King Tang (湯) | 24 Histories

Overview

King Tang was a Founding king of the Shang dynasty.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Cheng Tang	成湯	Cheng Tang
Alternate name	Tang of Yin	殷湯	Yin Tang
Epithet	High Tang	高后

Life and dates

Death

Unspecified
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 81

Attested activity

商有天下
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 44, passage 166
湯、舜韶
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 8
湯武
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 66
legendary antiquity
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 25, passage 205; Book of Han 25, passages 84, 289; Book of Han 26, passages 130, 144; Book of Han 67, passage 256; Book of Han 68, passage 20; Book of Han 91, passage 41; Book of Han 98, passage 170; Book of Later Han 32, passages 73, 102; Book of Later Han 122, passage 156; History of Jin 35, passages 62-64; Old Book of Tang 150, passage 203; Old History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 148; Old History of the Five Dynasties 30, passage 39; Old History of the Five Dynasties 39, passage 7; History of Liao 78, passage 63; History of Ming 8, passage 15; Book of Southern Qi 36, passage 133; Book of Southern Qi 47, passage 75; Records of the Three Kingdoms 62, passages 61-62; Records of the Grand Historian 2, passages 254-255, 257-259; Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 44; Records of the Grand Historian 65, passage 110; Records of the Grand Historian 72, passage 64; Records of the Grand Historian 76, passage 46; Book of Song 56, passage 202; New Book of Tang 123, passage 248; New Book of Tang 138, passage 162; History of Yuan 171, passage 114; Book of Zhou 23, passage 409; Book of Zhou 46, passage 14
legendary antiquity
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 49, passage 104
legendary antiquity
Uncertain · Old History of the Five Dynasties 103, passage 241

Show 19 more source-backed claims

c. BC 1600 Tang of Shang
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 23
BC 1700 to BC 1500 商湯時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 41, passage 41
BC 1600 商湯約BC1600
Strongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 33, passage 23
BC 1600 to BC 1500 契、湯
Directly stated · History of Song 106, passage 69
BC 1600 成湯
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 19
c. BC 1600 成湯之隆殷基
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 117, passage 103
BC 1600 成湯有南巢之伐
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 10
BC 1600 to BC 1500 或曰，伊尹負鼎而勉湯以王，百里奚飯牛車下而繆公用霸，作先合，然後引之大道。
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 45
BC 1610 to BC 1600 昔成湯受命
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 277
BC 1600 to BC 1550 有商建國
Strongly inferred · History of Song 106, passage 4
BC 1600 殷湯代夏氏
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 410
BC 1600 殷湯革命
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 96, passage 9
BC 1675 to BC 1550 湯、武革命
Strongly inferred · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 138, passages 84, 88
c. BC 1670 to c. BC 1580 湯
Strongly inferred · History of the Northern Dynasties 84, passage 11
BC 1600 湯
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 22
BC 1600 湯時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 34, passage 7
BC 1600 湯止于亳
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 150
BC 1600 湯武
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 118
BC 1600 至于湯武，而有天下
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 111

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Ancestor of Taijia (太甲)
senior great-grandson through the main line 適長孫 · paternal line · 2 generations
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 84
Ancestor of Kong Ji (孔吉)
descendant 後 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passages 277-278
Child of Zhugui (主癸)
father 父
fathered 生 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 19; Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 359
Parent of Taiding (太丁)
father 父
heir 太子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 81; Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 411

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Descent descendant of Qi after more than ten generations 後十餘世至湯 · Ancestor Person Id Qi (契)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passages 44, 46

Career and standing

Son of Heaven 天子
Assumed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 258
enfeoffed Xia's descendants 封夏之後
Granted · [object Object]
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 259
highest honor 至尊嚴
Supreme dignity
Directly stated · Book of Han 67, passage 256
took the Son of Heaven position 踐天子位
Acceded
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 258
Became king
With Yi Yin (伊尹)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 45
Received mandate
BC 1610 to BC 1600 昔成湯受命
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 277

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Son of Heaven
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 66

Places and affiliations

Polity Later Han 後漢 · Relation Associated with
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 103, passage 241
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Founded
Directly stated · History of Song 106, passage 4
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 277; History of Song 106, passage 69; New Book of Tang 44, passage 166
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 10; Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 118; Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 138, passage 84
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 41, passage 41
Polity Shang 殷 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 96, passage 9; Book of Jin 117, passage 103; Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 125

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Polity Xia 夏 · Relation Replaced
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 258
At Bo 亳 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 21
At Bo 亳 · Relation Settled at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 150
At Nanchao 南巢 · Relation Attacked
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 10

Works and attributed material

Shao music 韶
Relation Associated ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 8
Oath of Tang 湯誓
Relation Author
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 60
並告無辜於上下神祇
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 63
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passages 24, 47, 68

Events and relationships

Attacked Jie
Military · Attacker · With King Jie of Xia (夏桀)
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 63
Attacked
Military · Commander · With King Jie of Xia (夏桀) · [object Object]
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 255
Attacked
Military · Commander · At Nanchao 南巢
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 10
Became king without following antiquity
Political · Founder king
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 66
Campaigned against Sanzong
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 122, passage 156
Carried out revolution
Political · Founder
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 138, passage 84

Show 25 more source-backed claims

Changed the Mandate and pacified the Yi
Military · Commander · With Jie (桀)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 96, passage 9
Cited in edict
Allusion · Exemplar · With Mingzong (帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 39, passage 7
retained mutilating punishments 順而行之
Legal · Ruler · Continued · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Xunzi (孫卿)
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 289
Defeated
Military · Commander · With King Jie of Xia (夏桀) · At Yousong 有娀
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passages 46, 62
Endured seven years of drought with stores prepared
Disaster · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 144
Enfeoffed xia descendants
Political · Ruler · At Qi 杞
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 259
Experienced famine and abundance cycles
Disaster · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 26, passage 130
His age was invoked as one in which even enormous cowries could not relieve thirst
Historical example · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Song 56, passage 202
Imprisoned then released
Political · Captive · With King Jie of Xia (夏桀) · At Xia tower 夏臺
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 254
Launched a punitive campaign with King Wu
Military · Commander · With King Wu of Zhou (武王)
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 87
Occupied the imperial throne and extended utmost virtue to thicken customs
Political · Sovereign
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 84, passage 11
Possessed all under Heaven
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 111
Raised the Yin foundation
Political · Exemplar
Directly stated · Book of Jin 117, passage 103
Received Yi Yin with the cauldron
Allusion · Recipient · Mode quotation
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 248
Received the mandate and ranked among Three Dynasties
BC 1610 to BC 1600 昔成湯受命，列為三代 · Political · Recipient
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 277
Replaced xia
Political · Conqueror · With King Jie of Xia (夏桀)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 410
Ruled world from seventy li
Legendary rule · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 76, passage 46
Seized then guarded the realm
BC 1600 湯武 · Political · Exemplar
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 118
Suffered drought as aftereffect of Jie
Disaster · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 58
Took officers from merchants
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 125
Was bound at Xiatai and later became king
Captivity · Captive
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 41, passage 41
Worshipped beyond zhaomu
Ritual · Enshrined ancestor · Mode quotation Speaker Zhang Zhao (張昭)
Directly stated · History of Song 106, passage 4
Relation Successor of · Person King Jie of Xia (夏桀)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 258
Relation Overthrew · Person Jie (桀)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 96, passage 9
Relation Same dynastic line as · Person Qi (契)
Strongly inferred · History of Song 106, passage 4

Assessments and attributes

Assessment confessed-faults · Mode quotation Speaker Mingzong (帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 39, passage 7
Assessment cultivated virtue so that the lords rallied to him · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 255
Assessment did not lose reverent awe despite supreme honor · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 67, passage 256
Assessment paragon of self-reproaching sovereign virtue · Mode quotation Speaker Li Baozhen (李抱真)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 138, passage 162
Assessment virtue capped the hundred kings yet observed modest restraint · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Yao Xing (姚興)
Directly stated · Book of Jin 117, passage 105
praised in the edict as a supreme sage 詔中稱為上聖
AD 955 · Mode narrator
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 115, passage 14

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 277; Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 125
Historicity legendary
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 289; Book of Han 26, passage 130; History of Jin 35, passage 62; Old History of the Five Dynasties 39, passage 7; Records of the Three Kingdoms 62, passage 62; Records of the Grand Historian 72, passage 64; New Book of Tang 44, passage 166; New Book of Tang 123, passage 248; New Book of Tang 138, passage 162; Book of Zhou 46, passage 14
Historicity legendary
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 2, passage 254
Value historical
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 96, passage 9
Value legendary
Directly stated · Book of Han 68, passage 20
seventeen generations from Yellow Emperor to Tang
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 410

References in the histories

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History

118 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 25Volume 25 Biographies 17: Zhang Zuan; Zhang Liang; Zhang Yao; Zhang Qi; Xu Yuan; Wang Jun; Wang Hong · 1 passage

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伏願陛下哀忠念舊，愛孤恤寡，矜愚嘉善，舍過記功，敦骨肉之情，廣寬仁之路，思堯、舜之風，慕禹、湯之德，克己復禮，以成美化，天下幸甚。」 I venture to hope Your Majesty will pity the loyal and remember the old, cherish the orphaned and comfort the widowed, pity the foolish and praise the good, pardon faults and record merit, thicken kinship among flesh and bone, broaden the path of generous forbearance, think of the manner of Yao and Shun, admire the virtue of Yu and Tang, restrain yourself and return to ritual to complete a transformation of culture — all under Heaven would be greatly blessed."

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 49Volume 49 Biographies 41: Arts · 1 passage

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《革彖辭》云：『湯武革命，應天順人。』」 The Ge judgment says that Tang and Wu changed the mandate, obeying Heaven and the people."

History of the Northern Dynasties, Chapter 84Volume 84 Biographies 72: Filial Acts · 1 passage

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是以堯、舜、湯、武居帝王之位，垂至德以敦其風； Yao, Shun, Tang, and Wu sat upon the imperial throne and spread supreme virtue to deepen the moral climate of their age;

Book of Han, Chapter 11Volume 10: Annals of Emperor Cheng · 1 passage

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昔成湯受命，列為三代，而祭祀廢絕。 Formerly Cheng Tang received the mandate, was ranked among the Three Dynasties, and the sacrifices were abolished and extinguished.

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 4 passages

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故齊之技擊不可以遇魏之武卒，魏之武卒不可以直秦之銳士，秦之銳士不可以當桓、文之節制，桓、文之節制不可以敵湯、武之仁義。」 Thus Qi's skilled fighters cannot match Wei's trained soldiers; Wei's trained soldiers cannot stand against Qin's elite warriors; Qin's elite warriors cannot withstand the discipline of Duke Huan and Duke Wen; and the discipline of Huan and Wen cannot rival the benevolence and righteousness of Tang and Wu.'

湯、武征伐，陳師誓眾，而放禽桀、紂，所謂善陳不戰者也。 Tang and Wu's legitimacy made victory decisive once forces were arrayed, minimizing prolonged combat.

夏有亂政而作禹刑，商有亂政而作湯刑，周有亂政而作九刑。 Major penal codifications historically arose in periods of political disorder.

孫卿之言既然，又因俗說而論之曰：禹承堯舜之後，自以德衰而制肉刑，湯武順而行之者，以俗薄於唐虞故也。 Xunzi, having made this argument, went on to reason from the conventional account: Yu succeeded Yao and Shun but, believing that moral virtue had declined, instituted mutilating punishments; Tang and King Wu retained them because customs were less refined than in the age of Yao and Shun.

Book of Han, Chapter 26Volume 24a: Treatise on Trade 1 · 3 passages

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世之有飢穰，天之行也，禹、湯被之矣。 Famine and abundance are Heaven's recurrent course; Yu and Tang experienced them too.

故堯、禹有九年之水，湯有七年之旱，而國亡捐瘠者，以畜積多而備先具也。 Thus Yao and Yu endured nine years of floods, and Tang seven years of drought, yet no one in their states was abandoned to starve, because their reserves were ample and their preparations made in advance.

今海內為一，土地人民之眾不避湯、禹，加以亡天災數年之水旱，而畜積未及者，何也？ Now with the realm unified, land and population no less than under Tang or Yu, and without multi-year flood or drought, why have accumulations still not reached their level?

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 1 passage

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夫能詘於一人之下，而信於萬乘之上者，湯武是也。 Tang and King Wu could submit to one ruler for a time and ultimately rise above the sovereign of ten thousand chariots.

Book of Han, Chapter 67Volume 57b: Sima Xiangru · 1 passage

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是以湯、武至尊嚴，不失肅祗，舜在假典，顧省厥遺：此之謂也。 Tang and Wu held the highest rank yet never dropped their awe; Shun, while dwelling in the great canons, still reviewed his faults. This is the sense of it.

Book of Han, Chapter 68Volume 58: Gongsun Hong, Bu Shi and Er Kuan · 3 passages

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禹、湯水旱，厥咎何由？ When Yu and Tang suffered flood and drought, what fault brought it on?

若湯之旱，則桀之餘烈也。 Tang's drought was the aftertaste of Jie's evil reign.

禹、湯積德，以王天下。 Yu and Tang piled up virtue and so won the empire.

Book of Han, Chapter 74Volume 64a: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 1 · 2 passages

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於是王謝曰：「雖湯伐桀，文王伐崇，誠不過此。 Liu An bowed and said: "Tang's war on Jie and King Wen's strike at Chong were no finer than this.

名何必夏、子，俗何必成、康！ You need not yet rival Yu and Tang in fame, nor Cheng and Kang in the purity of your age.

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 3 passages

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朔對曰：「堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武、成、康上古之事，經歷數千載，尚難言也，臣不敢陳。 Shuo answered, "The deeds of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, Cheng, and Kang lie so far back in time that even after millennia they are hard to discuss clearly; I would not presume to rehearse them here.

故伊尹蒙恥辱、負鼎俎、和五味以干湯，太公釣於渭之陽以見文王。 That is why Yi Yin swallowed humiliation, shouldered the kitchen cauldron, and seasoned five flavors to win Tang's ear, and the Grand Duke angled on the north bank of the Wei until King Wen found him.

臣子之職既加矣，於是裂地定封，爵為公侯，傳國子孫，名顯後世，民到於今稱之，以遇湯與文王也。 Once their service was complete, they received fiefs, noble rank, and lines that still shine in history—the people praise them yet because they met Tang and King Wen.

Book of Han, Chapter 91Volume 80: The Six Sons of Emperors Xuan and Yuan · 2 passages

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大王誠賜咳唾，使得盡死，湯、禹所以成大功也。 If my lord will only breathe a word of consent, I will spend my last breath as Tang and Yu did to build great deeds.

有司奏王，王舅張博數遺王書，非毀政治，謗訕天子，褒舉諸侯，稱引周、湯，以諂惑王，所言尤惡，悖逆無道。 They say your uncle Zhang Bo wrote you again and again, attacking policy, mocking the throne, praising other kings, and invoking the ancient sages only to seduce you—language foul enough to count as treason.

Book of Han, Chapter 98Volume 87a: Yang Xiong 1 · 2 passages

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成湯好田而天下用足； Tang of Shang loved hunting and still the realm wanted for nothing.

雖頗割其三垂以贍齊民，然至羽獵、田車、戎馬、器械、儲偫、禁御所營，尚泰奢麗誇詡，非堯、舜、成湯、文王三驅之意也。 Some outer parkland was cut back for the people, yet the hunt itself—chariots, horses, gear—still swaggered in luxury, far from the restrained three-sided chase of the sages.

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 1 passage

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臮于稷𢍆，咸佐唐虞，光濟四海，奕世載德，至于湯武，而有天下。 Through ministers such as Hou Ji and Xie the virtue of Yao and Shun spread across the seas, generation on generation, until Tang of Shang and Wu of Zhou inherited the whole realm.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 32Volume 28b: Biography of Feng Yan · 2 passages

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昔伊尹之幹湯兮，七十說而乃信； Yi Yin pled his case to Tang seventy times before he was believed;

苗裔紛其條暢兮，至湯、武而勃興。 Their line branched and flourished until Tang and Wu burst forth in power.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 96Volume 85: Treatise on the Dongyi · 1 passage

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桀為暴虐，諸夷内侵，殷湯革命，伐而定之。 Under the tyrant Jie the eastern peoples pressed inward; Tang of Shang "renewed the Mandate" and campaigned until he brought them to heel.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 122Volume 111: Commanderies and States Part Three · 1 passage

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有三鬷亭。湯伐三鬷，孔安國曰今定陶。 Sanzong Pavilion is named in the same entry. Tang's campaign against Sanzong is glossed by Kong Anguo as taking place at present-day Dingtao.

History of Jin, Chapter 35Volume 35 Treatises 16: Rites 8: Consecration of Shrines to a Sages; Temple to the Warrior King Cheng of Zhou; Monarchs of Past Ages; Halls to Various Spirits in Changbai Shan, Dafang Shan, Amur River, Jia Yin Hou; Spirits of the Lu River; Spirits of Zhao Yin Shun; Spirits of Zhen an Gong, Rui Shen Gongl; Worshipping, Sacrifices, Vists, and State Ceremonies at Zhen Xian Jun Wang Temple · 4 passages

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三年一祭，于仲春之月祭伏犧于陳州，神農於亳州，軒轅於坊州，少昊於兗州，顓頊於開州，高辛於歸德府，陶唐於平陽府，虞舜、夏禹、成湯於河中府，周文王、武王於京兆府。 Sacrifices were held once every three years: in mid-spring Fuxi was honored at Chen Prefecture, Shennong at Bozhou, the Yellow Emperor at Fang Prefecture, Shaohao at Yan Prefecture, Zhuanxu at Kai Prefecture, Gaoxin at Guide Prefecture, Emperor Yao at Pingyang Prefecture, Shun, Yu, and Tang at Hezhong Prefecture, and Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou at Jingzhao Prefecture.

泰和三年、尚書省奏：「太常寺言：'《開元禮》祭帝嚳、堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武、漢祖祝版請禦署。 In Taihe 3 the Secretariat memorialized: "The Court of Imperial Sacrifices reports that under the Kaiyuan Rites, prayer boards for sacrifices to Di Ku, Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Kings Wen and Wu, and the Han Founder require imperial endorsement.

《開寶禮》犧、軒、顓頊、帝嚳、陶唐、女媧、成湯、文、武請禦署，自漢高祖以下二十七帝不署。 The Kaibao Rites require imperial endorsement for Fu Xi, the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu, Di Ku, Emperor Yao, Nüwa, Tang, and Kings Wen and Wu; from Han Gaozu downward twenty-seven emperors are not endorsed.

'參知政事即康及鉉以為三皇、五帝、禹、湯、文、武皆垂世立教之君，唐、宋致祭皆禦署，而今降祝版不署，恐於禮未盡。 Vice Grand Councilors Jikang and Quan held that the Three August Ones, Five Emperors, Yu, Tang, and Kings Wen and Wu were all rulers who handed down teaching for the ages; Tang and Song sacrifices all received imperial endorsement, and now to issue prayer boards without endorsement may fall short of ritual propriety.

Book of Jin, Chapter 117Volume 117 Records 17: Yao Xing Part One · 2 passages

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於是其太尉趙公旻等五十三人上疏諫曰：「伏惟陛下勳格皇天，功濟四海，威靈振於殊域，聲教暨于遐方，雖成湯之隆殷基，武王之崇周業，未足比喻。 Fifty-three ministers led by Zhao Min begged, "Your Majesty's merit matches august heaven and your work saves the four seas—though Cheng Tang and King Wu are not enough for comparison.

興曰：「殷湯、夏禹德冠百王，然猶順守謙沖，未居崇極，況朕寡昧，安可以處之哉！」 Yao Xing answered, "Even Tang of Yin and Yu of Xia capped the hundred kings in virtue, yet still observed modest restraint and did not occupy the supreme height—how can I, dull and dim, dwell there!"

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 5Volume 5 Book of Later Liang 5: Taizu Annals 5 · 1 passage

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為人父母，孰比禹、湯。 and as fathers and mothers of the people, none match Yu and Tang.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 30Volume 30 Book of Later Tang 6: Zhuangzong Annals 4 · 1 passage

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湯網垂仁，既矜全族； When Tang's net showed mercy, whole clans lived;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 39Volume 39 Book of Later Tang 15: Mingzong Annals 5 · 1 passage

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禹、湯申罪己之言，庶明知過。 and Yu and Tang's confessions of fault so subjects might know their errors.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 103Volume 103 Book of Later Han 5: Emperor Yin Annals, Part 2 · 1 passage

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受命之主，德非禹、湯； The ruler who received the mandate lacked the virtue of Yu or Tang;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 115Volume 115 Book of Later Zhou 17: Shizong Annals 2 · 1 passage

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雖堯、舜、禹、湯之上聖，文、武、成康之至明，尚猶思逆耳之言，求苦口之藥，何況後人之不逮哉！ Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang were supreme sages; Wen, Wu, Cheng, and Kang were supremely enlightened—yet they still welcomed unwelcome counsel and sought bitter medicine for the state. How much more must lesser rulers do so!

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 144Volume 144: Treatises 6 Music 1 · 1 passage

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湯、舜韶，混陵谷而俱失。 and the Shao music of Tang of Shang and Shun of Yu was swallowed up with the hills and valleys, lost without trace.

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 1 passage

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湯之伐桀也，數其罪曰「並告無辜於上下神祇」； When Tang attacked Jie, he recited his crimes: "You have together reported the innocent to the spirits above and below";

History of Ming, Chapter 8Volume 8 Annals 8: Renzong · 1 passage

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又嘗問：「堯、湯時水旱，百姓奚恃？」 On another occasion he was asked: "When flood or drought struck in the age of Yao and Tang, what did the people trust?"

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 36Volume 36 Biographies 17: Xie Chaozong, Liu Xiang · 1 passage

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是以俊乂之臣，借湯、武而隆； Thus worthy ministers rose to greatness through King Tang and King Wu;

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 47Volume 47 Biographies 28: Wang Rong, Xie Tiao · 1 passage

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若夫膏腴旣稱，天乙知五方之富，皮幣已列，帝劉測四海之尊。 When fertile lands were acclaimed, Tianyi knew the wealth of the five directions; when furs and coin were set out, Emperor Liu measured the honor of the four seas.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 33Volume 33: Book of Shu 3: Biography of the Later Lord · 1 passage

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是以湯、武脩德而王，桀、紂極暴而亡。 Tang of Shang and King Wu won the throne by moral cultivation; Jie and Zhou lost it through brutality pushed to the limit.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 61Volume 61: Book of Wu 16: Biographies of Pan Jun and Lu Kai · 1 passage

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臣聞殷湯取士於商賈，齊桓取士於車轅，周武取士於負新，大漢取士於奴僕。 Tang of Shang found ministers among traders, Huan of Qi promoted a wheelwright's son, Wu of Zhou lifted men who carried fuel, and Han raised generals from the ranks of slaves.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 62Volume 62: Book of Wu 17: Biographies of Shi Yi and Hu Zong · 1 passage

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高辛誅共，舜征有苗，啟有甘師，湯有鳴條。 Emperor Ku slew Gonggong; Shun chastised the Miao; Qi mustered the host of Gan; Tang struck at Mingtiao.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 2Annals of Xia · 5 passages

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乃召湯而囚之夏臺，已而釋之。 He summoned Tang, jailed him in the Xia tower, then let him go.

湯修德，諸侯皆歸湯，湯遂率兵以伐夏桀。 Tang built up his virtue until the lords rallied to him, then led an army against Jie.

桀謂人曰：「吾悔不遂殺湯於夏臺，使至此。」 Jie said to those about him, "I rue not killing Tang in the Xia tower when I could—now I am brought to this pass."

湯乃踐天子位，代夏朝天下。 Tang then took the throne in Xia's place and faced the realm as Son of Heaven.

湯封夏之後，至周封於杞也。 Tang enfeoffed Xia's descendants; by Zhou times they held the state of Qi.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 3Annals of Yin · 34 passages

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主癸卒，子天乙立，是為成湯。 Zhugui was succeeded by his son Tianyi—who is known as Cheng Tang.

成湯，自契至湯八遷。 From Xie to Tang the seat of the line had shifted eight times.

湯始居亳，從先王居，作帝誥。 Tang first settled at Bo, beside the tombs of his forebears, and composed the Announcement to Di.

湯征諸侯。 Tang led punitive expeditions against the regional lords.

葛伯不祀，湯始伐之。 When the lord of Ge failed to perform the sacrifices, Tang attacked him first.

湯曰：「予有言：人視水見形，視民知治不。」 Tang said, "Men look into water to see their faces; look to the people to know whether rule is sound."

湯曰：「汝不能敬命，予大罰殛之，無有攸赦。」 Tang warned, "Whoever spurns my command I will strike down without mercy."

作湯征。 He composed the Tang Punitive Expeditions.

阿衡欲奸湯而無由，乃為有莘氏媵臣，負鼎俎，以滋味說湯，致于王道。 Wishing to serve Tang but lacking an introduction, Aheng joined the Youxin bridal procession as a cook, carried pots and boards, won Tang over through his cooking, and drew him toward the kingly Way.

或曰，伊尹處士，湯使人聘迎之，五反然後肯往從湯，言素王及九主之事。 Others say yiyin was a recluse whom Tang invited five times before he came, then spoke to him of the model rulers and the Nine Masters.

湯舉任以國政。 Tang handed him the administration of the realm.

伊尹去湯適夏。 yiyin left Tang and went over to the Xia court.

湯出，見野張網四面，祝曰：「自天下四方皆入吾網。」 When Tang went abroad, he saw a hunter in the fields who had closed nets on every side, calling, "From all the world and the four quarters let everything come into my net."

湯曰：「嘻，盡之矣！」 Tang cried, "No—that would trap every living thing!"

諸侯聞之，曰：「湯德至矣，及禽獸。」 When the feudal lords heard of this, they said, "Tang’s virtue has reached its height; it extends even to birds and beasts."

湯乃興師率諸侯，伊尹從湯，湯自把鉞以伐昆吾，遂伐桀。 Tang then raised an army of the lords, yiyin at his side, and himself wielded the axe against Kunwu before marching on Jie.

湯曰：「格女眾庶，來，女悉聽朕言。 Tang addressed the host: "Come, all of you, and hear my words.

以告令師，作湯誓。 He proclaimed this to the host and composed the Oath of Tang.

於是湯曰：「吾甚武」，號曰武王。 Tang then said, "I am greatly martial," and took the title Martial King.

湯遂伐三嵕，俘厥寶玉，義伯、仲伯作典寶。 Tang then attacked Sanzong, seized its sacred jades, and the lords Yibo and Zhongbo composed the Canon of the Treasure.

湯既勝夏，欲遷其社，不可，作夏社。 After conquering Xia, Tang wished to relocate its soil altar but could not, and composed Xia's Earth Altar.

於是諸侯畢服，湯乃踐天子位，平定海內。 The lords all submitted; Tang took the throne and brought peace within the seas.

湯歸至于泰卷陶，中壘作誥。 On his return Tang halted at Taijuan Tao, where Zhonglei composed the proclamations.

既絀夏命，還亳，作湯誥：「維三月，王自至於東郊。 After ending Xia's mandate he returned to Bo and issued Tang's Announcement: "In the third month the king came in person to the eastern suburbs.

湯乃改正朔，易服色，上白，朝會以晝。 Tang then changed the calendar, altered the color of court dress to honor white, and held audiences in daylight.

湯崩，太子太丁未立而卒，於是乃立太丁之弟外丙，是為帝外丙。 When Tang died, the heir Taiding died before he could rule, so Taiding's brother Waibing became Emperor Waibing.

太甲，成湯適長孫也，是為帝太甲。 Taijia was Cheng Tang's senior great-grandson through the main line—Emperor Taijia.

帝太甲既立三年，不明，暴虐，不遵湯法，亂德，於是伊尹放之於桐宮。 After three years Taijia proved dark, violent, and lawless; yiyin banished him to the Tong palace.

帝盤庚之時，殷已都河北，盤庚渡河南，復居成湯之故居，乃五遷，無定處。 Yin had already sat north of the Yellow River; Pangeng crossed south to Cheng Tang's old capital. In all, there were five moves, and the court never stayed long in one place.

盤庚乃告諭諸侯大臣曰：「昔高后成湯與爾之先祖俱定天下，法則可修。 Pangeng addressed the lords and ministers: "Long ago High Tang and your forebears founded the realm together; its laws can still be honored.

乃遂涉河南，治亳，行湯之政，然後百姓由寧，殷道復興。 He crossed the river, ruled from Bo, restored Tang's policies, and the people found rest as Yin rose again.

諸侯來朝，以其遵成湯之德也。 The lords returned to court because he followed Tang's example.

帝武丁祭成湯，明日，有飛雉登鼎耳而呴，武丁懼。 Wuding sacrificed to Tang; the next day a pheasant lit on the cauldron's ear and cried; the king was afraid.

太史公曰：余以頌次契之事，自成湯以來，采於書詩。 The Grand Historian remarks: I ordered Xie's story by the hymns; from Cheng Tang I drew on the Documents and the Odes.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 13Genealogical Tables of the Three Dynasties · 7 passages

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主癸生天乙，是為殷湯。 Zhu Gui fathered Tianyi, who was Tang of Yin.

殷湯代夏氏，從黃帝至湯十七世。 When Tang of Yin replaced the Xia, it was seventeen generations from the Yellow Emperor to Tang.

帝外丙，湯太子。太丁蚤卒，故立次弟外丙。 Emperor Waibing, Tang's heir. Prince Taiding died young, so the next younger brother Waibing was installed.

從湯至紂二十九世，從黃帝至紂四十六世。 Twenty-nine generations from Tang to Zhou; forty-six generations from the Yellow Emperor to Zhou.

堯知契、稷皆賢人，天之所生，故封之契七十里，後十餘世至湯，王天下。 Yao knew that Qi and Ji were both worthy men born of Heaven, and therefore enfeoffed Qi with a domain of seventy li. More than ten generations later, his line reached Tang, who ruled all under Heaven.

詩傳曰：『湯之先為契，無父而生。 The Poetry Commentary says, 'Tang's ancestor was Qi, born without a father.

孔子曰：『昔者堯命契為子氏，為有湯也。 Confucius said, 'In former times Yao commanded Qi to be of the Zi clan, because there would be Tang.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 25Treatise on the Pitch-Pipes · 1 passage

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成湯有南巢之伐，以殄夏亂。 Cheng Tang had the attack on Nanchao, to exterminate the Xia chaos.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 34House of Yan Shaogong · 1 passage

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周公乃稱「湯時有伊尹，假于皇天； The Duke of Zhou then said, "In the time of Tang there was Yi Yin, who relied upon August Heaven;

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 41House of King Goujian of Yue · 1 passage

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種曰：「湯系夏臺，文王囚羑里，晉重耳奔翟，齊小白奔莒，其卒王霸。 Zhong said, “Tang was bound at Xiatai, King Wen was imprisoned at Youli, Chong’er of Jin fled to the Di, and Xiaobai of Qi fled to Ju, yet in the end they became kings and hegemons.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 65Biographies of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi · 1 passage

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夏桀之居，左河濟，右泰華，伊闕在其南，羊腸在其北，修政不仁，湯放之。 Xia Jie resided with the Yellow River on the left and Mount Tai on the right, Yique Pass to the south and Yangchang to the north. He practiced unbenevolent government, so Tang exiled him.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 68Biography of Lord Shang · 1 passage

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故湯武不循古而王，夏殷不易禮而亡。 Therefore, Tang and Wu did not follow antiquity yet became kings; Xia and Yin did not change their rituals yet perished.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 72Biography of the Marquis of Rang · 1 passage

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以三十萬之眾守梁七仞之城，臣以為湯、武復生，不易攻也。 To defend Liang's seven-ren-high walls with three hundred thousand troops—your servant thinks that even if Tang and Wu were revived, they would not easily attack it.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 74Biographies of Mengzi and Xun Qing · 1 passage

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或曰，伊尹負鼎而勉湯以王，百里奚飯牛車下而繆公用霸，作先合，然後引之大道。 Some say: Yi Yin carried a tripod and urged Tang to become king; Baili Xi fed oxen under a cart and Duke Mu employed him to become hegemon. They made themselves fit first, then led them to the great way.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 76Biographies of Lord Pingyuan and Yu Qing · 1 passage

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且遂聞湯以七十里之地王天下，文王以百里之壤而臣諸侯，豈其士卒眾多哉，誠能據其勢而奮其威。 Furthermore, I have heard that Tang ruled the world with only seventy li of land, and King Wen made the lords his subjects with but a hundred li. It was not because their soldiers were numerous, but because they understood how to wield their position and exert their authority.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 84Biographies of Qu Yuan and Master Jia · 2 passages

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上稱帝嚳，下道齊桓，中述湯武，以刺世事。 It invokes Emperor Ku in the remote past, speaks of Duke Huan of Qi in recent times, and recounts the deeds of Tang and Wu in between — all to cast light on the affairs of the present age.

湯禹久遠兮，邈不可慕也。 Tang and Yu are far away in the distant past, too remote to serve as models.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 97Biographies of Li Yiji and Lu Jia · 1 passage

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且湯武逆取而以順守之，文武并用，長久之術也。 Moreover, Tang and Wu seized power through rebellion but governed through righteousness. Employing both the civil and the martial arts together is the method for enduring rule.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 129Biographies of Money-Makers · 1 passage

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昔堯作（游）［於］成陽，舜漁於雷澤，湯止于亳。 In ancient times, Yao held court at Chengyang, Shun fished at Lei Marsh, and Tang established himself at Bo.

History of Song, Chapter 106Volume 106 Treatises 59: Rites 9 · 2 passages

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有商建國，改立六廟，蓋昭穆之外，祀契與湯也。 When the Shang established their dynasty, they expanded to six shrines, adding Qi and Tang beyond the usual zhao-mu pairs.

晉賀循議兄弟不合繼位昭穆云：『商人六廟，親廟四，並契、湯而六，比有兄弟四人相襲為君者，便當上毀四廟乎？ Jin He Xun argued that brothers should not succeed in zhao-mu positions: 'The Shang had six temples—four direct-line plus Qi and Tang. If four brothers ruled in succession, should the four upper temples be destroyed?

Book of Song, Chapter 56Volume 56 Biographies 16: Xie Zhan, Kong Linzhi · 1 passage

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貝或如輪，信無救渴于湯世，其蠹病亦已深矣。 though cowries might be wheel-sized, they truly could not quench thirst in the age of Tang—the pestilence of this harm has already grown deep.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 44Volume 44 Treatises 39: Selecting and Appointing Officials 1 · 1 passage

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商有天下六百祀，湯之法棄而周始興； Shang ruled for six hundred years before Tang's laws were abandoned and Zhou rose;

New Book of Tang, Chapter 123Volume 123 Biographies 48: Li, Xiao, Lu, Wei, Zhao, He · 1 passage

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有司讓曰：「昔桀不道，伊尹負鼎於湯； The authorities rebuked him: "In old times Jie was without the Way and Yi Yin carried a cauldron to Tang;

New Book of Tang, Chapter 138Volume 138 Biographies 63: · 1 passage

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且詔書罪己，禹、湯之心也。 The emperor's edict of self-reproach is the spirit of Yu and Tang.

History of Yuan, Chapter 171Volume 171 Biographies 58: Liu Yin, Wu Cheng · 1 passage

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分而言之，上古則羲、黃其元，堯、舜其亨，禹、湯其利，文、武、周公其貞乎！ Speaking in detail: in high antiquity Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor are the Origin, Yao and Shun the Flourishing, Yu and Tang the Advantage, and King Wen, King Wu, and the Duke of Zhou the Steadfastness!

Book of Zhou, Chapter 23Volume 23 Biographies 15: Su Chuo · 1 passage

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誠能監前事之得喪，勞虛己於吐握，其知賢也必用，其授爵也勿疑，則舜禹湯武之德可連衡矣，稷契伊呂之流可比肩矣。 If rulers could truly weigh past success and failure, humble themselves as Duke of Zhou did when he "spit out his food and released his hair grip" to receive men, employ the worthy without fail, and grant office without hesitation, then the virtue of Shun, Yu, Tang, and Wu would stand in one line and men like Hou Ji, Xie, Yi Yin, and Lü Shang could walk shoulder to shoulder.

Book of Zhou, Chapter 46Volume 46 Biographies 38: Filial Piety · 1 passage

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是以堯舜湯武居帝王之位，垂至德以敦其風； That is why Yao, Shun, Tang, and Wu sat as emperors and kings, extending supreme virtue to deepen the customs of their age;

Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Chapter 138Volume 138 Qi Records 4 · 2 passages

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齋於明堂左個，使太常卿王諶筮之，遇「革」，帝曰：「『湯、武革命，順乎天而應乎人。』 He fasted in the left bay of the Bright Hall and had Director of Ceremonies Wang Chen cast the oracle, which yielded the hexagram Revolution; the emperor said, "'Tang and Wu carried out revolution, accordant with Heaven and responsive to the people.

今出師以征未服，而得湯、武革命之象，未為全吉也。」 to march out now against unsubdued foes yet draw the image of Tang and Wu's revolution is not wholly auspicious."