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殷本紀

Annals of Yin

Chapter 3 of 史記 ✓ Translated
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Chapter 3
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1
Xie of Yin had a mother named Jiandi, of the Yousong clan, who was Di Ku's junior consort. While Jiandi bathed with two companions, a dark bird dropped an egg; she took it, swallowed it, and conceived Xie. When Xie came of age he helped Yu manage the flood and earned distinction. Emperor Shun told Xie: The people lack harmony and the five relationships lack guidance; as Minister of Education spread the five moral lessons with generous patience. He received the fief of Shang and the clan name Zi. He flourished from the reigns of Yao and Shun through Great Yu; his deeds won renown among the folk and kept the realm at peace.
2
When Xie died, his son Zhaoming succeeded him. Zhaoming was succeeded by his son Xiang Tu. Xiang Tu was succeeded by his son Changruo. Changruo was succeeded by his son Caoyu. Caoyu was succeeded by his son Ming. Ming was succeeded by his son Zhen. Zhen was succeeded by his son Wei. Wei was succeeded by his son Baoding. Baoding was succeeded by his son Baoyi. Baoyi was succeeded by his son Baobing. Baobing was succeeded by his son Zhuren. Zhuren was succeeded by his son Zhugui. Zhugui was succeeded by his son Tianyi—who is known as Cheng Tang.
3
From Xie to Tang the seat of the line had shifted eight times. Tang first settled at Bo beside the graves of his ancestors and composed the Announcement to Di.
4
Tang led punitive expeditions against the regional lords. When the lord of Ge failed to perform the sacrifices, Tang attacked him first. Tang said: Men look into water to see their faces; look to the people to know whether rule is sound. Yi Yin replied: How clear— when counsel is heard, the Way moves forward. The lord who fathers his people gathers every worthy into his court. Strive, my lord—never slacken. Tang warned: Whoever spurns my command I will strike down without mercy. He composed the Tang Punitive Expeditions.
5
使
Yi Yin was styled Aheng. Wishing to serve Tang but lacking an introduction, Aheng joined the Youxin bridal train as a cook, carried kettle and board, won Tang through his cooking, and drew him toward the kingly way. Others say Yi Yin was a recluse whom Tang invited five times before he came, then lectured on the model rulers and the Nine Masters. Tang handed him the administration of the realm. Yi Yin left Tang and went over to the Xia court. Once he had taken Xia's measure, he returned to Bo. He entered by the north gate, met the ladies Jiuji and Fang, and composed the pieces Nüjiu and Nüfang.
6
Tang found a hunter who had set nets on every side and prayed that all under heaven would fall into his snares. Tang cried: No—that would trap every living thing! He had three sides taken down and called out: If you want left, go left. If you want right, go right. Only those who defy my order need enter the net. The lords said: Tang's kindness reaches even the birds and beasts.
7
In those days Jie of Xia ruled with cruelty and excess while the Kunwu lords stirred rebellion. Tang then raised an army of the lords, Yi Yin at his side, and himself wielded the axe against Kunwu before marching on Jie. Tang addressed the host: Come, all of you, and hear my words. It is not I who dare stir revolt; Xia is heavy with crime—I have heard you yourselves say the Xia house is guilty. I fear Heaven and dare not withhold punishment. Xia's crimes are many; Heaven has ordered its destruction. You say among yourselves: Our king does not pity us—he sets aside our field work and meddles with government. You ask: If there is fault, what can be done? The king of Xia has drained your strength and plundered the Xia domain. The people have grown slack and bitter, crying: When will this sun set? We would rather die with you than live under him! Xia's conduct is such that I must march against it. Join me, the One Man, in carrying out Heaven's sentence, and I will reward you richly. Do not doubt me—I keep my oath. Whoever breaks this oath I will execute, you and your families, without mercy. He proclaimed this to the host and composed the Oath of Tang. Tang declared himself strongly martial and took the title Martial King.
8
Jie was beaten at Yousong, fled to Mingtiao, and his army was routed. Tang then struck Sanzong, seized its sacred jades, and the lords Yibo and Zhongbo composed the Canon of the Treasure. After conquering Xia, Tang wished to relocate its soil altar but could not, and composed Xia's Earth Altar. Yi Yin made his report. The lords all submitted; Tang took the throne and brought peace inside the seas.
9
西
On his return Tang halted at Taijuan Tao, where Zhonglei composed the announcements. 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. He told the assembled rulers: None of you may neglect the people; labor diligently at your duties. Or I will punish you severely—do not blame me for it. He said: Long ago Yu and Gao Yao worked far from court; they served the people, and the people found peace. East lay the Long River, north the Ji, west the Yellow River, south the Huai—the four streams were tamed and the people had homes. Hou Ji brought down seed and taught farming of every grain. The three high ministers all served the people, and their lines were founded in turn. When Chiyou and his officers ravaged the people, Heaven withdrew favor—there was clear cause. The words of the former kings must be heeded. He added: If you stray from the Way, you shall not remain in power—do not resent me for it. Thus he charged the regional lords. Yi Yin composed All Possess One Virtue; Jiusdan composed Bright Dwelling.
10
Tang reformed the calendar, changed the court dress to favor white, and held audiences by day.
11
When Tang died, the heir Taiding died before he could rule, so Taiding's brother Waibing became Emperor Waibing. Waibing ruled three years and died; his brother Zhongren succeeded as Emperor Zhongren. Zhongren ruled four years and died; Yi Yin then set Taiding's son Taijia on the throne. Taijia was Cheng Tang's senior great-grandson through the main line—Emperor Taijia. In Taijia's first year Yi Yin composed the Instructions for Taijia, the Loose Commands, and Gone Kings.
12
After three years Taijia proved dark, violent, and lawless; Yi Yin banished him to the Tong palace. For three years Yi Yin ruled as regent and received the lords at court.
13
Taijia spent three years in Tong, repented, and mended his ways; Yi Yin then brought him back and restored the government. Taijia cultivated virtue; the lords rallied to Yin again and the people were calmed. Yi Yin praised him, composed the three Instructions of Taijia, honored him as Grand Ancestor.
14
When the Grand Ancestor died, his son Woding succeeded. Under Woding, Yi Yin died. After Yi Yin was buried at Bo, Jiusdan expounded his deeds in the piece called Woding.
15
Woding died; his brother Taigeng became Emperor Taigeng. Taigeng died and his son Xiaojia ruled. Xiaojia died; his brother Yongji became Emperor Yongji. Yin's power waned and some lords stayed away from court.
16
Yongji died; his brother Taiwu became Emperor Taiwu. Taiwu appointed Yizhi chief minister. At Bo mulberry and grain sprouted together in the courtyard and in one night grew thick as an arm. Taiwu was frightened and asked Yizhi what it meant. Yizhi said: I have heard that portents cannot defeat virtue—perhaps your government needs mending? Cultivate your virtue, my lord. Taiwu listened; the strange mulberry died away. Yizhi relayed this counsel to Wuxian. Wuxian brought order to the royal house and composed Salted Mugwort and Taiwu. Taiwu honored Yizhi in the temple as more than a mere minister; Yizhi declined, and the Original Mandate was composed. Yin flourished again and the lords rallied—hence he is called the Middle Ancestor.
17
When the Middle Ancestor died, his son Zhongding succeeded. Zhongding moved the capital to Ao. Hedanjia ruled from Xiang. Zuyi moved the seat to Xing. Zhongding died; his brother Wairen became Emperor Wairen. The records of Zhongding are lost and incomplete. Wairen died; his brother Hedanjia became Emperor Hedanjia. Under Hedanjia Yin weakened again.
18
Hedanjia died and his son Zuyi ruled. When Zuyi came to the throne, Yin revived once more. Wuxian the shaman served in office.
19
Zuyi died and his son Zuxin ruled. Zuxin died; his brother Wojia became Emperor Wojia. Wojia died; Zuxin's son Zuding, Wojia's nephew, became Emperor Zuding. Zuding died; Wojia's son Nangeng succeeded as Emperor Nangeng. Nangeng died; Zuding's son Yangjia became Emperor Yangjia. Under Yangjia Yin declined again.
20
From Zhongding on the rightful heir was set aside for younger brothers, who fought for the throne—nine reigns of chaos—and the lords ceased to attend court.
21
Yangjia died; his brother Pangeng became Emperor Pangeng. Yin had already sat north of the Yellow River; Pangeng crossed south to Cheng Tang's old capital—five moves in all, never long in one place. The people of Yin grumbled and refused to move. Pangeng addressed the lords and ministers: Long ago High Tang and your forebears founded the realm together—its laws can still be honored. If you cast them aside and slacken, how will virtue be perfected? He crossed the river, ruled from Bo, restored Tang's policies, and the people found rest as Yin rose again. The lords returned to court because he followed Tang's example.
22
Pangeng died; his brother Xiaoxin became Emperor Xiaoxin. Under Xiaoxin Yin weakened again. The people longed for Pangeng, and the three chapters of Pangeng were composed. Xiaoxin died; his brother Xiaoyi succeeded.
23
使
Xiaoyi died and his son Wuding ruled. Wuding wished to restore Yin but had not yet found the right minister. For three years he held his tongue while the chief minister decided affairs, the better to read the realm. One night Wuding dreamed of a sage named Yue. He compared the vision to his officers—none fit the dream. He sent artisans to search the wilds and found Yue at Fu ravine. Yue was then a corvée laborer working the cliffs at Fu. When he was brought to Wuding, the king said, This is the man. They spoke and found him a sage; he was made minister and Yin was well governed. He took his name from Fu ravine and was called Fu Yue.
24
Wuding sacrificed to Tang; the next day a pheasant lit on the cauldron's ear and cried; the king was afraid. Zuji said: Do not fear, my king—set your government in order first. Zuji lectured the king: Heaven looks down and grounds its justice in right conduct; it grants long or short life—not to cut men off in youth but to end those who stray mid-course. When men lack fitting virtue and ignore their faults, Heaven attaches a charge to straighten their conduct—then we ask what is to be done. Alas! The king's heir must honor the people—all live under Heaven's succession; in your regular rites never carelessly abandon the Way. Wuding set his house in order and practiced virtue; the realm rejoiced and Yin flourished again.
25
Wuding died and his son Zugeng succeeded. Zuji praised Wuding for turning the pheasant omen to good; his temple was titled Gaozong, and the Congratulatory Day of Gaozong and related texts were composed.
26
Zugeng died; his brother Zujia became Emperor Jia. Emperor Jia gave himself to vice and Yin declined again.
27
Jia died and his son Linxin ruled. Linxin died; his brother Gengding succeeded. Gengding died and his son Wuyi ruled. Yin again abandoned Bo and moved north of the Yellow River.
28
Wuyi was lawless: he fashioned a straw figure and called it the god of Heaven. He played dice against it while others moved the pieces. When the dummy lost, he had it mocked and disgraced. He filled a leather sack with blood, hung it up, shot it, and called the game shooting Heaven. Wuyi hunted between the Yellow and Wei rivers; a thunderbolt struck and killed him. His son Taiding succeeded him. Taiding died and his son Yi ruled. Under Yi Yin declined further.
29
Yi's eldest son was Weizi Qi, but Qi's mother was of low rank so he could not inherit. The younger son Xin had a queen mother and became heir. When Yi died, Xin ruled as Emperor Xin—the man the world calls Zhou.
30
使 鹿 使
Zhou was clever, eloquent, and sharp of sense; his strength exceeded other men and he could wrestle wild beasts with his bare hands; his wits let him brush off advice and his tongue varnish any fault; he flaunted his talents to his ministers, looked down on the realm, and fancied none his equal. He drowned in wine and lewd music and doted on women. He adored Daji and obeyed her every word. He had Master Juan compose decadent airs, dances of the northern lanes, and enervating tunes. He piled taxes to stock Lutai with gold and Juliao with grain. He gathered dogs, horses, and rarities until the palaces burst. He widened the Shaqiu hunting park and tower and filled them with beasts and birds. He neglected the ghosts and spirits. He staged revels at Shaqiu with a lake of wine, a forest of hanging meat, naked men and women sporting between them, and feasts that lasted the night through.
31
西 西 西 西西 西西 使西
The people muttered and lords rebelled; Zhou answered with crueler laws and the paoge torture. He named Western Earl Chang, the Nine Marquises, and the Marquis of E as the three high dukes. The Nine Marquises offered a beautiful daughter to the court. She disliked debauchery; Zhou killed her in fury and had the Nine Marquises ground to paste. The Marquis of E remonstrated fiercely; Zhou had him pickled as well. When Western Earl Chang heard this he sighed in private. Chonghou Hu informed on him, and Zhou jailed the Western Earl at Youli. His men Hongyao and the rest ransomed him with beauties, treasures, and horses, and Zhou set him free. On his release he ceded the lands west of the Luo to buy the abolition of paoge. Zhou agreed and gave him bow, axe, and halberd with authority to wage war as Western Earl. Yet he put Fei Zhong in charge of government. Fei Zhong flattered and grasped after gain; the Yin people did not trust him. Zhou also employed E Lai. E Lai excelled at malice; the lords drew farther away.
32
西西 西 西 西
The Western Earl went home and quietly built virtue; many lords forsook Zhou for him. As the Western Earl grew mighty, Zhou's grip slackened. Prince Bigan remonstrated; Zhou would not hear him. Shang Rong was worthy and beloved; Zhou dismissed him. When the Western Earl destroyed Ji, Zuyi blamed Zhou, fled to court, and said: Heaven has ended Yin's mandate; even the great tortoise cannot show good fortune—it is not that the former kings forsake us, but the king's cruelty has cut us off from Heaven, so we lack peace, ignore Heaven's mind, and spurn the statutes. Now none of your people but wishes this house to fall, crying: When will Heaven strike—why does the new king not come? What will you do now, my king? Zhou answered: Was I not born with Heaven's mandate? Zuyi went home saying: Zhou will not be warned. After the Western Earl died, King Wu marched east to Mengjin; eight hundred lords who had turned from Yin rallied to him. They said: Zhou is ripe for attack. The Martial King said: You do not yet read Heaven's timing. So he marched home.
33
鹿 祿
Zhou sank deeper into vice without end. Weizi pleaded again and again in vain, then conspired with the grand and junior masters and left. Bigan said: A minister who will not risk death is no minister. He then rebuked Zhou bluntly. Zhou raged: I hear a sage's heart has seven chambers. He cut Bigan open to look at his heart. Jizi feigned madness as a slave in terror; Zhou jailed him too. Yin's grand and junior masters fled to Zhou carrying the ritual vessels. King Wu then led the host against Zhou. Zhou sent an army to meet him at Muye. On the jiazi day Zhou's host was broken. Zhou fled within, climbed Lutai in his jeweled robes, and burned himself to death. King Wu struck off his head and raised it on the great white standard. He executed Daji. He freed Jizi, sealed Bigan's grave, and honored Shang Rong's lane. He enfeoffed Zhou's son Wugeng—Lufu—to keep Yin sacrifices and follow Pangeng's rule. The Yin people rejoiced. King Wu then became Son of Heaven. Later Zhou dropped the title emperor and called its rulers kings. Yin's descendants were enfeoffed as lords under Zhou.
34
When King Wu died, Wugeng and the lords of Guan and Cai rebelled; the young king had the Duke of Zhou crush them and set Weizi in Song to carry on Yin's line.
35
The Grand Scribe remarks: I ordered Xie's story by the hymns; from Cheng Tang I drew on the Documents and the Odes. Xie's house took the name Zi; later branches used their domains as surnames, yielding houses such as Yin, Lai, Song, Kongtong, Zhi, Beiyin, and Moyi. Confucius said the Yin state carriages were the best of their day and they favored the color white.
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