| | 殷本纪: |
殷契，母曰简狄，有娀氏之女，为帝喾次妃。三人行浴，见玄鸟堕其卵，简狄取吞之，因孕生契。契长而佐禹治水有功。帝舜乃命契曰：“百姓不亲，五品不训，汝为司徒而敬敷五教，五教在宽。”封于商，赐姓子氏。契兴于唐、虞、大禹之际，功业著于百姓，百姓以平。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Qi of Yin's mother was Jian Di, who was one of the daughters of Yousong and the secondary wife of Emperor Ku. She was going with her two sisters to bathe, when she saw a dark bird drop its egg. Jian Di picked it up, and swallowed it, and thus being with child gave birth to Qi. When Qi grew up, he was succeseful in assisting Yu to control the flood, and the Emperor Shun, directing Qi, said: The people are wanting in affection for one another, and do not observe the five orders of relationship. You, as Minister of Instruction, should reverently inculcate the lessons of duty belonging to those five orders, but do so with gentleness. He held in fief the principality of Shang, and was given the surname of Zi (son). Qi flourished in the reigns of Yao, Shun, and the great Yu. His services were manifest to the people, who were accordingly at peace. |
| | 殷本纪: |
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，子报丁立。报丁卒，子报乙立。报乙卒，子报丙立。报丙卒，子主壬立。主壬卒，子主癸立。主癸卒，子天乙立，是为成汤。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Qi (documents) died, and his son Zhaoming (luminous) succeeded him. Zhaoming died, and his son Xiangtu (view land) succeeded him. Xiangtu died, and his son Chang Ruo (bright-like) succeeded him. Chang Ruo died, and his son Cao Yu (cattle-pens) succeeded him. Zao Yu died, and his son Ming (obscure) succeeded him. Ming died, and his son Zhen (shake) succeeded him. Zhen died, and his son Wei (diminutive) succeeded him. Wei died, and his son Baoding (report D) succeeded him. Baoding died, and his son Baoyi (report B) succeeded him. Baoyi died, and his son Baobing (report C) succeeded him. Baobing died, and his son Zhuren (lord I) succeeded him. Zhuren died, and his son Zhu gui (lord J) succeeded him. Zhu Gui died, and his son Tian Yi (Heaven B) or Tang the Completer succeeded him. |
| | 殷本纪: |
成汤，自契至汤八迁。汤始居亳，从先王居，作帝诰。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
From Qi to Tang the Completer there were eight changes of the capital. Tang at first dwelt in Bo, choosing the residence of the first king, and the 'Emperor's Announcement' was written. |
| | 殷本纪: |
汤征诸侯。葛伯不祀，汤始伐之。汤曰：“予有言：人视水见形，视民知治不。”伊尹曰：“明哉！言能听，道乃进。君国子民，为善者皆在王官。勉哉，勉哉！”汤曰：“汝不能敬命，予大罚殛之，无有攸赦。”作汤征。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
When Tang made an expedition against the princes, the chief of Ge was not offering the proper sacrifices, and Tang began by punishing him. Tang said: 'I observe that if a man looks at the water he sees his reflection; if he seeks to make an impression on the people, should he not know how to govern?' Yiyin said: 'That is clear! If you say that you will listen to reason you may offer yourself as ruler of the State. Whether the people do right or not depends entirely on the king and his ministers. Rouse yourself to action!' Tang said: 'If you cannot respect my commands, I will inflict upon you the extreme penalty death. You will not obtain forgiveness.' The punitive expedition of Tang was written. |
| | 殷本纪: |
伊尹名阿衡。阿衡欲奸汤而无由，乃为有莘氏媵臣，负鼎俎，以滋味说汤，致于王道。或曰，伊尹处士，汤使人聘迎之，五反然后肯往从汤，言素王及九主之事。汤举任以国政。伊尹去汤适夏。既丑有夏，复归于亳。入自北门，遇女鸠、女房，作女鸠女房。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Yiyin's name was A-Heng. A-Heng wanted to meet Tang, but had no opportunity of doing so; he therefore became cook to the prince of Xin, and while bringing Tang dishes to taste urged him to perfect himself in the way of the ancient kings. Some say that when Yiyin was living in retirement Tang sent five times to invite him to a meeting before he would obey him, and talk about matters connected with the guileless king and the nine rulers. Tang promoted Ren to the administration of affairs. Yiyin went from Tang to Xia. Being indignant with the sovereign of Xia, he returned to Bo, and as he entered by the north gate met Rujiu and Rufang, and the 'Rujiu' and 'Rufang' were written. |
| | 殷本纪: |
汤出，见野张网四面，祝曰：“自天下四方皆入吾网。”汤曰：“嘻，尽之矣！”乃去其三面，祝曰：“欲左，左。欲右，右。不用命，乃入吾网。”诸侯闻之，曰：“汤德至矣，及禽兽。” |
| Annals of Yin: |
Tang went out and saw a rustic, who was spreading nets in every direction, and vowing that every bird in the sky should go into his net. Tang said, 'What! all?' Then, taking away the nets on three sides, he vowed that those which wanted to go to the left should go left, and those which wanted to go right should go right, and that only those which were the victims of fate should be caught in the net. The princes, hearing of it, said, 'Tang's kindness is extreme, and extends even to birds and beasts.' |
| | 殷本纪: |
当是时，夏桀为虐政淫荒，而诸侯昆吾氏为乱。汤乃兴师率诸侯，伊尹从汤，汤自把钺以伐昆吾，遂伐桀。汤曰：“格女众庶，来，女悉听朕言。匪台小子敢行举乱，有夏多罪，予维闻女众言，夏氏有罪。予畏上帝，不敢不正。今夏多罪，天命殛之。今女有众，女曰：‘我君不恤我众，舍我啬事而割政’。女其曰：‘有罪，其柰何’？夏王率止众力，率夺夏国。众有率怠不和，曰：‘是日何时丧？予与女皆亡’！夏德若兹，今朕必往。尔尚及予一人致天之罚，予其大理女。女毋不信，朕不食言。女不从誓言，予则帑僇女，无有攸赦。”以告令师，作汤誓。于是汤曰：“吾甚武”，号曰武王。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
At this time Jie of Xia was oppressive, and his rule dissipated, and one of the princes Kunwu rebelled, so Tang, levying an army, put himself at the head of the princes. Yiyin followed Tang, who, grasping a halberd, marched against Kunwu, and then attacked Jie. Tang said: Come, ye multitudes of the people, listen ye all to my words. It is not I, the little child, who dare to raise a rebellion. The ruler of Xia has committed many crimes. I have indeed heard the words of you all, but the Xia ruler is an offender, and, as I fear the Supreme god, I dare not but punish him. Now, as the Xia ruler has committed many crimes, Heaven has charged me to destroy him. Now, ye multitudes, you are saying, 'Our sovereign does not compassionate us; he disregards our husbandry, and his government is a cruel one.' You say, 'As to his crimes, what remedy have we?' The king of Xia does nothing but exhaust his people's strength, and treat the kingdom of Xia oppressively. His people have all become idle, and are not in harmony with him, saying, 'When will this sun set? We shall all perish together.' Such being the conduct of the sovereign of Xia, I must advance. If you help me, the one man, to carry out the punishment decreed by Heaven, and I will greatly reward you. On no account disbelieve me. I will not retract my words. If you do not carry out the words of my speech, I will put you and your children to death; you shall not be pardoned. This being announced to the army, the speech of Tang was written. Tang then said, 'I am very warlike'; and he was styled the 'warlike king.' |
| | 殷本纪: |
桀败于有娀之虚，桀奔于鸣条，夏师败绩。汤遂伐三嵕，俘厥宝玉，义伯、仲伯作典宝。汤既胜夏，欲迁其社，不可，作夏社。伊尹报。于是诸侯毕服，汤乃践天子位，平定海内。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Jie was defeated in the wilds of Yousong, and fled to Mingtiao. The army of Xia being entirely defeated, Tang smote Sanzong, where he captured the precious jewels. Yibo and Zhongbo wrote the 'Statutes and Jewels.' When Tang had conquered Xia, he wished to remove the altars to the spirits of the land, but was unable to do so, and the 'Altar of Xia' was written. Yiyin made a report, and the princes being satisfied, Tang ascended the Imperial throne, and tranquillized the country within the four seas. |
| | 殷本纪: |
汤归至于泰卷陶，中垒作诰。既绌夏命，还亳，作汤诰：“维三月，王自至于东郊。告诸侯群后：‘毋不有功于民，勤力乃事。予乃大罚殛女，毋予怨。’曰：‘古禹、皋陶久劳于外，其有功乎民，民乃有安。东为江，北为济，西为河，南为淮，四渎已修，万民乃有居。后稷降播，农殖百谷。三公咸有功于民，故后有立。昔蚩尤与其大夫作乱百姓，帝乃弗予，有状。先王言不可不勉。’曰：‘不道，毋之在国，女毋我怨。’”以令诸侯。伊尹作咸有一德，咎单作明居。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
When Tang returned he came to Taijuantao, and Zhonglei wrote his announcement. Having made an end of the sovereignty of Xia, Tang returned to Bo and wrote the 'Announcement of Tang.' In the third month the king came himself to the eastern suburb and made the following announcement to the princes and nobles: 'If you do not perform meritorious service for the people and be diligent in your business, I shall inflict the extreme punishment of death. Do not murmur against me.' He also said: 'Formerly Yu and Gaoyao laboured long in distant regions. They performed meritorious service for the people, who dwelt in peace. On the east there was the Great river, on the north the Ji, on the west the Yellow river, and on the south the Huai. These four streams were kept within bounds, and the people dwelt in safety. Prince Millet told them how to sow and cultivate the various kinds of grain. These three chiefs all performed meritorious service for the people, and were therefore ennobled. Formerly Chiyou and his officers raised a rebellion among the people but the [Yellow] Emperor disapproved, and his crimes were exposed. The words of the former kings cannot but rouse you to action. If you are unprincipled you shall not rule in the State. 'Do not murmur against me.' Thus he directed the princes. Yiyin wrote the book 'Both possessed pure Virtue,' and Jiudan wrote the 'Illustrious Abode.' |
| | 殷本纪: |
汤乃改正朔，易服色，上白，朝会以昼。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Tang altered the day of the New Year, and changed the colour of the dresses, white being uniformly worn at State functions. |
| | 殷本纪: |
汤崩，太子太丁未立而卒，于是乃立太丁之弟外丙，是为帝外丙。帝外丙即位三年，崩，立外丙之弟中壬，是为帝中壬。帝中壬即位四年，崩，伊尹乃立太丁之子太甲。太甲，成汤适长孙也，是为帝太甲。帝太甲元年，伊尹作伊训，作肆命，作徂后。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
After the demise of Tang his eldest son, Taiding (Great D), died before he could come to the throne; and so Taiding's younger brother Waibing (Outer C), that is Emperor Waibing, came to the throne. Emperor Waibing reigned three years, and died, and his brother Zhongren (Middle I), that is Emperor Zhongren, came to the throne. Emperor Zhongren reigned four years, and died. Yiyin then set Taiding's son, Taijia (Great A), on the throne. He was Tang the Completer's eldest legitimate grandson. This was Emperor Taijia. In the first year of Emperor Taijia, Yiyin wrote the 'Instructions of Yi,' the 'Declaration of the Appointment of Heaven,' and the 'Deceased Sovereign.' |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝太甲既立三年，不明，暴虐，不遵汤法，乱德，于是伊尹放之于桐宫。三年，伊尹摄行政当国，以朝诸侯。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
After Emperor Taijia had been on the throne three years, he proved unintelligent and cruel. He did not obey Tang's laws, and his conduct was disorderly, so Yiyin placed him in the Dryandra (palace). For three years Yiyin administered the government, and as ruler of the State gave audience to the nobles. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝太甲居桐宫三年，悔过自责，反善，于是伊尹乃迎帝太甲而授之政。帝太甲修德，诸侯咸归殷，百姓以宁。伊尹嘉之，乃作太甲训三篇，褒帝太甲，称太宗。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
After the Emperor Taijia had dwelt in the Dryandra palace for three years, he repented of his errors, blamed himself, and amended his ways. Whereupon Yiyin met the Emperor Taijia and resigned to him the reins of government. Emperor Taijia became virtuous, the princes all returned to the Yin capital, and the people were tranquil. Yiyin praised him, and wrote the 'Instructions to Taijia' in three books. Commending Emperor Taijia, he honoured him with the title of 'Great Master.' |
| | 殷本纪: |
太宗崩，子沃丁立。帝沃丁之时，伊尹卒。既葬伊尹于亳，咎单遂训伊尹事，作沃丁。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
'Great Master' died, and his son Woding (Glossy D) came to the throne. In Emperor Woding's reign, Yiyin died. When they had buried Yiyin at Bo, Jiu Dan set forth as lessons the doings of Yiyin; and the 'Woding' was written. |
| | 殷本纪: |
沃丁崩，弟太庚立，是为帝太庚。帝太庚崩，子帝小甲立。帝小甲崩，弟雍己立，是为帝雍己。殷道衰，诸侯或不至。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Wuting died, and his brother Taigeng (Great G), that is Emperor Taigeng, came to the throne. Emperor Taigeng died, and his son Emperor Xiaojia (Little A) came to the throne. Emperor Xiaojia died, and his brother Yongji (Harmonious F), that is Emperor Yongji, came to the throne. The influence of the Yin dynasty beginning to decline, the princes occasionally neglected to come to court. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝雍己崩，弟太戊立，是为帝太戊。帝太戊立伊陟为相。亳有祥桑谷共生于朝，一暮大拱。帝太戊惧，问伊陟。伊陟曰：“臣闻妖不胜德，帝之政其有阙与？帝其修德。”太戊从之，而祥桑枯死而去。伊陟赞言于巫咸。巫咸治王家有成，作咸艾，作太戊。帝太戊赞伊陟于庙，言弗臣，伊陟让，作原命。殷复兴，诸侯归之，故称中宗。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Yongji died, and his brother Taiwu (Great E), that is Emperor Taiwu, came to the throne. In his reign Yizhi became prime minister, when there were omens in Bo, for a mulberry tree and a stalk of grain grew up together in the court. They attained full size in one evening, and Emperor Taiwu, being alarmed, questioned Yizhi on the subject. Yizhi said: 'I, your servant, have heard that virtue is not overcome by evil omens. There may be defects in your Majesty's government, but let your Majesty cultivate virtue.' Taiwu followed his advice, and the ominous mulberry withered away. Yizhi consulted with Xian the wizard, who governed the king's household admirably, and wrote the 'Xian-ai' and the 'Taiwu.' Emperor Taiwu spoke on the subject with Yizhi in court, and said he was disloyal. Yizhi gave up his post, and wrote the original commands. Yin prospered again, and the princes gave their allegiance to the Emperor, who was called Middle Master. |
| | 殷本纪: |
中宗崩，子帝中丁立。帝中丁迁于隞。河亶甲居相。祖乙迁于邢。帝中丁崩，弟外壬立，是为帝外壬。仲丁书阙不具。帝外壬崩，弟河亶甲立，是为帝河亶甲。河亶甲时，殷复衰。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Middle Master died, and his son Emperor Zhongding (Middle D) came to the throne. Emperor Zhongding removed to Ao. Hedanjia lived in Xiang. Zuyi removed to Geng. Emperor Zhongding died, and his brother Wairen (Outer I), that is Emperor Wairen, came to the throne. The omissions in the book 'Zhongding' were not supplied. Emperor Wairen died, and his brother Hedanjia (River Truth A), that is Emperor Hedanjia, came to the throne. In his time the influence of Yin again began to wane. |
| | 殷本纪: |
河亶甲崩，子帝祖乙立。帝祖乙立，殷复兴。巫贤任职。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Hedanjia died, and his son Emperor Zuyi (Ancestor B) came to the throne. In Emperor Zuyi's time Yin again prospered, and the wizard Xian held office. |
| | 殷本纪: |
祖乙崩，子帝祖辛立。帝祖辛崩，弟沃甲立，是为帝沃甲。帝沃甲崩，立沃甲兄祖辛之子祖丁，是为帝祖丁。帝祖丁崩，立弟沃甲之子南庚，是为帝南庚。帝南庚崩，立帝祖丁之子阳甲，是为帝阳甲。帝阳甲之时，殷衰。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Zuyi died, and his son Emperor Zuxin (Ancestor H) came to the throne. Emperor Zuxin died, and his brother Wojia (Glossy A), i.e. Emperor Wojia, came to the throne. Emperor Wojia died, and Zuding (Ancestor D), that is Emperor Zuding, who was Wojia's elder brother, was put on the throne. Emperor Zuding died, and his brother Wojia's son, Nangeng (South G), that is Emperor Nangeng, was put on the throne. Emperor Nangeng died, and Emperor Zuding's son Yangjia (Male A), that is Emperor Yangjia, was put on the throne. In his reign the power of the Yins declined. |
| | 殷本纪: |
自中丁以来，废适而更立诸弟子，弟子或争相代立，比九世乱，于是诸侯莫朝。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Ever since the reign of Zhongding the legitimate heir had been set aside, and junior scions put on the throne instead. These used to fight and displace each other. For the last nine generations there had been anarchy, and the princes neglected to come to court. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝阳甲崩，弟盘庚立，是为帝盘庚。帝盘庚之时，殷已都河北，盘庚渡河南，复居成汤之故居，乃五迁，无定处。殷民咨胥皆怨，不欲徙。盘庚乃告谕诸侯大臣曰：“昔高后成汤与尔之先祖俱定天下，法则可修。舍而弗勉，何以成德！”乃遂涉河南，治亳，行汤之政，然后百姓由宁，殷道复兴。诸侯来朝，以其遵成汤之德也。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Yangjia died, and his brother Pangeng (Plate G), that is Emperor Pangeng, came to the throne. In his reign the Yins had their capital on the north of the Yellow river, but Pangeng crossed to the south of the river, and reoccupied the old palace of Tang the Completer. This made the fifth change of capital, and, as they had no fixed place of abode, the people of Yin murmured and repined, for they did not like moving about. Pangeng made the following announcement to the princes and ministers: 'Formerly our exalted sovereign Tang the Completer, in conjunction with your ancestors, decided what laws and regulations of the empire should be attended to or set aside, but if you do not make an effort how can you attain perfection?' He then crossed over to the south of the river, set up his capital at Bo, and having adopted Tang's system of government, the people were thereby tranquillized, and the fortunes of Yin were again in the ascendant. The princes came to court, and were influenced by the virtues of Tang the Completer. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝盘庚崩，弟小辛立，是为帝小辛。帝小辛立，殷复衰。百姓思盘庚，乃作盘庚三篇。帝小辛崩，弟小乙立，是为帝小乙。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Pangeng died, and his brother Xiaoxin (Little H), that is Emperor Xiaoxin, came to the throne. In his reign the power of Yin was again on the wane. The people remembered Pangeng, and 1the 'Pangeng' in three parts was written. Emperor Xiaoxin died, and his brother Xiaoyi (Little B), that is Emperor Xiaoyi, came to the throne. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝小乙崩，子帝武丁立。帝武丁即位，思复兴殷，而未得其佐。三年不言，政事决定于冢宰，以观国风。武丁夜梦得圣人，名曰说。以梦所见视群臣百吏，皆非也。于是乃使百工营求之野，得说于傅险中。是时说为胥靡，筑于傅险。见于武丁，武丁曰是也。得而与之语，果圣人，举以为相，殷国大治。故遂以傅险姓之，号曰傅说。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Xiaoyi died, and his son Emperor Wuding (Martial D) came to the throne. When Emperor Wuding was on the throne, he pondered how the Yin dynasty could be revivified, but as he had not obtained an assistant he did not speak for three years, government affairs having to be conducted by the prime minister, who examined into the customs of the country. Wuding dreamed one night that he had found a holy man named Yue, and, in order that he might secure the man he had seen in his dream, he passed under review his officers and ministers of State, but not one of them was the right man. He then made all his officers search for him in the wilds, and Yue was discovered at the crag of Fu. At this time Yue was a clerk, not a builder at the crag of Fu. He had an audience of Wuding, who said, 'That is the right man.' Having talked with him, and finding that he really was a holy man, Wuding promoted him to be his prime minister. The kingdom of Yin was well governed in consequence, and he was named after the crag of Fu, being called Fu Yue. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝武丁祭成汤，明日，有飞雉登鼎耳而呴，武丁惧。祖己曰：“王勿忧，先修政事。”祖己乃训王曰：“唯天监下典厥义，降年有永有不永，非天夭民，中绝其命。民有不若德，不听罪，天既附命正厥德，乃曰其奈何。鸣呼！王嗣敬民，罔非天继，常祀毋礼于弃道。”武丁修政行德，天下咸驩，殷道复兴。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Wuding was sacrificing to Tang the Completer the next day, when a pheasant flew up, lighted on the ear of a tripod, and crowed. Wuding was alarmed, but Zuji (Ancestor F) said the king should not be anxious; he must first rectify the administration of affairs. Zuji accordingly lectured the king, saying, 'In its superintendence over men below, Heaven pays special regard to their proper behaviour, and bestows on them accordingly length of years or the reverse. Heaven does not cut short men's lives; they bring them to an end themselves. Some men may not have conformed to virtue, and will not acknowledge their crimes; Heaven then charges them to correct their conduct, but they say, 'What shall we do?' Ah! the king should continuously treat the people with respect. Are they not Heaven's descendants? Be constant in sacrificing, and do not worship with the rites of a discarded religion.' Wuding instituted a government reform, and practised virtue. The whole nation rejoiced, and the fortunes of Yin again flourished. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝武丁崩，子帝祖庚立。祖己嘉武丁之以祥雉为德，立其庙为高宗，遂作高宗肜日及训。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Wuding died, and his son Emperor Zugeng (Ancestor G) came to the throne. Zuji commended Wuding for considering the omen of the pheasant as a ground for practising virtue, and conferred on him the posthumous title of 'exalted ancestor,' and the 'Day of the Supplementary Sacrifice of Gaozong' and the 'Instructions [to Gaozong]' were written. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝祖庚崩，弟祖甲立，是为帝甲。帝甲淫乱，殷复衰。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Zugeng died, and his brother Zujia (Ancestor A), that is Emperor Jia, came to the throne. He was dissipated, and the fortunes of Yin again waned. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝甲崩，子帝廪辛立。帝廪辛崩，弟庚丁立，是为帝庚丁。帝庚丁崩，子帝武乙立。殷复去亳，徙河北。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Jia died, and his son Emperor Linxin (Granary H) sat on the throne. Emperor Linxin died, and his brother Gengding (G. D), that is Emperor Gengding, sat on the throne. Emperor Gengding died, and his son Emperor Wuyi (Martial B) sat on the throne. The Yins again left Bo, and crossed to the north bank of the river. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝武乙无道，为偶人，谓之天神。与之博，令人为行。天神不胜，乃僇辱之。为革囊，盛血，卬而射之，命曰“射天”。武乙猎于河渭之闲，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。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
The Emperor Wuyi was unprincipled and made images, which he called 'Heavenly gods.' With these he played chess, ordering some one to make the moves for them; and when the 'celestial gods' did not win he abused them, and making a leather bag, filled it with blood, threw it up and shot at it. This he called shooting at Heaven. While Wuyi was hunting between the Yellow and Wei rivers, there was a clap of thunder, and Wuyi was struck dead by lightning. His son Emperor Taiding (Great D) came to the throne. Emperor Taiding died, and his son Emperor Yi (B) sat on the throne. In his reign the fortunes of Yin declined still further. |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝乙长子曰微子启，启母贱，不得嗣。少子辛，辛母正后，辛为嗣。帝乙崩，子辛立，是为帝辛，天下谓之纣。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Yi's (B) eldest son was Qi, viscount of Wei. Qi's mother being of low caste, he could not be heir to the throne. His younger son was Xin (X), whose mother was the principal consort, and so he became the heir-apparent. Emperor Yi died, and his son Xin sat on the throne. Emperor Xin was called by everybody in the empire Zhou (the tyrant). |
| | 殷本纪: |
帝纣资辨捷疾，闻见甚敏；材力过人，手格猛兽；知足以距谏，言足以饰非；矜人臣以能，高天下以声，以为皆出己之下。好酒淫乐，嬖于妇人。爱妲己，妲己之言是从。于是使师涓作新淫声，北里之舞，靡靡之乐。厚赋税以实鹿台之钱，而盈钜桥之粟。益收狗马奇物，充仞宫室。益广沙丘苑台，多取野兽蜚鸟置其中。慢于鬼神。大聚乐戏于沙丘，以酒为池，县肉为林，使男女裸相逐其闲，为长夜之饮。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Emperor Zhou's discrimination was acute, his hearing and sight particularly good, his natural abilities extraordinary, and his physical strength equal to that of a wild beast. He had cunning enough to evade reproofs, and volubility enough to gloss over his faults. He boasted that he was above his ministers on the ground of ability, and that he surpassed the people of the empire on account of his reputation. He indulged in wine, women, and lusts of all sorts. His partiality for Taji (Actress F) caused him to carry out whatever she desired, so that his ministers had to devise new forms of dissipation, the most depraved dances and extravagant music; he increased the taxation in order to fill the Stag tower with money, and to store the granary at 'Big bridge.' He made a collection of dogs, horses, and curiosities, with which he filled his palaces; and enlarging his parks and towers at Shaqiu, procured numbers of wild beasts and birds and put them therein. He slighted the spirits, assembled a great number of play actors at Shaqiu, made a pond of wine, hung the trees with meat, made men and women chase each other about quite naked, and had drinking bouts the whole night long. |
| | 殷本纪: |
百姓怨望而诸侯有畔者，于是纣乃重刑辟，有炮格之法。以西伯昌、九侯、鄂侯为三公。九侯有好女，入之纣。九侯女不喜淫，纣怒，杀之，而醢九侯。鄂侯争之强，辨之疾，并脯鄂侯。西伯昌闻之，窃叹。崇侯虎知之，以告纣，纣囚西伯羑里。西伯之臣闳夭之徒，求美女奇物善马以献纣，纣乃赦西伯。西伯出而献洛西之地，以请除炮格之刑。纣乃许之，赐弓矢斧钺，使得征伐，为西伯。而用费中为政。费中善谀，好利，殷人弗亲。纣又用恶来。恶来善毁谗，诸侯以此益疏。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
The people murmured, and when the nobles rebelled Zhouxin increased the severity of his punishments, instituting the punishment of roasting. He appointed Chang Chief of the West, the prince of Jiu, and the prince of E his three principal ministers. The prince of Jiu had a beloved daughter who was sent in to the emperor, and when she disapproved of his debaucheries the tyrant killed her in his rage, and made mincemeat of her father. The prince of E objected, and vehemently remonstrated with him, whereupon he was sliced to pieces. Chang Chief of the West, hearing of all this, sighed furtively, but 'Tiger' the prince of Chong, being aware of it, informed the tyrant, who thereupon cast Chief of the West into prison at Youli. His servant Hongyao and others procured a pretty girl, rare curiosities, and fine horses, which they presented to the tyrant, who thereupon pardoned Chief of the West. The latter went forth and gave the country to the west of the Luo river to the tyrant, and begged that he would abolish the punishment of roasting. The emperor agreed to this, and gave him bows, arrows, axes, and halberds, with a commission to start on a warlike expedition. He was appointed Chief of the West, and Feizhong was employed in the government. Feizhong was fond of flattery and greedy of gain, so the men of Yin were not attached to him. The tyrant also gave Elai an appointment, but Elai was fond of vilifying persons, so the princes became more and more estranged from the court. |
| | 殷本纪: |
西伯归，乃阴修德行善，诸侯多叛纣而往归西伯。西伯滋大，纣由是稍失权重。王子比干谏，弗听。商容贤者，百姓爱之，纣废之。及西伯伐饥国，灭之，纣之臣祖伊闻之而咎周，恐，奔告纣曰：“天既讫我殷命，假人元龟，无敢知吉，非先王不相我后人，维王淫虐用自绝，故天弃我，不有安食，不虞知天性，不迪率典。今我民罔不欲丧，曰‘天曷不降威，大命胡不至’？今王其柰何？”纣曰：“我生不有命在天乎！”祖伊反，曰：“纣不可谏矣。”西伯既卒，周武王之东伐，至盟津，诸侯叛殷会周者八百。诸侯皆曰：“纣可伐矣。”武王曰：“尔未知天命。”乃复归。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
Now Chief of the West, on returning from his expedition, secretly cultivated virtue, and was charitable; many of the princes revolted from the tyrant and gave their allegiance to Chief of the West, who from this time gained in influence, while the tyrant rather lost his authority. The monarch's son Bigan remonstrated with his father, but he was not listened to. Shangrong praised his worth, and the people loved him, but the tyrant set him aside. Chief of the West marched against and conquered the Ji State, and the tyrant's minister Zu-yi heard of it, and blaming [the house of] Zhou hurried off in alarm to report it to the tyrant. He said: 'Heaven is bringing to an end the destiny of our dynasty of Yin; great men and the ancient tortoise do not venture to foretell good fortune. It is not that the former kings do not aid us men of this later time; but you, O king, by your dissoluteness and oppression are cutting yourself off. Heaven has therefore rejected us; we do not eat our meals in peace, we do not consider our heavenly nature, we do not follow and observe the statutes. Our people are now all longing for the destruction of the dynasty, saying, Why does not Heaven send down its awe-inspiring authority? Why is not its great decree manifested? What remedy is there against the present king?' The tyrant said: 'Is not my life secured by the decree of Heaven?' Zu-yi returned, and said, 'The tyrant cannot be remonstrated with.' Chief of the West having died, King Wu of Zhou in his march eastward arrived at the ford of Meng. The princes revolted, and 800 princes of the house of Zhou having assembled declared that the tyrant ought to be attacked. King Wu said, 'You know nothing of Heaven's decree,' and retired. |
| | 殷本纪: |
纣愈淫乱不止。微子数谏不听，乃与大师、少师谋，遂去。比干曰：“为人臣者，不得不以死争。”乃强谏纣。纣怒曰：“吾闻圣人心有七窍。”剖比干，观其心。箕子惧，乃详狂为奴，纣又囚之。殷之大师、少师乃持其祭乐器奔周。周武王于是遂率诸侯伐纣。纣亦发兵距之牧野。甲子日，纣兵败。纣走入，登鹿台，衣其宝玉衣，赴火而死。周武王遂斩纣头，县之［大］白旗。杀妲己。释箕子之囚，封比干之墓，表商容之闾。封纣子武庚、禄父，以续殷祀，令修行盘庚之政。殷民大说。于是周武王为天子。其后世贬帝号，号为王。而封殷后为诸侯，属周。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
The tyrant abandoned himself all the more to lust and dissipation, and the viscount of Wei remonstrated with him several times, but he would not heed, so having consulted with the senior and junior tutors the viscount of Wei withdrew from court. Bigan said, 'A minister cannot but argue to the death'; he accordingly remonstrated vehemently with the tyrant, who in a rage said, 'I have heard that the heart of a holy man has seven apertures,' and cut Bigan open to look at his heart. The viscount of Ji, in terror, then feigned himself mad, and became a slave, and the tyrant again imprisoned him. The senior and junior tutors of Yin, accordingly, taking the sacrificial and musical implements, hastened to the Zhou State, and King Wu of Zhou upon this marched at the head of the princes to attack the tyrant, who also sent out an army to withstand him in the plain of Mu. On the day Jiazi the tyrant's troops were beaten, and he himself fled to the Stag tower, which he ascended, and, putting on his gorgeous robes and jewels, burnt himself to death. King Wu of Zhou then cut off the tyrant's head and exhibited it on a pole; he also slew Daji, released the viscount of Ji from prison, raised a tumulus over the grave of Bigan, and made a eulogy to the memory of Shangrong. His sons, Wugeng and Lufu, were appointed to continue the sacrifices to the Yins. He restored Pangeng's mode of administration, and the people of Yin were greatly rejoiced. Whereupon King Wu of Zhou became Son of Heaven (emperor). His descendants abolished the title of Di (divine emperor), and called themselves kings (Wang); and the descendants of the Yins were made princes subordinate to the house of Zhou. |
| | 殷本纪: |
周武王崩，武庚与管叔、蔡叔作乱，成王命周公诛之，而立微子于宋，以续殷后焉。 |
| Annals of Yin: |
After the death of King Wu of Zhou, Wugeng, Guanshu, and Caishu rebelled. King Cheng ordered the duke of Zhou to execute them, and the viscount of Wei was established in the Song State to continue (the ancestral worship as) a descendant of the Yins. |
| | 殷本纪: |
太史公曰：余以颂次契之事，自成汤以来，采于书诗。契为子姓，其后分封，以国为姓，有殷氏、来氏、宋氏、空桐氏、稚氏、北殷氏、目夷氏。孔子曰，殷路车为善，而色尚白。 |
