Wei Zi was the eldest son of Emperor Yi of the Shang Dynasty and the half-brother of Emperor Zhou, also known as King Zhou of Shang. When King Zhou took the throne, he failed to govern wisely, indulging in debauchery and neglecting the state’s affairs. Wei Zi often tried to advise him, but King Zhou refused to listen. As the Zhou king, Ji Fa (the Duke of Zhou), accumulated virtue and successfully destroyed the Li Kingdom in the west, he warned King Zhou that disaster was imminent. King Zhou dismissed this warning, saying, “Wasn’t I born with my fate already determined by heaven? What can I do about it?” Realizing that King Zhou could not be persuaded, Wei Zi contemplated ending his life. Unable to make the decision, he asked his teachers for guidance. He said, “The Shang Dynasty has failed to govern properly. My ancestor once held great power, while King Zhou drowns in indulgence. The Shang people have turned to evil, with corrupt officials and uprisings among the common folk. The Shang Dynasty is doomed!” After seeking advice from his teachers, Wei Zi eventually decided to leave, saying that staying would bring no solution. The dynasty was already beyond redemption.
Ji Zi, a relative of King Zhou, observed that King Zhou, once focused on ruling, now squandered his time in indulgence. Ji Zi lamented, “When he was once a humble minister, King Zhou thought only of material pleasures, neglecting the affairs of the people. Now, the nation’s downfall begins here. It is impossible to change course.”
When Ji Zi advised King Zhou, the king rejected his counsel, and Ji Zi chose to resign. He remarked, “A minister who advises and is not heeded has no duty to stay. If I leave, I will not be seen as abandoning my duty, but as witnessing the inevitable fall of the king.” Therefore, Ji Zi chose to become a slave, hiding away to play his zither in sorrow, which was later immortalized in a piece of music known as “Ji Zi’s Tune.”
Wang Zi, the son of King Zhou’s brother, also tried to advise the king. He said, “If the king makes a mistake and refuses to correct it, what becomes of the people?” King Zhou, angered by this straightforward advice, had Wang Zi killed and even cut open his chest to see if his heart had seven openings, as rumored about sages.
Wei Zi, understanding the dynamics of familial and political relationships, commented, “A son should advise his father three times, and if the father does not listen, the son may depart. A minister should advise his ruler three times, and if the ruler does not listen, the minister may leave with honor.” Eventually, Wei Zi left, following the advice of his teachers.
When the Zhou army, led by King Wu, defeated the Shang Dynasty, Wei Zi took his ceremonial vessels and approached the army gates. He wore his hair disheveled and his hands bound, offering sacrifices, and moved on his knees to announce the fall of the Shang Dynasty. King Wu, moved by Wei Zi’s actions, restored his position.
After the victory, King Wu also sent emissaries to visit Ji Zi, asking for his wisdom. Ji Zi responded, “In the past, Emperor Gun tried to control the floods, but he failed. His son Yu succeeded by following the correct path. Heaven then granted him the right to rule, and with this divine guidance, Yu brought order to the world.”
The Nine Principles of Governance and Virtue
- The Five Elements:
- Water: Moistens and flows downward.
- Fire: Burns and rises upward.
- Wood: Curves and bends.
- Metal: Transforms and changes.
- Earth: Nourishes and produces crops.
These elements correspond to five tastes: salty (water), bitter (fire), sour (wood), spicy (metal), and sweet (earth).
- The Five Virtues of the Body:
- Appearance: Respectful
- Speech: Compliant
- Sight: Clear
- Hearing: Sharp
- Thought: Wise
These virtues lead to actions: respect leads to seriousness, compliance leads to good governance, clarity leads to wisdom, sharpness leads to strategy, and wisdom leads to sainthood.
- The Eight Administrative Offices:
- Food
- Trade
- Sacrifices
- Minister of Works
- Minister of Rites
- Minister of Defense
- Guests
- Teachers
- The Five Cycles of Time:
- Year
- Month
- Day
- Stars
- Calendars
- The Imperial Mandate (Huang Ji):
The emperor must uphold the principles of righteousness and justice. He should lead the people by example and maintain balance. The emperor is the father and mother of the people, guiding them to prosperity through wisdom and virtue. He should ensure that his rule is fair and equitable, never tolerating corruption or inequality. A ruler who follows the righteous path will bring peace and stability to the nation. - The Three Virtues of Ruling:
- Integrity
- Strength
- Gentleness
Integrity ensures peace and health, strength overcomes external forces, and gentleness conquers internal conflicts. A ruler with these virtues will lead successfully and bring prosperity.
- Consulting Divination (Ji Yi):
Divination and omens are important tools for decision-making. If an omen is favorable, the ruler should proceed with confidence. If it is unfavorable, the ruler must reconsider and seek guidance. The consultation process involves choosing diviners, interpreting their answers, and making decisions based on their insights. Good governance aligns with the divine will, leading to peace and prosperity for the people.
The Signs and Principles of Governance: Seasonal and Divinatory Patterns
- The Signs of Change (Shu Zheng):
These are natural phenomena that serve as omens or signs of what is to come:- Rain
- Sun
- Eclipses
- Cold
- Wind
Each of these occurs in its proper season and order, and when the signs are in balance, it signals prosperity. When one element is out of balance, it brings misfortune. If the balance is entirely lost, it is an omen of disaster.
- Signs of Rest and Favorable Conditions (Xiu Zheng):
- Sustained calm with timely rain
- Governance and order with clear skies
- Wisdom and insight with eclipses
- Strategic thinking with cold winds
- Sainthood with favorable winds
These signs indicate good governance and harmony in the land, leading to peace and prosperity.
- Signs of Trouble and Misfortune (Jiu Zheng):
- Chaos with constant rain
- Usurpation with unbroken sunny weather
- Discomfort with constant eclipses
- Urgency with continual cold winds
- Mist or fog with relentless winds
These are signs of turmoil and poor governance, resulting in suffering and disorder.
- Governance and Time Cycles:
The ruler, ministers, and military must follow the seasons and cycles:- Year governs the kingdom
- Month governs the ministers
- Day governs the military
When time cycles are correctly followed, all things prosper. When disrupted, crops fail, governance becomes unclear, and the people suffer. A harmonious balance of time leads to prosperity, while imbalance causes discord and disaster.
- The Five Blessings:
- Longevity
- Wealth
- Health and peace
- Virtue
- A good end to life
These blessings are the fruits of virtuous governance and proper moral conduct.
- The Six Evils (Li Ji):
- Premature death
- Illness
- Worry
- Poverty
- Evil
- Weakness
These represent the negative consequences of improper governance and moral failings.
The Story of Ji Zi and the Fall of the Shang Dynasty:
After the fall of the Shang Dynasty, Ji Zi was appointed by King Wu to rule over the remnants of the Shang people in the region of Chosun. While traveling through the ruins of the former Shang capital, Ji Zi was deeply moved by the destruction and the growth of weeds where once there were fields of grain. He wished to cry, but unable to do so, he composed the “Wheat Song” to express his sorrow:
“The wheat grows gradually,
The grain ripens thick and full.
But that crafty child,
He does not show me kindness.”
The “crafty child” refers to King Zhou (the last ruler of the Shang Dynasty). The people of the former Shang, hearing this song, wept for their fallen kingdom.
After the death of King Wu, his young son, King Cheng, ascended to the throne, and Duke of Zhou, his regent, took charge. The nobles Guo and Cai, suspicious of Duke Zhou’s power, conspired with Wu Geng, King Zhou’s son, to rebel against the young king and his regent. Duke Zhou, following the will of King Cheng, defeated the rebels, executed Wu Geng, and exiled Guo and Cai. He then appointed Wei Zi, who was known for his virtue, to continue the Shang rituals in Song.
Wei Zi’s descendants continued to hold power in Song until later generations. After his death, his brother, Wei Zhong, succeeded him. Wei Zhong’s lineage was marked by the rise and fall of several rulers, and eventually, Wei Zi’s descendants ruled the state of Song for many years.
The Political Turmoil of the State of Song and Its Rulers
Year 9 of Duke Mu:
Duke Mu fell ill and summoned the Grand Marshal, Kong Fu, saying, “My late father, Duke Xuan, chose me over my elder brother to succeed him, and I have never forgotten this. When I die, I must pass the throne to my brother Yi.” Kong Fu replied, “All the ministers want to crown Prince Feng.” Duke Mu said, “Do not crown Feng, for I cannot go against my late father.” Consequently, Duke Mu sent Prince Feng away to live in Zheng.
In August, on the day of Gengchen, Duke Mu passed away, and his brother, Prince Yi, succeeded him as Duke Shang. The wise say, “Duke Xuan of Song understood people well, for he established righteousness by choosing his brother to succeed him, and upon his death, his son continued the rule.”
Year 1 of Duke Shang:
Duke Wei of the State of Wei assassinated his ruler Duke Wan and declared himself king. He sought the support of the other lords and sent a message to Song: “Prince Feng is in Zheng. He will cause trouble. Allow me to attack Zheng.” Song agreed, and they attacked Zheng. However, they turned back before reaching the East Gate. In the second year, Zheng retaliated against Song for the East Gate expedition, and afterward, the lords of various states often attacked Song.
Year 9:
Grand Marshal Kong Fu had a good wife, and while out on the road, he met the Chief Minister Hua Du. Hua Du admired Kong Fu’s wife and secretly planned to take her. Hua Du sent a message across the state, declaring, “Duke Shang has only ruled for ten years, but there have already been eleven battles. The people cannot bear it. All of this is Kong Fu’s fault. I will kill him to bring peace to the people.” That year, the state of Lu assassinated their ruler Duke Yin.
Year 10:
Hua Du, now in power, had Kong Fu assassinated and took his wife. Duke Shang, angered by this, ordered Hua Du’s assassination and summoned Prince Feng from Zheng to be crowned as the new ruler, marking the rise of Duke Zhuang.
Year 1 of Duke Zhuang:
Hua Du became the prime minister. In the 9th year, Hua Du captured Zhai Zhong, the minister of Zheng, and with his help, placed Duke Tu on the throne of Zheng.
Zhai Zhong agreed, and Duke Tu was crowned. In the 19th year, Duke Zhuang passed away, and his son, Duke Min, ascended to the throne.
Year 7 of Duke Min:
Duke Huan of Qi ascended to the throne. In the 9th year, the Song River flooded, and Lu sent Zang Wenzhong to offer condolences. Duke Min blamed himself, saying, “I have failed to properly worship the gods and manage the state, which is why the river flooded.” Zang Wenzhong wisely approved of this reasoning, which had been taught to Duke Min by Prince Ziyu.
Year 10:
In the summer, Song attacked Lu, and they fought a battle at Chengqiu. Lu captured Song’s General Nan Gong Wan. The Song people requested his release, and he was returned to Song. In the 11th year, Duke Min, while hunting with Nan Gong Wan, grew angry and insulted him, saying, “At first, I treated you like an equal; now you are like a captive of Lu.” Nan Gong Wan, offended and feeling weak, eventually had Duke Min assassinated at Mengze.
Minister Qiu Mu heard of this and gathered his forces to protect the Duke’s palace. Nan Gong Wan fought and killed Qiu Mu. He then assassinated the Chief Minister Hua Du and installed Prince You as the new ruler. Various princes fled to Xiao, and Prince Yu Shuo fled to Bo. Nan Gong Wan’s brother, Nan Gong Niu, led troops to besiege Bo. In the winter, the princes from Xiao and Song joined forces, defeated Nan Gong Niu, and killed Prince You, installing Duke Min’s younger brother, Yu Shuo, as the new ruler. This marked the rise of Duke Huan of Song.
Nan Gong Wan fled to Chen, and the people of Song, seeking to pacify Chen, offered gifts, including rich wine. The people of Chen sent their women with wine wrapped in leather to present to Song. The Song people then executed Nan Gong Wan by pickling his body.
Year 2 of Duke Huan:
The lords of various states attacked Song, but they retreated before reaching the outskirts. In Year 3, Duke Huan of Qi began his dominance over the other states.
Year 23:
Duke Wei’s son, Wei Hui, was invited to Qi and made ruler of Wei, becoming Duke Wen of Wei. His younger sister married Duke Huan of Song.
Year 30:
Duke Huan of Song fell ill. His eldest son, Zi Fu, intended to pass over his legitimate son and appoint his half-brother, Mu Yi, as his successor. However, Duke Huan disregarded this and insisted that Zi Fu remain heir.
Year 31, Spring:
Duke Huan passed away, and his son Zi Fu ascended the throne as Duke Xiang. He appointed his half-brother Mu Yi as the prime minister. Before Duke Huan was even buried, Duke Xiang attended a meeting with the lords at Kuiqiu, a major political gathering.
Year 7 of Duke Xiang:
A strange phenomenon occurred in Song: stars fell like rain and birds were seen flying erratically, which signaled a turbulent time. The wind was swift, and the land seemed to reflect chaos.
Year 8:
Duke Huan of Qi died. The state of Song intended to form an alliance with the other lords. In the 12th year, Duke Xiang of Song sought to unite the states with a grand assembly at Lushang, to rally support from the state of Chu. The people of Chu agreed. However, Prince Mu Yi advised, “Small states seeking alliances will only invite disaster.” Duke Xiang ignored his counsel.
Year 12, Autumn:
The lords of various states gathered in Song for an alliance. Prince Mu Yi warned, “Is this where disaster will strike? If the ruler pushes too hard, how will they withstand the consequences?” Despite this, Song was attacked by the state of Chu.
Year 13, Summer:
Song attacked Zheng, and Prince Mu Yi foretold that this would be the start of the downfall. In the fall, the state of Chu attacked Song to protect Zheng. Duke Xiang was determined to fight, but Prince Mu Yi advised against it, saying, “The downfall of Shang is evident; it’s not worth continuing the war.”
Year 13, Winter:
In November, Duke Xiang of Song fought against King Cheng of Chu at Hong. The forces of Chu were initially struggling, but Prince Mu Yi said, “Their forces are too numerous, but while they are still disorganized, we can strike.” Duke Xiang refused to act until the enemy had fully deployed. Once they had, he agreed to attack. Song’s army was defeated in a crushing blow, and Duke Xiang was injured.
Year 13, Winter:
The people of Song blamed Duke Xiang for the defeat. Duke Xiang replied, “A gentleman does not press others when they are already in trouble, nor does he form an army without clear strategy.” Prince Mu Yi, frustrated, replied, “The goal of war is victory, not following protocol! If you insist on your approach, it’s merely a matter of duty, and there’s no point in fighting!”
Afterward:
King Cheng of Chu had successfully saved Zheng. Afterward, he took two of Zheng’s concubines back to Chu. The adviser Shuzhan remarked, “King Cheng of Chu was rude, and will he not face repercussions for this? True respect lies in upholding ceremonies and traditions; it’s clear that he won’t succeed in his ambitions of dominance.”
Year 14:
Duke Xiang of Song, suffering from an injury inflicted by the State of Chu, sought help from the state of Jin. In gratitude, Duke Xiang gave Chong Er, the son of Duke Jin, twenty horses as a token of respect.
Year 14, Summer:
Duke Xiang died from his injury at Hong. His son, Duke Cheng, succeeded him.
Year 1 of Duke Cheng:
Duke Wen of Jin ascended the throne. In Year 3, Jin broke its alliance with Chu and formed a closer bond with Jin, as it had shown favor to Duke Wen.
Year 4:
King Cheng of Chu attacked Song, and Song urgently requested aid from Jin. In Year 5, Duke Wen of Jin came to Song’s rescue, forcing the Chu army to retreat.
Year 9:
Duke Wen of Jin passed away.
Year 11:
Prince Shang of Chu assassinated his father, King Cheng, and took the throne himself.
Year 16:
Duke Mu of Qin passed away.
Year 17:
Duke Cheng passed away. Duke Cheng’s brother, Duke Yu, killed the crown prince and the Grand Marshal Gong Sun Gu, then claimed the throne for himself. The people of Song killed Duke Yu and installed Duke Cheng’s youngest son, Chu Jiu, as the new ruler, known as Duke Zhao.
Year 4 of Duke Zhao:
Song was defeated by Chang Zhi at Changqiu.
Year 7:
King Zhuang of Chu ascended the throne.
Year 9:
Duke Zhao’s rule became increasingly unpopular due to his mismanagement. His younger brother, Bao Ge, made reforms and gained support from the lower ranks of society. Earlier, Duke Xiang’s wife had tried to form an illicit relationship with Prince Bao but was unsuccessful. She then assisted Bao by leveraging his position to gain power, making Hua Yuan the Right Minister. One day, Duke Zhao went hunting, and his wife, Princess Wang, sent her confidant Wei Bo to assassinate Duke Zhao and install Bao Ge as the new ruler. Bao Ge then became Duke Wen.
Year 1 of Duke Wen:
Jin led an alliance of lords against Song, blaming the kingdom for the assassination of its ruler. Upon hearing of Duke Wen’s establishment, the lords withdrew.
Year 2:
The son of Duke Zhao, along with other factions from the family of Wu, Miao, Dai, Zhuang, and Huan, began causing trouble. Duke Wen eradicated these factions and exiled the families of Wu and Miao.
Year 4, Spring:
Chu ordered Zheng to attack Song. Hua Yuan, the leader of Song’s army, was defeated and captured by Zheng. Hua Yuan’s army, during battle, had slaughtered sheep to feed the soldiers, but there was not enough to go around, causing resentment. Hua Yuan’s officers abandoned their posts and fled into Zheng’s forces, leading to Song’s defeat and Hua Yuan’s capture. Song later paid a ransom of one hundred chariots and four hundred horses to free Hua Yuan. Before he could return, Hua Yuan fled back to Song.
Year 14:
King Zhuang of Chu laid siege to Zheng. The Duke of Zheng surrendered to Chu, and Chu released him.
Year 16:
A Chu envoy passed through Song. Due to past grievances, Song captured the Chu emissary. In September, King Zhuang of Chu laid siege to Song.
Year 17:
After five months of siege, the city of Song was in dire straits with no food. Hua Yuan secretly met with the Chu general, Zi Fan, during the night. Zi Fan informed King Zhuang. When asked about the state of the city, Zi Fan replied, “The people are boiling bones for food and swapping children to feed each other.” King Zhuang acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “My army also only has two more days’ worth of supplies.” Due to this show of sincerity, King Zhuang lifted the siege.
Year 22:
Duke Wen passed away, and his son, Duke Gong, succeeded him. Duke Gong initially gave his father a lavish burial. Scholars criticized Hua Yuan for not showing the proper respect.
Year 10 of Duke Gong:
Hua Yuan formed an alliance with Chu’s General Zi Chong and Jin’s General Luan Shu, uniting the states of Jin and Chu.
Year 13:
Duke Gong passed away, and Hua Yuan became the Right Minister. Yu Shi was appointed Left Minister. General Tang Shan, a trusted official, attempted to assassinate the crown prince Fei and also kill Hua Yuan. Hua Yuan fled to Jin for protection, but Yu Shi convinced him to return and punish Tang Shan. Hua Yuan then installed Duke Gong’s youngest son, Cheng, as the new Duke, known as Duke Ping.
Year 3 of Duke Ping:
King Gong of Chu captured the Song stronghold of Pengcheng and granted it to Song’s Left Minister, Yu Shi.
Year 4:
The other lords united to overthrow Yu Shi and returned Pengcheng to Song.
Year 35:
A prince from Chu assassinated his ruler and declared himself King Ling of Chu.
Year 44:
Duke Ping passed away, and his son, Duke Yuan, succeeded him.
Year 3 of Duke Yuan:
Prince Ji of Chu assassinated King Ling of Chu and took the throne, declaring himself King Ping.
Year 8:
A fire devastated Song.
Year 10:
Duke Yuan’s trust in his ministers faltered, leading to the alleged execution of several princes. The ministers Hua and the Xiang family led a rebellion. Prince Jian of Chu, the crown prince of Chu, fled to Song but saw that the Xiang family was fighting amongst themselves. He left and went to Zheng.
Year 15:
Duke Yuan fled to the state of Lu to escape the political troubles of the Ji family. He eventually died on the road, and his son, Duke Jing, succeeded him.
Year 16 of Duke Jing:
Prince Yanghu of Lu fled to Song, only to leave again later.
Year 25:
Confucius passed through Song. The Song military officer Sima Huan Tui, who disliked Confucius, sought to have him killed. However, Confucius managed to escape disguised.
Year 30:
The state of Cao, previously an ally of Song, defected and joined forces with Jin. Song attacked Cao, but Jin did not intervene. Cao was destroyed, and Song annexed its territory.
Year 36:
The state of Qi, under Tian Chang, assassinated Duke Jian of Qi.
Year 37:
King Hui of Chu destroyed the state of Chen. The comet, known as the “blazing star,” appeared in the sky and passed over Song’s territory. Duke Jing grew concerned. The court astrologer, Zi Wei, suggested moving the star’s influence to another location. Duke Jing replied, “The prime minister is my right-hand man.” Zi Wei suggested moving it to the people, to which Duke Jing replied, “As the ruler, I serve the people.” Zi Wei then suggested moving it to the years, warning that famine and hardship could soon strike, leaving the ruler helpless. Eventually, the astrologer shifted the star’s influence three times, as predicted.
Year 64:
Duke Jing passed away. His son, Duke Zhao, who was a prince from a different branch of the family, killed the crown prince and ascended the throne, becoming Duke Zhao.
Year 47 of Duke Zhao:
Duke Zhao passed away, and his son, Duke Dao, succeeded him.
Year 8 of Duke Dao:
Duke Dao died, and his son, Duke Xiu, took the throne.
Year 23 of Duke Xiu:
Duke Xiu passed away, and his son, Duke Bi, succeeded him.
Year 3 of Duke Bi:
Duke Bi died, and his son, Duke Ti, became the ruler.
Year 41:
Duke Ti’s brother, Yan, attacked him, forcing Duke Ti to flee to the state of Qi. Yan declared himself ruler of Song.
Year 11 of Duke Yan:
Duke Yan declared himself king. He defeated Qi in the east and captured five cities, defeated Chu in the south, and took land from them, expanding 300 miles. He also defeated the Wei army to the west, making Qi, Wei, and Chu his enemies.
Duke Yan indulged in excessive drinking and womanizing. He became tyrannical and dismissed all counsel. His reign became so infamous that the other lords began calling Song “the second Zhou dynasty,” comparing him to the infamous King Jie of Xia. Eventually, the neighboring states, including Qi, Wei, and Chu, allied to attack Song. They overthrew Duke Yan and divided Song’s territory among themselves.
Sima Qian’s Commentary:
Confucius once praised the fallen states, saying, “Wei Zi was exiled, Ji Zi became a slave, and Bi Gan died for his advice. These were the three great men of the Shang Dynasty.” The Spring and Autumn Annals criticized the disorder in Song, which began with Duke Xuan’s decision to depose his eldest son and appoint his younger brother. This caused unrest for ten generations. During Duke Xiang’s time, efforts were made to revive benevolence and righteousness, aiming to become the leader of the alliance. His ministers, including Zheng Kaofu, praised his virtues, and Song’s ministers praised him for his efforts to restore the traditions of the Shang dynasty. After Duke Xiang’s defeat at Hong, some scholars believed that this was a sign of the declining state of the Zhou dynasty. Despite this, the actions of Song’s Duke Xiang were seen as an attempt to restore traditional respect and courtesy.