1
殷契，母曰簡狄，有娀氏之女，為帝嚳次妃。 三人行浴，見玄鳥墮其卵，簡狄取吞之，因孕生契。 契長而佐禹治水有功。 帝舜乃命契曰：「百姓不親，五品不訓，汝為司徒而敬敷五教，五教在寬。」 封于商，賜姓子氏。 契興於唐、虞、大禹之際，功業著於百姓，百姓以平。
Xie of Yin was born to Jiandi, a woman of the Yousong clan and secondary consort of Emperor Ku. 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 appointed Xie and said, "The people are estranged, and the five relationships are not guided. As Minister of Education, spread the five teachings with generous patience." He received the fief of Shang and the clan name Zi. He rose in the age of Yao, Shun, and Yu the Great; his achievements won renown among the people, and the realm was at peace.
2
契卒，子昭明立。 昭明卒，子相土立。 相土卒，子昌若立。 昌若卒，子曹圉立。 曹圉卒，子冥立。 冥卒，子振立。 振卒，子微立。 微卒，子報丁立。 報丁卒，子報乙立。 報乙卒，子報丙立。 報丙卒，子主壬立。 主壬卒，子主癸立。 主癸卒，子天乙立，是為成湯。
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
成湯，自契至湯八遷。 湯始居亳，從先王居，作帝誥。
From Xie to Tang the seat of the line had shifted eight times. Tang first settled at Bo, beside the tombs of his forebears, and composed the Announcement to Di.
4
湯征諸侯。 葛伯不祀，湯始伐之。 湯曰：「予有言：人視水見形，視民知治不。」 伊尹曰：「明哉！ 言能聽，道乃進。 君國子民，為善者皆在王官。 勉哉，勉哉！」 湯曰：「汝不能敬命，予大罰殛之，無有攸赦。」 作湯征。
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." yiyin 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
伊尹名阿衡。 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。 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。 湯舉任以國政。 伊尹去湯適夏。 既醜有夏，復歸于亳。 入自北門，遇女鳩、女房，作女鳩女房。
yiyin was styled Aheng. 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. 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. Tang handed him the administration of the realm. yiyin 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
湯出，見野張網四面，祝曰：「自天下四方皆入吾網。」 湯曰：「嘻，盡之矣！」 乃去其三面，祝曰：「欲左，左。 欲右，右。 不用命，乃入吾網。」 諸侯聞之，曰：「湯德至矣，及禽獸。」
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." 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 to enter the net." When the feudal lords heard of this, they said, "Tang’s virtue has reached its height; it extends even to birds and beasts."
7
當是時，夏桀為虐政淫荒，而諸侯昆吾氏為亂。 湯乃興師率諸侯，伊尹從湯，湯自把鉞以伐昆吾，遂伐桀。 湯曰：「格女眾庶，來，女悉聽朕言。 匪台小子敢行舉亂，有夏多罪，予維聞女眾言，夏氏有罪。 予畏上帝，不敢不正。 今夏多罪，天命殛之。 今女有眾，女曰：『我君不恤我眾，捨我嗇事而割政』。 女其曰：『有罪，其柰何』？ 夏王率止眾力，率奪夏國。 眾有率怠不和，曰：『是日何時喪？ 予與女皆亡』！ 夏德若茲，今朕必往。 爾尚及予一人致天之罰，予其大理女。 女毋不信，朕不食言。 女不從誓言，予則帑僇女，無有攸赦。」 以告令師，作湯誓。 於是湯曰：「吾甚武」，號曰武王。
At this time Jie of Xia governed with cruelty and excess, and the lords of Kunwu raised disorder. Tang then raised an army of the lords, yiyin 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? I will perish with you!" 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 then said, "I am greatly martial," and took the title Martial King.
8
桀敗於有娀之虛，桀奔於鳴條，夏師敗績。 湯遂伐三嵕，俘厥寶玉，義伯、仲伯作典寶。 湯既勝夏，欲遷其社，不可，作夏社。 伊尹報。 於是諸侯畢服，湯乃踐天子位，平定海內。
Jie was beaten at Yousong, fled to Mingtiao, and his army was routed. Tang then attacked 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. yiyin made his report. The lords all submitted; Tang took the throne and brought peace within the seas.
9
湯歸至于泰卷陶，中壘作誥。 既絀夏命，還亳，作湯誥：「維三月，王自至於東郊。 告諸侯群后：『毋不有功於民，勤力乃事。 予乃大罰殛女，毋予怨。』 曰：『古禹、皋陶久勞于外，其有功乎民，民乃有安。 東為江，北為濟，西為河，南為淮，四瀆已修，萬民乃有居。 后稷降播，農殖百穀。 三公咸有功于民，故後有立。 昔蚩尤與其大夫作亂百姓，帝乃弗予，有狀。 先王言不可不勉。』 曰：『不道，毋之在國，女毋我怨。』」 以令諸侯。 伊尹作咸有一德，咎單作明居。
On his return Tang halted at Taijuan Tao, where Zhonglei composed the proclamations. 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, and Jiu Dan composed Bright Dwelling.
10
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.
11
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。 帝外丙即位三年，崩，立外丙之弟中壬，是為帝中壬。 帝中壬即位四年，崩，伊尹乃立太丁之子太甲。 太甲，成湯適長孫也，是為帝太甲。 帝太甲元年，伊尹作伊訓，作肆命，作徂后。
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; yiyin then set Taiding's son Taijia on the throne. Taijia was Cheng Tang's senior great-grandson through the main line—Emperor Taijia. In Emperor Taijia’s first year, Yi Yin composed the Instructions for Taijia, the Broad Commands, and The Departed Sovereign.
12
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。 三年，伊尹攝行政當國，以朝諸侯。
After three years Taijia proved dark, violent, and lawless; yiyin banished him to the Tong palace. For three years yiyin ruled as regent and received the lords at court.
13
帝太甲居桐宮三年，悔過自責，反善，於是伊尹乃迎帝太甲而授之政。 帝太甲修德，諸侯咸歸殷，百姓以寧。 伊尹嘉之，乃作太甲訓三篇，褒帝太甲，稱太宗。
Taijia spent three years in Tong, repented, and mended his ways; yiyin then brought him back and restored the government. Taijia cultivated virtue; the lords rallied to Yin again and the people were calmed. yiyin praised him, composed the three Instructions of Taijia, and honored him as Grand Ancestor.
14
太宗崩，子沃丁立。 帝沃丁之時，伊尹卒。 既葬伊尹於亳，咎單遂訓伊尹事，作沃丁。
When the Grand Ancestor died, his son Woding succeeded. Under Woding, yiyin died. After Yi Yin had been buried at Bo, Jiu Dan set forth Yi Yin’s deeds in instruction and composed Woding.
15
沃丁崩，弟太庚立，是為帝太庚。 帝太庚崩，子帝小甲立。 帝小甲崩，弟雍己立，是為帝雍己。 殷道衰，諸侯或不至。
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
帝雍己崩，弟太戊立，是為帝太戊。 帝太戊立伊陟為相。 亳有祥桑谷共生於朝，一暮大拱。 帝太戊懼，問伊陟。 伊陟曰：「臣聞妖不勝德，帝之政其有闕與？ 帝其修德。」 太戊從之，而祥桑枯死而去。 伊陟贊言于巫咸。 巫咸治王家有成，作咸艾，作太戊。 帝太戊贊伊陟于廟，言弗臣，伊陟讓，作原命。 殷復興，諸侯歸之，故稱中宗。
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 overcome virtue. Perhaps there is a flaw in your government? My lord, cultivate your virtue." Taiwu listened; the strange mulberry died away. Yizhi relayed this counsel to Wuxian. Wu Xian brought order to the royal house and achieved success; he composed Xian Ai and Taiwu. Emperor Taiwu praised Yi Zhi in the ancestral temple, speaking of him as more than a mere minister. Yi Zhi declined the honor, and Original Mandate was composed. Yin flourished again and the lords rallied—hence he is called the Middle Ancestor.
17
中宗崩，子帝中丁立。 帝中丁遷于隞。 河亶甲居相。 祖乙遷于邢。 帝中丁崩，弟外壬立，是為帝外壬。 仲丁書闕不具。 帝外壬崩，弟河亶甲立，是為帝河亶甲。 河亶甲時，殷復衰。
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 written records for Zhongding are missing and incomplete. Wairen died; his brother Hedanjia became Emperor Hedanjia. Under Hedanjia Yin weakened again.
18
河亶甲崩，子帝祖乙立。 帝祖乙立，殷復興。 巫賢任職。
Hedanjia died and his son Zuyi ruled. When Zuyi came to the throne, Yin revived once more. Wuxian the shaman served in office.
19
祖乙崩，子帝祖辛立。 帝祖辛崩，弟沃甲立，是為帝沃甲。 帝沃甲崩，立沃甲兄祖辛之子祖丁，是為帝祖丁。 帝祖丁崩，立弟沃甲之子南庚，是為帝南庚。 帝南庚崩，立帝祖丁之子陽甲，是為帝陽甲。 帝陽甲之時，殷衰。
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
自中丁以來，廢適而更立諸弟子，弟子或爭相代立，比九世亂，於是諸侯莫朝。
From Zhongding on, the rightful heir was set aside for younger brothers, who fought for the throne. Nine reigns ran into chaos, and the lords ceased to attend court.
21
帝陽甲崩，弟盤庚立，是為帝盤庚。 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。 殷民咨胥皆怨，不欲徙。 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。 捨而弗勉，何以成德！」 乃遂涉河南，治亳，行湯之政，然後百姓由寧，殷道復興。 諸侯來朝，以其遵成湯之德也。
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. In all, there were five moves, and the court never stayed 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
帝盤庚崩，弟小辛立，是為帝小辛。 帝小辛立，殷復衰。 百姓思盤庚，乃作盤庚三篇。 帝小辛崩，弟小乙立，是為帝小乙。
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
帝小乙崩，子帝武丁立。 帝武丁即位，思復興殷，而未得其佐。 三年不言，政事決定於冢宰，以觀國風。 武丁夜夢得聖人，名曰說。 以夢所見視群臣百吏，皆非也。 於是乃使百工營求之野，得說於傅險中。 是時說為胥靡，筑於傅險。 見於武丁，武丁曰是也。 得而與之語，果聖人，舉以為相，殷國大治。 故遂以傅險姓之，號曰傅說。
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. At that time Yue was a corvée laborer, building at Fu ravine. 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
帝武丁祭成湯，明日，有飛雉登鼎耳而呴，武丁懼。 祖己曰：「王勿憂，先修政事。」 祖己乃訓王曰：「唯天監下典厥義，降年有永有不永，非天夭民，中絕其命。 民有不若德，不聽罪，天既附命正厥德，乃曰其奈何。 鳴呼！ 王嗣敬民，罔非天繼，常祀毋禮于棄道。」 武丁修政行德，天下咸驩，殷道復興。
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
帝武丁崩，子帝祖庚立。 祖己嘉武丁之以祥雉為德，立其廟為高宗，遂作高宗肜日及訓。
Wuding died and his son Zugeng succeeded. Zu Ji praised Wu Ding for turning the auspicious pheasant omen into virtue; his temple was established as Gaozong, and Gaozong’s Rong Day and its instruction were composed.
26
帝祖庚崩，弟祖甲立，是為帝甲。 帝甲淫亂，殷復衰。
Zugeng died; his brother Zujia became Emperor Jia. Emperor Jia gave himself to vice and Yin declined again.
27
帝甲崩，子帝廩辛立。 帝廩辛崩，弟庚丁立，是為帝庚丁。 帝庚丁崩，子帝武乙立。 殷復去亳，徙河北。
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
帝武乙無道，為偶人，謂之天神。 與之博，令人為行。 天神不勝，乃僇辱之。 為革囊，盛血，卬而射之，命曰「射天」。 武乙獵於河渭之閒，暴雷，武乙震死。 子帝太丁立。 帝太丁崩，子帝乙立。 帝乙立，殷益衰。
Emperor Wu Yi was without the Way: he made a puppet 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 Emperor Yi, Yin declined further.
29
帝乙長子曰微子啟，啟母賤，不得嗣。 少子辛，辛母正后，辛為嗣。 帝乙崩，子辛立，是為帝辛，天下謂之紂。
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
帝紂資辨捷疾，聞見甚敏； 材力過人，手格猛獸； 知足以距諫，言足以飾非； 矜人臣以能，高天下以聲，以為皆出己之下。 好酒淫樂，嬖於婦人。 愛妲己，妲己之言是從。 於是使師涓作新淫聲，北里之舞，靡靡之樂。 厚賦稅以實鹿臺之錢，而盈鉅橋之粟。 益收狗馬奇物，充仞宮室。 益廣沙丘苑臺，多取野獸蜚鳥置其中。 慢於鬼神。 大聚樂戲於沙丘，以酒為池，縣肉為林，使男女裸相逐其閒，為長夜之飲。
Zhou was quick-witted and sharp of hearing and sight; his strength exceeded that of 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
百姓怨望而諸侯有畔者，於是紂乃重刑辟，有炮格之法。 以西伯昌、九侯、鄂侯為三公。 九侯有好女，入之紂。 九侯女不喜淫，紂怒，殺之，而醢九侯。 鄂侯爭之彊，辨之疾，并脯鄂侯。 西伯昌聞之，竊嘆。 崇侯虎知之，以告紂，紂囚西伯羑里。 西伯之臣閎夭之徒，求美女奇物善馬以獻紂，紂乃赦西伯。 西伯出而獻洛西之地，以請除炮格之刑。 紂乃許之，賜弓矢斧鉞，使得征伐，為西伯。 而用費中為政。 費中善諛，好利，殷人弗親。 紂又用惡來。 惡來善毀讒，諸侯以此益疏。
The people muttered and lords rebelled; Zhou answered with crueller laws and the heated-pillar 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 privately sighed. 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 the heated-pillar torture. 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
西伯歸，乃陰修德行善，諸侯多叛紂而往歸西伯。 西伯滋大，紂由是稍失權重。 王子比干諫，弗聽。 商容賢者，百姓愛之，紂廢之。 及西伯伐饑國，滅之，紂之臣祖伊聞之而咎周，恐，奔告紂曰：「天既訖我殷命，假人元龜，無敢知吉，非先王不相我後人，維王淫虐用自絕，故天棄我，不有安食，不虞知天性，不迪率典。 今我民罔不欲喪，曰『天曷不降威，大命胡不至』？ 今王其柰何？」 紂曰：「我生不有命在天乎！」 祖伊反，曰：「紂不可諫矣。」 西伯既卒，周武王之東伐，至盟津，諸侯叛殷會周者八百。 諸侯皆曰：「紂可伐矣。」 武王曰：「爾未知天命。」 乃復歸。
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, a minister of Zhou, heard of it, was alarmed by the Zhou state's rise, and rushed in fear to warn King Zhou, saying, "Heaven has ended Yin's mandate; even the great tortoise cannot show good fortune. It is not that the former kings have forsaken us, but that the king's cruelty has cut us off from Heaven, so we lack peace, ignore Heaven's will, and spurn the statutes. Now none of your people but wishes this house to fall, crying, "When will Heaven strike—why does the great mandate not come?" What will you do now, my king?" Zhou said, "Was I not born with Heaven’s mandate?" Zu Yi returned and said, "Zhou can no longer be remonstrated with." After the Western Earl died, King Wu marched east to Mengjin; eight hundred lords who had turned from Yin rallied to him. The feudal lords all said, "Zhou can be attacked now." King Wu said, "You do not yet understand Heaven’s mandate." So he marched home.
33
紂愈淫亂不止。 微子數諫不聽，乃與大師、少師謀，遂去。 比干曰：「為人臣者，不得不以死爭。」 乃彊諫紂。 紂怒曰：「吾聞聖人心有七竅。」 剖比干，觀其心。 箕子懼，乃詳狂為奴，紂又囚之。 殷之大師、少師乃持其祭樂器奔周。 周武王於是遂率諸侯伐紂。 紂亦發兵距之牧野。 甲子日，紂兵敗。 紂走入，登鹿臺，衣其寶玉衣，赴火而死。 周武王遂斬紂頭，縣之［大］白旗。 殺妲己。 釋箕子之囚，封比干之墓，表商容之閭。 封紂子武庚、祿父，以續殷祀，令修行盤庚之政。 殷民大說。 於是周武王為天子。 其後世貶帝號，號為王。 而封殷後為諸侯，屬周。
Zhou sank deeper into vice without end. Weizi remonstrated repeatedly but was not heard; he then consulted with the Grand Master and Junior Master and departed. 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. The Grand Master and Junior Master of Yin then took the sacrificial and musical vessels and fled to Zhou. King Wu then led the host against Zhou. Zhou sent an army to meet him at Muye. On the jiazi day, Zhou’s army was defeated. Zhou fled inside, climbed the Deer Terrace, put on his robe of precious jades, and threw himself into the flames. King Wu of Zhou then cut off Zhou’s head and hung it from the great white banner. 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
周武王崩，武庚與管叔、蔡叔作亂，成王命周公誅之，而立微子於宋，以續殷後焉。
When King Wu died, Wugeng and the lords of Guan and Cai rebelled; King Cheng ordered the Duke of Zhou to crush them and set Weizi in Song to carry on Yin's line.
35
太史公曰：余以頌次契之事，自成湯以來，采於書詩。 契為子姓，其後分封，以國為姓，有殷氏、來氏、宋氏、空桐氏、稚氏、北殷氏、目夷氏。 孔子曰，殷路車為善，而色尚白。
The Grand Historian 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 that they favored the color white.