The Emperors of Shang Dynasty

Wai Ren

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Wai Ren (: 外壬, born 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Gengxu with Ao as his capital. During his reign there was a rebellion from Shang's vassals of Pei and Xian peoples. He ruled for 15 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wai Ren and was succeeded by his son He Dan Jia .

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

Zhong Ding

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Zhong Ding (: 仲丁, born Zi Zhuang , 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Xinchou with Bo as his capital. In the first year of his reign he moved his capital to Ao . In the sixth year of his reign he attacked the Blue Barbarians . He ruled for 11 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zhong Ding and was succeeded by his brother Wai Ren .

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

Tai Wu

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Tai Wu (: 太戊, born Zi Mi 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 ninth Shang king, succeeding his brother Yong Ji . He was enthroned with Bo as his capital. He appointed Yishe and Chenhu as his higher officers.

In the 7th years of his reign, a sang tree and millet were found growing together in his palace. In the 11th year of his reign, he ordered to pray at Shanchuan . In the 26th year of his reign, the Queen of West Rong sent an envoy to Shang, the king later sent Wangmeng on a return visit. In the 31st year of his reign, he appointed Zhongyan of Fee vassal as position of Chezheng . In the 35th year of his reign, he wrote a poem called Yanche . 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 . In the 61st year of his reign, the nine east Barbarians Yi tribes sent envoys to Shang.

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

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

Yong Ji

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Yong Ji (: 雍己, born 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Jiaxu with Bo as his capital. He ruled for 12 years, was given the posthumous name Yong Ji and was succeeded by brother Tai Wu .

Oracle script inscriptions on unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the eighth Shang king succeeding his brother , given the posthumous name Lu Ji and succeeded by his nephew Zhong Ding .

Xiao Jia

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Xiao Jia 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Dingsi with Bo as his capital. He ruled for 17 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Jia and was succeeded by brother Yong Ji .

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

Tai Geng

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Tai Geng was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the sixth Shang king, succeeding his older brother Xiao Xin . He was enthroned with Bo as his capital. He ruled for 25 years , was given the posthumous name Tai Geng and was succeeded by his son Xiao Jia .

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

Wo Ding

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Wo Ding is traditionally held to be a Shang Dynasty King of China but recent archaeological evidence has thrown this into doubt.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the fifth Shang king, succeeding his father Tai Jia . He was enthroned in the year of Guisi with Qinshi as his prime minister and Bo as he capital. In the 8th year of his reign, he conducted ceremonies to honour Yi Yin, the previous prime minister. He ruled for 19 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wo Ding and was succeeded by his brother Tai Geng .

Oracle script inscriptions on unearthed at Yinxu do not list him as one of the Shang kings.

Tai Jia

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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 . He was enthroned in B.C.E. 1535 with Yi Yin as his prime minister and Bo 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 , in present day Southwest YanShi county, Henan provin near the tomb of the first Shang king , to repent.

Sima Qian says that following the exile Yi Yan 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 .

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 retured to the palace killed his former Prime Minister. Afterwards the king assigned Yi Yin's land and castle to his sons, Yi She and Yi Fen .

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 and was succeeded by his son Wo Ding .

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

Zhong Ren

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Zhòng Rén is traditionally held to be a Shang Dynasty King of China but recent archaeological evidence has thrown this into doubt.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the third Shang king, succeeding his father King and elder brother Wai Bing . He was enthroned in the year of Dingchou with Yi Yin as his prime minister and Bo as he capital. He ruled for 4 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zhong Ren and was succeeded by his nephew Tai Jia .

Oracle script inscriptions on unearthed at Yinxu do not list him as one of the Shang kings.

Bu Bing

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Wai Bing 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 King following the earlier death of his elder brother Tai Ding . He was enthroned in the year of Yihai with Yi Yin as his prime minister and Bo 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 unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the fourth Shang king, the second son of , given the posthumous name Bu Bing , and succeeded by .

King Xiao Yi

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Xiao Yi 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 as his capital. In the sixth year of his reign he ordered his son Wu Ding to live at He and study at Ganpan . He ruled for 10 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Yi and was succeeded by his son.

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

Xiao Xin

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Xiao Xin was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

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 with as his capital. He ruled for 3 years, was given the posthumous name Xiao Xin and was succeeded by his younger brother Xiao Yi .

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

Pan Geng

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Pán Gēng was a Shang Dynasty King of China. He is best known for having moved the capital of the Shang Dynasty to .

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the nineteenth Shang king, succeeding his older brother Yang Jia . He was enthroned in the year of Bingyan with Yan as his capital and in the seventh year of his regime, the Ying vassal came to Yan to pay homage to him.

In the fourteenth year of his reign he moved his capital to Beimeng renaming it Yin ; henceforth the Shang dynasty was also called the Yin Dynasty.

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 in Yawei .

He ruled about 28 years according to both the ''Bamboo Annals'' and the ''Records of the Grand Historian'', was given the posthumous name Pán Gēng and was succeeded by his younger brother Xiao Xin .

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

Historical message

The example of Pan Geng is remembered by Wang Anshi in his response to Sima Guang's accusatory letter.

Yang Jia

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Yang Jia (: 陽甲, born 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 Nen Geng . He was enthroned in the year of Renxu with Yan as his capital. In the third year of his reign he sent troops against the barbarians of Danshan . He ruled for about 17 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 unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the seventeenth Shang king, given the posthumous name Xiang Jia .

Nan Geng

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Nan Geng (: 南庚, born Zi Geng , was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

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 with Bi as his capital. In the third year of his reign he moved his captical to Yan . 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 unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the sixthteenth Shang king.

Zu Ding

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Zu Ding (: 祖丁, born Zi Xin , was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the sixthteenth Shang king, succeeding his uncle Wo Jia . He was enthroned in the year of Dingwei with Bi 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 .

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

Wo Jia

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Wo Jia (: 沃甲, born Zi Yu , was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the fifthteenth Shang king, succeeding his brother Zu Xin . He was enthroned in the year of Renyan with Bi as his capital. He ruled for about 25 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Wo Jia and was succeeded by his nephew Zu Ding .

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

Zu Xin

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Zu Xin (: 祖辛, born 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Wuzi with Bi as his capital. He ruled for about 16 years before his death. He was given the posthumous name Zu Xin and was succeeded by his younger brother Wo Jia .

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

Zu Yi

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Zu Yi (: 祖乙, born Zi Teng , 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 . He was enthroned in the year of Jisi with Xiang as his capital. In the first year of his reign he moved his capital to Geng where he held a ceremony and wrote the article of Zuyi. The following year he moved his capital again, this time to Bi where six years later his palace was completed. During his reign the Shang became stronger than ever thanks to some fine appointments including Wuxian as his prime minister in the third year of his reign and Gaowei 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 .

Oracle script inscriptions on unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the twelfth Shang king succeeding his brother and given the posthumous name Xia Yi .

He Dan Jia

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He Dan Jia (: 河亶甲, born Zi Zheng , was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

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 with Ao as his capital. In the first year of his reign, he moved his capital to Xiang . In the third year of his reign, his Minister Pengbo conquered Pei 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 occupied Banfang but were later defeated by the king's ministers Pengbo and Weibo 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 unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the eleventh Shang king, given the posthumous name Jian Jia and succeeded by his brother Zu Yi.

Tang

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King Cheng Tang of of China .

Tang was the first ruling king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew , the last ruler of the Xia dynasty.

He was the head of his tribe for more than 17 years, and during that time period, he employed wise men as civil officials and revamped his government.

Seeing that the Xia Dynasty has began to falter, Tang initiated eleven wars against Xia Dynasty, taking large quantities of land and subduing many vassal states. After an internal rebellion in Xia, Tang swept away the Xia armies in one final victory in 1600 BC. He then set Jie into exile until he died.

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 became vassal states. He also established Anyang as the new capital of China.

Tang, his given name is Lu. His ancestor is Yilu, married with Jiandi, daughter of Gaoxin. Yilu had a son called Yao Situ, he was appointed as Vassal by Xia King by his contribution to his people. and after 13 generations, born a man called Zhuggui, father of Tang.

After 18 years as leader of Shang tribe, which was Xia's state, Tang defeated Xia and he got his throne in the year of Guihai. His capital was at Bo.

The war between Xia and Shang happened in the year of Renwu.

He built a palace called Xia She to remember Xia Dynasty,

In the 19th year of his regime , there was a drought.

The Di and Qiang people sent envoy to worship him, also regarded him as their king.

In the 20th year of his regime, there was a drought and the last king Jie of Xia died at Tingshan. He banned dancing and singing, in order to plead with heaven to rain.

In the 21st year of his regime, there was drought again. Tang made Golden coins to be given to the poor family that sold their children caused by the drought, so that they can buy their children back.

From the 22nd year to 24th year of his regime, there was still drought.

After 5 years of continuous drought, Tang prayed at Sanglin, promised that if it did not rain, he will sacrifice himself to the God who in charge of Raining. Finally it rained.

In the 25th year of his regime, he wrote Dahu music. This year was the first time he hunted.

In the 27th year of his regime, he moved the 9 bronze vessels, or ding, made by Yu of Xia, to the Shang Palace.

In the 29th year of his regime, he died. He ruled 13 years after defeated Xia.

King Zhou

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King Di Xin of , born Zi Shou was the last king of the Shang Dynasty. His given name was Zhòu (and he is therefore also called Zhou Xin or King Zhou . He may also be referred to by adding "Shang" in front of any of his names.

Biography

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'', Sima Qian wrote that Di Xin, in the early part of his reign, had abilities which surpassed 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 and Wei Zhong and father of Wu Geng and Lu Fu . 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.

In his later years, Di Xin was given over to drinking, women 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 and created songs with crude 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 .

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 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 hungerred, 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" . One large bronze cylinder covered with oil was placed on top of a pile of burning charcoal. Prisoners were made to walk on top of the slowly heating cylinder. As the cylinder became hot, the prisoners are forced to shift their feet to avoid the burning. In turn, the oil made it difficult for the prisoners to maintain their stance. If they fell into the charcoal, they would burn to death. The prisoners are thus forced to dance in agony and fear, screaming in prolonged pain, while Zhou and Daji laughed at the tortured dances. Eventually, the prisoners would fall into the charcoal and burn to 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.

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.

When Zhou Dynasty defeated Shang Dynasty in the Battle of Muye, 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 , he took the throne in the year of Jihai , and his capital was in Yin.

He assigned Jiu , Zhou and Er as his dukes.

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 , and there was a rebellion from the .

He created the penalty of Paolao , 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 . Wind with heavy dust blew in Hao .

In the 6th year of his regime, memorialzed their ancestor at Bi.

In the 9th year of his regime, he sent troops to Yousu , and captured a very beautiful woman called Daji, Yousu's daughter.

He wrote the article of Qiongshi , and built the gate of jade .

In June of 10th year of his regime, he hunted at the west suburban.

In the 17th year of his regime, his vassal Zhou sent troops to Qu .

In the winter, he swam at Qi .

In the spring of 21st year of his regime, many his vassals visited another vassal, Zhou. Boyi and Shuqi went to Zhou from Guzhu .

In the winter of 22nd year of his regime, he searched for criminals at Wei .

In the 23th year of his regime, he imprisoned the Duke Wen of Zhou at Jiuli .

In the 29th year of his regime, Duke Wen of Zhou was released and returned to Cheng .

In the 30th year of his regime, Duke Wen led many vassals came and worship him.

In the 31th year of his regime, Duke Wen training his troops at Bi and met Jiang Ziya as prime minister.

Five stars showed in the sky together. Red birds gathered at Zhou's palace.

The Mi tribe invaded Ruan , Zhou sent troops to fight Mi.

In the 33rd year of his regime, the Mi tribe surrendered, and Zhou moved their capital to Cheng .

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 and Er , then started to fight Chong . Chong surrendered.

In the December, the Kun Barbarians invaded Zhou.

In the 35th year of his regime, Zhou faced a serious hunger because of crop failure.

Zhou moved their capital from Cheng to Feng .

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 camped their army at Gao .

In the 37th year of his regime, he wrote the poem "Piyong" .

In the 39th year of his regime, the minister of Shang, Xinjia escaped Shang and ran to Zhou.

In the 40th year of his regime, he wrote the poem "Lingtai" .

Di Xin sent Jiao Ge to ask for the Jade Book 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 to Jiang Ziya.

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 .

In the 47th year of his regime the minister of Shang, Xiangzhi ran to Zhou.

On the day Wuzi November of 51st year of his regime, Zhou army passed Mengjin .

Di Xin imprisoned Jizi, killed minister , minister Weizi ran to Zhou.

In the 52nd year of his regime, year of Gengyan , Zhou started fighting Shang.

In autumn, the army reached Xianyuan .

In December, the vassals of Yong , Shu , Qiang , Mao , Wei , Lu , Peng and Pu all followed Zhou to fight Shang.

Shang was defeated in the Battle of Muye and the Shang Dynasty ended.

Di Yi

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His name is Xian . His capital was at Yin .

According to Bamboo Annals, On the third year of his regime, he ordered Nanzhong to fight Kun Barbarians and built Sufang City after winning the battle. He also fought the Renfang , eventually capturing and sacrificing their chief.

Wu Yi

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According to Bamboo Annals, His capial was at Yin .

One of the vassal Fen moved to Qizhou .

He rewarded the vassal Zhou named Koufu a city called Qiyi .

In the 15th years of his regime, he moved one of his palace to Mo .

In the 21st year of his regime, the Zhou leader Koufu died.

In the 24th year of his regime, Zhou attacked Cheng at Bi and defeated Bi. Cheng was a tyrant.

In the 30th year of his regime, Zhou attacked Yiqu and captured the king Yiqu. According to Sima Qian, the King of Yiqu has two sons by different mother, after the king died, they fought each other for throne and Zhou defeated them brought an end to the King Yiqu very easily.

In the 34th year of his regime, Jili came to Shang capital to worship King Wu Yi, Wu Yi rewarded him place of 30 li , 30 pieces of jade and 10 horses.

In the 35th year of his regime, Jili attacked Guirong at Xiluo . According to Sima Qian, he captured 20 kings of this tribe.

In the same year of his regime, he hunted at He and Wei and killed by lightning.

According to the Book of History, Wu Yi was a very rebellious person. Once, he carved a wooden statue of "the God of Heaven", and have one of the priests represanting it. He played chess with the "God" and the "God" lost three times in a row, so he blasphemed the god by destroying the statue. He filled a leather bag with blood and hung it high in the air, and shot it with a strong bow; he called this "shooting the sky". He blasphemed by saying the god of thunder and lightning was a complete wash-out. Once he went on a hunt between the Wā River and the Hẽ River and was killed by the bolt of lightning, historians said that this was the "revenge" of god for his blasphemy.

Wen Ding

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According to ''Bamboo Annals'', His capial was at Yin or Zimou .

In the second year of his regime, his vassal of Zhou, led by Jili , attacked the Rong people in Yanjing but Jili was defeated by Rong.

During the third year his regime, the river of Heng was dried up.

In the fourth year of his regime, Jili attacked the Rong people at Yuwu and was victorious, Yuwu becoming a Zhou client.

In the seventh year of his regime, Jili attacked the Rong people at Hu and was again victorious.

Several years later, Jili defeated the Rong people at Xitu and captured three generals and reported the victory to king Wen Ding. However, worrying that Zhou was growing more powerful, King Wen Ding gave Jili many treasures as a reward for his victories and sent him to a city called Saiku . Then Wen Ding killed Jili at Saiku.

Kang Ding

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Kang Ding, his given name is Xiao .

He got his throne in the year of Jiawu , and his capital was in Yin .

Lin Xin

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He got his throne in the year of Gengyan . His capital was at Yin .

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

Zu Jia

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His capital was at Yin .

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

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

In the 24th year of his regime, he re-produced the Penalties that used by Tang of Shang to repress the rebellion.

In the 27th year of his regime, he named his twin sons as prince Zi Xiao and Zi Liang .

King Zu Geng

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His capital was at Yin .

On the 12th year of his regime, he sent troop to fight Rong people in the west until winter.

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

On the 24th year of his regime, he re-produced the Penalties that used by Tang of Shang to repress the rebellion.

On the 27th year of his regime, he named his twin sons as prince Zi Xiao and Zi Liang .

Wu Ding

2008-09-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

Wu Ding was a Shang Dynasty King of China.

His is the first historically verifiable name in the history of dynasties. The records of later historians that recorded his reign were long thought to be little more than legends until contemporary records of his reign were discovered in oracle script inscriptions on unearthed at the ruins of his capital Yinxu in 1899.

History

In the sixth year of his father's reign, he was ordered to live at He and study at Ganpan . These early years spent among the common people allowed him to become familiar with their daily problems.

In the ''Records of the Grand Historian'' he was listed by Sima Qian as the twenty-second Shang king, succeeding his father Xiao Yi . He was enthroned in the year of Dingwei with Gan Pan as his prime minister and Yinxu 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 took advantage of the semi-matriarchal slave society to rise through the ranks to military general and high priestess.

In the third year of his reign he had vivid dreams about the way to rule his kingdom. He went on to ordered his prime minister to edit the book of ruling in the sixth year of his reign. He also ordered all the people must support their elders. In the twelfth year of his regime, he promoted Shangjiawei to a position of power to exercise control over the people.

In the twenty-fifth year of his reign, his son Zu Ji died at a remote area after he exiled him. His mother died before and the new wife of Wu Ding does not like Zi Xiao.

In the twenty-ninth year of his reign, he conducted rituals in honour of his ancestor , 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 an article called ''Gao Zong Tong Day'' .

In the thirty-second year of his reign, he sent troops to Guifang and after three years of fighting he conquered it. The and Qiang barbarians immediately sent envoys to Shang to negotiate. His armies went on to conquer Dapeng in the forty-third year of his reign, and Tunwei in the 50th year of his reign.

He died in the fifty-ninth year of his reign according to all the sources available. Widely regarded one of best kings of the Shang Dynasty, he was given the posthumous name Wu Ding and was succeeded by his son Zu Geng .

The oracle script inscriptions on the bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the twenty-first Shang king.