King Tang of Shang and Minister Yi Yin — Founders of the Shang Dynasty
Zi Lv (about 1670 BC — 1587 BC), respected as King Tang of Shang, Tang, Cheng Tang, Shang Tang, Da Yi, or Tian Yi, was the founder of the Shang Dynasty (about 1600 BC — 1046 BC), the first empire that was documented directly by characters of the oracle bone scripts in the history of China.
He was also one of the most virtuous monarchs that Confucianists highly respected.
With the assistance of the remarkable minister Yi Yin, Tang overthrew the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC — 1600 BC) through the war as the first person who rebelled against a king and replaced a vast empire by force in Chinese history.
Their excellent diplomatic strategies and military skills brought a brand new dynasty and indicated that nothing was permanent, an important ideology in Chinese culture.
Portrait of the King of Shang, By Artist Ma Lin of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 — 1279) — Taipei Palace Museum
Noble Lord Tang and the Expansion of His Tribe
A noble named Xie contributed significantly to assisting Yu the Great in defeating the vast flood.
After everything had settled, Yu the Great established the Xia Dynasty and subinfeuded a state named Shang to Xie.
Centuries later, the current King Jie of the Xia Dynasty was a luxurious tyrant who gradually lost loyalty and support from many of his vassal states.
Tang, on the contrary, was quite respectful and ambitious. He migrated capital city, encouraged agriculture and the economy, and implemented good policies to recruit talented people to serve in his state.
Meanwhile, he married a highborn girl from another strong tribe named Youshen and built a solid alliance with them.
Bronze Wine Cup (Jue) of the Xia Dynasty, Unearthed from Erlitou Site — Luoyang Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
A Slave Born, Exceptional Strategist Yi Yin
After Tang married, he soon found his wife’s private cook, Yi Yin, brilliant and insightful.
Yi Yin (about 1649 BC — 1550 BC), an abandoned child, was found in an open field by his adoptive mother, a slave collecting mulberry leaves.
Yi Yin grew up as a slave too and inherited his adoptive father’s occupation as a chef in the noble family.
Gradually, many nobles started to ask for advice from Yi Yin, who impressed Tang of Shang with his inspiring idea of comparing cooking to the management of a country.
Scripts on Oracle Bones of the Shang Dynasty — National Museum of China
Then, Tang nominated Yi Yin as one of his most powerful officials and respected him as an honored master.
Afterward, Yi Yin assisted Tang in building a solid connection with Xia’s queen Mo Xi, bribed some of Xia’s officials to get information, and allied with many other vassal states that were unsatisfied with King Jie’s reign.
Besides, Shang also defeated and annexed nearby tribes and further expanded their territory.
Bronze Dart Head of Fishing Tools of Shang — Capital Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Battle of Mingtiao Between Xia and Shang
After years of preparation, Tang and Yi Yin finally found an excellent opportunity and declared war against King Jie of Xia.
In a place named Mingtiao, the Empires of Xia and Shang fought the final, decisive battle, and Xia lost in the end.
The King Jie of Xia was exiled to a mountain, and the Xia Dynasty officially ended after the Battle of Mingtiao.
Soon, King Tang of Shang defeated tribes still loyal to the Xia; and, supported by around 3000 lords of the complied tribes, established the Shang Dynasty.
As King Tang of the new Shang Dynasty, he was diligent and benevolent.
He elected many intelligent and qualified officials, lowered taxes, and extended the territory, all of which brought his people happier and more stable lives.
Bronze Weapon (Ya Chou Yue) of the Shang Dynasty — Shandong Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
The Beginning of Seizing Power by Force
King Tang of Shang was the first person in the history of China that successfully overthrew a vast kingdom and established a new empire through war.
Tang of Shang and Yi Yin’s overthrowing of the Xia Dynasty set an example concerning the shift of power and authority: a king could be overthrown, a dynasty could be ended, and a new empire could be established by all means.
Nothing is permanent.
The most important mission for monarchs was to bring excellent and stable lives to civilians.
After King Tang of Shang passed away, Yi Yin assisted his two sons and reigned the empire well.
Until his grandson, Tai Jia, ascended to the throne.
Unearthed Dragon Shaped Turquoise Artifact of the Shang Dynasty — Harvard Art Museums (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Banished and Improved King Tai Jia
King Tai Jia (? — 1570 BC), named Zi Zhi, was the grandson of King Tang of Shang.
After his two uncles all passed away, Tai Jia, supported by Yi Yin, ascended to the throne and became the fourth king of the Shang Dynasty.
King Tai Jia had been a fine monarch in the beginning. Gradually, however, he became increasingly obsessed with power and enjoying a luxurious life.
What’s more, he started to ignore Yi Yin’s suggestions.
Unearthed Owl Shaped Bronze Wine Vessel (Xiao You) of the Shang Dynasty — Shanxi Museum
Hence, Yi Yin, as the respectable teacher of previous kings and the current regent, banished Tai Jia to guard n the mausoleum of King Tang of Shang.
During that period, Yi Yin reigned the empire well as an absolute monarch while sending intelligent scholars to tell King Tai Jia stories of King Tang of Shang, about how those brave ancestors conquered countless obstacles and built this prosperous empire.
Tai Jia was moved and had changed a lot.
He started to help civilians nearby and decided to inherit his ancestors’ kingdom correctly.
Jade Fenghuang of Shang Dynasty — National Museum of China (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Brilliant Yi Yin and His Legacy
Hearing his decent behavior, Yi Yin welcomed King Tai Jia back to the capital three years later and returned him all power.
Afterward, Tai Jia became a brilliant monarch who brought his people better lives and peace.
Yi Yin was the first official in documented Chinese history who had abolished and empowered a king.
After King Tai Jia was welcomed back, Yi Yin stayed as an important and excellent minister until he passed away and was buried using a king’s ceremony.
Jade Figurine Wearing A Phoenix Crown of the Shang Dynasty — National Museum of China
Besides Yi Yin’s remarkable political and military achievements, he was also an excellent cook, a knowledgeable doctor, and a well-respected priest.
His contribution to Chinese food and medication was influential and exceptional: his herbal medication prescriptions were frequently mentioned and used in books for the next thousands of years.
Nowadays, many professional cooks still respect him as the father of Chinese food.
Ceremonial Bronze Cooking Utensils (Ding) of the Shang Dynasty Decorated with Mythical Animals' Patterns — Jiangxi Museum (Photo by Dongmaiying)
Next Story: Remarkable King Inspired by Supernatural Power — Tai Wu
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