Yi Zhi
Encyclopedia
Yi Yin was a minister of the early Shang Dynasty
. He was one of the most honoured officials of the early Shang Dynasty. He helped Tang of Shang
, the founder of the Shang dynasty, to defeat King Jie of Xia. Oracle inscriptions of Yi have been found, evidence that his social status was high.
, he became Tang's slave. He was gifted in cooking, so Tang made him his chef. While he served Tang his meals, he used this opportunity to analyse the current issues of the time, such as the bad points of Jie of Xia
. He also proposed his plan to overthrow Jie of Xia
. Therefore, he earned Tang's trust and became Tang's right-hand man and was made 'Yin'. According to another story, however, Yi was had never been a slave. Tang had heard of him, and Tang tried to find him five times until Yi accepted his request to help.
When they were only five li from the capital, however, Yi called for a stop. He explained that the army needed a boost in morale, and so Tang gave a speech to the soldiers, which came to be known as 'Tang's pledge'. Afterwards, they defeated Jie of Xia in the decisive Battle of Mingtiao
.
During the early Shang dynasty, Yi helped Tang set up different institutions, resulting in stability in politics as well as ecenomic benefits.
.
What follows is uncertain. According to a popular theory, Yi wrote three essays to Taijia regarding his rule. After reading the essays, Taijia managed to adhere by them for the first two years, but failed to do so from the third. He started to rule as he pleased, and no longer followed any of the laws that the ancients had followed. He treated his subjects cruelly. He did not listen to Yi's advice. Yi, seeing that Taijia would not give in, banished the king to the tomb of Tang and became the temporary ruler of China.
After three years, Taijia was released and Yi, along with some officials, returned Taijia to the capital and returned Taijia's power. He started to use less oppressive laws and ruled the kingdom properly. After Taijia's death, the next king, Woding of Shang
, took over. On Woding's eight year as king, Yi died. According to some legends, he was one hundred years old. Woding arranged a funeral for Yi Yin that was made for the king. He sacrifised cattle, sheep and swine, and mourned for three years.
Although this story is recorded in Records of the Grand Historian
, Mencius
, and Zuo Zhuan
, the Bamboo Annals
records otherwise. According to this version, Yi and Taijia were in fact fighting for power. Yi had banished Taijia to his grandfather's tomb, then seized absolute power for seven years. Taijia escaped, murdered Yi and returned the throne.
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 one of the most honoured officials of the early Shang Dynasty. He helped Tang of Shang
Tang of Shang
King Cheng Tang of Shang was the first ruling king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew Jie, the last ruler of the Xia dynasty.-Early life:...
, the founder of the Shang dynasty, to defeat King Jie of Xia. Oracle inscriptions of Yi have been found, evidence that his social status was high.
Origin
The origin of Yi was much of a legend. In one story, Yi was a slave of a man named Youshen. When Youshen's daughter married Tang of ShangTang of Shang
King Cheng Tang of Shang was the first ruling king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew Jie, the last ruler of the Xia dynasty.-Early life:...
, he became Tang's slave. He was gifted in cooking, so Tang made him his chef. While he served Tang his meals, he used this opportunity to analyse the current issues of the time, such as the bad points of Jie of Xia
Jie of Xia
King Jie was the 17th and last ruler of the Xia dynasty of China. He is traditionally regarded as a tyrant and oppressor who brought about the collapse of a dynasty. Around 1600 BCE Jie was defeated by Shang Tang, bringing an end to the Xia Dynasty, that lasted about 500 years, and a rise to the...
. He also proposed his plan to overthrow Jie of Xia
Jie of Xia
King Jie was the 17th and last ruler of the Xia dynasty of China. He is traditionally regarded as a tyrant and oppressor who brought about the collapse of a dynasty. Around 1600 BCE Jie was defeated by Shang Tang, bringing an end to the Xia Dynasty, that lasted about 500 years, and a rise to the...
. Therefore, he earned Tang's trust and became Tang's right-hand man and was made 'Yin'. According to another story, however, Yi was had never been a slave. Tang had heard of him, and Tang tried to find him five times until Yi accepted his request to help.
Tang of Shang
Tang moved to a place where the Xia capital was easily accessible. They stopped paying Jie taxes. Jie was furious, and summoned the armies of his nine tribes to fight Tang. Then Yi assured Tang to wait for Jie of Xia's armies to drop in power. He explained to Tang that the noblemen who served Jie still had strong armies. So, they waited for a year until they launched an attack into the noblemens' states, and won every battle.When they were only five li from the capital, however, Yi called for a stop. He explained that the army needed a boost in morale, and so Tang gave a speech to the soldiers, which came to be known as 'Tang's pledge'. Afterwards, they defeated Jie of Xia in the decisive Battle of Mingtiao
Battle of Mingtiao
The Battle of Mingtiao was a battle between the Xia Dynasty and the Shang Dynasty. This semi-mythological battle resulted in a Shang victory which created the circumstances for the elevation of the Duke of Shang to the throne of China.-Background:...
.
During the early Shang dynasty, Yi helped Tang set up different institutions, resulting in stability in politics as well as ecenomic benefits.
Subsequent rulers and death
After Tang died, two of his sons succeeded the throne, but they both died early. Therefore, Yi Yin ruled as a regent under Tang's grandson, Taijia of ShangTai Jia
Tai Jia was the son of Tai Ding and a Shang Dynasty King of China.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...
.
What follows is uncertain. According to a popular theory, Yi wrote three essays to Taijia regarding his rule. After reading the essays, Taijia managed to adhere by them for the first two years, but failed to do so from the third. He started to rule as he pleased, and no longer followed any of the laws that the ancients had followed. He treated his subjects cruelly. He did not listen to Yi's advice. Yi, seeing that Taijia would not give in, banished the king to the tomb of Tang and became the temporary ruler of China.
After three years, Taijia was released and Yi, along with some officials, returned Taijia to the capital and returned Taijia's power. He started to use less oppressive laws and ruled the kingdom properly. After Taijia's death, the next king, Woding of Shang
Wo Ding
Wo Ding is traditionally held to be a Shang Dynasty King of China but recent archaeological evidence has thrown this into doubt....
, took over. On Woding's eight year as king, Yi died. According to some legends, he was one hundred years old. Woding arranged a funeral for Yi Yin that was made for the king. He sacrifised cattle, sheep and swine, and mourned for three years.
Although this story is recorded in Records of the Grand Historian
Records 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...
, Mencius
Mencius (book)
The Mencius , commonly called the Mengzi, is a collection of anecdotes and conversations of the Confucian thinker and philosopher Mencius. The work dates from the second half of the 4th century BC. It was ranked as a Confucian classic and its status was elevated in Song Dynasty...
, and Zuo Zhuan
Zuo Zhuan
The Zuo Zhuan , sometimes translated as the Chronicle of Zuo or the Commentary of Zuo, is among the earliest Chinese works of narrative history and covers the period from 722 BCE to 468 BCE. It is one of the most important sources for understanding the history of the Spring and Autumn Period...
, the Bamboo Annals
Bamboo Annals
The Bamboo Annals is a chronicle of ancient China. It begins at the earliest legendary times and extends to the Warring States Period , particularly the history of the Wei state...
records otherwise. According to this version, Yi and Taijia were in fact fighting for power. Yi had banished Taijia to his grandfather's tomb, then seized absolute power for seven years. Taijia escaped, murdered Yi and returned the throne.