《皇極經世》Vol. 14

The passage follows the chronological system of the Huangji Jingshi (The Supreme Principles Governing the World) and lists, year by year, the regnal years of Shang kings alongside their ganzhi (sexagenary cycle) designations. The phrases "Jingshi Zhi Zi 2,185" and similar are generation and year counts calculated within the text's own system. They are not Shang reign titles. The text is from Volume Five of the Huangji Jingshi, middle section, second recital (yong), by Shao Yong (courtesy name Yaofu) of Sanchuan. It belongs to the method of "governing the world by cycles," found in the second entry of the "Guanwu" (Observing Things) chapter. The entries are labeled "Jingyuan zhi jia yi" (Jingyuan Jia One), "Jinghui zhi wu qi" (Jinghui Wu Seven), and "Jingyun zhi bing yi baiba shisan" (Jingyun Bing One Hundred and Eighty-Three).

The year "Jingshi Zi 2,185" has the ganzhi Jiazi (jiazi, the first of the sixty-year cycle) and corresponds to the tenth year of King Zuxin of Shang. The list continues with Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, and Jisi (the sixth year). In the year Gengwu, King Zuxin died, and his younger brother Woding (Wodin) succeeded him. The list then continues through Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi.

The year "Jingshi Chou 2,186" has the ganzhi Jiawu and corresponds to the twenty-fourth year of King Woyi (Woji) of Shang. In the year Yiwei, Woji died, and the Shang state fell into turmoil. His elder brother Zuding succeeded him. The list then continues with Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai.

The year "Jingshi Yin 2,187" has the ganzhi Jiazi and corresponds to the twenty-ninth year of King Zuding. The list continues with Yichou and Bingyin. In the year Dingmao, Zuding died, the state was again in turmoil, and Nan Geng, a son of Woyi, succeeded to the throne. The list then continues with Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, and Bingxu.

The ganzhi designations pair the ten Heavenly Stems (tiangan) with the twelve Earthly Branches (dizhi) in sequence, producing a sixty-year cycle. Jiazi, Yichou, and the other terms are the names of these paired years.

The years from Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, and Renchen record the turmoil that followed the death of the Shang king Nan Geng. Yang Jia, the son of Zu Ding and Nan Geng's nephew, then succeeded to the throne, but the feudal lords did not come to court.

In the year Guisi, the cycle of Mao in Shao Yong's Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Polarity Canon Governing the World) reached its 2,188th year.

The year Jiawu was the second year of King Yang Jia's reign. After the years Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, and Wuxu, Yang Jia died in the year Jihai, and his younger brother Pan Geng succeeded him. Pan Geng moved the capital back to Bo and changed the name of the state to Yin.

The years Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, Jiayin, Yimao, Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai are the sexagenary years, listed in sequence.

The Chen cycle in Shao Yong's Huangji Jingshi reached its 2,189th year.

The year Jiazi was the twenty-fifth year of King Pan Geng's reign. After the years Yichou and Bingyin, Pan Geng died in the year Dingmao, and his younger brother Xiao Xin succeeded him.

Following the years Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, and Dinghai, Xiao Xin died in the year Wuzi, and his younger brother Xiao Yi succeeded him.

The years Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi marked the Si cycle in Shao Yong's Huangji Jingshi, which reached its 2,190th year.

The year Jiawu was the sixth year of King Xiao Yi's reign. After the years Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, and Jiayin, Xiao Yi died in the years Yimao or Bingchen. His son Wu Ding succeeded him and became known as Gaozong.

Gan Pan served as Wu Ding's chief assistant. Wu Ding received guidance in a dream and sought out the worthy minister Fu Yue, and in time he found him.

Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, Guihai.

This is the "Wu" segment of the chronology in the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Principles Governing the World), numbered 2191.

The Jiazi year was the eighth year of the reign of King Wuding of the Shang. Thereafter, in order, came 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, and Guisi.

This is the "Wei" segment, numbered 2192.

The Jiawu year was the thirty-eighth year of the reign of King Wuding of the Shang. Thereafter came Yiwei, Bingshen, Dingyou, Wuxu, Jihai, Gengzi, Xinchou, Renyin, Guimao, Jiachen, Yisi, Bingwu, Dingwei, Wushen, Jiyou, Gengxu, Xinhai, Renzi, Guichou, and Jiayin. In the Yimao year, King Wuding of the Shang, whose temple name was Gaozong, died, and his younger brother Zugeng ascended the throne. Thereafter came Bingchen, Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, and Xinyou. In the Renxu year, King Zugeng of the Shang died, and his younger brother Zujia ascended the throne. This was followed by Guihai.

This is the "Shen" segment, numbered 2193.

The Jiazi year was the second year of the reign of King Zujia of the Shang. Thereafter, in order, came 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, and Guisi. In this year, King Wen of Zhou was born.

This is the "You" segment, numbered 2194.

The Jiawu year was the thirty-second year of the reign of King Zujia of the Shang.

In the year yiwei, King Zujia of Shang died, and his son Linxin succeeded to the throne.

The years bingshen, dingyou, wuxu, jihai, and gengzi followed.

In the year xinchou, King Linxin of Shang died, and his younger brother Gengding succeeded to the throne.

The years renyin, guimao, jiachen, yisi, bingwu, dingwei, wushen, jiyou, gengxu, xinhai, renzi, guichou, jiayin, yimao, bingchen, dingsi, wuwu, jiwei, gengshen, and xinyou followed.

In the year renxu, King Gengding of Shang died, and his son Wuyi succeeded to the throne. He moved the capital to the north bank of the Yellow River.

The year guihai followed.

This is the 2,195th year of the Xu period as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi.

In the year jiazi, the second year of King Wuyi of Shang's reign, the years yichou and bingyin followed.

In the year bingyin, King Wuyi of Shang was struck by lightning and died, and Taiding succeeded to the throne.

The years dingmao and wuchen followed.

In the year jisi, King Taiding of Shang died, and his son Emperor Yi succeeded to the throne.

The years gengwu, xinwei, renshen, guiyou, jiaxu, yihai, bingzi, dingchou, and wuyin followed.

In the year jimao, King Wen of Zhou began to ascend to the rank of feudal lord.

The years gengchen, xinsi, renwu, guiwei, jiashen, yiyou, bingxu, dinghai, wuzi, jichou, gengyin, xinmao, renchen, and guisi followed.

This is the 2,196th year of the Hai period as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi.

In the year jiawu, the twenty-fifth year of Emperor Yi of Shang's reign, the years yiwei, bingshen, dingyou, wuxu, jihai, gengzi, xinchou, renyin, guimao, jiachen, and yisi followed.

In the year bingwu, Emperor Yi of Shang died, and his second son Shouxin succeeded to the throne. This was King Zhou of Shang. The years dingwei, wushen, jiyou, gengxu, xinhai, renzi, guichou followed.

In the year jiayin, King Zhou began to favor Daji. The years yimao, bingchen, dingsi, wuwu, jiwei, and gengshen followed.

In the year xinyou, the Shang king imprisoned King Wen of Zhou at Youli.

The years renxu and guihai followed. King Zhou released King Wen, sent him back to his fief, and conferred upon him the title of leader of the feudal lords of the West.

Huangji Jingshi, Book Five, "Observing Things," Section Twenty-Nine

Jing Yuan (Primary Cycle): Jia 1

Jing Hui (Major Cycle): Wu 7

Jing Yun (Period): Ding 184

Jing Shi (Epoch): Zi 2,197

In the 2,197th year of the Jing Shi, the year Jiazi, the Shang king Shou Xin (King Zhou of Shang) had been on the throne for eighteen years. Xibo (King Wen of Zhou) attacked the state of Chong and moved his seat from Qi to Feng.

In the year Yichou, Xibo of Zhou attacked Mixu.

In the year Bingyin, Xibo of Zhou captured the state of Li.

In the year Dingmao, Xibo of Zhou attacked the state of Yu.

In the year Wuchen.

In the year Jisi, King Wen of Zhou died. His eldest son Fa succeeded him; this was King Wu of Zhou. King Wen was buried at Bi.

In the year Gengwu.

In the year Xinwei.

In the year Renshen.

In the year Guiyou.

In the year Jiaxu.

In the year Yihai.

In the year Bingzi.

In the year Dingchou, King Wu of Zhou traveled east and reviewed his troops at Mengjin.

In the year Wuyin, the Shang king Shou Xin killed his Grand Preceptor Bi Gan and imprisoned Viscount Ji. Viscount Wei fled to Zhou carrying the ritual vessels used in sacrifice.

In the year Jimao, Lü Shang (Duke Jiang Taigong) assisted King Wu in his campaign against Shang. The Zhou army crossed at Mengjin and drew up its battle lines in force on the outskirts of the Shang capital. At Muye they defeated the Shang army and killed King Zhou, and they installed Zhou's son Wugeng as heir. King Wu then returned to Feng and took the title of Son of Heaven, facing south to receive the audiences of the feudal lords. He issued edicts to the realm, made the zi month the first month of the year, and called each cycle of the year "nian," signaling that he would begin anew with the common people.

In the year Gengchen, King Wu ordered his brothers Guan Shu, Cai Shu, and Huo Shu to garrison the three territories of Bei, Yong, and Wei. These were called "the Three Overseers."

In the year Xinsi.

In the year Renwu.

In the year Guiwei.

In the year Jiashen.

In the year Yiyou, King Wu of Zhou died. His eldest son Song succeeded him; this was King Cheng of Zhou. The Duke of Zhou became Grand Preceptor, and the Duke of Shao became Grand Guardian, and the two divided the governance of the regions around Shan and Luo. At his death, King Wu had entrusted the affairs of state to them, and the two led the feudal lords of the realm in supporting the royal house. King Wu was buried at Bi.

In the year Bingxu, the Three Overseers and the Huai Yi rebelled. The Duke of Zhou marched east to punish them and issued an edict announcing his campaign to the realm.

In the year Dinghai.

In the year Wuzi, the Rebellion of the Three Overseers was pacified. The Zhou royal house abolished the Shang dynasty's title of rule, executed Wugeng, and ordered Weizi Qi to establish a fief at Song as the heir of the Shang line. It enfeoffed the state of Qi to succeed the Shang and enfeoffed Kang Shu at Wei to pacify the remnants of the Shang people. The Duke of Zhou ordered Viscount Ji to go to Gaoli. Guan Shu was executed, Cai Shu was imprisoned at Guolin, and Huo Shu was demoted to commoner, his noble status no longer recognized. After the eastern campaign against the Huai Yi, Duke Boqin of Lu took an oath at Fei, the Huai Yi were pacified, the state of Yan submitted, and the Sushen came to offer congratulations.

In the year Jichou.

The Gengyin year. The Duke of Zhou went to build Chengzhou, the eastern capital at Luoyi, and the king ordered Duke Shao to survey the land and select the city site.

Xinmao year.

Renchen year. Chengzhou was completed. The Duke of Zhou presided over government in the eastern suburbs of Chengzhou, assisted the king, and issued the Ming Gao (Charge Announcement), admonishing local officials and the common people.

Guisi year.

The "Chou" section of the Jingshi Jinian (Chronicle of the Jingshi), totaling 2,198 years.

Jiawu year, the ninth year of King Cheng of Zhou.

Yiwei year.

Bingshen year. The Duke of Zhou died. The king ordered Junchen to take over government in the eastern suburbs of Chengzhou. The Duke of Zhou was buried at Bi.

Dingyou year.

Wuxu year.

Jihai year.

Gengzi year.

Xinchou year.

Renyin year.

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. King Cheng died. Duke Shao and Duke Bi received the final command and assisted Ji Zhao, the eldest son of King Cheng, who succeeded to the throne and became known as King Kang of Zhou.

Guihai year, the first year of King Kang of Zhou. The king ordered Duke Bi to replace Junchen and take over government in the eastern suburbs of Chengzhou.

The "Yin" section of the Jingshi Jinian, totaling 2,199 years.

Jiazi year, the second year of King Kang of Zhou.

Yichou year.

Bingyin year.

Dingmao year.

Wuchen year.

Jisi year.

Gengwu year.

Xinwei year.

Renshen year.

Guiyou year.

Jiaxu year.

Yihai year.

Bingzi year.

Dingchou year.

Wuyin year.

Jimao year.

Gengchen year.

Xinsi year.

Renwu year.

Guiwei year.

Jiashen year.

Yiyou year.

Bingxu year.

Dinghai year.

Wuzi year. King Kang died, and his son Ji Xia succeeded to the throne as King Zhao of Zhou.

Jichou year.

Gengyin year.

Xinmao year.

Renchen year.

Guisi year.

The "Mao" section of the Jingshi Jinian, totaling 2,200 years.

Jiawu year, the sixth year of King Zhao of Zhou.

Yiwei year.

Bingshen year.

Dingyou year.

Wuxu year.

Jihai year.

Gengzi year.

Xinchou year.

Renyin year.

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.

The sexagenary years Dingsi, Wuwu, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai are recorded in the Huangji Jingshi (Supreme Principles for Governing the World) as the chronology of the cycle. The Jingshi chen position (the chen position in the Jingshi reckoning) is the 2,201st. The year Jiazi is the thirty-sixth year of King Zhao of Zhou. The years Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, Guiyou, Jiaxu, Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, and Wuyin follow. The year Jimao marks the point when King Zhao did not return from his southern tour, and his son Man ascended the throne; this was King Mu of Zhou. The years Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, Bingxu, Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi come next.

The Jingshi si position (the si position in the Jingshi reckoning) is the 2,202nd. The year Jiawu is the fifteenth year of King Mu. 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, Jiwei, Gengshen, Xinyou, Renxu, and Guihai follow.

The Jingshi wu position (the wu position in the Jingshi reckoning) is the 2,203rd. The year Jiazi is the forty-fifth year of King Mu. The years Yichou, Bingyin, Dingmao, Wuchen, Jisi, Gengwu, Xinwei, Renshen, and Guiyou come next. The year Jiaxu marks the death of King Mu of Zhou; his son Yihu ascended the throne and became King Gong of Zhou. The years Yihai, Bingzi, Dingchou, Wuyin, Jimao, Gengchen, Xinsi, Renwu, Guiwei, Jiashen, Yiyou, and Bingxu follow. King Gong of Zhou died, and his son Jian ascended the throne; this was King Yi of Zhou. The years Dinghai, Wuzi, Jichou, Gengyin, Xinmao, Renchen, and Guisi come next.

The Jingshi wei position (the wei position in the Jingshi reckoning) is the 2,204th. The year Jiawu is the eighth year of King Yi. The year Yiwei concludes the list.

The sexagenary years bingshen, dingyou, wuxu, jihai, gengzi, xinchou, renyin, guimao, jiachen, yisi, bingwu, dingwei, wushen, jiyou, gengxu, and xinhai: King Yi of Zhou died, and Pi Fang, son of King Mu, succeeded to the throne as King Xiao.

The years renzi, guichou, jiayin, yimao, bingchen, dingsi, wuwu, jiwei, gengshen, xinyou, renxu, and guihai.

Huangji Jingshi (The Supreme Principles Governing the World), Shen cycle, year 2,205.

Jiazi: the thirteenth year of King Xiao of Zhou.

Yichou.

Bingyin: King Xiao of Zhou died, and Xie, son of King Yi, succeeded to the throne as King Yi. From this time the Zhou state began to decline.

The years dingmao, wuchen, jisi, gengwu, xinwei, renshen, guiyou, jiaxu, yihai, bingzi, dingchou, wuyin, jimao, gengchen, xinsi, and renwu: King Yi of Zhou died, and his son Qi succeeded to the throne as King Li.

The years guiwei, jiashen, yiyou, bingxu, dinghai, wuzi, jichou, gengyin, xinmao, renchen, and guisi.

Huangji Jingshi, You cycle, year 2,206.

Jiawu: the twelfth year of King Li of Zhou.

The years yiwei through guichou: King Li of Zhou was greedy for profit and appointed Duke Rong as his minister.

Jiayin and yimao.

Bingchen: King Li of Zhou killed the ministers who remonstrated with him, treating their words as slander against himself.

The years dingsi, wuwu, and jiwei: King Li of Zhou was driven out by the people of the capital and fled to Zhi. The two Counts, Zhou Gong and Shao Gong, jointly governed, and this period is called Gonghe (Joint Regency). Crown Prince Jing was hidden in the house of Shao Gong. The virtuous governance of King Wen and King Wu of Zhou was utterly lost from this time on.

The years gengshen, xinyou, renxu, and guihai.

Huangji Jingshi, Xu cycle, year 2,207.

In the Jiazi year, the 42nd year of King Li of Zhou's reign, King Li was exiled to Zhi.

In the Yichou year.

In the Bingyin year.

In the Dingmao year.

In the Wuchen year.

In the Jisi year.

In the Gengwu year.

In the Xinwei year.

In the Renshen year.

In the Guiyou year, King Li of Zhou died in Zhi. The two chief ministers, the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao, enthroned the crown prince Jing as king. This king was King Xuan of Zhou. He appointed Zhong Shanfu, Yin Jifu, Fang Shu, Shen Bo, and others to assist him, and he strove to revive the enterprise founded by King Wen and King Wu of Zhou.

In the Jiaxu year, King Xuan of Zhou campaigned north against the Xianyun (an ancient northern people) and pushed as far as Taiyuan, appointing Jifu as commander-in-chief.

In the Yihai year, King Xuan of Zhou campaigned south against the Jing Barbarians (a southern tribal people), appointing Fang Shu as commander-in-chief.

In the Bingzi year.

In the Dingchou year.

In the Wuyin year.

In the Jimao year.

In the Gengchen year.

In the Xinsi year.

In the Renwu year.

In the Guiwei year.

In the Jiashen year.

In the Yiyou year.

In the Bingxu year.

In the Dinghai year.

In the Wuzi year.

In the Jichou year.

In the Gengyin year.

In the Xinmao year.

In the Renchen year.

In the Guisi year.

This is the 2,208th year of the Hai cycle as recorded in the Huangji Jingshi (Ordering the World by the Supreme Ultimate).

In the Jiawu year, the 21st year of King Xuan of Zhou's reign.

In the Yiwei year, King Xuan of Zhou enfeoffed his younger brother You in the land of Zheng.

In the Bingshen year.

In the Dingyou year.

In the Wuxu year.

In the Jihai year.

In the Gengzi year.

In the Xinchou year.

In the Renyin year.

In the Guimao year.

In the Jiachen year, King Xuan of Zhou attacked the state of Lu and installed Duke Xiao as its ruler.

In the Yisi year.

In the Bingwu year.

In the Dingwei year.

In the Wushen year.

In the Jiyou year.

In the Gengxu year.

In the Xinhai year.

In the Renzi year, King Xuan of Zhou attacked the Jiang Rong, but his army was defeated at Qianmu, and as a result he lost the southern states.

In the Guichou year, King Xuan of Zhou took a census of households and population at Taiyuan.

In the Jiayin year.

In the Yimao year.

In the Bingchen year.

In the Dingsi year.

In the Wuwu year.

In the Jiwei year, King Xuan of Zhou died, and the crown prince Gong Nie ascended the throne. This king was King You of Zhou.

In the Gengshen year.

In the Xinyou year.

In the Renxu year, King You of Zhou began to favor Bao Si (a woman of the state of Bao).

In the Guihai year.

Huangji Jingshi, Volume Five, Middle Section.