him as the eighteenth Shang king. He ruled for about 28 years according to both the *Bamboo Annals* and the *Records of the Grand Historian*.

The *Bamboo Annals* provide a brief summary of the major known events of his rule, which are as follows. He was enthroned in the year of Bingyin (丙寅) with Yan (奄) as his capital. In the seventh year of his regime, the Ying vassal (应侯) came to Yan to pay homage to him. In the fourteenth year of his reign he moved his capital to Beimeng (北蒙), renaming it Yin (殷). In the fifteenth year of his reign he reviewed his army at the new capital, and in the nineteenth year of his reign he assigned his minister Fen (邠侯) to Yayu (亚圉).

The *Records of the Grand Historian* provides a different account of the relocation of the capital. It states that Pán Gēng moved the capital from a location north of the Yellow River to Bo 亳, the capital of the Shang founder Tang, on the south side of the river. It further states that this move was initially opposed by the people of Yin, who were tired of being moved, but that they were eventually satisfied when the Tang system of government was adopted, and the move proved to be prosperous.

Upon his death, he was given the posthumous name Pán Gēng and was succeeded by his younger brother Xiao Xin.

In the *Classic of History*, there exists a chapter entitled "Pán Gēng", which tradition holds to have been a speech by this king; however, the language in it is so different from that of Pán Gēng's time that it is most likely not a product of his era.

### Historical Reference

Wang Anshi, in his response to Sima Guang's accusatory letter, cited the example of Pán Gēng's undaunted perseverance in pursuing his goal (movement of the capital) in the face of opposition of both government officials and the common people.

## Xiao Xin, Zi Song

**Xiao Xin** (Chinese: 小辛), personal name Zi Song, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

### Records

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the twentieth Shang king, succeeding his older brother Pan Geng. He was enthroned in the year of Jiawu (甲午) with Yin as his capital. He ruled for 3 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Xin and was succeeded by his younger brother Xiao Yi. According to tradition, Xiao Xin was the 49th king of China. Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the nineteenth Shang king.

## Xiao Yi, Zi Lian

**Xiao Yi** (Chinese: 小乙), personal name Zi Lian, was a Shang dynasty King of China.

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the twenty-first Shang king, succeeding his older brother Xiao Xin. He was enthroned with Yin as his capital. In the sixth year of his reign he ordered his son Wu Ding to live at He (Chinese: 河) and study under Gan Pan (Chinese: 甘盘). He ruled for 10 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Yi and was succeeded by his son.

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the twentieth Shang king.

## Wu Ding, Zi Zhao

**Wu Ding** (Chinese: 武丁), also **Zi Zhao**, was a king of the Shang dynasty who ruled China around 1200 BC. He is the earliest figure in the histories of the Chinese dynasties who has been confirmed by contemporary records. The annals of the Shang dynasty compiled by later historians were long thought to be little more than legends until oracle script inscriptions on bones dating from his reign were unearthed at the ruins of his capital Yin (near modern Anyang) in 1899.

Oracle bone divinations performed during the reign of Wu Ding have been radiocarbon dated. The testing found that these divinations were preformed between 1254 to 1197 BC.

### History

#### Dating

Because Wu Ding is the earliest Chinese ruler whose reign is confirmed by contemporary material, dating his reign is a matter of significant historical interest.

According to the traditional chronology, he reigned from 1324–1266 BC. *Cambridge History* gives 1189 BC as the end date of his reign. The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project (2000), sponsored by the Chinese government, gives his reign as 1250–1192 BC. Twenty-six oracle bone divinations of his reign have been radiocarbon dated to 1254 to 1197 BC. The confidence level for this dating is 80 to 90 percent.

#### Early Life

According to later tradition, in the sixth year of his father's reign, he was ordered to live at He (河) and study under Gan Pan (甘盤). These early years spent among the common people allowed him to become familiar with their daily problems.

#### Documentation

In the *Records of the Grand Historian* he was listed by Sima Qian as the twenty-second Shang king, succeeding his father Xiao Yi (小乙). The oracle bone script inscriptions unearthed at Yinxu (Ruins of Yin) alternatively record that he was the twenty-first Shang king. The Shiji says that he was enthroned in the year of Dingwei (丁未) with Gan Pan (甘盤) as his prime minister and Yin (殷) as his capital.

He cultivated the allegiance of neighbouring tribes by marrying one woman from each of them. His favoured consort Fu Hao entered the royal household through such a marriage and served as military general and high priestess. Another of Wu Ding's wives, Fu Jing, was probably responsible for overseeing agricultural production, as this was the subject she divined about most frequently.

According to Bamboo Annals, in the twenty-fifth year of his reign, his son Zu Ji (祖己) died at a remote area after being exiled.

In the twenty-ninth year of his reign, he conducted rituals in honour of his ancestor King Tang, the first king of the Shang dynasty, at the Royal Temple. Angered by the presence of a wild chicken standing on one of the ceremonial bronze vessels, he condemned his vassals and wrote a proclamation called *Day of the Supplementary Sacrifice to Gao Zong* (高宗肜日, presently in the *Book of Documents* [1]). However, the Book of Documents passage in question is attributed to Zu Ji, who is evidently still alive.

According to the Bamboo Annals, the thirty-second year of his reign, he sent troops to Guifang (鬼方) and after three years of fighting he conquered it. The Di (氐) and Qiang (羌) immediately sent envoys to Shang to negotiate. His armies went on to conquer Dapeng (大彭) in the forty-third year of his reign, and Tunwei (豕韋) in the 50th year of his reign. Exactly how this is related to the campaigns in the oracle bone divinations is unclear, where the Gui fang appears once, but the Gong Fang and Tu Fang campaigns have hundreds of divinations.

He died in the fifty-ninth year of his reign according to all the sources available, none of which are contemporary. Widely regarded in later tradition as one of the best kings of the Shang dynasty, he was given the posthumous name Wu Ding (武丁) and was succeeded by his son Zu Geng (祖庚).

## Zu Geng, Zi Yue

**Zu Geng** (祖庚), personal name Zi Yue, was king of the Shang dynasty of China.

His capital was at Yin (殷). Zu Geng is thought to have been the commissioner and dedicator of the Houmuwu ding, which he had cast in memory of his mother, Fu Jing.

He ruled for seven years from 1191, after the death of his father Wu Ding, and was succeeded by his brother Zu Jia.

## Zu Jia, Zi Zai

**Zu Jia** (祖甲) or **Di Jia** (帝甲), personal name **Zǐ Zǎi** (子載), was a Shang dynasty King of China.

### Records

His capital was at Yin (殷).

In the 12th year of his reign, he sent troops to fight Rong people in the west until winter.

In the 13th year of his reign, after being defeated, the West Rong people sent an envoy to Shang. In the same year he ordered the vassal of Fen (邠) to establish an army at Gan (绀).

In the 24th year of his reign, he reproduced the Penalties that were used by Tang of Shang to repress the rebellion.

In the 27th year of his reign, he named his twin sons as prince Zi Xiao (子嚣) and Zi Liang (子良).

Oracle bones from his reign show that he changed tradition. He tried to make government more rational by discontinuing sacrifices to mythical ancestors, mountains and rivers and increasing sacrifices to historical figures like Wu Ding.

## Lin Xin, Zi Xian

**Lin Xin** (廩辛) was king of the Shang dynasty of China. His name by *Bamboo Annals* is Feng Xin (冯辛), another book The Historic People of Han Book (汉书, 古今人表) also called him Feng Xin.

He got his throne in the year of Gengyan (庚寅). His capital was at Yin (殷).

According to Bamboo Annals, he ruled 4 years, but the Records of the Grand Historian says 6 years.

## Kang (Geng) Ding, Zi Xiao

**Kang Ding** (康丁) or **Geng Ding** (庚丁) was a king of the Shang dynasty of China from c. 1170 BC to c. 1147 BC. His given name is Xiao (嚣). He got his throne in the year of Jiawu (甲午) and his capital was at Yin (殷).

## Wu Yi, Zi Qu

**Wu Yi** (武乙), personal name **Zi Qu** (子瞿) was king of the Shang dynasty of ancient China from 1147 to 1112 BC. According to the *Bamboo Annals*, his capital was at Yin. He was a son of his predecessor Geng Ding and father of King Wen Ding.

In the 21st year of his reign, the Zhou leader Koufu (口父) died.

### Records

According to the *Bamboo Annals*, in the 24th year of the regime of Wu Yi, Zhou attacked Cheng (程) at Bi (毕) and defeated Bi.

According to the *Bamboo Annals*, in the 30th year, Zhou attacked Yiqu (义渠) and captured the king of Yiqu. According to Sima Qian, the King of Yiqu has two sons by different mothers; after the king died, they fought each other for throne only to have Zhou defeat them both and absorb the territory of Yiqu.

In the 34th year of Wǔ Yǐ's reign, King Ji of Zhou came to the capital to worship and was rewarded with 30 pieces of jade and 10 horses.

In the 35th year of Wǔ Yǐ's reign, Ji attacked the Guirong (鬼戎) at Xiluo (西落). According to Sima Qian, he captured 20 kings of that tribe. In the same year, Wu Yi went hunting between the Yellow and Wei Rivers and was killed by lightning. According to the *Book of Documents*, this was blamed on Wu Yi's grave impiety.According to the Records of the Grand Historian,he was supposed to have carved a wooden statue(偶) of "the God of Heaven" and had one of the people to throw dice to represent it. He played liubo with the idol and if the idol lost the game, he humiliated it. Another time, he filled a leather bag with blood and hung it high in the air, then shot it with arrows; he called this "shooting Heaven".

## Wen Ding, Zi Tuo

**Wen Wu Ding** or **Wen Ding** (Chinese: 文武丁 / 文丁), personal name **Zǐ Tuō**, was a king of the Shang dynasty of Ancient China. His reign was from 1116 to 1106 BC.

### Records

According to *Bamboo Annals*, his capital was at Yin (殷) or Zimou.

In the second year of his reign, his vassal Jili of Zhou attacked the Yanjing Rong (燕京戎), but they defeated him.

During his third year, the Huan River (洹水) dried up.

In his fourth year, Jili attacked the Yuwu Rong (余无戎) and was victorious, making Yuwu into a Zhou client.

In his seventh year, Jili attacked the Hu Rong (呼戎) and was again victorious.

Several years later, Jili defeated the Xitu Rong (翳徒戎) and captured three of their generals. Worried that Zhou was growing too powerful, Wen Ding sent Jili to a city called Saiku (塞库) and had him assassinated there.

## Di Yi, Zi Xian

**Di Yi** (Chinese: 帝乙), personal name **Zǐ Xiàn**, was a king of the Shang dynasty of Ancient China from 1101 BC to 1076 BC. His capital was at Yin.

### Records

According to the *Bamboo Annals*, on the third year of his reign, he ordered Nanzhong to fight Kun Barbarians and built Shuofang (朔方, roughly modern Ordos in Inner Mongolia) in the middle of Kun territory after winning a battle. He also fought the *Renfang* (see the Dongyi),

The king was the older brother of Jizi and Bigan. It is commonly accepted that he was an ancestor of Confucius.

## King Shou, Zi Shou

**King Zhou** (/ʈ͡ʂoʊ/; Chinese: 紂王; pinyin: *Zhòu Wáng*) was the pejorative posthumous name given to **Di Xin** of Shang (Chinese: 商帝辛; pinyin: *Shāng Dì Xīn*) or **King Shou** of Shang (Chinese: 商王受; pinyin: *Shāng Wáng Shòu*), the last king of the Shang dynasty of ancient China. He is also called **Zhou Xin** (紂辛; Zhòu Xīn). In Chinese, his name Zhòu (紂) also refers to a horse crupper, the part of a saddle or harness that is most likely to be soiled by the horse. It is not to be confused with the name of the succeeding dynasty which has a different character and pronunciation (Chinese: 周; pinyin: *Zhōu*).

### Early Reign

In the *Records of the Grand Historian*, Sima Qian wrote that Di Xin, in the early part of his reign, had abilities which surpassed those of the ordinary man, and was quick-witted and quick-tempered. According to legend, he was intelligent enough to win all of his arguments, and he was strong enough to hunt wild beasts with his bare hands. He was the younger brother of Zi Qi (子启) and Zi Yan (子衍) (later rulers of Zhou's vassal state Song) and father of Wu Geng. His father Di Yi had two brothers, Ji Zi and Bi Gan. Di Xin added to the territory of Shang by battling the tribes surrounding it, including the Dongyi to the east.

### Late Reign

A significant amount of information regarding Di Xin's life had been falsified by following dynasties. Thus many modern day historians believe that he was in fact reasonable and intelligent without several of the cruelties attributed to him. The following are accounts of him written in records published in the millennium following his death, during which many misconceptions surrounding him arose.

In his later years, Di Xin gave himself over to drinking, women and abandoned morals, preferring these to the proper governance of the country, and ignored almost all affairs of state. According to Sima Qian, he even hosted festive orgies where many people engaged in immoral things at the same time with his concubines and created songs with crude (erotic) lyrics and poor rhythm. In legends, he is depicted as having come under the influence of his wicked wife Daji, and committing all manner of evil and cruel deeds with her. In fictionalizations, including the novel *Fengshen Yanyi*, she was said to be possessed by a malevolent fox spirit.

One of the most famous forms of entertainment Zhou enjoyed was the "Alcohol Pool and Meat Forest". A large pool, big enough for several canoes, was constructed on the Palace grounds, with inner linings of polished oval shaped stones from the seashores. This allowed for the entire pool to be filled with alcohol. A small island was constructed in the middle of the pool, where trees were planted, which had branches made of roasted meat skewers hanging over the pool. This allowed Zhou and his friends and concubines to drift on canoes in the pool. When they thirsted, they reached down into the pool with their hands and drank the wine. When they hungered, they reached up with their hands to eat the roasted meat. This was considered one of the most famous examples of decadence and corruption of a ruler in Chinese history.

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, in order to please Daji, he created the "Punishment of burning flesh with a hot iron(炮格之刑)". One large hollow bronze cylinder was stuffed with burning charcoal and allowed to burn until red-hot, then prisoners were made to literally hug the cylinder, which resulted in a painful and unsightly death.

Zhou and Daji were known to get highly aroused after watching such torture. Victims ranged from ordinary people and prisoners to high government officials, such as Mei Bo.

In order to fund Zhou's heavy daily expenses, heavy taxes were implemented. The people suffered greatly, and lost all hope for the Shang dynasty. Zhou's brother Wei Zi tried to persuade him to change, but was rebuked. His uncle Bi Gan similarly remonstrated with him, but Di Xin had his heart ripped out so he could see what the heart of a sage looked like. When his other uncle Ji Zi heard this, he went to remonstrate with the kingly nephew and, feigning madness, was imprisoned.

### Fall

When Zhou dynasty's army, led by Jiang Ziya, defeated the Shang dynasty at the Battle of Muye in 1046 BC, Di Xin gathered all his treasures around himself in the Palace, and then set fire to his palace and committed suicide. After his death, Di Xin's head was cut off and displayed on a white-flag pole by Ji Fa. Of Zhou's favorite consorts, Da Ji was executed and two more committed suicide, and their heads likewise were displayed on small white flag poles.

The name *Zhòu* (紂; crupper) actually appeared after the death of King Zhou, a posthumous name (although perhaps used furtively by his contemporaries). This name was a representation of his actions, both dishonorable and cold-hearted. King Zhou would go down in history as one of the worst examples of a corrupted king in China.

### Mentions in Literature and Legend

Zhou is mentioned in the Confucian Analects (**19** "子張"); and also in the Three Character Classic. Zhou is also one of the main subjects of *Fengshen Yanyi* (*Investiture of the Gods*) and its various derivations in popular media. Thus, Di Xin, also known as Zhou, has served as a (negative) exemplar of Confucian principles (presented as the wicked ruler who justifies regime change according to the Mandate of Heaven), as well as becoming an icon of popular culture. This makes for a biographically interesting figure, but one challenging a clear distinction between history, legend, and philosophical point-making.

In *Fengshen Yanyi*, Zhou visited the Goddess Nüwa's temple and offended the Goddess with his lustful comments towards her beauty. In response, Nüwa decided that the Shang dynasty should end and sent her three subordinates to become three beautiful women (including Daji) to bewitch Zhou. Under the influence of these women, Zhou becomes a ruthless king, losing the support of people and triggering his downfall. Until now, nobody knows most of his lifestyle from the reduced amount of artifacts found regarding to him.

According to the *Fengshen Yanyi*, Jiang Ziya recognized that King Zhou was a well-versed and well-trained individual who became an incapable ruler only because of having fallen victim to seduction. After his death, Jiang Ziya deified King Zhou as the **Tianxi Xing** (天喜星 "Star of Heavenly Happiness"). As the Tianxi Xing, he had the responsibility of managing the marriage affairs of humans.

This is the end of the Shang, I hope you enjoyed this page.