| | 周本紀: |
周后稷，名棄。其母有邰氏女，曰姜原。姜原為帝嚳元妃。姜原出野，見巨人跡，心忻然說，欲踐之，踐之而身動如孕者。居期而生子，以為不祥，棄之隘巷，馬牛過者皆辟不踐；徙置之林中，適會山林多人，遷之；而棄渠中冰上，飛鳥以其翼覆薦之。姜原以為神，遂收養長之。初欲棄之，因名曰棄。 |
| | Zhou Houji, courtesy name Qi. His mother was a daughter of the You Tai clan, named Jiang Yuan. Jiang Yuan was the principal wife of Emperor Ku. Jiang Yuan went out into the fields and saw a giant's footprint; her heart was delighted, and she wished to step on it. When she stepped on it, her body moved as if pregnant. After a full term, she gave birth to a child; thinking it an ill omen, she abandoned him in a narrow alley. Horses and cattle passing by all turned aside and did not trample on him; she moved him to place him in the forest, but at that time there happened to be many people in the mountains and woods, so she relocated him again; she then abandoned him on ice in a ditch, but birds flew over with their wings to cover and protect him. Jiang Yuan considered this to be divine, so she took him back, raised him, and he grew up. Initially wanting to abandon him, they named him Qi.
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| | 周本紀: |
棄為兒時，屹如巨人之志。其游戲，好種樹麻、菽，麻、菽美。及為成人，遂好耕農，相地之宜，宜穀者稼穡焉，民皆法則之。帝堯聞之，舉棄為農師，天下得其利，有功。帝舜曰：「棄，黎民始饑，爾后稷播時百穀。」封棄於邰，號曰后稷，別姓姬氏。后稷之興，在陶唐﹑虞﹑夏之際，皆有令德。 |
| | When he was a child, Qi stood tall with the aspirations of a giant. His games involved planting flax and beans; the flax and beans were beautiful. When he became an adult, he took up farming, observing the suitability of the land. Where it was suitable for grain, he cultivated and harvested crops; the people all followed his example. Emperor Yao heard of this and appointed Qi as chief agricultural officer. The world benefited from his work, and he achieved great success. Emperor Shun said: "Qi, when the people first suffered hunger, you, Houji, sowed the hundred grains in their season." He was enfeoffed at Tai and given the title Houji; he was distinguished by the surname Ji. Houji's rise to prominence occurred during the time of Taotang, Yu, and Xia; in each era he displayed noble virtue.
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| | 周本紀: |
后稷卒，子不窋立。不窋末年，夏后氏政衰，去稷不務，不窋以失其官而犇戎狄之間。不窋卒，子鞠立。鞠卒，子公劉立。公劉雖在戎狄之間，復修后稷之業，務耕種，行地宜，自漆、沮度渭，取材用，行者有資，居者有畜積，民賴其慶。百姓懷之，多徙而保歸焉。周道之興自此始，故詩人歌樂思其德。公劉卒，子慶節立，國於豳。 |
| | After Houji died, his son Bu Zhu succeeded him. In the later years of Bu Zhu's life, the rule of the Xia Hou clan declined; they abandoned agriculture and neglected it. As a result, Bu Zhu lost his official position and fled between Rong and Di territories. After Bu Zhu died, his son Ju succeeded him. After Ju died, his son Gong Liu succeeded him. Although Gong Liu was living among the Rong and Di, he revived Houji's endeavors, focusing on farming and cultivating land suited to its nature. He crossed from Qi and Ju rivers to Wei River, obtaining materials for use; travelers had provisions, residents had stored goods, and the people relied on his blessings. The common people cherished him, so many migrated to take refuge under his protection. The rise of the Zhou way began from this point; therefore, poets sang and rejoiced in thinking about his virtue. After Gong Liu died, his son Qingjie succeeded him, establishing the state at Bin.
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| | 周本紀: |
慶節卒，子皇仆立。皇仆卒，子差弗立。差弗卒，子毀隃立。毀隃卒，子公非立。公非卒，子高圉立。高圉卒，子亞圉立。亞圉卒，子公叔祖類立。公叔祖類卒，子古公亶父立。古公亶父復修后稷、公劉之業，積德行義，國人皆戴之。薰育戎狄攻之，欲得財物，予之。已復攻，欲得地與民。民皆怒，欲戰。古公曰：「有民立君，將以利之。今戎狄所為攻戰，以吾地與民。民之在我，與其在彼，何異。民欲以我故戰，殺人父子而君之，予不忍為。」乃與私屬遂去豳，度漆、沮，踰梁山，止於岐下。豳人舉國扶老攜弱，盡復歸古公於岐下。及他旁國聞古公仁，亦多歸之。於是古公乃貶戎狄之俗，而營筑城郭室屋，而邑別居之。作五官有司。民皆歌樂之，頌其德。 |
| | After Qingjie died, his son Huangpu succeeded him. After Huangpu died, his son Chafu succeeded him. After Chafu died, his son Huishu succeeded him. After Huishu died, his son Gongfei succeeded him. After Gongfei died, his son Gaoyu succeeded him. After Gaoyu died, his son Yayu succeeded him. After Yayu died, his son Gongsushu Leilei succeeded him. After Gongsushu Leilei died, his son Gu Gong Danfu succeeded him. Gu Gong Danfu revived the endeavors of Houji and Gong Liu, accumulating virtue and practicing righteousness; all the people of the state revered him. The Xunyu Rong and Di attacked them, seeking wealth and goods, which were given to them. When they attacked again, wanting land and people. The people were all angry and wished to fight. Gu Gong said: "A ruler is established for the people; it is to benefit them." "Now, what the Rong and Di do in attacking us is because of my land and people. Whether the people are with me or with them makes no difference." "The people wish to fight because of me, killing fathers and sons so they may be ruled by another; I cannot bear to do this." Thus he left Bin with his private followers, crossed the Qi and Ju rivers, passed over Liangshan Mountain, and settled at Qixia. The people of Bin carried their elderly on their backs and led the young with them, all returning to Gu Gong at Qixia as a whole nation. Other neighboring states hearing of Gu Gong's benevolence also returned in large numbers to him. Thus, Gu Gong abandoned the customs of the Rong and Di and began building city walls, houses, and established separate settlements. He appointed five officials with their respective duties. The people all sang and rejoiced, praising his virtue.
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| | 周本紀: |
古公有長子曰太伯，次曰虞仲。太姜生少子季歷，季歷娶太任，皆賢婦人，生昌，有聖瑞。古公曰：「我世當有興者，其在昌乎？」長子太伯、虞仲知古公欲立季歷以傳昌，乃二人亡如荊蠻，文身斷髪，以讓季歷。 |
| | Gu Gong had an eldest son named Taibo, the second was Yuzhong. Taijiang bore a younger son Jili; Jili married Tairen, both of whom were virtuous women. They gave birth to Chang, who was born with signs of sainthood and auspicious omens. Gu Gong said: "There should be one in my lineage destined to rise, perhaps it is Chang?" The eldest son Taibo and Yuzhong knew that Gu Gong wanted to establish Jili as heir in order to pass on the succession to Chang, so the two of them fled to Jingman, tattooed their bodies, cut off their hair, and thus yielded the position to Jili.
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| | 周本紀: |
古公卒，季歷立，是為公季。公季修古公遺道，篤於行義，諸侯順之。 |
| | After Gu Gong died, Jili succeeded him; he was known as Gong Ji. Gong Ji followed the legacy of Gu Gong, being earnest in practicing righteousness, and the feudal lords obeyed him.
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| | 周本紀: |
公季卒，子昌立，是為西伯。西伯曰文王，遵后稷、公劉之業，則古公、公季之法，篤仁，敬老，慈少。禮下賢者，日中不暇食以待士，士以此多歸之。伯夷、叔齊在孤竹，聞西伯善養老，盍往歸之。太顛、閎夭、散宜生、鬻子、辛甲大夫之徒皆往歸之。 |
| | After Gong Ji died, his son Chang succeeded him; he was called Xibo. Xibo, known as King Wen, followed the endeavors of Houji and Gong Lü, adhered to the laws of Gu Gong and Gong Ji, was earnest in benevolence, reverent toward elders, and kind to the young. He treated those of virtue with courtesy below him; he was so busy receiving scholars at midday that he had no time to eat, and many scholars thus returned to his side. Bo Yi and Shu Qi were in Gu Zhu; hearing that Xibo was good at caring for the elderly, they thought it best to go and submit to him. Tai Dian, Hong Yao, Sanyi Sheng, Yu Zi, and the official Xinjia were among those who went to submit to him.
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| | 周本紀: |
崇侯虎譖西伯於殷紂曰：「西伯積善累德，諸侯皆向之，將不利於帝。」帝紂乃囚西伯於羑里。閎夭之徒患之。乃求有莘氏美女，驪戎之文馬，有熊九駟，他奇怪物，因殷嬖臣費仲而獻之紂。紂大說，曰：「此一物足以釋西伯，況其多乎！」乃赦西伯，賜之弓矢斧鉞，使西伯得征伐。曰：「譖西伯者，崇侯虎也。」西伯乃獻洛西之地，以請紂去炮格之刑。紂許之。 |
| | Chong Hou Hu slandered Xibo to Yin Zhou, saying: "Xibo has accumulated virtue and good deeds; the feudal lords all look up to him. This will be detrimental to Your Majesty." King Zhou then imprisoned Xibo at Youli. Hong Yao and his followers were worried about this. 𝑙 They then sought a beautiful woman from the You Shen clan, fine horses from Li Rong, nine teams of horses from You Xiong, and other rare and strange treasures, which they presented to Zhou through his favored minister Fei Zhong. King Zhou was greatly pleased and said: "Even one of these items would be enough to release Xibo; how much more so with so many!" He then released Xibo and bestowed on him bows, arrows, axes, and halberds, allowing Xibo the right to conduct military campaigns. Saying: "The one who slandered Xibo was Chong Hou Hu." Xibo then offered the western territory of Luo in exchange for Zhou's removal of the punishment of cauldron roasting. King Zhou agreed to this.
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| | 周本紀: |
西伯陰行善，諸侯皆來決平。於是虞、芮之人有獄不能決，乃如周。入界，耕者皆讓畔，民俗皆讓長。虞、芮之人未見西伯，皆慚，相謂曰：「吾所爭，周人所恥，何往為，秖取辱耳。」遂還，俱讓而去。諸侯聞之，曰「西伯蓋受命之君」。 |
| | Xibo secretly practiced virtue, and feudal lords all came for him to adjudicate disputes. At this time, people from Yu and Rui who had unresolved legal cases went to Zhou. Upon entering the territory, they saw farmers all yielding their field boundaries; the local customs emphasized yielding to elders. The people of Yu and Rui had not yet met Xibo, but they were already ashamed. They said to each other: "What we are disputing is considered a disgrace by the people of Zhou; why should we go further? We would only bring shame upon ourselves." They then returned, both yielding and leaving. The feudal lords hearing of this said: "Xibo must be the one who has received the Mandate of Heaven."
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| | 周本紀: |
明年，伐犬戎。明年，伐密須。明年，敗耆國。殷之祖伊聞之，懼，以告帝紂。紂曰：「不有天命乎？是何能為！」明年，伐邘。明年，伐崇侯虎。而作豐邑，自岐下而徙都豐。明年，西伯崩，太子發立，是為武王。 |
| | The following year, he attacked Quan Rong. The next year, he attacked Mixu. The following year, he defeated the state of Qi. Zu Yi of Yin heard about this and was frightened; he reported it to King Zhou. King Zhou said: "Is there not the Mandate of Heaven?" "What can they possibly do!" The following year, he attacked Yu. The next year, he attacked Chong Hou Hu. He then built the city of Feng Yi and moved his capital from Qixia to Feng. The following year, Xibo died; his crown prince Fa succeeded him as King Wu.
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| | 周本紀: |
西伯蓋即位五十年。其囚羑里，蓋益易之八卦為六十四卦。詩人道西伯，蓋受命之年稱王而斷虞芮之訟。後十年而崩，謚為文王。改法度，制正朔矣。追尊古公為太王，公季為王季：蓋王瑞自太王興。 |
| | Xibo had reigned for approximately fifty years. During his imprisonment at Youli, he is said to have expanded the eight trigrams of Yi into sixty-four hexagrams. Poets recounting Xibo say that in the year he received the Mandate, he declared himself king and adjudicated the dispute between Yu and Rui. Ten years later he died; his posthumous title was King Wen. He reformed laws and regulations, and established the calendar system. He posthumously honored Gu Gong as Taowang and Gong Ji as Wangji: it was said that the kingship's auspicious signs began with Taowang.
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| | 周本紀: |
武王即位，太公望為師，周公旦為輔，召公、畢公之徒左右王，師修文王緒業。 |
| | After King Wu ascended the throne, Tai Gong Wang served as his military advisor, and Zhou Gong Dan assisted him. Zhao Gong, Bi Gong, and others stood by the king on both sides, guiding and continuing King Wen's legacy.
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| | 周本紀: |
九年，武王上祭于畢。東觀兵，至于盟津。為文王木主，載以車，中軍。武王自稱太子發，言奉文王以伐，不敢自專。乃告司馬、司徒、司空、諸節：「齊栗，信哉！予無知，以先祖有德臣，小子受先功，畢立賞罰，以定其功。」遂興師。師尚父號曰：「總爾眾庶，與爾舟楫，後至者斬。」武王渡河，中流，白魚躍入王舟中，武王俯取以祭。既渡，有火自上復于下，至于王屋，流為烏，其色赤，其聲魄云。是時，諸侯不期而會盟津者八百諸侯。諸侯皆曰：「紂可伐矣。」武王曰：「女未知天命，未可也。」乃還師歸。 |
| | In the ninth year, King Wu made a sacrifice at Bi. He inspected troops to the east and advanced as far as Mengjin. They made a wooden effigy of King Wen, placed it in a cart, and positioned it at the center of the army. King Wu referred to himself as Crown Prince Fa, stating that he was carrying out King Wen's will in waging war and did not dare act on his own authority. He then addressed the generals of War, Works, and Agriculture, as well as all officials: "Be orderly and cautious; be faithful indeed! "I am not wise, but because our ancestors had virtuous subjects, I, a mere youth, have inherited their achievements. We must fully establish rewards and punishments to determine the merit of each." Thus he raised his army. The general Shangfu proclaimed: "Gather your people and prepare your boats; those who arrive late will be executed." As King Wu crossed the river, a white fish leaped into his boat; he bent down to catch it and used it for sacrifice. After crossing, a fire appeared from above and descended to the ground, reaching King Wu's palace. It transformed into a bird with red feathers, its cry echoing like "po." At this time, 800 feudal lords gathered at Mengjin without prior appointment. The feudal lords all said: "Zhou can be attacked now." King Wu replied, "You do not yet know the Mandate of Heaven; it is not yet time." He then withdrew his army and returned.
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| | 周本紀: |
居二年，聞紂昏亂暴虐滋甚，殺王子比干，囚箕子。太師疵、少師彊抱其樂器而奔周。於是武王遍告諸侯曰：「殷有重罪，不可以不畢伐。」乃遵文王，遂率戎車三百乘，虎賁三千人，甲士四萬五千人，以東伐紂。十一年十二月戊午，師畢渡盟津，諸侯咸會。曰：「孳孳無怠！」武王乃作太誓，告于眾庶：「今殷王紂乃用其婦人之言，自絕于天，毀壞其三正，離逖其王父母弟，乃斷棄其先祖之樂，乃為淫聲，用變亂正聲，怡說婦人。故今予發維共行天罰。勉哉夫子，不可再，不可三！」 |
| | After two years, he heard that Zhou's corruption and cruelty had grown even worse; he had killed Prince Bi Gan and imprisoned Ji Zi. The Grand Master Ci and the Junior Master Qiang carried their musical instruments and fled to Zhou. At this time, King Wu informed all the feudal lords: "The Yin dynasty has committed grave crimes; we cannot refrain from completely attacking it." Thus following King Wen's example, he led 300 chariots, 3,000 elite warriors, and 45,000 armed soldiers to launch an eastern campaign against Zhou. On the Wumu day of the twelfth month (January 21, 1048 BC), the entire army crossed the Mengjin ford and all feudal lords assembled. He said: "Work diligently without idleness!" King Wu then composed the Tai Shi, addressing the common people: "Now King Zhou of Yin has followed his concubine's words and cut himself off from Heaven. He destroyed the three legitimate systems, alienated his father, mother, elder brothers, and younger brothers, abandoned the music of his ancestors, created licentious sounds to replace the proper harmonies, and delighted in pleasing women. Therefore, today I, Fa, march forward to carry out Heaven's punishment. Strive on, my men! This is a matter that cannot be repeated, not once, nor twice!"
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| | 周本紀: |
二月甲子昧爽，武王朝至于商郊牧野，乃誓。武王左杖黃鉞，右秉白旄，以麾。曰：「遠矣西土之人！」武王曰：「嗟！我有國冢君，司徒、司馬、司空，亞旅、師氏，千夫長、百夫長，及庸、蜀、羌、髳、微、纑、彭、濮人，稱爾戈，比爾干，立爾矛，予其誓。」王曰：「古人有言『牝雞無晨。牝雞之晨，惟家之索』。今殷王紂維婦人言是用，自棄其先祖肆祀不答，昏棄其家國，遺其王父母弟不用，乃維四方之多罪逋逃是崇是長，是信是使，俾暴虐于百姓，以姦軌于商國。今予發維共行天之罰。今日之事，不過六步七步，乃止齊焉，夫子勉哉！不過於四伐五伐六伐七伐，乃止齊焉，勉哉夫子！尚桓桓，如虎如羆，如豺如離，于商郊，不御克奔，以役西土，勉哉夫子！爾所不勉，其于爾身有戮。」誓已，諸侯兵會者車四千乘，陳師牧野。 |
| | On the Jiazi day of the second month (February 5, 1046 BC), at dawn, King Wu arrived in the Shang capital's outskirts at Musye and delivered a military oath. King Wu held a yellow halberd in his left hand and a white banner in his right to command the troops. He said: "How far have you people from the western lands come!" King Wu said, "Alas! I have my noble lords, the ministers of Works, War, and Agriculture, the officers of rank, the military commanders, the leaders of a thousand men and a hundred men, as well as the people from Yong, Shu, Qiang, Mao, Wei, Lu, Peng, and Pu. Raise your spears, align your shields, and hold up your halberds; I shall now give my oath." The king said: "There is an old saying that 'a hen does not crow in the morning. When a hen crows, it means the family will be ruined.'" "Now King Zhou of Yin follows only the words of his concubines, abandoning the ancestral sacrifices and forsaking his family and state. He neglects his father, mother, elder brother, and younger brothers and instead elevates and trusts fugitives from all directions who have committed many crimes, allowing them to oppress the people and commit corruption in the Shang state. Now I, Fa, lead this campaign to carry out Heaven's punishment together with you all. Today's battle will not last more than six or seven paces, and then we shall stop to align ourselves. Strive on, my men!" It will not go beyond four or five or six or seven attacks, and then we shall pause to align. Strive on, my soldiers!" Be valiant and fierce, like a tiger or a bear, like a jackal or a leopard. In the outskirts of Shang, do not resist but pursue the fleeing enemy to serve the western lands. Strive on, my warriors!" "If you do not strive, there will be punishment for your bodies." After the oath was given, 4,000 chariots from allied feudal lords gathered and deployed their troops at Musye.
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| | 周本紀: |
帝紂聞武王來，亦發兵七十萬人距武王。武王使師尚父與百夫致師，以大卒馳帝紂師。紂師雖眾，皆無戰之心，心欲武王亟入。紂師皆倒兵以戰，以開武王。武王馳之，紂兵皆崩畔紂。紂走，反入登于鹿臺之上，蒙衣其殊玉，自燔于火而死。武王持大白旗以麾諸侯，諸侯畢拜武王，武王乃揖諸侯，諸侯畢從。武王至商國，商國百姓咸待於郊。於是武王使群臣告語商百姓曰：「上天降休！」商人皆再拜稽首，武王亦答拜。遂入，至紂死所。武王自射之，三發而後下車，以輕劍擊之，以黃鉞斬紂頭，縣大白之旗。已而至紂之嬖妾二女，二女皆經自殺。武王又射三發，擊以劍，斬以玄鉞，縣其頭小白之旗。武王已乃出復軍。 |
| | King Zhou heard of King Wu's approach and also mobilized 700,000 men to resist him. King Wu sent the general Shangfu and a hundred officers to challenge the enemy, while leading his elite troops in a charge against King Zhou's forces. Although Zhou's army was numerous, it had no will to fight and wished for King Wu to enter quickly. Zhou's troops all turned their weapons against each other in battle, opening the way for King Wu. King Wu charged forward, and Zhou's soldiers all collapsed and deserted him. Zhou fled back into the Lutai pavilion, wrapped himself in his special jade ornaments, and set himself on fire to die. King Wu held up a large white banner to signal the feudal lords, and all of them bowed before him. King Wu then saluted the feudal lords, who in turn all followed his lead. King Wu arrived at the Shang capital, where the people of Shang were already waiting for him in the suburbs. At this time, King Wu ordered his ministers to announce to the people of Shang: "Heaven has bestowed peace upon you!" The people of Shang all bowed twice in deep respect, and King Wu also returned their bows. They then entered the city and arrived at the place where Zhou had died. King Wu shot arrows at the body, fired three times before dismounting. He then struck it with a light sword and beheaded Zhou using his yellow halberd, hanging the head on a large white flag. Afterward, they arrived at the two favorite concubines of Zhou; both women had already committed suicide by hanging. King Wu shot three arrows at them, struck with a sword, and beheaded them using a black halberd, hanging their heads on small white flags. After this, King Wu returned to his army.
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| | 周本紀: |
其明日，除道，修社及商紂宮。及期，百夫荷罕旗以先驅。武王弟叔振鐸奉陳常車，周公旦把大鉞，畢公把小鉞，以夾武王。散宜生、太顛、閎夭皆執劍以衛武王。既入，立于社南大卒之左，［左］右畢從。毛叔鄭奉明水，衛康叔封布茲，召公奭贊采，師尚父牽牲。尹佚筴祝曰：「殷之末孫季紂，殄廢先王明德，侮蔑神祇不祀，昏暴商邑百姓，其章顯聞于天皇上帝。」於是武王再拜稽首，曰：「膺更大命，革殷，受天明命。」武王又再拜稽首，乃出。 |
| | The next day, they cleared the roads and repaired the ancestral shrine as well as Zhou's palace in Shang. On schedule, a hundred men carried the Han flag to lead the way. King Wu's younger brother, Shuzhen Duo, presented the ceremonial chariot with its standard; Duke of Zhou Dan held a large halberd, and Bi Gong held a small halberd to flank King Wu. Sanyi Sheng, Taodian, and Hong Yao all held swords to guard King Wu. After entering, they stood on the left side of the large formation in front of the ancestral shrine; all soldiers followed them to both sides. Mao Shu Zheng presented clear water, Wei Kangshu Feng arranged the sacrificial cloth, Zhao Gong Shi assisted in presenting the offerings, and General Shangfu led the sacrificial animal. Yin Yi recited the sacrificial prayer, saying: "The last descendant of Yin, Ji Zhou, destroyed and abandoned the virtuous deeds of his ancestors. He insulted and neglected the gods and spirits by not offering sacrifices, and tyrannized the people of Shang 邑, whose crimes are clearly known to Heaven and the Supreme Deity." At this, King Wu bowed twice in deep respect and said: "I accept the great mandate of Heaven. I will overthrow Yin and receive the clear Mandate from Heaven." King Wu again bowed twice in deep respect before leaving.
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| | 周本紀: |
封商紂子祿父殷之餘民。武王為殷初定未集，乃使其弟管叔鮮、蔡叔度相祿父治殷。已而命召公釋箕子之囚。命畢公釋百姓之囚，表商容之閭。命南宮括散鹿臺之財，發鉅橋之粟，以振貧弱萌隸。命南宮括、史佚展九鼎保玉。命閎夭封比干之墓。命宗祝享祠于軍。乃罷兵西歸。行狩，記政事，作武成。封諸侯，班賜宗彝，作分殷之器物。武王追思先聖王，乃褒封神農之後於焦，黃帝之後於祝，帝堯之後於薊，帝舜之後於陳，大禹之後於杞。於是封功臣謀士，而師尚父為首封。封尚父於營丘，曰齊。封弟周公旦於曲阜，曰魯。封召公奭於燕。封弟叔鮮於管，弟叔度於蔡。餘各以次受封。 |
| | He granted the descendants of Zhou, Lu Fu, and the remaining people of Yin their fiefs. Since the newly conquered Yin territories were still unsettled, King Wu sent his younger brothers Guan Shu Xian and Cai Shu Du to assist Lu Fu in governing Yin. Later he ordered Zhao Gong to release Ji Zi from imprisonment. He also ordered Bi Gong to free the common people who had been imprisoned and marked the neighborhood of Shang Rong with honor. He ordered Nan Gong Kua to distribute the wealth from Lutai and release the grain stored at Juqiao in order to assist the poor, weak, and oppressed commoners. He ordered Nan Gong Kua and Shi Yi to inspect the Nine Tripods and preserve the jade treasures. He ordered Hong Yao to build a tomb for Bi Gan. He commanded the head priest to offer sacrifices in the army. Then he disbanded his troops and returned westward. He conducted a hunting expedition, recorded political affairs, and composed the Wu Cheng. He enfeoffed feudal lords, distributed ancestral ritual vessels as rewards, and created objects to divide Yin's possessions. King Wu, reflecting on the virtuous kings of old, honored and enfeoffed the descendants of Shen Nong in Jiao, those of Huang Di in Zhu, those of Emperor Yao in Ji, those of Emperor Shun in Chen, and those of Da Yu in Qi. At this time he enfeoffed meritorious ministers and strategists, with the general Shangfu being the first to receive a fief. He enfeoffed Shangfu at Yingqiu, naming it Qi. He enfeoffed his younger brother, the Duke of Zhou Dan, in Qufu, naming it Lu. He enfeoffed Zhao Gong Shi at Yan. He enfeoffed his brother Shu Xian in Guan and his brother Shu Du in Cai. The rest were granted fiefs in order of their rank.
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| | 周本紀: |
武王徵九牧之君，登豳之阜，以望商邑。武王至于周，自夜不寐。周公旦即王所，曰：「曷為不寐？」王曰：「告女：維天不饗殷，自發未生於今六十年，麋鹿在牧，蜚鴻滿野。天不享殷，乃今有成。維天建殷，其登名民三百六十夫，不顯亦不賓滅，以至今。我未定天保，何暇寐！」王曰：「定天保，依天室，悉求夫惡，貶從殷王受。日夜勞來定我西土，我維顯服，及德方明。自洛汭延于伊汭，居易毋固，其有夏之居。我南望三涂，北望嶽鄙，顧詹有河，粵詹雒、伊，毋遠天室。」營周居于雒邑而後去。縱馬於華山之陽，放牛於桃林之虛；偃干戈，振兵釋旅：示天下不復用也。 |
| | King Wu summoned the lords from nine regions, climbed a hill in Bin, and looked out toward the Shang capital. When King Wu arrived at Zhou, he could not sleep through the night. Duke of Zhou Dan went to where King Wu was and asked: "Why are you unable to sleep?" The king said, "I will tell you: Heaven no longer supports Yin. Since the time when this calamity began until now, sixty years have passed; deer graze in pastures and flocks of wild geese fill the fields. "Heaven no longer favors Yin, and now we have succeeded." "Heaven established Yin, raising 360 virtuous men to prominence. They were neither honored nor eliminated, and this has continued until now." "I have not yet secured Heaven's protection; how can I find time to sleep!" The king said: "To secure Heaven's protection, we must rely on the Mandate of Heaven. We should thoroughly seek out those who committed evil and punish them for following King Zhou." Day and night, we have toiled to stabilize our western lands. I must now clearly demonstrate virtue and righteousness. From the Luo River to the Yi River, we should settle in a place that is convenient but not too vulnerable—this was where Xia once dwelled. I look south to Santu, north to Yuebi, glance at the Yellow River behind me, and also toward Luo and Yi rivers. We must not be far from Heaven's Mandate." We should establish a capital in Luoyi before departing. Release horses on the southern slopes of Mount Hua, and let cattle graze at Taolin's plains; Lay down weapons and disband troops: this shows to the world that we will no longer use force.
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| | 周本紀: |
武王已克殷，後二年，問箕子殷所以亡。箕子不忍言殷惡，以存亡國宜告。武王亦醜，故問以天道。 |
| | Two years after King Wu had conquered Yin, he asked Ji Zi why Yin had fallen. Ji Zi could not bear to speak of Yin's evils and instead explained the principles for preserving or losing a state. King Wu was also ashamed, so he asked about the Mandate of Heaven as well.
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| | 周本紀: |
武王病。天下未集，群公懼，穆卜，周公乃祓齋，自為質，欲代武王，武王有瘳。後而崩，太子誦代立，是為成王。 |
| | King Wu fell ill. Before the world was fully pacified, the feudal lords were alarmed. They performed solemn divinations, and Duke of Zhou purified himself in fasting, offering to sacrifice his own life as a substitute for King Wu; King Wu then recovered from his illness. Later he died, and Crown Prince Song succeeded him, becoming King Cheng.
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| | 周本紀: |
成王少，周初定天下，周公恐諸侯畔周，公乃攝行政當國。管叔、蔡叔群弟疑周公，與武庚作亂，畔周。周公奉成王命，伐誅武庚、管叔，放蔡叔。以微子開代殷後，國於宋。頗收殷餘民，以封武王少弟封為衛康叔。晉唐叔得嘉穀，獻之成王，成王以歸周公于兵所。周公受禾東土，魯天子之命。初，管、蔡畔周，周公討之，三年而畢定，故初作大誥，次作微子之命，次歸禾，次嘉禾，次康誥、酒誥、梓材，其事在周公之篇。周公行政七年，成王長，周公反政成王，北面就群臣之位。 |
| | King Cheng was young when the Zhou dynasty had just stabilized its rule over the world; fearing that feudal lords might rebel, Duke of Zhou assumed regency and took charge of state affairs. Duke Guan, Duke Cai, and their brothers doubted the Duke of Zhou; they conspired with Wu Geng to rebel against the Zhou. The Duke of Zhou, acting on King Cheng's orders, launched a campaign and executed Wu Geng and Duke Guan, while exiling Duke Cai. He appointed Wei Zi Kai as the successor to the Yin dynasty, establishing his state in Song. He gathered many of the remaining Yin people and enfeoffed King Wu's younger brother Feng as Duke Kangshu of Wei. The Jin ruler Tang Shu obtained a rare grain, presented it to King Cheng, and King Cheng sent the grain back to Duke of Zhou at his military headquarters. Duke of Zhou received the grain in the eastern territories, with an imperial decree from the Son of Heaven for Lu. Initially, Duke Guan and Duke Cai rebelled against the Zhou; the Duke of Zhou quelled them, achieving full stability after three years. Hence, he first composed the Da Gao, then Wei Zi Zhi Ming, followed by Gui He, Jia He, Kang Gao, Jiu Gao, and Zi Cai; these events are recorded in the chapter on the Duke of Zhou. After seven years as regent, when King Cheng came of age, the Duke of Zhou returned power to him and resumed his position among the ministers with his face toward the north.
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| | 周本紀: |
成王在豐，使召公復營洛邑，如武王之意。周公復卜申視，卒營筑，居九鼎焉。曰：「此天下之中，四方入貢道里均。」作召誥、洛誥。成王既遷殷遺民，周公以王命告，作多士、無佚。召公為保，周公為師，東伐淮夷，殘奄，遷其君薄泵。成王自奄歸，在宗周，作多方。既絀殷命，襲淮夷，歸在豐，作周官。興正禮樂，度制於是改，而民和睦，頌聲興。成王既伐東夷，息慎來賀，王賜榮伯作賄息慎之命。 |
| | King Cheng was in Feng; he ordered Zhao Gong to resume construction of Luoyi as King Wu had intended. The Duke of Zhou again performed divinations and personally oversaw the site, finally completing its construction and placing there the Nine Tripods. He said: "This is the center of the world; distances for tribute from all directions are equal." The Zhao Gao and Luo Gao were composed. After King Cheng had relocated the remnants of Yin people, the Duke of Zhou issued a royal decree to them, composing Dushi and Wuyi. Zhao Gong served as the guardian (Bao), while Duke of Zhou was the teacher (Shi); they led an eastern campaign against the Huai Yi, destroyed Yan, and exiled its ruler to Bofeng. King Cheng returned from Yan and stayed in Zongzhou, composing Duofang. After the Yin dynasty was extinguished and the Huai Yi subdued, King Cheng returned to Feng, where he composed Zhou Guan. He revived proper rites and music; regulations were reformed accordingly, and the people lived in harmony, giving rise to songs of praise. After King Cheng had campaigned against the eastern Yi, Xishen came to offer congratulations; the king bestowed a reward on Rong Bo and composed Ming Zhi Hui Xi Shen.
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| | 周本紀: |
成王將崩，懼太子釗之不任，乃命召公、畢公率諸侯以相太子而立之。成王既崩，二公率諸侯，以太子釗見於先王廟，申告以文王、武王之所以為王業之不易，務在節儉，毋多欲，以篤信臨之，作顧命。太子釗遂立，是為康王。康王即位，遍告諸侯，宣告以文武之業以申之，作《》。故成康之際，天下安寧，刑錯四十餘年不用。康王命作策畢公分居里，成周郊，作《》。 |
| | As King Cheng was about to die, fearing that Crown Prince Zhao would be unfit for rule, he ordered Zhao Gong and Bi Gong to lead the feudal lords in assisting and enthroning the crown prince. After King Cheng died, the two ministers led the feudal lords and presented Crown Prince Zhao at the temple of his ancestors. They solemnly declared to him how arduous it had been for King Wen and King Wu to establish their dynasty, emphasizing the importance of frugality, avoiding excessive desires, and governing with sincerity; this is recorded in Gu Ming. Crown Prince Zhao then ascended the throne, becoming King Kang. Upon ascending the throne, King Kang addressed all feudal lords, reiterating their ancestors' achievements of King Wen and King Wu; this is recorded in Kang Gao. Thus, during the reigns of Kings Cheng and Kang, the world enjoyed peace, and punishments were not used for over forty years. King Kang ordered Bi Gong to divide the population into residential districts in Chengzhou's suburbs; this is recorded in Bi Ming.
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| | 周本紀: |
康王卒，子昭王瑕立。昭王之時，王道微缺。昭王南巡狩不返，卒於江上。其卒不赴告，諱之也。立昭王子滿，是為穆王。穆王即位，春秋已五十矣。王道衰微，穆王閔文武之道缺，乃命伯臩申誡太仆國之政，作臩命。復寧。 |
| | After King Kang died, his son Zhao Wang Xia ascended the throne. During King Zhao's reign, the royal way began to show slight decline. King Zhao went on a southern inspection tour and did not return, dying by the river. His death was not announced to the feudal lords; it was concealed. They enthroned King Zhao's son Man, who became King Mu. When King Mu ascended the throne, he was already fifty years old. The royal way had declined; King Mu, lamenting the neglect of King Wen and King Wu's principles, ordered Bo Li to reiterate warnings about governance for the Grand Master of Horses (Taifu); this is recorded in Li Ming. Peace was restored once more.
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| | 周本紀: |
穆王將征犬戎，祭公謀父諫曰：「不可。先王燿德不觀兵。夫兵戢而時動，動則威，觀則玩，玩則無震。是故周文公之頌曰：『載戢干戈，載櫜弓矢，我求懿德，肆于時夏，允王保之。』先王之於民也，茂正其德而厚其性，阜其財求而利其器用，明利害之鄉，以文修之，使之務利而辟害，懷德而畏威，故能保世以滋大。昔我先王世后稷以服事虞、夏。及夏之衰也，棄稷不務，我先王不窋用失其官，而自竄於戎狄之閒。不敢怠業，時序其德，遵修其緒，修其訓典，朝夕恪勤，守以敦篤，奉以忠信。奕世載德，不忝前人。至于文王、武王，昭前之光明而加之以慈和，事神保民，無不欣喜。商王帝辛大惡于民，庶民不忍，訢載武王，以致戎于商牧。是故先王非務武也，勸恤民隱而除其害也。夫先王之制，邦內甸服，邦外侯服，侯衛賓服，夷蠻要服，戎翟荒服。甸服者祭，侯服者祀，賓服者享，要服者貢，荒服者王。日祭，月祀，時享，歲貢，終王。先王之順祀也，有不祭則修意，有不祀則修言，有不享則修文，有不貢則修名，有不王則修德，序成而有不至則修刑。於是有刑不祭，伐不祀，征不享，讓不貢，告不王。於是有刑罰之辟，有攻伐之兵，有征討之備，有威讓之命，有文告之辭。布令陳辭而有不至，則增修於德，無勤民於遠。是以近無不聽，遠無不服。今自大畢、伯士之終也，犬戎氏以其職來王，天子曰『予必以不享征之，且觀之兵』，無乃廢先王之訓，而王幾頓乎？吾聞犬戎樹敦，率舊德而守終純固，其有以御我矣。」王遂征之，得四白狼四白鹿以歸。自是荒服者不至。 |
| | King Mu planned to campaign against the Quan Rong, and Jia Gong Mou Fu advised: "You must not." The former kings demonstrated virtue without displaying military might. Armed forces should be kept in readiness and used only at the right time; when used, they inspire awe. If merely displayed, they become trivialized, and people will no longer fear them. Therefore, the ode of Duke Zhao of Zhou says: "Store away weapons and bows in their sheaths; I seek noble virtue to spread across this land, so that the king may preserve it." The former kings treated the people by cultivating virtue and strengthening their moral character, enriching their resources and improving their tools for use. They clarified what was beneficial or harmful, refined these through culture, guided them to pursue benefits while avoiding harm, made them cherish virtue and respect authority—thus they could preserve their dynasty and grow stronger. In the past, our ancestors, as Houji, served the Yu and Xia dynasties in succession. When the Xia dynasty declined, they abandoned agriculture; our ancestor Bu Zhu lost his official position and fled into the lands of Rong and Di. They dared not neglect their duties, orderly cultivating virtue, following and restoring the legacy, preserving their teachings and traditions. Day and night they remained diligent, steadfast in loyalty and faithful in service. For generations, we have carried virtue forward, never disgracing our ancestors. By the time of King Wen and King Wu, they illuminated their predecessors' achievements with added benevolence and harmony; in serving deities and protecting the people, there was no one who did not rejoice. King Di Xin of Shang committed great evils against the people; the common folk could no longer endure it, and joyfully welcomed King Wu to bring war upon the Shang at Muyu. Therefore, our former kings did not seek warfare for its own sake; they encouraged compassion for the people's hardships and removed their afflictions. The former kings' system divided the realm: within the kingdom were the Dian Fu (immediate territories), beyond were the Hou Fu (marquisates); further still, the Bin Fu (attending vassals); then the Yao Fu of Yi and Man (frontier tribes); and finally the Huang Fu of Rong and Di (remote barbarians). Those in Dian Fu offered sacrifices; those in Hou Fu performed ancestral rites; those in Bin Fu presented offerings of tribute; those in Yao Fu paid tributes; and those in Huang Fu acknowledged the Son of Heaven's supremacy. Daily sacrifices, monthly ancestral rites, seasonal offerings, annual tribute, and perpetual submission to the king. When the former kings maintained proper rites, if a vassal failed to offer sacrifices, they would examine their own sincerity; if ancestral rites were neglected, they refined their words. If offerings ceased, they improved their culture; if tribute stopped, they corrected names and titles; if submission was refused, they cultivated virtue. Only after all these measures had been completed but still not achieved, then punishments were applied. Thus, there were penalties for those who did not offer sacrifices; they were attacked if ancestral rites were ignored, campaigned against if offerings ceased, admonished if tribute failed, and warned if submission was denied. Thus there were laws for punishment, armies for attack, forces for expedition, commands of authority and admonition, and written proclamations. If decrees and proclamations were issued but still not heeded, then efforts should be redoubled in cultivating virtue, without burdening the distant people with toil. Therefore, nearby vassals would all obey, and distant ones would submit without exception. Now, since the time of Da Bi and Bo Shi passed away, the Quan Rong people have come to submit with their duties. The Son of Heaven said: "I must campaign against them for not offering tribute, just to test our military strength." Is this not abandoning the teachings of former kings, risking a sudden collapse of royal authority? I have heard that the Quan Rong are loyal and steadfast, upholding old virtues with unwavering resolve; they will surely be prepared to resist us." The king proceeded to campaign against them anyway, capturing four white wolves and four white deer before returning. From then on, the vassals of Huang Fu no longer submitted.
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| | 周本紀: |
諸侯有不睦者，甫侯言於王，作修刑辟。王曰：「吁，來！有國有土，告汝祥刑。在今爾安百姓，何擇非其人，何敬非其刑，何居非其宜與？兩造具備，師聽五辭。五辭簡信，正於五刑。五刑不簡，正於五罰。五罰不服，正於五過。五過之疵，官獄內獄，閱實其罪，惟鈞其過。五刑之疑有赦，五罰之疑有赦，其審克之。簡信有眾，惟訊有稽。無簡不疑，共嚴天威。黥辟疑赦，其罰百率，閱實其罪。劓辟疑赦，其罰倍灑，閱實其罪。臏辟疑赦，其罰倍差，閱實其罪。宮辟疑赦，其罰五百率，閱實其罪。大辟疑赦，其罰千率，閱實其罪。墨罰之屬千，劓罰之屬千，臏罰之屬五百，宮罰之屬三百，大辟之罰其屬二百：五刑之屬三千。」命曰甫刑。 |
| | When feudal lords showed discord, Fu Hou advised the king and composed Xiu Xing Bi (Revised Criminal Code). The king said: "Ah, come here! You who hold states and lands, I now instruct you in the proper application of punishments. Now that you govern your people, who do you choose if not the right men? What punishment do you revere if not just? And what settlement is inappropriate for its purpose? When both parties are present, the judge shall examine five types of statements. If these five statements are concise and truthful, then judgment is rendered according to the Five Punishments. If the Five Punishments do not apply, then judgment falls under the Five Penalties. If the Five Penalties are still unsatisfactory, then judgment is based on the Five Faults. For faults under the Five Faults, officials and prison authorities must examine the truth of the crime, ensuring equal judgment for equal offenses. Doubts regarding the Five Punishments should be pardoned; doubts regarding the Five Penalties should also be pardoned—this must be carefully examined. Evidence and testimony must be abundant, and interrogations must have records for verification. Without thorough examination, there should be no doubt; together uphold the majesty of Heaven's authority. If branding punishment is questionable for pardon, then impose a fine of one hundred units and examine the truth of their crime. If cutting off the nose (Yi Bi) is questionable for pardon, impose a double fine and verify the actual crime. If amputating the knee bones (Bin Bi) is questionable for pardon, apply a doubled penalty and examine their true offense. If castration punishment (Gong Bi) is questionable for clemency, impose a fine of five hundred units and verify the crime's truth. If death penalty (Da Bi) is questionable for pardon, exact a fine of one thousand units and investigate the actual offense. Cases under the branding penalty totaled one thousand; those under nose-cutting also numbered one thousand. Cases of knee amputation amounted to five hundred, castration cases three hundred, and death penalty cases two hundred: altogether, 3,000 cases fell under the Five Punishments." This was called Fu Xing.
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| | 周本紀: |
穆王立五十五年，崩，子共王繄扈立。共王游於涇上，密康公從，有三女奔之。其母曰：「必致之王。夫獸三為群，人三為眾，女三為粲。王田不取群，公行不下眾，王御不參一族。夫粲，美之物也。眾以美物歸女，而何德以堪之？王猶不堪，況爾之小醜乎！小醜備物，終必亡。」康公不獻，一年，共王滅密。共王崩，子懿王艱立。懿王之時，王室遂衰，詩人作刺。 |
| | King Mu reigned for fifty-five years, then died; his son Gong Wang Yi Hu succeeded him. King Gong once toured the banks of the Jing River, accompanied by Mi Kanggong, when three women suddenly ran to him. Their mother said: "You must present them to the king. Animals in threes form a group, people in threes make a crowd, and three women together are dazzling. The king's hunting grounds do not take entire groups; the duke's procession does not pass over crowds; the king's harem does not include an entire family. Such beauty is a precious thing. Many people would offer such beautiful things to you—what virtue do you possess that could deserve it? Even the king himself might find it difficult to bear; how much more so for someone as lowly as you! To possess such treasures while lacking virtue, one is destined to perish." Mi Kanggong did not present the women. One year later, King Gong destroyed Mi. King Gong died and was succeeded by his son Yi Wang Jian. During King Yi's reign, the royal house gradually declined, prompting poets to compose satirical verses.
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| | 周本紀: |
懿王崩，共王弟辟方立，是為孝王。孝王崩，諸侯復立懿王太子燮，是為夷王。 |
| | After King Yi died, King Gong's younger brother Pifang ascended the throne and became King Xiao. After King Xiao died, the feudal lords again enthroned Crown Prince Xie of King Yi, who became King Yi.
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| | 周本紀: |
夷王崩，子厲王胡立。厲王即位三十年，好利，近榮夷公。大夫芮良夫諫厲王曰：「王室其將卑乎？夫榮公好專利而不知大難。夫利，百物之所生也，天地之所載也，而有專之，其害多矣。天地百物皆將取焉，何可專也？所怒甚多，不備大難。以是教王，王其能久乎？夫王人者，將導利而布之上下者也。使神人百物無不得極，猶日怵惕懼怨之來也。故《》曰『思文后稷，克配彼天，立我蒸民，莫匪爾極』。大雅曰『陳錫載周』。是不布利而懼難乎，故能載周以至于今。今王學專利，其可乎？匹夫專利，猶謂之盜，王而行之，其歸鮮矣。榮公若用，周必敗也。」厲王不聽，卒以榮公為卿士，用事。 |
| | King Yi died and was succeeded by his son Hu, known as King Li. In the thirtieth year of King Li's reign, he favored profit and drew close to Gong Rongyigong. Minister Ruiliangfu advised King Li, saying: "Is the royal house about to become humble? Gong Rongyigong likes monopolizing profit without being aware of great dangers. Profit is the source from which all things arise, and it is supported by heaven and earth; to monopolize it will bring many harms. All things in heaven and earth will take from it—how can one possibly monopolize them? He has provoked great anger, yet he is unprepared for great dangers. Teaching the king in this way, how can King Li endure long? The ruler of a kingdom should guide profit and distribute it among all levels. He ensures that gods, humans, and all things receive their due share, always remaining vigilant against resentment arising. Therefore the "Song" says: 'Thoughtful was Houji, who could match heaven; he established our people, none without your due share.' The Da Ya says: 'He bestowed blessings upon the Zhou dynasty.' This is because he did not monopolize profit and feared difficulties, thus enabling the Zhou to endure until now. Now that King Li learns to monopolize profit, how can this be acceptable? Even an ordinary person who monopolizes profit is called a thief; if the king does so, few will remain loyal to him. If Gong Rongyigong is employed, the Zhou dynasty will surely fall." King Li did not listen and eventually appointed Gong Rongyigong as a high official in charge of affairs.
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| | 周本紀: |
王行暴虐侈傲，國人謗王。召公諫曰：「民不堪命矣。」王怒，得衛巫，使監謗者，以告則殺之。其謗鮮矣，諸侯不朝。三十四年，王益嚴，國人莫敢言，道路以目。厲王喜，告召公曰：「吾能弭謗矣，乃不敢言。」召公曰：「是鄣之也。防民之口，甚於防水。水壅而潰，傷人必多，民亦如之。是故為水者決之使導，為民者宣之使言。故天子聽政，使公卿至於列士獻詩，瞽獻曲，史獻書，師箴，瞍賦，矇誦，百工諫，庶人傳語，近臣盡規，親戚補察，瞽史教誨，耆艾修之，而後王斟酌焉，是以事行而不悖。民之有口也，猶土之有山川也，財用於是乎出：猶其有原隰衍沃也，衣食於是乎生。口之宣言也，善敗於是乎興。行善而備敗，所以產財用衣食者也。夫民慮之於心而宣之於口，成而行之。若壅其口，其與能幾何？」王不聽。於是國莫敢出言，三年，乃相與畔，襲厲王。厲王出奔於彘。 |
| | The king acted with cruelty, extravagance, and arrogance, prompting the common people to criticize him. Zhao Gong advised, saying: "The people can no longer bear their burdens." The king became angry and obtained a diviner from the State of Wei to supervise those who criticized him, ordering that anyone reported would be executed. Criticism soon ceased, and feudal lords no longer paid homage. In the thirty-fourth year, King Li became even more severe; the people dared not speak openly, communicating only with glances on the roads. King Li was pleased and told Zhao Gong: "I have silenced criticism; they now dare not speak." Zhao Gong said, "This is merely blocking it. Blocking the people's mouths is worse than blocking water. When water is dammed up, it will burst forth and cause great harm; so too with the people. Therefore, those who manage water must channel it to prevent flooding; those who govern the people should encourage them to speak freely. Therefore, when the Son of Heaven administers government affairs, he invites ministers and officials down to commoners to present poems; blind musicians offer songs; historians submit records; teachers give advice; sightless men recite verses; young boys chant; artisans criticize; common people pass on words; close attendants offer their best counsel; relatives supplement and observe; blind historians teach and instruct, while elders revise them. Only after this does the king deliberate carefully, thus ensuring that affairs proceed without contradiction. The people have mouths, just as the land has mountains and rivers from which wealth arises; just as it has plains, lowlands, and fertile fields where clothing and food are produced. From spoken words come declarations, in which good or bad fortune is revealed. To act virtuously and prepare for failure—this is the way to produce wealth, clothing, and food. The people consider matters in their hearts and express them with their mouths; when they reach consensus, they act upon it. If you block their mouths, how long can your support last?" King Li did not listen. As a result, no one in the kingdom dared to speak; three years later, they united and rebelled, attacking King Li. King Li fled to Zhi.
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| | 周本紀: |
厲王太子靜匿召公之家，國人聞之，乃圍之。召公曰：「昔吾驟諫王，王不從，以及此難也。今殺王太子，王其以我為讎而懟怒乎？夫事君者，險而不讎懟，怨而不怒，況事王乎！」乃以其子代王太子，太子竟得脫。 |
| | Crown Prince Jing, the son of King Li, hid in Zhao Gong's house; when the people learned of this, they surrounded it. Zhao Gong said: "In the past I repeatedly advised the king, but he did not listen, and thus this disaster has come. If we now kill the king's crown prince, will the king regard me as an enemy and become enraged? To serve a ruler, one may face danger without becoming enemies or harboring resentment; how much less so when serving the king!" He therefore offered his own son in place of the crown prince. The crown prince thus managed to escape.
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| | 周本紀: |
召公、周公二相行政，號曰「共和」。共和十四年，厲王死于彘。太子靜長於召公家，二相乃共立之為王，是為宣王。宣王即位，二相輔之，修政，法文、武、成、康之遺風，諸侯復宗周。十二年，魯武公來朝。 |
| | Zhao Gong and Zhou Gong, the two ministers, administered government affairs together; this period was known as "Gonghe." In the fourteenth year of the Gonghe era, King Li died in Zhi. Prince Jing had grown up in Zhao Gong's household; the two ministers then jointly enthroned him as king, who became King Xuan. After King Xuan ascended the throne, the two ministers assisted him in restoring government and following the legacy of Kings Wen, Wu, Cheng, and Kang; feudal lords once again revered the Zhou dynasty. In the twelfth year, Lord Wu Gong of Lu came to pay homage.
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| | 周本紀: |
宣王不修籍於千畝，虢文公諫曰不可，王弗聽。三十九年，戰于千畝，王師敗績于姜氏之戎。 |
| | King Xuan did not conduct a land survey at Qianmu; Gao Wengong advised that it was unwise, but the king would not listen. In the thirty-ninth year, a battle took place at Qianmu, where King Xuan's army suffered a defeat by the Jiangshi Rong.
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| | 周本紀: |
宣王既亡南國之師，乃料民於太原。仲山甫諫曰：「民不可料也。」宣王不聽，卒料民。 |
| | After losing the southern forces, King Xuan conducted a census of the people in Taiyuan. Zhong Shanfu advised: "The people cannot be counted." King Xuan did not listen and proceeded to conduct the census.
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| | 周本紀: |
四十六年，宣王崩，子幽王宮湦立。幽王二年，西周三川皆震。伯陽甫曰：「周將亡矣。夫天地之氣，不失其序；若過其序，民亂之也。陽伏而不能出，陰迫而不能蒸，於是有地震。今三川實震，是陽失其所而填陰也。陽失而在陰，原必塞；原塞，國必亡。夫水土演而民用也。土無所演，民乏財用，不亡何待！昔伊、洛竭而夏亡，河竭而商亡。今周德若二代之季矣，其川原又塞，塞必竭。夫國必依山川，山崩川竭，亡國之徵也。川竭必山崩。若國亡不過十年，數之紀也。天之所棄，不過其紀。」是歲也，三川竭，岐山崩。 |
| | In the forty-sixth year, King Xuan died; his son Gongsheng was enthroned as King You. In the second year of King You's reign, three rivers in the western region of Zhou all experienced earthquakes. Boyangfu said: "The Zhou dynasty is about to fall. Heaven and earth's vital energies do not lose their order; If they exceed this order, it is due to the people causing disorder. When yang energy is suppressed and cannot emerge, and yin pressure cannot rise, earthquakes occur as a result. Now that the three rivers have indeed experienced an earthquake, it means yang has lost its proper place and is filling yin's domain. When yang is displaced into yin, the springs must become blocked; If the springs are blocked, the state will surely perish. Water and land provide for the people's use. If the land provides nothing, the people will lack resources; how long can it avoid collapse! In the past, when the Yi and Luo rivers dried up, the Xia dynasty fell; when the Yellow River dried up, the Shang dynasty perished. Now the virtue of Zhou is as in the final years of the Xia and Shang dynasties; its rivers and springs are also blocked, and when they are blocked, they will dry up. A state must rely on mountains and rivers; if the mountains collapse and the rivers dry up, it is an omen of a fallen kingdom. When rivers dry up, mountains will inevitably collapse. If a kingdom is to fall, it should not take more than ten years; this is the cycle of numbers. What heaven abandons will not exceed its destined cycle." In this year, the three rivers dried up and Mount Qi collapsed.
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| | 周本紀: |
三年，幽王嬖愛褒姒。褒姒生子伯服，幽王欲廢太子。太子母申侯女，而為后。後幽王得褒姒，愛之，欲廢申后，并去太子宜臼，以褒姒為后，以伯服為太子。周太史伯陽讀史記曰：「周亡矣。」昔自夏后氏之衰也，有二神龍止於夏帝庭而言曰：「余，褒之二君。」夏帝卜殺之與去之與止之，莫吉。卜請其漦而藏之，乃吉。於是布幣而策告之，龍亡而漦在，櫝而去之。夏亡，傳此器殷。殷亡，又傳此器周。比三代，莫敢發之，至厲王之末，發而觀之。漦流于庭，不可除。厲王使婦人裸而譟之。漦化為玄黿，以入王後宮。後宮之童妾既齔而遭之，既笄而孕，無夫而生子，懼而棄之。宣王之時童女謠曰：「厭弧箕服，實亡周國。」於是宣王聞之，有夫婦賣是器者，宣王使執而戮之。逃於道，而見鄉者後宮童妾所棄妖子出於路者，聞其夜啼，哀而收之，夫婦遂亡，奔於褒。褒人有罪，請入童妾所棄女子者於王以贖罪。棄女子出於褒，是為褒姒。當幽王三年，王之後宮見而愛之，生子伯服，竟廢申后及太子，以褒姒為后，伯服為太子。太史伯陽曰：「禍成矣，無可奈何！」 |
| | In the third year, King You favored Bao Si. Bao Si bore a son named Bo Fu; King You wanted to depose the crown prince. The crown prince's mother was the daughter of Shen Hou and had been queen. Later, King You acquired Bao Si and loved her dearly; he wanted to depose Queen Shen and remove Crown Prince Yi Jiu, making Bao Si the queen and Bo Fu the crown prince. Zhou's chief historian Boyangfu read historical records and said: "The Zhou dynasty is doomed." In the waning years of the Xia royal house, two divine dragons stopped at the court of a Xia emperor and said: "We are the two deities of Bao." The Xia emperor divined whether to kill them, drive them away, or leave them be; none of these options proved auspicious. He then divined that if he collected their saliva and preserved it, this would bring good fortune. Thus, the emperor offered sacrifices with offerings and made a vow to them; then the dragons vanished but left behind their saliva, which was placed in a chest and stored away. When the Xia fell, this vessel passed into the hands of the Shang dynasty. lando Thus it passed to the Zhou when the Shang fell. For three successive dynasties, no one dared open it; but in the later years of King Li's reign, it was opened and examined. The saliva flowed into the courtyard and could not be removed. King Li ordered women to strip naked and shout at it. The saliva transformed into a black tortoise, which entered the king's harem. A young concubine in the palace, after bathing and encountering it, became pregnant upon reaching marriageable age; she gave birth to a child without a husband and was afraid, so she abandoned it. During King Xuan's reign, young girls sang a nursery rhyme: "The bow and 箕 robe—these will bring the downfall of the Zhou kingdom." Hearing this, King Xuan ordered that a couple selling such an object be arrested and executed. They fled along the road and saw a child abandoned by the palace concubine on the roadside; hearing it cry at night, they felt pity and took it in. The couple then escaped to Bao. The people of Bao committed a crime and requested to present the abandoned girl to the king as compensation for their guilt. The abandoned girl came from Bao, and this was Baosi. In the third year of King You's reign, a concubine in his harem saw her and loved her. A son named Bofu was born to her, and eventually, Queen Shen and Crown Prince were deposed; Baosi became queen and Bofu became crown prince. The Grand Historian Boyang said: "Disaster is now inevitable, there's nothing we can do about it!"
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| | 周本紀: |
褒姒不好笑，幽王欲其笑萬方，故不笑。幽王為烽燧大鼓，有寇至則舉烽火。諸侯悉至，至而無寇，褒姒乃大笑。幽王說之，為數舉烽火。其後不信，諸侯益亦不至。 |
| | Baosi did not like to laugh. King You tried every means to make her smile, but she never laughed. King You set up beacon towers and large drums; when enemies approached, he would light the beacons. The feudal lords all arrived, but found no enemy forces—Baosi then laughed heartily. King You was pleased and repeatedly lit the beacons. Later, when real danger came, the feudal lords no longer believed him and did not come to his aid.
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| | 周本紀: |
幽王以虢石父為卿，用事，國人皆怨。石父為人佞巧善諛好利，王用之。又廢申后，去太子也。申侯怒，與繒、西夷犬戎攻幽王。幽王舉烽火徵兵，兵莫至。遂殺幽王驪山下，虜褒姒，盡取周賂而去。於是諸侯乃即申侯而共立故幽王太子宜臼，是為平王，以奉周祀。 |
| | King You appointed Guoshi Fu as an official in charge of affairs, which caused resentment among the people of the state. Shifu was a flatterer who was cunning and greedy for profit; King You trusted him. He also deposed Queen Shen and removed the crown prince. Shen Hou was furious and allied with Zeng, the western Yi, and Quanrong to attack King You. King You lit the beacon fires to summon troops, but none came. They then killed King You at Lishan and captured Baosi, taking all the treasures of Zhou as spoils before leaving. At this time, the feudal lords then approached Shen Hou and jointly enthroned Youwang's former crown prince Yijiu, who became King Ping, to continue the ancestral rites of Zhou.
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| | 周本紀: |
平王立，東遷于雒邑，辟戎寇。平王之時，周室衰微，諸侯彊并弱，齊、楚、秦、晉始大，政由方伯。 |
| | King Ping was enthroned and moved eastward to Luoyi to avoid the Rong and Koui invaders. During King Ping's reign, the Zhou royal house declined and grew weak; feudal lords began to dominate the weak. Qi, Chu, Qin, and Jin started to grow powerful, with authority resting in regional hegemonies.
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| | 周本紀: |
四十九年，魯隱公即位。 |
| | In the forty-ninth year [of King Ping's reign], Duke Yin of Lu ascended the throne.
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| | 周本紀: |
五十一年，平王崩，太子洩父蚤死，立其子林，是為桓王。桓王，平王孫也。 |
| | In the fifty-first year, King Ping died; Crown Prince Xiefu had died early, so his son Lin was enthroned, who became King Huan. King Huan was a grandson of King Ping.
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| | 周本紀: |
桓王三年，鄭莊公朝，桓王不禮。五年，鄭怨，與魯易許田。許田，天子之用事太山田也。八年，魯殺隱公，立桓公。十三年，伐鄭，鄭射傷桓王，桓王去歸。 |
| | In the third year of King Huan's reign, Duke Zhuang of Zheng paid homage, but King Huan did not treat him with courtesy. In the fifth year, Zheng resented this and exchanged Xu Tian with Lu. Xu Tian was a field used by the Son of Heaven for sacrifices at Mount Tai. In the eighth year, Lu killed Duke Yin and enthroned Duke Huan. In the thirteenth year, they attacked Zheng; Zheng shot and wounded King Huan, who then left in retreat.
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| | 周本紀: |
二十三年，桓王崩，子莊王佗立。莊王四年，周公黑肩欲殺莊王而立王子克。辛伯告王，王殺周公。王子克奔燕。 |
| | In the twenty-third year, King Huan died, and his son Tuota was enthroned as King Zhuangwang. In the fourth year of King Zhuang's reign, Zhou Gong Heijian wanted to kill King Zhuang and install Crown Prince Ke as ruler. Xinbo informed the king, who then killed Zhou Gong. Prince Ke fled to Yan.
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| | 周本紀: |
十五年，莊王崩，子釐王胡齊立。釐王三年，齊桓公始霸。 |
| | In the fifteenth year, King Zhuang died and was succeeded by his son Huqi, who became King Liwang. In the third year of King Li's reign, Duke Huan of Qi began to establish hegemony.
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| | 周本紀: |
五年，釐王崩，子惠王閬立。惠王二年。初，莊王嬖姬姚，生子穨，穨有寵。及惠王即位，奪其大臣以為囿，故大夫邊伯等五人作亂，謀召燕、衛師，伐惠王。惠王犇溫，已居鄭之櫟。立釐王弟穨為王。樂及徧舞，鄭、虢君怒。四年，鄭與虢君伐殺王穨，復入惠王。惠王十年，賜齊桓公為伯。 |
| | In the fifth year, King Li died and was succeeded by his son Lang, who became King Huwang. The second year of King Hui's reign. Initially, King Zhuang had a favored concubine named Yao, who bore him a son named Tui; Tui was also favored. When King Hui ascended the throne, he seized land from his ministers to create a hunting ground. Thus, officials Bianbo and five others rebelled, planning to summon armies from Yan and Wei to attack King Hui. King Hui fled to Wen and later took refuge in Lu of Zheng. They enthroned King Li's younger brother Tui as king. The music and dancing continued, which angered the rulers of Zheng and Guo. In the fourth year, the rulers of Zheng and Guo attacked and killed King Tui, restoring King Hui to power. In the tenth year of King Hui's reign, he granted Duke Huan of Qi the title of hegemon.
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| | 周本紀: |
二十五年，惠王崩，子襄王鄭立。襄王母蚤死，後母曰惠后。惠后生叔帶，有寵於惠王，襄王畏之。三年，叔帶與戎、翟謀伐襄王，襄王欲誅叔帶，叔帶奔齊。齊桓公使管仲平戎于周，使隰朋平戎于晉。王以上卿禮管仲。管仲辭曰：「臣賤有司也，有天子之二守國、高在。若節春秋來承王命，何以禮焉。陪臣敢辭。」王曰：「舅氏，余嘉乃勳，毋逆朕命。」管仲卒受下卿之禮而還。九年，齊桓公卒。十二年，叔帶復歸于周。 |
| | In the twenty-fifth year, King Hui died and was succeeded by his son Zheng, who became King Xiangwang. King Xiang's mother had died early; his stepmother was known as Huiguo. Huiguo bore a son named Shudai, who was favored by King Hui, and thus King Xiang feared him. In the third year, Shudai conspired with Rong and Di tribes to attack King Xiang. In response, King Xiang wanted to execute Shudai, who fled to Qi. Duke Huan of Qi sent Guan Zhong to pacify the Rong tribes in Zhou and Xi Peng to pacify them in Jin. The king received Guan Zhong with the courtesy due to a high-ranking official. Guan Zhong declined, saying: "I am but a lowly official; the two ministers Guo and Gao are present to serve as guardians of the Son of Heaven." "If they come in accordance with the seasons, following Spring and Autumn, to receive the king's commands, what need is there for special rites?" "A subordinate official dares to decline." The king said: "Uncle, I commend your achievements; do not refuse my command." Guan Zhong finally accepted the rites befitting a lower-ranking official and returned. In the ninth year, Duke Huan of Qi died. In the twelfth year, Shudai returned to Zhou once more.
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| | 周本紀: |
十三年，鄭伐滑，王使游孫、伯服請滑，鄭人囚之。鄭文公怨惠王之入不與厲公爵，又怨襄王之與衛滑，故囚伯服。王怒，將以翟伐鄭。富辰諫曰：「凡我周之東徙，晉、鄭焉依。子穨之亂，又鄭之由定，今以小怨棄之！」王不聽。十五年，王降翟師以伐鄭。王德翟人，將以其女為后。富辰諫曰：「平、桓、莊、惠皆受鄭勞，王棄親親翟，不可從。」王不聽。十六年，王絀翟后，翟人來誅，殺譚伯。富辰曰：「吾數諫不從。如是不出，王以我為懟乎？」乃以其屬死之。 |
| | In the thirteenth year of King Xiang's reign, Zheng attacked Hua; the king sent You Sun and Bo Fu to plead for Hua, but the people of Zheng imprisoned them. Duke Wen of Zheng resented King Hui for not granting his cousin Duke Li the title upon his return, and also resented King Xiang for supporting Wei's claim over Hua; thus he imprisoned Bo Fu. The king was furious and planned to attack Zheng with the Di tribes. Fu Chen advised: "Whenever our Zhou dynasty moved east, we relied on Jin and Zheng." "The rebellion of Prince Tui was quelled thanks to Zheng's efforts. Now you would abandon them for a minor grievance!" The king did not listen. In the fifteenth year, the king allied with Di forces to attack Zheng. The king favored the Di people and planned to take their daughter as queen. Fu Chen advised: "Kings Ping, Huan, Zhuang, and Hui all benefited from Zheng's loyalty. The king is now abandoning close relatives to favor the Di; this cannot be allowed." The king did not listen. In the sixteenth year, the king dismissed the Di queen; in retaliation, the Di people came to punish him and killed Duke Tan. Fu Chen said: "I have repeatedly advised but was not heeded." "If I do not act now, will the king think me resentful?" So he led his followers to their deaths.
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| | 周本紀: |
初，惠后欲立王子帶，故以黨開翟人，翟人遂入周。襄王出奔鄭，鄭居王于汜。子帶立為王，取襄王所絀翟后與居溫。十七年，襄王告急于晉，晉文公納王而誅叔帶。襄王乃賜晉文公珪鬯弓矢，為伯，以河內地與晉。二十年，晉文公召襄王，襄王會之河陽、踐土，諸侯畢朝，書諱曰「天王狩于河陽」。 |
| | Initially, Huiguo wanted to install Prince Dai as king, so she conspired with the Di people; thus, they entered Zhou. King Xiang fled to Zheng and was housed in Si by Zheng. Prince Dai declared himself king, taking the Di queen whom King Xiang had dismissed and settling her in Wen. In the seventeenth year, King Xiang urgently appealed to Jin; Duke Wen of Jin welcomed him back and executed Shudai. King Xiang then bestowed on Duke Wen of Jin the jade gui, chang liquor, bow and arrows, granting him hegemony and ceding the area within the Yellow River to Jin. In the twentieth year, Duke Wen of Jin summoned King Xiang; King Xiang met him at Heyang and Jiantu. All feudal lords paid homage, and it was recorded euphemistically as "The Son of Heaven hunting in Heyang."
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二十四年，晉文公卒。 |
| | In the twenty-fourth year, Duke Wen of Jin died.
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三十一年，秦穆公卒。 |
| | In the thirty-first year, Duke Mu of Qin died.
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三十二年，襄王崩，子頃王壬臣立。頃王六年，崩，子匡王班立。匡王六年，崩，弟瑜立，是為定王。 |
| | In the thirty-second year, King Xiang died and was succeeded by his son Renchen, who became King Qingwang. In the sixth year of King Qing's reign, he died; his son Ban was enthroned as Duke Kuangwang. In the sixth year of Duke Kuang's reign, he died and was succeeded by his younger brother Yu, who became King Dingwang.
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| | 周本紀: |
定王元年，楚莊王伐陸渾之戎，次洛，使人問九鼎。王使王孫滿應設以辭，楚兵乃去。十年，楚莊王圍鄭，鄭伯降，已而復之。十六年，楚莊王卒。 |
| | In the first year of King Ding's reign, Duke Zhuang of Chu attacked the Rong tribes at Lukou and stationed his troops near Luoyi, sending envoys to inquire about the Nine Tripods. The king sent Wangsun Man to respond with diplomatic words, and the Chu forces withdrew. In the tenth year, Duke Zhuang of Chu besieged Zheng; Duke Bo of Zheng surrendered but was later restored to power. In the sixteenth year, Duke Zhuang of Chu died.
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二十一年，定王崩，子簡王夷立。簡王十三年，晉殺其君厲公，迎子周於周，立為悼公。 |
| | In the twenty-first year, King Ding died and was succeeded by his son Yi, who became King Jianwang. In the thirteenth year of Duke Jian's reign, Jin killed its ruler Li Gong and welcomed Prince Zhou from Zhou to be enthroned as Dou Gong.
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十四年，簡王崩，子靈王泄心立。靈王二十四年，齊崔杼弒其君莊公。 |
| | In the fourteenth year, King Jian died and was succeeded by his son Xie Xin, who became King Lingwang. In the twenty-fourth year of King Ling's reign, Cui Zhu of Qi assassinated his ruler Duke Zhuang.
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二十七年，靈王崩，子景王貴立。景王十八年，后太子聖而蚤卒。二十年，景王愛子朝，欲立之，會崩，子丐之黨與爭立，國人立長子猛為王，子朝攻殺猛。猛為悼王。晉人攻子朝而立丐，是為敬王。 |
| | In the twenty-seventh year, King Ling died and was succeeded by his son Gui, who became King Jingwang. In the eighteenth year of King Jing's reign, the crown prince, Sheng, died young. In the twentieth year of King Jing's reign, King Jing favored his son Zhao and wished to make him heir. However, he died before doing so; factions supporting Prince Gai vied for power. The people enthroned the eldest son Meng as king, but Prince Zhao attacked and killed him. Meng became King Douwang. The Jin people attacked Prince Zhao and enthroned Gai, who became King Jing Wang.
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敬王元年，晉人入敬王，子朝自立，敬王不得入，居澤。四年，晉率諸侯入敬王于周，子朝為臣，諸侯城周。十六年，子朝之徒復作亂，敬王奔于晉。十七年，晉定公遂入敬王于周。 |
| | In the first year of King Jing's reign (Jingwang), the Jin people brought in King Jing, but Prince Zhao declared himself ruler. King Jing could not enter and resided at Ze instead. In the fourth year, Jin led the feudal lords to bring King Jing into Zhou; Prince Zhao became a subject and the feudal lords built walls around Zhou. In the sixteenth year, followers of Prince Zhao again rebelled, forcing King Jing to flee to Jin. In the seventeenth year, Duke Ding of Jin escorted King Jing back into Zhou.
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三十九年，齊田常殺其君簡公。 |
| | In the thirty-ninth year, Tian Chang of Qi killed his ruler Jian Gong.
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四十一年，楚滅陳。孔子卒。 |
| | In the forty-first year, Chu destroyed Chen. Confucius died.
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四十二年，敬王崩，子元王仁立。元王八年，崩，子定王介立。 |
| | In the forty-second year, King Jing died and was succeeded by his son Ren, who became King Yuanwang. In the eighth year of King Yuan's reign, he died and was succeeded by his son Jie, who became King Dingwang.
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定王十六年，三晉滅智伯，分有其地。 |
| | In the sixteenth year of King Ding's reign, the Three Jin states destroyed Zhi Bo and divided his territory among themselves.
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二十八年，定王崩，長子去疾立，是為哀王。哀王立三月，弟叔襲殺哀王而自立，是為思王。思王立五月，少弟嵬攻殺思王而自立，是為考王。此三王皆定王之子。 |
| | In the twenty-eighth year, King Ding died; his eldest son Quji was enthroned as King Ai Wang. King Ai reigned for only three months, when his younger brother Shu attacked and killed him before enthroning himself as King Siwang. King Si reigned for five months, when his younger brother Wei attacked and killed him before taking the throne as King Kao Wang. These three kings were all sons of King Ding.
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考王十五年，崩，子威烈王午立。 |
| | In the fifteenth year of King Kao's reign, he died; his son Wu was enthroned as Wang Wei Lie Wang.
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考王封其弟于河南，是為桓公，以續周公之官職。桓公卒，子威公代立。威公卒，子惠公代立，乃封其少子於鞏以奉王，號東周惠公。 |
| | King Kao granted a fief to his younger brother in the southern part of Henan, who became Duke Huan; this was done to continue the official duties previously held by the Zhou Gong. After Duke Huan died, his son Weigong succeeded him. Weigong died and was succeeded by Hugong, who then granted a fief to his youngest son in Gong to serve the king, titled Duke Hui of Dongzhou.
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威烈王二十三年，九鼎震。命韓、魏、趙為諸侯。 |
| | In the twenty-third year of Wang Wei Lie's reign, the Nine Tripods trembled. He conferred the title of feudal lords upon Han, Wei, and Zhao.
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二十四年，崩，子安王驕立。是歲盜殺楚聲王。 |
| | In the twenty-fourth year, he died; his son Jiao was enthroned as Anwang. That year, thieves killed King Sheng of Chu.
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安王立二十六年，崩，子烈王喜立。烈王二年，周太史儋見秦獻公曰：「始周與秦國合而別，別五百載復合，合十七歲而霸王者出焉。」 |
| | After reigning for twenty-six years, Anwang died and was succeeded by his son Xi, who became Liwang. In the second year of Liwang's reign, Zhou Taishi Dan met Duke Xian of Qin and said: "Initially, Zhou and the State of Qin were united but later separated. After five hundred years they will reunite again; seventeen years after their reunion, a hegemon or emperor shall emerge."
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十年，烈王崩，弟扁立，是為顯王。顯王五年，賀秦獻公，獻公稱伯。九年，致文武胙於秦孝公。二十五年，秦會諸侯於周。二十六年，周致伯於秦孝公。三十三年，賀秦惠王。三十五年，致文武胙於秦惠王。四十四年，秦惠王稱王。其後諸侯皆為王。 |
| | In the tenth year, Liwang died and was succeeded by his younger brother Bian, who became Xian Wang. In the fifth year of King Xian's reign, he congratulated Duke Xian of Qin, and Duke Xian declared himself Hegemon (Bo). In the ninth year, sacrificial offerings from Wenwang and Wuwang were presented to Duke Xiao of Qin. In the twenty-fifth year, Qin convened feudal lords in Zhou. In the twenty-sixth year, Zhou conferred the title of Hegemon (Bo) upon Duke Xiao of Qin. In the thirty-third year, he congratulated King Hui of Qin. In the thirty-fifth year, sacrificial offerings from King Wen and King Wu were presented to King Hui of Qin. In the forty-fourth year, King Hui of Qin declared himself king. After that, all feudal lords became kings.
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四十八年，顯王崩，子慎靚王定立。慎靚王立六年，崩，子赧王延立。王赧時東西周分治。王赧徙都西周。 |
| | In the forty-eighth year of King Xian's reign (Xianwang), he died and was succeeded by his grandson Ding, who became Shenjing Wang. Shenjing Wang reigned for six years before dying; he was succeeded by his son Yan, who became King Nanwang. During the reign of King Nan, Eastern and Western Zhou were separately governed. King Nan moved his capital to Western Zhou.
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西周武公之共太子死，有五庶子，毋適立。司馬翦謂楚王曰：「不如以地資公子咎，為請太子。」左成曰：「不可。周不聽，是公之知困而交疏於周也。不如請周君孰欲立，以微告翦，翦請令楚（賀）［資］之以地。」果立公子咎為太子。 |
| | The Crown Prince Gong of Duke Wu of Western Zhou died, leaving five commoner sons with no clear heir designated. Sima Jian said to the King of Chu: "It would be better to offer land to Gongzi Jiu and request that he be named crown prince." Zuo Cheng said, "No. "If Zhou does not listen, it would mean your wisdom is in trouble and relations with Zhou become distant." "It would be better to ask the Zhou ruler who he wishes to appoint, and discreetly inform Jian. Jian can then request that Chu provide land support for him." As a result, Gongzi Jiu was indeed appointed as crown prince.
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八年，秦攻宜陽，楚救之。而楚以周為秦故，將伐之。蘇代為周說楚王曰：「何以周為秦之禍也？言周之為秦甚於楚者，欲令周入秦也，故謂『周秦』也。周知其不可解，必入於秦，此為秦取周之精者也。為王計者，周於秦因善之，不於秦亦言善之，以疏之於秦。周絕於秦，必入於郢矣。」 |
| | In the eighth year, Qin attacked Yiyang and Chu came to its rescue. But because Zhou had allied with Qin, Chu planned to attack it. Su Dai spoke on behalf of Zhou to the King of Chu: "Why should Zhou be considered a disaster for Qin?" "To say that Zhou is more harmful to Qin than Chu is an attempt to force Zhou into the hands of Qin, hence the term 'Zhou Qin'." "Knowing that it cannot be resolved otherwise, Zhou will inevitably fall into the hands of Qin. This is the most effective way for Qin to obtain control over Zhou." "For your Majesty's benefit, if Zhou is friendly with Qin, you should be friendly to them; if not, still appear friendly. This will create distance between Zhou and Qin." "If Zhou severs ties with Qin, it must inevitably fall under your control in Ying."
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秦借道兩周之閒，將以伐韓，周恐借之畏於韓，不借畏於秦。史厭謂周君曰：「何不令人謂韓公叔曰『秦之敢絕周而伐韓者，信東周也。公何不與周地，發質使之楚』？秦必疑楚不信周，是韓不伐也。又謂秦曰『韓彊與周地，將以疑周於秦也，周不敢不受』。秦必無辭而令周不受，是受地於韓而聽於秦。」 |
| | Qin requested a passage through the territory between Eastern and Western Zhou to attack Han. Zhou feared that granting it would provoke Han's resentment, while refusing would anger Qin. Shi Yan said to the Zhou ruler: "Why not have someone tell Gongshu of Han, 'Qin dares to cut off Zhou and attack Han because they trust Eastern Zhou?" "Why don't you give land to Zhou and send a hostage to Chu?'" "Qin will certainly doubt that Chu does not trust Zhou, so Han will not be attacked." "He should also tell Qin: 'Han is strong and has given land to Zhou, intending to sow doubts about Zhou in the eyes of Qin. Zhou dares not refuse.'" "Qin will have no grounds to prevent Zhou from accepting, which means Zhou would receive land from Han while still complying with Qin."
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秦召西周君，西周君惡往，故令人謂韓王曰：「秦召西周君，將以使攻王之南陽也，王何不出兵於南陽？周君將以為辭於秦。周君不入秦，秦必不敢踰河而攻南陽矣。」 |
| | Qin summoned the ruler of Western Zhou. The Western Zhou ruler feared going, so he had someone tell King of Han: "Qin has summoned the Western Zhou ruler to attack your southern region of Nanyang. Why don't you send troops to defend Nanyang?" "The Zhou ruler will use this as an excuse against Qin." "If the Zhou ruler does not enter Qin, then Qin certainly dare not cross the Yellow River to attack Nanyang."
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東周與西周戰，韓救西周。或為東周說韓王曰：「西周故天子之國，多名器重寶。王案兵毋出，可以德東周，而西周之寶必可以盡矣。」 |
| | Eastern Zhou and Western Zhou went to war; Han came to the aid of Western Zhou. Someone on behalf of Eastern Zhou advised King of Han: "Western Zhou is an ancient state of the Son of Heaven, possessing many precious ritual objects and treasures. "If Your Majesty keeps your troops in readiness without moving out, it will demonstrate virtue toward Eastern Zhou, and all the treasures of Western Zhou can certainly fall into our hands."
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王赧謂成君。楚圍雍氏，韓徵甲與粟於東周，東周君恐，召蘇代而告之。代曰：「君何患於是。臣能使韓毋徵甲與粟於周，又能為君得高都。」周君曰：「子茍能，請以國聽子。」代見韓相國曰：「楚圍雍氏，期三月也，今五月不能拔，是楚病也。今相國乃徵甲與粟於周，是告楚病也。」韓相國曰：「善。使者已行矣。」代曰：「何不與周高都？」韓相國大怒曰：「吾毋徵甲與粟於周亦已多矣，何故與周高都也？」代曰：「與周高都，是周折而入於韓也，秦聞之必大怒忿周，即不通周使，是以獘高都得完周也。曷為不與？」相國曰：「善。」果與周高都。 |
| | King Nan addressed Cheng Jun. Chu besieged Yongshi, and Han requested weapons and grain from Eastern Zhou. The ruler of Eastern Zhou was alarmed and summoned Su Dai to inform him. Dai said: "What is there for you to worry about in this matter? "I can ensure that Han will not request weapons and grain from Zhou, and I can also secure Gaodu for you." The ruler of Eastern Zhou said: "If you are truly capable, please proceed with full authority over the state." Dai met with Han's prime minister and said: "Chu has been besieging Yongshi for three months as expected, but after five months they still cannot capture it. This indicates that Chu is in a weakened state." "Now, your prime minister requests weapons and grain from Zhou; this is equivalent to informing Chu of its weakness." The Han prime minister said: "Well said. "The envoys have already been dispatched." Dai asked: "Why not give Zhou the city of Gaodu?" The Han prime minister became very angry and said: "We have already sent too many weapons and grain to Zhou. Why should we give them Gaodu?" Dai said: "Granting Gaodu to Zhou means that Zhou will be weakened and fall under Han's control. When Qin hears of this, they will certainly become furious with Zhou and refuse to allow Zhou envoys passage. This way, Han can secure Gaodu while preserving Zhou." "Why not do it?" The prime minister said: "Good idea." As a result, Gaodu was indeed granted to Zhou.
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三十四年，蘇厲謂周君曰：「秦破韓、魏，撲師武，北取趙藺、離石者，皆白起也。是善用兵，又有天命。今又將兵出塞攻梁，梁破則周危矣。君何不令人說白起乎？曰『楚有養由基者，善射者也。去柳葉百步而射之，百發而百中之。左右觀者數千人，皆曰善射。有一夫立其旁，曰「善，可教射矣」。養由基怒，釋弓搤劍，曰「客安能教我射乎」？客曰「非吾能教子支左詘右也。夫去柳葉百步而射之，百發而百中之，不以善息，少焉氣衰力倦，弓撥矢鉤，一發不中者，百發盡息」。今破韓、魏，撲師武，北取趙藺、離石者，公之功多矣。今又將兵出塞，過兩周，倍韓，攻梁，一舉不得，前功盡棄。公不如稱病而無出』。」 |
| | In the thirty-fourth year, Su Li said to the Zhou ruler: "The Qin forces that defeated Han and Wei, crushed Shiwu's army, and captured northern Zhao cities such as Lin and Lishi were all led by Bai Qi. "He is a master of military strategy and also favored by the Mandate of Heaven." "Now he is leading troops beyond the frontier to attack Liang. If Liang falls, Zhou will be in danger." "Why doesn't Your Majesty send someone to persuade Bai Qi?" "He said, 'Chu has Yang Youji, an excellent archer. "From a hundred paces away from the willow leaf, he shoots and hits it every time out of a hundred attempts." "Hundreds of onlookers watched and all praised his archery skills." "A man stood by the side and said, 'Good. You can teach him to shoot.'" "Yang Youji became angry, dropped his bow, gripped his sword, and said, 'How dare you teach me to shoot?'" "The man replied, "It is not that I can teach you how to hold the bow with your left hand and draw it back with your right." "Shooting at a willow leaf from a hundred paces, hitting it every time out of a hundred shots, without pausing to catch your breath—after a while, when one's strength wanes and fatigue sets in, the bow becomes unsteady and the arrow bends. If you miss even once, all the previous efforts are wasted.'" "Now, having defeated Han and Wei, shattered Shiwu's forces, and captured the northern Zhao cities of Lin and Lishi, you have achieved many great feats." "Now you are leading troops beyond the frontier, crossing both Zhou states, bypassing Han, and attacking Liang. If this campaign fails even once, all previous achievements will be lost." "You would be better off claiming illness and not going out.'"
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四十二年，秦破華陽約。馬犯謂周君曰：「請令梁城周。」乃謂梁王曰：「周王病若死，則犯必死矣。犯請以九鼎自入於王，王受九鼎而圖犯。」梁王曰：「善。」遂與之卒，言戍周。因謂秦王曰：「梁非戍周也，將伐周也。王試出兵境以觀之。」秦果出兵。又謂梁王曰：「周王病甚矣，犯請後可而復之。今王使卒之周，諸侯皆生心，後舉事且不信。不若令卒為周城，以匿事端。」梁王曰：「善。」遂使城周。 |
| | In the forty-second year, Qin defeated Huyang Yue. Ma Fan said to the ruler of Zhou: "Please have Liang build a city for Zhou." He then told King Liang, "If the king of Zhou falls ill or dies, I will certainly die as well. "I request to present the Nine Tripods myself to Your Majesty; if you accept the Nine Tripods, please also consider my fate." King Liang said, "Good." He then gave him troops and declared it was to garrison Zhou. But he told King Qin, "Liangan is not garrisoning Zhou; he is going to attack Zhou." "Your Majesty should send troops near the border to observe what happens.'" Qin indeed sent out troops. He then told King Liang again, "The king of Zhou is very ill; I request to delay and return later." "Now that Your Majesty has sent troops to Zhou, the feudal lords are all suspicious. If we take further action afterward, they will not believe us." "It would be better to have the soldiers build a city for Zhou in order to conceal any signs of trouble.'" King Liang said, "Good." He then ordered the construction of a city for Zhou.
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| | 周本紀: |
四十五年，周君之秦客謂周（最）［聚］曰：「公不若譽秦王之孝，因以應為太后養地，秦王必喜，是公有秦交。交善，周君必以為公功。交惡，勸周君入秦者必有罪矣。」秦攻周，而周聚謂秦王曰：「為王計者不攻周。攻周，實不足以利，聲畏天下。天下以聲畏秦，必東合於齊。兵獘於周。合天下於齊，則秦不王矣。天下欲獘秦，勸王攻周。秦與天下獘，則令不行矣。」 |
| | In the forty-fifth year, a guest of the Zhou ruler told Zhou Ju: "Instead of what you are doing now, you should praise King Qin's filial piety and recommend Ying as the land for the 太后 to reside in. King Qin will surely be pleased; this way, you would gain good relations with Qin." "By cultivating good relations, the Zhou ruler will certainly regard it as your achievement." "If relations turn bad, those who advise the Zhou ruler to enter Qin will surely be punished.'" "When Qin attacked Zhou, Zhou Ju told King Qin: "For Your Majesty's benefit, it is not advisable to attack Zhou. "Attacking Zhou would bring little actual gain and would only cause fear among the states of the world." "If the world fears Qin in name, they will certainly unite with Qi to the east." "The army would be exhausted by fighting Zhou." "If all the states unite with Qi, then Qin will never become a hegemon." "The world wants to exhaust Qin and is urging Your Majesty to attack Zhou." "If Qin becomes exhausted by the whole world, then its commands will no longer be heeded.'"
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| | 周本紀: |
五十八年，三晉距秦。周令其相國之秦，以秦之輕也，還其行。客謂相國曰：「秦之輕重未可知也。秦欲知三國之情。公不如急見秦王曰『請為王聽東方之變』，秦王必重公。重公，是秦重周，周以取秦也；齊重，則固有周聚以收齊：是周常不失重國之交也。」秦信周，發兵攻三晉。 |
| | In the fifty-eighth year, the Three Jin states resisted Qin. Zhou sent its prime minister to Qin, but because he considered Qin to be contemptible, he returned without proceeding further. A guest told the prime minister: "It is still uncertain whether Qin is strong or weak." "Qin wants to know the situation of the three states. "You should urgently meet with King Qin and say, 'I will inform Your Majesty about changes in the eastern states.' King Qin will certainly value you highly." "If he values you, then Qin will value Zhou. Through this, Zhou can gain influence over Qin; "if Qi is valued, we already have Zhou Ju to manage relations with Qi: this way, Zhou will always maintain good relations with a powerful state.'" Qin trusted Zhou and sent troops to attack the Three Jin states.
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| | 周本紀: |
五十九年，秦取韓陽城負黍，西周恐，倍秦，與諸侯約從，將天下銳師出伊闕攻秦，令秦無得通陽城。秦昭王怒，使將軍摎攻西周。西周君犇秦，頓首受罪，盡獻其邑三十六，口三萬。秦受其獻，歸其君於周。 |
| | In the fifty-ninth year, Qin captured Yangcheng Fushu of Han. The Western Zhou was frightened and turned against Qin, forming an alliance with other feudal lords. They mobilized the sharpest forces from all states to attack Qin at Yiqu, preventing Qin from accessing Yangcheng. King Zhao of Qin was furious and sent General Jiu to attack Western Zhou. The ruler of Western Zhou fled to Qin, kowtowed in submission and accepted guilt, offering all thirty-six of his fiefs and 30,000 people. Qin accepted the offerings and returned its ruler to Zhou.
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| | 周本紀: |
周君、王赧卒，周民遂東亡。秦取九鼎寶器，而遷西周公於憚狐。後七歲，秦莊襄王滅東（西）周。東西周皆入于秦，周既不祀。 |
| | The Zhou ruler and King Nan died, and the people of Zhou gradually fled eastward. Qin seized the Nine Tripods and other treasures, and relocated the Duke of Western Zhou to Danhu. Seven years later, King Zhuangxiang of Qin destroyed Eastern (Western) Zhou. Both the Eastern and Western Zhou were incorporated into Qin; thus, the Zhou dynasty ceased to exist with no further sacrifices offered in its name.
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| | 周本紀: |
太史公曰：學者皆稱周伐紂，居洛邑，綜其實不然。武王營之，成王使召公卜居，居九鼎焉，而周復都豐、鎬。至犬戎敗幽王，周乃東徙于洛邑。所謂「周公葬（我）［於］畢」，畢在鎬東南杜中。秦滅周。漢興九十有餘載，天子將封泰山，東巡狩至河南，求周苗裔，封其後嘉三十里地，號曰周子南君，比列侯，以奉其先祭祀。 |
| | Grand Historian said: Scholars all claim that Zhou attacked the Shang dynasty and settled at Luoyi, but in reality this is not entirely accurate. King Wu planned it, and King Cheng sent Zhaogong to divinate a suitable location for the capital, where the Nine Tripods were placed. However, Zhou once again made Feng and Hao its capitals. It was not until the Quanrong defeated King You that Zhou moved east to Luoyi. What is referred to as "the Duke of Zhou was buried (me) [at] Bi," the location of Bi lies in Du, southeast of Hao. Qin destroyed Zhou. More than ninety years after the rise of Han, when the emperor was about to hold a ceremony on Mount Tai and conducted an eastern inspection tour reaching Henan, he sought descendants of Zhou. He granted thirty li of land to his descendant Jia, bestowing him with the title "Zhou Zinan Jun," ranking equivalent to marquises, in order to continue offering sacrifices to their ancestors.
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