KING ZHOU OF SHANG

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'King Di Xin of Shang' (Chinese: 帝辛), born 'Zi Shou' (Chinese: 子受) was the last king of the Shang Dynasty. His given name was Zhòu (紂), and he is therefore also called 'Zhou Xin' (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.
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 intellengent 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 (微子) and Wei Zhong (微仲) (both children of a concubine) and father of Wu Geng (武庚) and Lu Fu (祿父). 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 (erotic) lyrics and poor rhythm. In legends, he is depicted as having come under the influence of his wicked wife Daji (妲己), 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 Garden" (酒池肉林). A large pool was filled with alcohol, while the plants and trees around the pool were hung with meat. This allowed Zhou and his friends to get drunk and be fed for the whole day while they enjoyed his female companions.
In order to please Daji, he created the "Explosive Burning Punishment" (炮烙之刑). Two bronze metal bars were covered with oil. Then they were placed on top of a large pot of burning charcoal until they became very hot. The victims were forced to walk across on top of these two bars. Those who could not stand the intense heat would fall into the charcoal pot and be painfully burned to death. Zhou and Daji were known to get highly aroused after watching such victims. Victims ranged from civilians and prisonors to high position governing officials.
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 Bigan 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 set fire to his palace and committed suicide.
The name "Zhou" actually appeared after the death of King Zhou. This name was a representation of his actions of both dishonor and cold-heartedness. King Zhou would go down in history as the best example of a corrupted king in China.

Contents

Events during Di Xin's regime

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 in Yin.
He assigned Jiu (九侯), Zhou (周侯) and Er(邘侯 or 鄂侯)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(黎), and there was a rebellion from the East Barbarians(东夷).
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(周) (a vassal) memorialzed(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(妲己), 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 at the west suburban.
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 23th 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 31th year of his regime, Duke Wen training his troops at Bi(毕) and met Jiang Ziya(吕尚) 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 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 the December, the Kun(昆夷) 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(丰).
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(姬发) camped their army at Gao(镐).
In the 37th year of his regime, Zhou 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, Zhou wrote the poem "Lingtai"(灵台).
Di Xin sent Jiaoge(胶鬲) to ask for the Jade Book(玉版) from Zhou.
In the 41st year of his regime, Duke Wen of Zhou died.
In the 42nd year of his regime, Duke Jifa of Zhou gave the book of Dan (丹书)(a book of art of ruling by Huang Di) 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 of Jifa 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 Qizi(箕子), killed minister Bigan(比干), 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(蜀), Qiang(羌), Mao(髳), Wei(微), Lu(卢), Peng(彭) and Pu(濮) all followed Zhou to fight Shang.
Shang was defeated in the Battle of Muye and Shang Dynasty ended.