Weizi is the older brother of King Zhou of Shang. After King Zhou came to power, he ruled tyrannically, indulging in debauchery. Weizi advised him several times, but King Zhou refused to listen. Later, Zu Yi reported to King Zhou that Ji Chang, the Duke of Zhou, was a virtuous man who had destroyed the Mi state, putting the Shang dynasty in danger. King Zhou replied, "It's my destiny to be king; what can I do?" Weizi felt that King Zhou was beyond persuasion and contemplated suicide but couldn't bring himself to do it. So he went to ask the Grand Tutor and the Junior Tutor, "The Shang dynasty isn't governing the country properly; there are rebellions on all sides. Our ancestors were proper at court, but King Zhou is lost in wine and women, ruining the achievements of our ancestor King Tang. Corruption is rampant in the Shang dynasty; ministers and officials are breaking the law and committing numerous crimes. There’s no good way to save it, and the common people are rising up in rebellion, filled with hatred for one another. Now the fate of the Shang dynasty is declining, like being unable to find a ford to cross a river. The downfall of the Shang dynasty is inevitable; it has been this way until today." Weizi asked again, "Grand Tutor, Junior Tutor, should I escape? What should my family do? You tell me all this without warning, making me anxious. What should I do?" The Grand Tutor said, "Prince, heaven is going to bring disaster to destroy the Shang dynasty. You don’t need to be afraid; don’t worry about us old ministers. Now the people of the Shang dynasty are immersed in licentious religious rites. If you can govern the country well, it’s worth it even if you die, but if even death cannot help govern the country, it’s better to leave." And so, Weizi fled the doomed dynasty.
Jizi was a relative of King Zhou. When King Zhou started using ivory chopsticks, Jizi sighed, saying, "He uses ivory chopsticks; next, he will definitely seek out jade cups. With jade cups, he will certainly look for exotic luxuries to enjoy. The extravagance of chariots, horses, and palaces will begin here, and it will be unstoppable." King Zhou continued his indulgence, and although Jizi advised him, King Zhou did not listen. Someone said, "You can leave." Jizi replied, "As a subject, to leave after unheeded advice is to condone the king's wickedness while currying favor with the populace. I cannot do such a thing." So Jizi let his hair down, feigned madness, and played the fool, becoming a slave. He secluded himself and played the zither in self-pity, hence the legend of "Jizi Cao" in later generations.
Prince Bigan was also a relative of King Zhou. Seeing Jizi's advice go unheeded and him become a slave, he said, "If a king errs and isn't advised to the point of death, then what sin do the people have!" He then directly advised King Zhou. King Zhou was furious, "I hear sages have seven-holed hearts. Is that really true?" He then killed Prince Bigan and opened his heart to see.
Weizi said, "Fathers and sons are bound by blood, but rulers and ministers by duty. Therefore, if a son advises his father three times and the father does not listen, the son can leave in tears; if a subject advises the monarch three times and the monarch does not listen, then the subject can resign and leave." So, his tutors advised Weizi to leave, and Weizi left.
King Wu defeated King Zhou and occupied the Shang Dynasty. Weizi approached King Wu's camp, stripped to the waist, his hands bound behind his back, a sheep on one side and a tuft of grass on the other, and prostrated himself before the king, to tell King Wu what had happened. King Wu then released Weizi and restored his title.
King Wu appointed King Zhou's son Wugeng as Lu Fu, allowing him to inherit the sacrifices of the Shang Dynasty, and appointed Guanshu and Caishu to assist him.
After defeating the Shang Dynasty, King Wu went to visit Jizi.
King Wu said, "Man! It's the heavens that decide how things turn out for everyone, making people live in harmony, but I do not understand the rules and order behind this."
Jizi replied, "In the past, Gun tried to control the floods, blocked their passage, and messed up the balance of the five elements. This angered the heavens, and he did not follow the nine principles of the Hongfan, going against common sense. Gun was therefore executed, and Yu inherited his legacy. The heavens bestowed upon Yu the nine principles of the Hongfan, restoring order to the world."
"The nine principles of the Hongfan are as follows:
- Five Elements
- Five Matters
- Eight Key Areas of Government
- Five Ways of Keeping Track of Time
- The Highest Good
- Three Virtues
- Investigating Uncertainties
- Signs of the Times
- Getting the five blessings and avoiding the six calamities.
The Five Elements:
- Water: all about moisture
- Fire: all about heat
- Wood: all about flexibility
- Metal: all about change
- Earth: all about nurturing.
Moisture produces a salty taste, heat produces a bitter taste, flexibility produces a sour taste, change produces a spicy taste, and nurturing produces a sweet taste.
The Five Matters:
- Appearance
- Speech
- Observation
- Listening
- Thinking.
Appearance should be respectful, speech should be obedient, observation should be keen, listening should be sharp, and thinking should be wise. Respect makes things feel serious, obedience leads to effective governance, keen observation leads to wisdom, sharp listening leads to strategic planning, and wise thinking leads to sagacity.
The Eight Key Areas of Government:
- Food
- Goods
- Sacrifices
- Minister of Works
- Minister of Education
- Minister of Justice
- Guests
- Teachers.
The Five Ways of Keeping Track of Time:
- Years
- Months
- Days
- Stars
- Calendar."
It is said that the emperor's main job is to build a strong country, bring good fortune, and share it with everyone, meaning that the emperor must establish the highest rule, gather the five blessings, and then distribute these blessings to the common people. The people's job is to support the emperor and wish him a long and healthy life.
Folks, don’t get caught up in factional struggles. No backstabbing, no one-upmanship – the Emperor’s word is law! Everyone should unite and follow the Emperor’s leadership. If the common people can plan, act, and take responsibility, the Emperor will remember your merits. But if you don’t follow the rules, the Emperor will also bear the blame. If you behave yourselves, the Emperor will be pleased and reward you with blessings. So, everyone must obey the Emperor’s rules. Don’t bully orphans and widows, and mind the law. Those who are capable should strive to achieve great things; if you do, the country will prosper. Those in power, if their family is wealthy, shouldn’t let their families live poorly—that’s on you. Even if the Emperor blesses you, if you don’t do your duty well, you’ll still be held responsible.
Basically, in all aspects of life, one must be fair and just; follow the king's law, neither favoring nor hindering anyone. Don't try to be good or bad; just follow the king's way, without bias or deviation. Everyone must adhere to the highest principles of governance, reaching the limits and returning to the limits. These principles, the king's teachings—for all people, regardless of background—are to obey the emperor. The common people, by following the king's teachings, draw closer to the emperor's favor. The emperor is like a parent to his people, ruling the land.
Next are the three virtues: integrity, strength, and gentleness. Integrity means being calm and balanced; strength means being firm but compassionate; and gentleness means being wise and understanding. A person of integrity is calm and peaceful, while a person of strength is tough externally yet gentle internally. Those who are strong should be steady, and those who are gentle should be wise. The emperor bestows blessings, wields power, and enjoys the finest things, but ministers must not usurp the emperor's privileges. If ministers overstep their bounds, it will ruin their families, harm the nation, and cause unrest among the people.
First, we need a few people to draw lots. Then let them start drawing lots; the results include: rain, smooth sailing, crying, fog, success, chastity, and regret—a total of seven results. We'll draw lots five times and only use two of the results. At that time, if the opinions of three people drawing lots are not consistent, we will follow the opinions of two of them.
If you encounter a major decision, you really need to give it some serious thought. You should carefully consider your own position, discuss it with your ministers, the common people, and even consult the oracles. If everyone's on board, it'll be like the world is in perfect harmony, with good health for you and a bright future for your descendants. But if it’s just you who agrees, while the oracles do too but the ministers and common people don’t, that's still a good omen. If the ministers and the oracles agree but you and the common people don’t, that's still lucky. If the common people and the oracles agree, but you and the ministers disagree, that’s still a good sign. However, if it’s only you who agrees, and the oracles, ministers, and common people all disagree, then things will be fine at home, but stormy outside. If the oracles contradict everyone else's opinions, it's best to stay calm, as this is a good sign; otherwise, you're asking for trouble.
Next, let's discuss other signs: rain, sunshine, overcast skies, cold, and wind, in their proper sequence. If all five phenomena are present and appear in order, the harvest will be bountiful. However, if only one phenomenon persists or if one is completely absent, it is a bad omen. Good signs include: a sense of reverence, like life-giving rain; effective governance, like the sun shining everywhere; wisdom, like the gentle overcast; careful planning, like the chill of cold weather; and sagacity, like the wind blowing. Bad signs include: violence, like relentless rain; overstepping, like unyielding sunshine; laxity, like perpetual overcast; impatience, like biting cold; and confusion, like ceaseless wind. The king observes the yearly cycle, ministers the monthly, and officials the daily. A harmonious year brings bountiful harvests, good governance, and prosperity for all. Conversely, if the year, month, day, and hour are all abnormal, crops will fail, governance will descend into chaos, people will suffer poverty, and families will be restless. People looked to the stars, and if the stars brought good winds and rain, it signified a positive omen. The movement of the sun and moon, with winter and summer, and the moon following the stars, will bring wind and rain.
Five great fortunes: longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a good ending. Six great misfortunes: premature death, illness, sorrow, poverty, evil, and weakness.
Finally, King Wu installed Ji Zi in Korea, but Ji Zi refused to submit.
This is the story of what happened after the fall of the Shang dynasty and the rise of the Zhou...
After Ji Zi assisted the Zhou Dynasty, he passed by the old capital of the Shang dynasty and saw the palace in ruins, overgrown with weeds, feeling heartbroken. Unable to cry, fearing being looked down upon, he composed the poem "Mai Xiu" to express his grief. The poem reads, "The wheat is gradually growing, the millet is lush. That treacherous boy, he's done me wrong!" This "treacherous boy" refers to King Zhou of Shang. When the people of the Shang dynasty heard this poem, they couldn't help but shed tears.
After King Wu died, King Cheng was still young, so the Duke of Zhou took over the government. Guan Shu and Cai Shu harbored doubts and conspired with Wu Geng to rebel, attacking King Cheng and the Duke of Zhou. The Duke of Zhou, under King Cheng's orders, quelled the rebellion, killed Guan Shu, exiled Cai Shu, and then put Wei Zi Qi in charge as the descendant of the Shang dynasty, allowing him to worship the ancestors of the Shang. The Duke of Zhou specially wrote "The Command of Wei Zi" to announce to the world and gave Wei Zi Qi the state of Song. Wei Zi Qi was benevolent and wise, so the remaining people of the Shang dynasty greatly supported him.
After Wei Zi Qi's death, his brother Yan took over, known as Wei Zhong. After Wei Zhong's death, his son Song Gong Ji inherited the throne. After Song Gong Ji's death, his son Ding Gong Shen took over. After Ding Gong Shen's death, his son Min Gong Gong succeeded him. After Min Gong Gong's death, his brother Yang Gong Xi took the throne. Just after Yang Gong ascended, Min Gong's son Fu killed Yang Gong and declared himself king, saying, "It's my right to be king!", known as Li Gong. After Li Gong's death, his son Hui Gong succeeded him.
During Hui Gong's seventeen years in power, King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi. After twenty-eight years of rule, Hui Gong passed away, and his son Hui Gong took over. Hui Gong ruled for four years before King Xuan of Zhou ascended the throne. Thirty years later, Hui Gong passed away, and his son Ai Gong succeeded him. Ai Gong died after one year in power, and his son Dai Gong took the throne.
Dai Gong ruled for twenty-nine years, during which King You of Zhou was killed by the nomadic Quanrong and the state of Qin was recognized as a tributary state. Thirty-four years later, Dai Gong died, and his son Wu Kong succeeded him. Wu's daughter married Duke Hui of Lu and gave birth to Duke Huan of Lu. After ruling for eighteen years, Wu passed away, and his son Xuan Li succeeded him.
Xuan had a crown prince named Yu Yi. Nineteen years later, Xuan fell ill and passed the throne to his younger brother He, saying: "After a father's death, the son succeeds; after a brother's death, the brother succeeds. That's just how things are done. I should pass the throne to He." He declined three times before accepting the throne. After Xuan's death, his brother He succeeded him and became Duke Mu.
In 659 BC, during Mu's ninth year of rule, he fell ill and summoned the chief military officer Kong Fu to his bedside, saying: "My father Xuan relinquished the position of crown prince and appointed me as his successor. I have never forgotten this favor. After my death, you must appoint Yu Yi as the ruler." Kong Fu replied: "The ministers all hope to appoint Duke Feng as the ruler." Mu said: "No, I cannot let Xuan down." So Mu sent Duke Feng away to live in the state of Zheng. On the eighth month's gengchen day, Mu passed away, and Xuan's son Yu Yi succeeded him, becoming Duke Shang. People later said: "Duke Xuan of Song truly had insight, appointing his brother to fulfill righteousness, yet in the end, his son still succeeded to the throne."
In the first year of Shang's rule, Wei's crown prince, Zhou Xu, killed his ruler Wan and made himself king. Wanting the support of other vassal states, he sent people to Song saying: "Duke Feng is now in Zheng; he will surely cause trouble. We can attack him together." Song agreed, and together with Wei, they attacked Zheng but retreated at Zheng's east gate. The following year, Zheng attacked Song in retaliation for the battle at the east gate. After that, other vassal states frequently invaded Song.
Nine years later, Grand Marshal Kong Fu took his beautiful wife out, and they ran into Tai Zai Huadu. Huadu saw her and got a bad idea. He fancied Kong Fu's wife and spread rumors throughout the country, saying, "Shang Gong's only been on the throne ten years, and already eleven wars! The people are fed up, and it's all Kong Fu's fault. I'm gonna kill him to bring peace." In the same year, the Duke of Lu got bumped off. Ten years later, Huadu offed Kong Fu and took his wife. Shang Gong was very angry, so he killed Huadu and brought back Zheng's prince, who became Duke Zhuang.
Huadu became prime minister the first year Duke Zhuang took over. Nine years later, Huadu nabbed Zheng's Ji Zhong and made him put Tu on the throne. Ji Zhong agreed, and Tu eventually became the ruler of Zheng. Duke Zhuang died after nineteen years in power, and his son Duke Min inherited the throne.
Duke Min ruled for seven years before Duke Huan of Qi took the throne. Nine years later, Song got hit by a flood, and Lu sent Zang Wenzhong to offer their sympathies. Duke Min admitted his mistakes, saying, "I didn't worship the gods right, and my rule was bad, so we got the flood." Zang Wenzhong thought this was well said. In fact, these words were taught to Duke Min by Gongzi Ziyu.
Ten years back, in the summer, Song attacked Lu at Chengqiu, and captured Song's top general, Nangong Wan. Later, Song asked for him back, and he went home.
In the following autumn, Duke Min of Song went hunting with Nangong Wan, but they had a gambling spat. "I used to respect you," says Duke Min, "but now you're just a Lu prisoner!" Humiliated, Nangong Wan lost it and killed Duke Min at Mengze.
After Lord Qiu Mu heard about it, he surrounded the palace with soldiers. Nangong Wan fought Qiu Mu, knocking his teeth out against the palace gate. Qiu Mu died right then and there. Later, Nangong Wan also killed the Grand Preceptor Huadu and made Prince You the ruler. Some other princes fled to Xiaodi, and Prince Yu fled to Bodi. Nangong Wan's brother Nangong Niu surrounded Bodi with soldiers. That winter, Xiaodi and other princes of Song joined forces to kill Nangong Niu, then killed the new ruler Prince You, and installed Prince Yu, the brother of Song Mingong, as the new ruler, who became Song Huangong. Nangong Wan fled to the state of Chen. Song wanted to redeem Nangong Wan, so they bribed Chen. The Chen people got a woman to ply Nangong Wan with wine, then had him wrapped in oxhide and sent back to Song. As a result, Song had Nangong Wan executed and his body dismembered.
Song Huangong ruled for two years, and princes from various states attacked Song, but retreated at its borders. Three years later, Duke Huan of Qi began to dominate the various states. Twenty-three years later, Song installed the exiled Duke Hui of Wei as ruler of Wei, thus making him Duke Wen. Duke Wen of Wei's sister later became the wife of Song Huangong. In the same year, Duke Mu of Qin ascended the throne. Seven years later, Song Huangong fell ill, and Crown Prince Zifu wanted his half-brother Muyi to succeed him. However, Song Huangong insisted on appointing Crown Prince Zifu as his successor and did not listen to him in the end.
In the spring of the following year, Song Huangong died, and Crown Prince Zifu succeeded him, becoming Song Xiangong. Song Xiangong appointed his half-brother Muyi as his chief minister. Before Song Xiangong could be buried, Duke Huan of Qi summoned the princes to a meeting at Kuiqiu, and Song Xiangong also attended.
Song Xiangong ruled for seven years, and a strange event occurred in Song: stars rained down with the rain; six orioles flew upside down, and the wind blew particularly fiercely.
Eight years after Duke Huan of Qi passed away, the State of Song wanted to host a meeting of the feudal lords. In the spring of the twelfth year, Duke Xiang of Song held the meeting at Lu Shang, hoping to win over Chu, which agreed. Duke Xiang's son, Mu Yi, advised against it, saying, "A small state vying to be the leader of the alliance will bring disaster!" Duke Xiang did not listen. In the autumn, the vassals formed an alliance with Duke Xiang in Yu Di. Mu Yi said again, "The disaster is probably here. You have taken on too much; how will you handle it?" As a result, Chu captured Duke Xiang and attacked Song. In the winter, the vassals held a meeting in Bo Di and released Duke Xiang. Minister Zi Yu said, "The disaster is not over yet!"
In the summer of the thirteenth year, Song attacked Zheng. Zi Yu said, "The disaster is here!" In the autumn, Chu attacked Song to rescue Zheng. Duke Xiang wanted to fight against Chu, and Zi Yu advised against it, saying, "The Shang Dynasty has long been abandoned; it is not advisable!" In November, Duke Xiang of Song fought against King Cheng of Chu at Hong River. Before the Chu army crossed the river, Mu Yi urged, "They have more people than us; attack them before they cross!" Duke Xiang did not listen. After the Chu army crossed the river but before they formed their formation, Mu Yi said, "We can attack now!" Duke Xiang replied, "Wait until they are in formation." After the Chu army formed their ranks, the Song army launched an attack. As a result, the Song army was defeated, and Duke Xiang was injured in the thigh. The people of Song resented Duke Xiang. Duke Xiang said, "A true gentleman doesn't exploit a weakened enemy." Zi Yu replied, "War's about winning, not some flowery code of conduct! Following your rules means becoming Chu's puppets! What's the point of fighting then?"
After King Cheng of Chu rescued Zheng, Zheng hosted a banquet for him. When King Cheng of Chu left, he took two beautiful women from Zheng. Minister Shu Zhan remarked, "King Cheng of Chu is so rude; he's asking for trouble! His lack of etiquette in his actions shows that he cannot dominate!"
That year, Prince Chong Er of Jin passed through Song. Wounded at the Battle of Hong River, Duke Xiang hoped for Jin's support and showered Chong Er with gifts—twenty war chariots and their horses.
In the summer of the fourteenth year, Duke Xiang of Song kicked the bucket due to injuries from the Battle of Hong Water, and his son Duke Cheng took the throne. In the first year of Duke Cheng's reign, Duke Wen of Jin became ruler. Three years later, the State of Song broke its alliance with the State of Chu and sided with the State of Jin, as Song wanted to curry favor with Duke Wen of Jin. In the fourth year, King Cheng of Chu attacked the State of Song, and Song asked Jin for help. In the fifth year, Duke Wen of Jin helped the State of Song, and the Chu forces retreated. In the ninth year, Duke Wen of Jin passed away. In the eleventh year, Crown Prince Shangchen of Chu killed his father King Cheng and seized the throne. In the sixteenth year, Duke Mu of Qin passed away. In the seventeenth year, Duke Cheng of Song kicked the bucket. Duke Cheng's brother Yu killed the Crown Prince and Grand Marshal Gugong of Song (the highest military official), and declared himself ruler. The people of Song killed Duke Yu and made Duke Cheng's young son, Chuju, the new ruler, who became Duke Zhao of Song. In the fourth year of Duke Zhao's reign, the State of Song defeated Changdi Yuan Si in Changqiu. In the seventh year, King Zhuang of Chu took the throne. In the ninth year, Duke Zhao was a lousy ruler, and the people did not support him. Duke Zhao's brother Bao Ge, on the other hand, was charismatic and popular. Earlier, Xiang Gong's wife had a fling with Lord Bao but failed, so she helped Bao Ge seize power and even made Doctor Huayuan (the Prime Minister) the right minister. Later, when Duke Zhao went hunting, Xiang Gong's wife Lady Wang instructed Wei Bo to kill Duke Zhao like a pig. Bao Ge then became the ruler, known as Duke Wen. In the first year of Duke Wen's rule, the State of Jin led other vassal states to attack the State of Song, blaming Song for killing their ruler. When they heard that Duke Wen was the legitimate heir, the State of Jin withdrew its troops. In the second year, Duke Zhao's sons united with Duke Wen's relatives, as well as members of the Wu, Miao, Dai, Zhuang, and Huan clans, to rebel. Duke Wen killed them all and expelled the members of the Wu and Miao clans from the State of Song.
Spring, year four, the State of Chu ordered the State of Zheng to attack the State of Song. Song sent Hua Yuan to lead the troops, but they were defeated by Zheng, and Hua Yuan was captured. While leading the troops into battle, Hua Yuan had sheep slaughtered to feed the troops, but the sheep weren't properly cooked, and the soldiers were furious. They deserted to the Zheng army, leading to a major defeat for the Song army and the capture of Hua Yuan. Song used a hundred chariots and four hundred good horses to ransom Hua Yuan. Before they’d even finished paying the ransom, Hua Yuan secretly ran back to the State of Song.
In the fourteenth year, King Zhuang of Chu surrounded the State of Zheng. The ruler of Zheng surrendered to Chu, and King Zhuang released the State of Zheng. In the sixteenth year, Chu sent envoys passing through the State of Song, but because of old grudges, Song captured the Chu envoys. In September, King Zhuang of Chu besieged the State of Song. In the seventeenth year, Chu besieged Song for five months without success. Song was in a desperate situation, running out of food. Hua Yuan secretly went to negotiate a surrender with Chu's generals. The generals reported this to King Zhuang, who asked about the situation in the city. The generals replied that people were resorting to cannibalism. King Zhuang believed them and withdrew his troops.
In the twenty-second year, Duke Wen passed away, and his son Duke Gong Xian succeeded him. Duke Gong Xian began lavish funerals, which drew criticism from those who valued etiquette, calling him disloyal. During his reign of ten years, Hua Yuan established good relations with the generals of Chu and Jin, brokering an alliance between the two states. In the thirteenth year of his rule, Duke Gong passed away. Hua Yuan became the Right Minister, and Yu Shi was the Left Minister. Sima Tangshan killed the Crown Prince Fei and attempted to kill Hua Yuan, who fled to the State of Jin. Yu Shi persuaded him to return and, at the Yellow River, convinced him to come back and then killed Tangshan. Finally, Duke Gong's youngest son, Cheng, became Duke Ping.
In the third year of King Ping, King Gong of Chu occupied Pengcheng of Song and granted it to the chief minister of Song, Yushi. In the fourth year, other vassal states attacked Yushi and returned Pengcheng to Song. In the thirty-fifth year, a Chu prince killed the king and declared himself the Ling King. In the forty-fourth year, King Ping died, and his son King Zhu succeeded to the throne.
In 547 BC, a Chu prince killed Ling King and became King Ping. Eight years later, a fire broke out in Song. Ten years later, King Zhu of Song ignored advice and used trickery to kill several princes, leading to a rebellion by the Hu and Xiang families. The Crown Prince of Chu fled to Song for refuge but saw the rebellion was too dangerous, so he fled to Zheng. In the fifteenth year, King Zhu of Song stayed outside to help the ruler of Lu escape the Ji clan's power and died on the way, and his son King Jing succeeded to the throne.
In 525 BC, Yang Hu of Lu fled to Song for refuge but later left. In 515 BC, Confucius passed through Song, and Huan Tui, Song's Sima, disliked him and wanted to kill him, so Confucius quickly disguised himself and escaped. In 510 BC, Cao betrayed Song and then Jin, so Song attacked Cao, and Jin did not help, resulting in the destruction of Cao by Song. In 504 BC, Tian Chang of Qi killed Duke Jian of Qi.
In 503 BC, King Hui of Chu destroyed the state of Chen. At this time, Mars went retrograde in the Heart constellation, which was the territory of Song. King Jing of Song was very worried about this. The royal astronomer, Ziwei, said, "The disaster can be transferred to the Prime Minister." "The Prime Minister is my right-hand man!" replied King Jing. Ziwei continued, "It can be transferred to the people." "A king relies on the people!" King Jing responded. Ziwei finally said, "It can be transferred to the crops." King Jing exclaimed, "If the crops fail, the people will suffer; then what kind of king will I be!" Ziwei said, "The heavens are vast; you've spoken like a king three times, so Mars should move." They waited, and indeed, Mars moved three times.
In 487 BC, Song's Prince Te killed the crown prince and became the ruler, thus becoming Duke Zhao of Song. This Zhao was the illegitimate son of Duke Yuan of Song. Zhao's father was Gongsun Jiu, whose father was Prince Zhi Qin, the youngest son of Duke Yuan of Song. King Jing killed Zhao's father Jiu, so Zhao was consumed by bitterness and killed the crown prince to become king.
In 440 BC, Duke Zhao died, and his son Duke Dao succeeded him. Duke Dao ruled for eight years before his death, after which his son Duke Xiu succeeded him. Duke Xiu reigned for twenty-three years until his death, and then his son Duke Bi of the Bi clan took the throne. Three years later, Duke Bi died, and his son Ti Cheng succeeded him. In 428 BC, Ti Cheng's brother Yan attacked him, forcing Ti Cheng to flee to the state of Qi, where Yan proclaimed himself the ruler of Song.
In 631 BC, King Yan of Song declared himself king. He first defeated the state of Qi, capturing five cities; then he defeated the state of Chu, occupying a vast territory of three hundred miles; and finally, he defeated the army of the state of Wei, becoming enemies with both Qi and Wei. He was particularly cruel, engaging in a sadistic game where he'd shoot arrows at a blood-filled bag he called "shooting the sky." He indulged in a life of wine, women, and song, and if his ministers dared to advise him, he would shoot them dead. Therefore, other neighboring states believed that Song was repeating the mistakes of the tyrannical Xia and Shang kings and must be destroyed. Consequently, the state of Qi united with other states to prepare for an attack on Song.
King Yan's 47-year reign ended when King Min of Qi, allied with Wei and Chu, conquered Song, killing King Yan and dividing the conquered land into three parts.
Sima Qian said that Confucius once said: "Weizi left the Shang Dynasty, Jizi became a slave, and Bigan was executed for his outspoken criticism, yet the Shang still had these three benevolent men!" In the "Spring and Autumn Annals," it criticizes Song, stating that from the time Duke Xuan deposed the crown prince and made his younger brother the heir, Song has been in chaos for ten generations. By the time of Duke Xiang of Song, he strived to uphold ren and yi, wanting to become overlord among the feudal lords. His minister Zhengfu admired him greatly, so he wrote the "Shang Ode," tracing back to the reasons for the prosperity of the Shang during the reigns of the legendary founders Tang and Gaozong. Although Duke Xiang of Song failed in the Battle of Hongshui (a battle where he prioritized ritual over tactical advantage), some scholars believed he did the right thing, saying that although he failed, he embodied ren and yi, deserving praise. Duke Xiang of Song's spirit of ren and yi deserves to be lauded.
