King Zhou of Shang
Encyclopedia
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
was the last king of the Shang Dynasty
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
. He was later given the pejorative posthumous name
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
Zhòu (紂). He is also called Zhou Xin (纣辛/紂辛; Zhòu Xīn) or King Zhou (紂王; Zhòu Wáng). He may also be referred to by adding "Shang" (商 Shāng) in front of any of his names. Note that Zhou (紂) is a completely different character from the "Zhou" (周) used by the succeeding Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
. In Chinese, 紂 also refers to a horse crupper
Crupper
A crupper is a piece of tack used on horses and other equids to keep a saddle, harness or other equipment from sliding forward.-Construction:...
, the part of a saddle or harness most likely to be soiled by the horse.
Early reign
In the Records of the Grand HistorianRecords of the Grand Historian
The Records of the Grand Historian, also known in English by the Chinese name Shiji , written from 109 BC to 91 BC, was the Magnum opus of Sima Qian, in which he recounted Chinese history from the time of the Yellow Emperor until his own time...
, Sima Qian
Sima Qian
Sima Qian was a Prefect of the Grand Scribes of the Han Dynasty. He is regarded as the father of Chinese historiography for his highly praised work, Records of the Grand Historian , a "Jizhuanti"-style general history of China, covering more than two thousand years from the Yellow Emperor to...
wrote that Di Xin, in the early part of his reign, had abilities which surpassed those of the ordinary man, was quick-witted and quick-tempered. In 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 Wei Zi
Wei Zi
-Education:He graduated from the Ningxia College of Art in 1978 and was assigned to the Ningxia Repertory Theatre the same year.In 1985, he was accepted to the Central Theatre Academy...
(微子) and Wei Zhong (微仲) and father of Wu Geng (武庚). His father Di Yi
Di Yi
Di Yi or Emperor Yi was king of the Shang Dynasty of China from 1101BC to 1076BC.His name is Xian . His capital was at Yin ....
had two brothers, Ji Zi and Bi Gan
Bi Gan
Cai Shen |Hakka]]: Choy Sin) is the Chinese god of prosperity. He can be referred to as Zhao Gongming or Bi Gan...
. Di Xin added to the territory of Shang by battling the tribes surrounding it, including the Dongyi
Dongyi
Dongyi was a collective term for people in eastern China and in lands located to the east of ancient China. People referred to as Dongyi vary across the ages.The early Dongyi culture was one of earliest neolithic cultures in China....
to the east.
Late reign
In his later years, Di Xin was given over to drinking, women, sex and a lack of 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 engage in sex 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 DajiDaji
Daji was a favorite concubine of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang Dynasty in ancient China. She is a classic example of how a beauty causes the downfall of an empire/dynasty in Chinese culture...
(妲己), and committing all manner of evil and cruel deeds with her. In fictionalizations, including the novel Fengshen Yanyi
Fengshen Yanyi
Fengshen Bang, also known as Fengshen Yanyi in Chinese, and translated as The Investiture of the Gods or The Creation of the Gods, is one of the major vernacular Chinese epic novels written during the Ming Dynasty...
, she was said to be possessed by a malevolent fox spirit.
One of the most famous forms of entertainment Zhou enjoyed was the "Wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
Pool and Meat Forest" (酒池肉林). A large pool, big enough for several canoes, was constructed on the Palace grounds, with inner linings of polished oval shaped stones from the sea shores. 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 thirst, 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.
In order to please Daji, he created the "Cannon Burning Punishment" (炮烙之刑). 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 victims. Victims ranged from civilians and prisoners to high government officials, including Mei Bo
Mei Bo
Mei Bo was an official of Shang Dynasty and was killed by Di Xin, King Zhou of Shang. He is also a character featured within the famed Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi.-Plot in fiction:...
.
In order to fund Zhou's heavy expenses each day, extremely heavy taxes were implemented. The civilians 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 DynastyZhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
's army, led by the famous Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
, defeated the Shang Dynasty at the Battle of Muye
Battle of Muye
The Battle of Muye was fought in China perhaps 1046 BC. The battle led to the end of the Shang dynasty, and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty.-Background:...
in , Di Xin gathered all his treasures around himself in the Palace, and then set fire to his palace and committed suicide.
The name "Zhou" actually appeared after the death of King Zhou, a posthumous name. This name was a representation of his actions of both dishonor and cold-heartedness. King Zhou would go down in history as the worst example of a corrupted king in China.
Events during Di Xin's regime
His given name was Shou (受), he took the throne in the year of Jihai (己亥), and his capital was at Yin (modern day AnyangAnyang
Anyang is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The northernmost city in Henan, Anyang borders Puyang to the east, Hebi and Xinxiang to the south, and the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei to its west and north respectively....
, Henan Province).
He assigned Jiu (九), Zhou (周) and E (鄂) as his marquesses (侯).
In the 3rd year of his regime, people found a hawk hatched in a sparrow nest at the corner of the city.
In the 4th year of his regime, he searched criminals at Li (黎), and there was a rebellion from the Dongyi
Dongyi
Dongyi was a collective term for people in eastern China and in lands located to the east of ancient China. People referred to as Dongyi vary across the ages.The early Dongyi culture was one of earliest neolithic cultures in China....
.
He created the penalty of Paolao (炮烙), where a person being punished was forced to walk on heated bronze columns.
In the 5th year of his regime, he built the pyramid of Nandan (南单). Wind with heavy dust blew in Hao (亳).
In the 6th year of his regime, Duke Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou family name : Ji , Clan name : Zhou Personal name: Chang, known as Zhou Chang or Xibo Chang was the founder of the Zhou Dynasty and the first epic hero of Chinese history....
(a vassal) memorialized (禴) their ancestor at Bi(毕).
In the 9th year of his regime, he sent troops to Yousu (有苏), and captured a very beautiful woman called Daji
Daji
Daji was a favorite concubine of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang Dynasty in ancient China. She is a classic example of how a beauty causes the downfall of an empire/dynasty in Chinese culture...
, Yousu's daughter.
He wrote the article of Qiongshi (琼室), and built the gate of jade (玉门).
In June of 10th year of his regime, he hunted in the west suburbs.
In the 17th year of his regime, his vassal Zhou sent troops to Qu (翟).
In the winter, he swam at Qi (淇). (He saw an old man who was afraid of the cold water, his retinue told him this was because the old man's bone marrow was not full inside, so he cut the old man's bone open to see.)
In the spring of 21st year of his regime, many his vassals visited another vassal, Zhou. Boyi (伯夷) and Shuqi (叔齐) went to Zhou from Guzhu (孤竹).
In the winter of 22nd year of his regime, he searched for criminals at Wei (渭).
In the 23rd year of his regime, he imprisoned the Duke Wen of Zhou (a vassal) at Jiuli (羑里).
In the 29th year of his regime, Duke Wen of Zhou was released and returned to Cheng (程).
In the 30th year of his regime, Duke Wen led many vassals came and worship him.
In the 31st year of his regime, Duke Wen training his troops at Bi (毕) and met Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
as prime minister.
Five stars showed in the sky together. Red birds gathered at Zhou's palace.
The Mi (密) tribe invaded Ruan (阮), Zhou sent troops to fight Mi.
In the 33rd year of his regime, the Mi tribe surrendered, and Zhou moved their capital to Cheng (程).
King Di Xin rewarded Zhou, and gave bows, arrows and axes to Zhou, and commissioned Zhou to fight for Shang.
In the 34th year of his regime, the Zhou army conquered Zhe (耆) and Er (邘), then started to fight Chong (崇). Chong surrendered.
In December, the Kun Barbarians (昆夷) invaded Zhou.
In the 35th year of his regime, Zhou faced serious famine because of crop failure.
Zhou moved their capital to Fēngjīng
Haojing
This article is about the ancient Zhou Dynasty capital, for Haojing'ao see MacauHaojing was one of the two settlements comprising the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty , the other of which was Fēngjīng . Together they were known as Fēnghào and stood on opposite banks of the Feng River with...
.
In the 36th year of his regime all the vassals of Shang gathered in Zhou, and started to sent troops to Kun.
Duke Wen of Zhou ordered his son Ji Fa
King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhōu or King Wu of Chou was the first sovereign, or ruler of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 1046-1043 BCE or 1049/45-1043. Various sources quoted that he died at the age of 93, 54 or 43. He was considered a just and able leader. Zhou Gong Dan was one of his...
(姬发) to encamp their army at Gao (镐).
In the 37th year of his regime, he wrote the poem "Piyong" (辟雍).
In the 39th year of his regime, the minister of Shang, Xinjia (辛甲) escaped Shang and ran to Zhou.
In the 40th year of his regime, he wrote the poem "Lingtai" (灵台).
Di Xin sent Jiao Ge
Jiao Ge
Jiao Ge was an official of Shang Dynasty. He was also a character featured within the famed ancient Chinese novel Fengshen Yanyi.-Plot in Fengshen Yanyi:...
(胶鬲) to ask for the Jade Book (玉版) from Zhou.
In the 41st year of his regime, Duke Wen of Zhou died, Ji Fa succeeded him as Duke Wu.
In the 42nd year of his regime, Duke Wu of Zhou gave the book of Dan (丹书) (a book of Art of Ruling by Huang Di
Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi1 is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero, included among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697–2597 or 2696–2598 BC...
) to Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
.
In the spring of 43rd year of his regime, he inspected his army.
There were landslides at the mountain of Yao.
In the 44th year of his regime Duke Wu of Zhou sent troop to Li (黎).
In the 47th year of his regime the minister of Shang, Xiangzhi (向挚) ran to Zhou.
On the day Wuzi (戊子) November of 51st year of his regime, Zhou army passed Mengjin (孟津).
Di Xin imprisoned Jizi
Jizi
Jizi was a semi-legendary Chinese sage who is said to have ruled Gojoseon in the 11th century BCE. Early Chinese documents like the Book of Documents and the Bamboo Annals described him as a virtuous relative of the last king of the Shang dynasty who was punished for remonstrating the king...
, killed minister Bi Gan, minister Weizi (微子) ran to Zhou.
In the 52nd year of his regime, year of Gengyan (庚寅), Zhou started fighting Shang.
In autumn, the army reached Xianyuan (鲜原).
In December, the vassals of Yong (庸), Shu
Shu (state)
The State of Shu was an ancient state in what is now Sichuan, China. It was conquered by Qin in 316 BC. Shu was based on the Chengdu Plain, in the western Sichuan basin with some extension northeast to the upper Han River valley. To the east was the Ba tribal confederation. Further east down the...
, Qiang (羌), State (髳), Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
, Lu
Lu (state)
The State of Lu, was a Zhou Dynasty ducal vassal state before and during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. Founded in the 10th century BC, its dukes used Ji as their family name. The first duke was Boqin |Qi]] and to the south by the powerful state of Chu...
, Peng (彭) and Pu (濮) all followed Zhou to fight Shang.
Shang was defeated at the Battle of Muye
Battle of Muye
The Battle of Muye was fought in China perhaps 1046 BC. The battle led to the end of the Shang dynasty, and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty.-Background:...
and the Shang Dynasty ended.
Mentions in literature and legend
Zhou is mentioned in the Confucian Analects (zizhang); and, also, in the Three Character ClassicThree Character Classic
The Three Character Classic, Trimetric Classic or San Zi Jing is one of the Chinese classic texts. It was probably written in the 13th century and attributed to Wang Yinglin during the Song Dynasty...
. Zhou is also one of the main subjects of Fengshen Yanyi
Fengshen Yanyi
Fengshen Bang, also known as Fengshen Yanyi in Chinese, and translated as The Investiture of the Gods or The Creation of the Gods, is one of the major vernacular Chinese epic novels written during the Ming Dynasty...
, as mentioned above, together with representation in various derived popular media. Thus, Di Xin, also known as Zhou, has served as a (negative) exemplar of Confucian
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
principles (presented as the bad ruler who justifies regime change according to the Mandate of Heaven
Mandate of Heaven
The Mandate of Heaven is a traditional Chinese philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of rulers. It is similar to the European concept of the divine right of kings, in that both sought to legitimaze rule from divine approval; however, unlike the divine right of kings, the Mandate of...
), 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.