《皇極經世》Vol. 13

Huangji Jingshi (The Supreme Principles Governing the World), Volume 5, Part 1, Yong (Chanting) One. Compiled by Shao Yong (style name Yaofu, a Northern Song Daoist scholar).

Deducing worldly affairs through "Yun" (Cycles), Part One: Guanwu Pian (Observing Things), Section 25. Part Two: Section 26. Part Three: Section 27. Part Four: Section 28. Part Five: Section 29. Part Six: Section 30.

Deducing Worldly Affairs through "Yun," Part One: Guanwu Pian, Section 25

The Jing Yuan (Jing Epoch) is Jia-1, the Jing Hui (Jing Conjunction) is Si-6, the Jing Yun (Jing Cycle) is Gui-180, and the Jing Shi (Jing Generation) is Zi-2,149. Here, "Yuan, Hui, Yun, and Shi" are the units of time that Huangji Jingshi uses to deduce the number of years in history.

The Jing Generation then proceeds through the following years: Zi, year 2,149; Chou, 2,150; Yin, 2,151; Mao, 2,152; Chen, 2,153; Si, 2,154; Wu, 2,155; and Wei, 2,156. The stem-branch sequence runs Jiawu, Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, and Guimao.

In the year Jiachen, Emperor Yao of Tang began his reign at Pingyang and was known as the Tao Tang clan. He ordered the Xi and He clans to observe the heavens with reverence, calculate the movements of the sun, moon, and stars, and solemnly grant the agricultural seasons to the people. The year had 366 days, and intercalary months were used to calibrate the four seasons and fix the sequence of the years. With the month of Yin as the first month of the year, he conscientiously regulated the affairs of the officials, so that every achievement flourished.

The sequence then continues with Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai.

The Jing Generation then reaches Shen, year 2,157.

The year Jiazi was the twenty-first year of Emperor Yao's reign.

The sequence concludes with Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, and Wuchen.

Si-Si, Geng-Wu, Xin-Wei, Ren-Shen, Gui-You, Jia-Xu, Yi-Hai, Bing-Zi, Ding-Chou, Wu-Yin, Ji-Mao, Geng-Chen, Xin-Si, Ren-Wu, Gui-Wei, Jia-Shen, Yi-You, Bing-Xu, Ding-Hai, Wu-Zi, Ji-Chou, Geng-Yin, Xin-Mao, Ren-Chen, Gui-Si.

The Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Principles Governing the World) records this as the 2,158th year of the You epoch.

Jia-Wu: the 51st year of Emperor Yao's reign. Yi-Wei, Bing-Shen, Ding-You, Wu-Xu, Ji-Hai, Geng-Zi, Xin-Chou, Ren-Yin, Gui-Mao, Jia-Chen, Yi-Si, Bing-Wu, Ding-Wei, Wu-Shen, Ji-You, Geng-Xu, Xin-Hai.

Ren-Zi: Gun was put in charge of controlling the floods, but he achieved no results.

Gui-Chou: Emperor Yao sought a worthy successor. He openly recommended men of virtue, also examined those of humble origin, and began to summon Shun and entrust him with governmental affairs. Yao gave his two daughters in marriage to Shun, sending them to his household at the bend of the Gui River to become the wives of the Yu clan, so that he could observe Shun's conduct and virtue.

Jia-Yin, Yi-Mao: Shun's administration had already shown results. Emperor Yao reported Shun's virtue to Heaven and appointed him to hold the throne.

Bing-Chen: On the first day of the first month, Shun received the throne in the Wenzu Temple. He used the Xuanji Yuheng, an ancient instrument for observing the heavens, to calibrate the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. He offered sacrifices to Shangdi (the Supreme Deity), sacrificed to the Six Zong (six classes of heavenly or natural deities), made distant sacrifices to famous mountains and great rivers, and sacrificed to all the spirits. He collected the five auspicious jade tablets and then returned them to the feudal lords across the land. He began dividing the realm into twelve regions and enfeoffed twelve famous mountains. Shun toured the regions according to the seasons, harmonized the seasons with the months, corrected the calendar dates, and unified musical pitches and weights and measures. He regulated the Five Rites (five categories of ritual) and established statutes and penal law.

He exiled Gonggong to Youzhou, banished Huandou to Chongshan, relocated the Sanmiao to Sanwei, and executed Gun at Yushan. All four offenders received punishments appropriate to their crimes, and the people of the realm were therefore convinced and submitted.

Ding-Si, Wu-Wu, Ji-Wei, Geng-Shen, Xin-You, Ren-Xu, Gui-Hai.

The Huangji Jingshi records this as the 2,159th year of the Xu epoch.

Jia-Zi: the 9th year of Yu Shun's reign. Yi-Chou, Bing-Yin, Ding-Mao, Wu-Chen, Ji-Si, Geng-Wu, Xin-Wei, Ren-Shen, Gui-You, Jia-Xu, Yi-Hai, Bing-Zi, Ding-Chou, Wu-Yin.

This passage records crucial historical events concerning the succession of ancient sage-kings, primarily detailing the abdication process among Yao, Shun, and Yu.

Between the years of Jimao and Guiwei, Emperor Yao passed away. On the first day of the first lunar month from Jiashen to Bingxu, Shun received the abdication at the Temple of Ancestral Culture, establishing the Youyu Dynasty with its capital at Puban (modern-day Yongji, Shanxi). He opened channels for public discourse, consulted regional lords, established twelve provincial governors for local administration, and appointed nine virtuous ministers to oversee specific affairs: Boyu (Yu the Great) managed water conservancy, Houji supervised agriculture, Qi served as Minister of Civil Affairs (Situ), Gaoyao oversaw justice, Chui directed engineering projects, Yi governed forestry, Yi managed rites, Kui presided over music, and Long regulated public discourse. After three years of evaluation, officials were promoted or demoted based on performance.

From Dinghai to Guisi, a complete temporal cycle of 2,160 years elapsed ("Jingshi zhi hai" refers to a full cosmic cycle). Jiasui marked the 39th year of Shun's reign.

By Bingchen, Shun sought a successor and recommended Yu to heaven due to his flood control achievements. On the first day of the first lunar month in Dingsi, Yu received the Mandate at the Temple of Divine Ancestors, beginning his governance of land and water. He demarcated the Nine Provinces, channeled the waters of nine mountains, nine rivers, and nine marshes into the four seas, perfected the Six Treasuries (key resource management departments), and established a three-tier land tax system.

From Wuwu to Guihai another temporal cycle completed. Jiazi marked the eighth year of Yu's reign. In Guiyou, Shun died during his southern inspection tour. During Jiaxu, Yu moved the capital from Anyi to Yangdi (modern-day Yuzhou, Henan), convened lords at Mount Tu to consolidate authority.

Note: Huangji Jingshi is a philosophical work by Shao Yong of the Song Dynasty that uses heavenly stems and earthly branches to calculate historical cycles. The correspondence between stem-branch years and historical events reflects the ancient political concept of "harmony between heaven and humanity."

When Yu met with the feudal lords who came to pay homage from various regions, the lords all brought jade and silk as tribute. The Fangfeng clan arrived last, and for this reason was put to death.

The years Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, and Renwu.

In the summer of the year Guiwei, Yu made an inspection tour to the east. He died after arriving at Kuaiji, and his eldest son Qi succeeded him.

In the year Jiashen, Qi fought the Youhu clan on the plains of Gan.

The years Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, and Renchen.

In the year Renchen, the Xia king Qi died, and his eldest son Taikang succeeded him.

The year Guisi.

In the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Ultimate Principles Governing the World) chronology, the year Jichou is counted as the 2,162nd year.

The year Jiawu, the second year of the Xia king Taikang.

The years Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, and Jiwei.

In the year Gengshen, the Xia king Taikang lost the kingdom. He indulged in play without restraint and once went hunting in the Youluo region, not returning for a full hundred days. The chief of the Youqiong clan, Houyi, seized the opportunity to raise an army. The people could not endure Taikang's rule, so they barred him from returning across the Yellow River. After Taikang died, his younger brother Zhongkang succeeded him.

In the year Renxu, Zhongkang ordered the Yin Hou to attack the Xi and He clans.

The year Guihai.

In the Huangji Jingshi chronology, the year Jiyin is counted as the 2,163rd year.

The year Jiazi, the third year of the Xia king Zhongkang.

The years Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, and Guiyou.

In the year Jiaxu, the Xia king Zhongkang died. His son Xiang succeeded him, relying on the same-surname feudal lords, the Zhenguan and Zhenxun clans.

The years Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi.

In the Huangji Jingshi chronology, the year Jimao is counted as the 2,164th year.

The year Jiawu, the twenty-second year of the Xia king Xiang.

Han Zhuo killed Houyi of the Youqiong state, then sent his sons Ao and Yi to attack the states of Zhenguan and Zhenxin, destroying the Xia minister Xiang. Xiang's minister Mi fled to the Youge clan. After Xiang died, his posthumous son Shaokang was born among the Youreng clan.

The former Xia official Mi set out from the Youge clan, gathered the surviving forces of Zhenguan and Zhenxin, destroyed Han Zhuo, and raised Shaokang to the throne. After Shaokang took power, he killed Ao at Guo and Yi at Ge, thoroughly extinguishing the Youqiong lineage.

The Jingshi Nianji records this as the year 2165. King Shaokang of Xia was born in the twenty-third year after the Jiazi year.

The Jingshi Nianji records this as the year 2166, the thirteenth year of King Shaokang of Xia's reign.

King Shaokang of Xia died, and his son Zhu succeeded him.

King Zhu of Xia died, and his son Huai succeeded him.

Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai years.

This is the 2,167th year of the "Jingshi zhi Wu" (Wu phase of the Jingshi, "Governing the World") as listed in the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Ultimate Classic of Governing the World).

The Jiazi year was the fourth year of King Huai of Xia's reign. Thereafter follow the Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, and Yiyou years.

The Bingxu year saw King Huai of Xia die, and his son Mang succeeded him. Thereafter come the Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi years.

Next is the 2,168th year of the "Jingshi zhi Wei" (Wei phase).

The Jiawu year was the eighth year of King Mang of Xia's reign. Thereafter follow the Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, and Guimao years.

The Jiachen year saw King Mang of Xia die, and his son Xie succeeded him. Thereafter come the Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, and Jiwei years.

The Gengshen year saw King Xie of Xia die, and his son Bujiang succeeded him. Thereafter come the Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai years.

Next is the 2,169th year of the "Jingshi zhi Shen" (Shen phase).

The Jiazi year was the fourth year of King Bujiang of Xia's reign. Thereafter follow the Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi, and Jiawu years, in order.

Next is the 2,170th year of the "Jingshi zhi You" (You phase). The Jiawu year was the thirty-fourth year of King Bujiang of Xia's reign. Thereafter follow the Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, and Gengzi years.

The ganzhi designations such as Jiazi and Yichou are the sexagenary cycle names for years. "Jingshi zhi Wu," "Wei," "Shen," and "You" are phase markers within the chronological framework of the Huangji Jingshi. The text also records the regnal years of the Xia kings and the transfers of the throne.

The text records historical events year by year, arranged by the sexagenary cycle (ganzhi). In the wu-wu year, King Bujiang of Xia died, and his younger brother Jiong succeeded to the throne. By the jia-zi year, Jiong was in the fifth year of his reign. In the ji-mao year, Jiong died, and his son Jin succeeded him. The jia-wu year was Jin's fourteenth year on the throne. In the xin-chou year, Jin died, and Kong Jia, Bujiang's son, succeeded him.

The ganzhi years listed afterward carry no added events. The "jingshi" (Jing Shi) numbers at the end of the passage mark where this span falls within the chronology of the Huangji Jingshi (The Supreme Principles Governing the World). Designations such as "jingyuan zhi jia yi" (Jing Yuan, first of the jia cycle), "jinghui zhi wu qi" (Jing Hui, seventh of the wu cycle), and "jingyun zhi yi yi bai ba shi er" (Jing Yun, one hundred and eighty-second of the yi cycle) are time markers from the book's division of history into yuan, hui, yun, and shi (epochs, conjunctions, cycles, and generations). They are not reign titles from the Xia period. At "jingshi zi er qian yi bai qi shi san" (Jing Shi, zi branch, number 2173), the text records a jia-zi year, the twenty-third year of Kong Jia's reign, and then continues listing the years in ganzhi order.

Xinwei year.

Renshen year: Xia king Kongjia died, and his son Gao succeeded.

Guiyou year.

Jiaxu year.

Yihai year.

Bingzi year.

Dingchou year.

Wuyin year.

Jimao year.

Gengchen year.

Xinsi year.

Renwu year.

Guiwei year: Xia king Gao died, and his son Fa succeeded.

Jiashen year.

Yiyou year.

Bingxu year.

Dinghai year.

Wuzi year.

Jichou year.

Gengyin year.

Xinmao year.

Renchen year.

Guisi year.

Huangji Jingshi records this as the 2,174th year of the chou (Ox) cycle. Jingshi is the chronological system Shao Yong used to arrange historical dates.

Jiawu year, the 11th year of Xia king Fa's reign.

Yiwei year.

Bingshen year.

Dingyou year.

Wuxu year.

Jihai year.

Gengzi year.

Xinchou year.

Renyin year: Xia king Fa died, and his son Gui succeeded. This is Jie.

Guimao year.

Jiachen year.

Yisi year.

Bingwu year.

Dingwei year.

Wushen year.

Jiyou year.

Gengxu year.

Xinhai year.

Renzi year.

Guichou year.

Jiayin year.

Yimao year.

Bingchen year.

Dingsi year.

Wuwu year.

Jiwei year.

Gengshen year.

Xinyou year.

Renxu year.

Guihai year.

Huangji Jingshi records this as the 2,175th year of the yin (Tiger) cycle.

Jiazi year, the 22nd year of Xia king Gui's reign.

Yichou year.

Bingyin year.

Dingmao year.

Wuchen year.

Jisi year.

Gengwu year.

Xinwei year.

Renshen year.

Guiyou year.

Jiaxu year.

Yihai year: Jie began to favor Meixi.

Bingzi year.

Dingchou year: Cheng Tang came to the throne as a feudal lord. He moved from Shangqiu to Bo and began governing there, and he appointed Yi Yin, a key minister of Tang, as an advisor.

Wuyin year: Cheng Tang attacked the state of Ge.

Jimao year: Cheng Tang recommended Yi Yin to the Xia king.

Gengchen year.

Xinsi year.

Renwu year: Yi Yin, disgusted with the Xia dynasty, returned to Bo.

Guiwei year.

Jiashen year: Jie imprisoned Cheng Tang at Xiatai, the Xia prison.

Yiyou year.

Bingxu year.

Dinghai year.

Wuzi year.

Jichou year.

Gengyin year.

Xinmao year.

Renchen year.

Guisi year.

Huangji Jingshi records this as the 2,176th year of the mao (Hare) cycle.

Jiawu year.

Yiwei year: Yi Yin assisted Cheng Tang in attacking Jie. Cheng Tang set out from Shi, and then fought Jie on the plain of Mingtiao. Jie was defeated and fled, and Cheng Tang then attacked Sanzong.

After Xia Jie's jade treasures were seized, Jie was exiled to Nanchao. Zhonghui returned to Bo and composed the Gao (a text of admonition and instruction), then issued the Dagao to inform all regions of the realm. Shang Tang faced south to receive the audiences of the feudal lords, established the state, and named it "Shang." The Shang dynasty took the month of Chou (the twelfth lunar month) as the beginning of the year, called the year Si, and began a new era together with the common people.

Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei: King Cheng Tang of Shang died, and his eldest legitimate son, Taijia, ascended the throne. Taijia's governance was unclear, so Yi Yin placed him in the Tong Palace.

Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu: King Taijia of Shang began to reflect on his conduct and returned to the constant Way. Yi Yin then put on his ceremonial robes, welcomed Taijia back to Bo, and returned political power to him.

Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai.

"The Chen of the Jingshi, 2,177" is a chronological marker from the Huangji Jingshi (The Supreme Ultimate Canon for Governing the World).

Jiazi: the seventeenth year of King Taijia of Shang's reign. Thereafter, in order: Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao.

Gengchen: King Taijia of Shang died, and his son Woding ascended the throne.

Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, Guisi.

"The Si of the Jingshi, 2,178" is another chronological marker from the Huangji Jingshi.

Jiawu: the fourteenth year of King Woding of Shang's reign. Thereafter, in order: Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen.

Jiyou: King Woding of Shang died, and his younger brother Taigeng ascended the throne.

Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu.

The year guihai.

This is the 2,179th year of the Wu section of the Jingshi (Governing the World), as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Principles Governing the World).

In the year jiazi, the fifteenth year of the reign of the Shang king Tai Geng, no special events were recorded for the years yichou, bingyin, dingmao, wuchen, jisi, gengwu, xinwei, renshen, and guiyou.

In the year jiaxu, the Shang king Tai Geng died, and his son Xiao Jia succeeded to the throne. From the year yihai through the year xinmao, no special events were recorded. In the year xinmao, the Shang king Xiao Jia died, and his younger brother Yong Si succeeded him. In the years renchen and guisi, no special events were recorded.

This is the 2,180th year of the Wei section of the Jingshi, as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi.

In the year jiawu, the third year of the reign of the Shang king Yong Si. From the year yiwei through the year guimao, no special events were recorded. In the year guimao, the Shang king Yong Si died, and his younger brother Tai Wu succeeded him. Tai Wu was the Zhongzong (Middle Ancestor). Yi Zhi and Chen Hu offered sacrifices before Shangdi (the Lord on High), and Wu Xian once again assisted the royal house. Together they vigorously reorganized the government and carried out the decrees of Cheng Tang. From the year jiachen through the year guihai, no special events were recorded.

This is the 2,181st year of the Shen section of the Jingshi, as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi.

In the year jiazi, the twenty-first year of the reign of the Shang king Tai Wu. From the year yichou through the year guisi, no special events were recorded.

This is the 2,182nd year of the You section of the Jingshi, as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi.

In the year jiawu, the fifty-first year of the reign of the Shang king Tai Wu.

Yi wei, bing shen, ding you, wu xu, ji hai, geng zi, xin chou, ren yin, gui mao, jia chen, yi si, bing wu, ding wei, wu shen, ji you, geng xu, xin hai, ren zi, gui chou, jia yin, yi mao, bing chen, ding si, wu wu: King Zhongzong of Shang died. His son Zhongding ascended the throne and moved the capital to Xiao (the name of a Shang capital).

Ji wei, geng shen, xin you, ren xu, gui hai.

Jingshi Jinian, "Xu" section, year 2,183.

Jia zi: the sixth year of the reign of Shang King Zhongding.

Yi chou, bing yin, ding mao, wu chen, ji si, geng wu.

Xin wei: King Zhongding died, the state fell into turmoil, and his younger brother Wairen ascended the throne.

Ren shen, gui you, jia xu, yi hai, bing zi, ding chou, wu yin, ji mao, geng chen, xin si, ren wu, gui wei, jia shen, yi you.

Bing xu: King Wairen died, the state again fell into turmoil, and his younger brother Hedan Jia moved the capital, residing at Xiang (the name of a Shang capital).

Ding hai, wu zi, ji chou, geng yin, xin mao, ren chen, gui si.

Jingshi Jinian, "Hai" section, year 2,184.

Jia wu: the eighth year of the reign of Shang King Hedan Jia.

Yi wei: King Hedan Jia died, and his son Zuyi ascended the throne. Zuyi moved the capital to Geng (a Shang place name), and later relocated to Xing (a Shang place name). Wu Xian served as chief minister.

Bing shen, ding you, wu xu, ji hai, geng zi, xin chou, ren yin, gui mao, jia chen, yi si, bing wu, ding wei, wu shen, ji you, geng xu, xin hai, ren zi, gui chou.

Jia yin: King Zuyi died, and his son Zuxin ascended the throne.

Yi mao, bing chen, ding si, wu wu, ji wei, geng shen, xin you, ren xu, gui hai.

Huangji Jingshi, Volume 5, Part 1 (Upper).