Shang Zhou

King Di Xin of Shang of China , in Chinese :"帝辛", born '''Zi Shou''', in chinese:"子受".

Was the last king of the Shang Dynasty . His given name was :"紂" (Zhòu), and he is therefore also called Zhou Xin ("紂辛" Zhòu Xīn) or Zhou Wang ("紂王" Zhòu Wáng). King Zhou could also be referred to by adding Shang (商 Shāng) in front of any of his names.

In the Records Of The Grand Historian (史記 ShiJi), Sima Qian (司馬遷) wrote that Di Xin in the early part of his reign had abilities which surpassed the ordinary man, and was quick-witted and quick-tempered. He was the younger brother of Wei Zi (微子) and Wei Zhong (微仲) (who were both born of a concubine) and father of Wu Geng (武庚) and Lu Fu (祿父). His father Di Yi (帝乙) had two brothers, Ji Zi (箕子) and Bi Gan (比干). Di Xin added to the territory of Shang by battling the tribes surrounding it, including the YiRen (夷人) to the east, otherwise known as the Dongyi .

In his later years, he was given over to drinking, women and a lack of morals, preferring these to the proper governance of the country, and ignored almost all affairs of state. According to Sima Qian he even hosted festive orgies and listened to songs with crude lyrics. His brother Wei Zi tried to persuade him to change, but got rebuked. His uncle Bigan similarly remonstrated with him, but Di Xin had his heart ripped out so he could see what the heart of a sage looked like. When his other uncle Ji Zi heard this, he went to remonstrate with the kingly nephew and, feigning madness, was imprisoned.

When Zhou defeated Shang, King Di Xin of the Shang set light to his palace and committed suicide.

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Shang Zhou