Chapter 125: The Reign of Emperor Xin

Di Xin, whose given name was Shoude, is historically renowned as a notoriously cruel ruler, later known as King Zhou of Shang. Subsequent generations have viewed him as utterly incorrigible, beyond redemption. But is this really the case?

The answer is no.

From birth, Di Xin displayed an astonishing intellect and exceptional cleverness. His father, Emperor Yi, recognized his extraordinary potential from an early age.

When Emperor Yi passed away, the throne should have rightfully gone to his eldest son, Qi. However, Qi was born to a concubine, whereas when Di Xin was born, his mother had been elevated to the status of Empress, making Shoude the legitimate heir.

According to the customs of the time, succession prioritized the eldest legitimate son first, followed by the second, the third, and so on. Only after the legitimate sons were accounted for would the eldest illegitimate sons be considered, ranked by age.

Upon Emperor Yi’s death, the ministers debated fiercely over the succession. Some advocated the traditional “brother succeeds brother” principle, supporting the appointment of Prince Bi Gan, the King’s uncle. Others believed that Di Xin was too young and thus not suitable to bring prosperity to the realm; they favored Wei Zi Qi instead.

Amidst this discord, the Grand Tutor Wen Zhong proclaimed a decisive statement that secured Di Xin’s ascension: “A son by the wife shall be established, not a son by a concubine.”

Wen Zhong held considerable sway in the military, and Di Xin also gained the trust of the Grand Minister Shang Rong. With momentum on his side, Di Xin’s claim to the throne was indisputable.

Was King Zhou truly a foolish and incompetent ruler? Let me offer an example.

Di Xin’s rise to power was not only backed by military and political heavyweights but also supported by his royal kin. Among them was his uncle, Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong served both as Di Xin’s uncle and mentor, especially in martial skills, for he was a warrior unmatched in bravery. Yet, he bore one notable flaw: he was “fearful at home”—in simple terms, he was henpecked.

Following Emperor Yi’s will, Di Xin launched campaigns against the Eastern Yi tribes, traditional foes of Shang. Wen Zhong returned victorious.

Di Xin personally welcomed him back at the Ten-Li Pavilion, celebrating with a grand feast.

At this gathering, Wei Zi Qi whispered to Di Xin, “Your uncle enjoys such glory here, yet I suspect his home life tells a different story.”

Wen Zhong’s face flushed with anger but he could do nothing.

Intrigued by his uncle’s reputed domestic weakness, Di Xin secretly visited Wen Zhong’s residence after the feast.

To his surprise, he found his uncle kneeling in front of his aunt, paying respects.

Fury ignited within the young king. He ordered his soldiers to bring the woman to the palace hall.

“Impudent woman! My uncle has fought for the court for many years. Not only should I respect him, but every minister here holds him in high esteem!” Di Xin thundered.

“Your Majesty, please spare her; she has realized her mistake!” Wen Zhong pleaded in terror.

“How dare you make a national hero kowtow to you, while you sit shamelessly in comfort? By humiliating a loyal subject, how can I face the entire court? Where do you place our ancestors, our realm, our people? If you have no shame, then you have no right to live!” Di Xin furrowed his brows and pronounced his verdict.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!” Wen Zhong and Shang Rong fell to their knees, begging for mercy.

The ministers echoed the plea, prostrating themselves for the general’s wife.

“Take her away and execute her!” Di Xin swept his sleeve, and the palace guards dragged the woman out.

Wen Zhong fainted from grief; how could an aged warrior endure such a loss?

The executioner’s blade fell; the head was severed and wrapped swiftly in white silk, which soon turned crimson with blood.

“From now on, every bride must wear a red veil upon marriage,” Di Xin proclaimed, “to remember this lesson: cherish your family and respect your husband.”

Thus was born the tradition of the red bridal veil, symbolizing respect toward the husband’s family.

This decree gave rise to the “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” for women. Though it constrained women’s minds thereafter, it stabilized family harmony and laid the foundation for women’s relinquishment of power.

One might ask: what about Su Daji, King Zhou’s consort? Was she not a figure of power and intrigue?

The blame cannot fall solely on Su Daji. Without the king’s own failings, no beauty, however enchanting, could have captivated the emperor’s heart so deeply.

After these events, it was Wei Zi Qi who grew fearful. Who could say when King Zhou might suddenly turn mad and behead him?

Wei Zi Qi could not rest day or night. At this moment, a messenger appeared with a “life-saving remedy.”

He spoke of inciting rebellion.

By then, the Shang dynasty had subdued its two major enemies—the Eastern Yi tribes—leaving only the Western Zhou.

Under the leadership of Duke Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, the Western Zhou prospered with over a million armored soldiers, countless chariots and horses. Now they sent an envoy to Wei Zi Qi, with an unclear purpose.

At the courier station, Wei Zi Qi met the Western Zhou envoy, who promised to reveal border tribes’ intelligence in exchange for protecting his position at court.

Under pressure, Wei Zi Qi divulged weaknesses among the western tribes.

Meanwhile, during a sacrifice at the Nuwa Temple, a strange wind disoriented King Zhou, causing him to commit great errors. The goddess Nuwa, angered, dispatched the nine-tailed fox demon, who took the form of Su Daji, daughter of the Su clan, to disrupt Shang’s fate.

Su Hu, an ambitious man, was discovered by the court and faced invasion. The Western Zhou crown prince, Ji Boyikao, betrothed to Su Daji, used his influence to save Su Hu. To demonstrate loyalty, Su Hu offered Daji to King Zhou.

King Zhou, burning with resentment at Western Zhou’s interference, had long wanted to punish them but was restrained by ongoing eastern campaigns. Reluctantly, he allowed Su Daji into his palace.

Wei Zi Qi’s actions were not without consequence. Within a decade, the Western Zhou unified the western tribes, astonishing Emperor Di Xin, who was still engaged in eastern campaigns.

He hastily recalled troops to defend Chaoge and intensified conscription, demanding the presence of Western Zhou’s lord, Ji Chang.

Aware of his tribe’s growing prominence and the risks that entailed, Ji Chang complied and came to Chaoge.

Di Xin promptly imprisoned Ji Chang, accusing him of treason. Ji Chang protested innocence, but none among the ministers dared to believe him.

“Having half the realm already, does he not harbor ambitions?” they whispered.

This was the raw reality of the power struggle between Shang and Zhou.

The Western Zhou boasted over a million armored soldiers and endless arms and horses.

If you were the emperor, what would you do?

Such a towering subordinate inevitably breeds suspicion.

To prove his father’s innocence, the Western Zhou heir, Ji Boyikao, brought lavish gifts to Chaoge, pleading for Ji Chang’s release.

Yet King Zhou, shrewd as ever, detained the prince as well.

What he did not foresee was the deaths of both Ji Chang and Ji Boyikao in prison, shocking him deeply.

He dispatched soldiers to investigate, careful not to provoke the Western Zhou, but the cause remained a mystery.

King Zhou blamed a jailer for assassinating the lord and heir, posthumously granting them titles.

To assert military might, King Zhou staged war drills on the western border, intimidating regional powers.

With the west secured, he led campaigns eastward and southward.

But one man, clear-sighted about Shang’s precarious state, fled the city toward the Western Zhou’s Qishan.

The great war between Shang and Zhou was about to begin.