20demayo Chapter 2 I have 3 things that benefit Qi Zhou
Chapter 2 I have 3 things that benefit Qi Zhou
"The most important affairs of the state are sacrifice and war." — Zuo Zhuan, Duke Cheng, Year 13
……
After the meeting concluded, King Zhou invited Zhang Zhao to dine in his tent and instructed his attendants to make proper arrangements for the Zhang clan members.
During this time, Zhang Zhao also became acquainted with Ji Fa's current team members. After all, they would be colleagues in the future, so it was always good to get to know them.
Grand Tutor Jiang Shang was the highest military and political advisor.
The king's younger brother, Ji Dan, was a key strategist.
Left and right – Duke Zhao Shi and Duke Bi Gao.
King Wen's four friends: San Yisheng, Tai Dian, Hong Yao, and Nangong Tian; King Wen's brothers: Kang Shufeng, Mao Shuzheng, and Ran Jizai;
With the addition of Taishi Xinjia and Zhang Zhao (courtesy name Xianzhi), who has now joined the Zhou dynasty and is being treated as Junior Tutor by King Wu, it can be said that the Zhou king's current team is quite formidable.
Zhang Zhao secretly took stock of the situation: Grand Tutor Jiang Shang oversaw military and political affairs, Ji Dan offered advice and strategies, Duke Shao and Duke Bi assisted him on the left and right, King Wen's four friends were all experienced veterans, Xin Jia advocated that all officials "admonish the king's shortcomings" and take it as his responsibility to criticize the king's deficiencies, plus several of his younger brothers each in charge of a certain area.
Although this team was far smaller than that of the later unified dynasties, its core structure was complete and its cohesion was extremely strong.
The reason why the Zhou dynasty was able to achieve great things with limited resources and replace the Shang dynasty was not only because it won the hearts of the people, but also largely because of the stability and efficiency of its leadership.
In contrast, although Emperor Xin had wise men such as Zigan, Weizi, and Jizi around him, they were either expelled for remonstrating or kept silent out of fear. There was not a single reliable person in the court who could be entrusted with important matters.
These three men were collectively referred to by Confucius as the Three Benevolent Ones, and their stories are recorded in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian and Sima Zhen's Commentary on the Records of the Grand Historian.
However, compared to Zigan and Jizi, Weizi's reputation in modern times is not very good.
The instructor once commented on him: "Wei Zi was the worst; he was a traitor. He sent two people as representatives to the Zhou Dynasty to request troops. King Wu went to Mengjin to inspect the troops for the first time and then returned. After another two years, he said it was time to fight because there was an inside accomplice. King Zhou killed Bigan and imprisoned Ji Zi, but he was not on guard against Wei Zi. He only knew that Wei Zi was an opponent, but he did not know that Wei Zi was colluding with foreign countries."
……
"Duke Zhao?"
A voice interrupted Zhang Zhao's thoughts. He came to his senses and realized it was Ji Dan calling him. He respectfully asked:
"What advice do you have for me, Fourth Young Master?"
"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance," Ji Dan raised his wine cup and smiled, "I merely wish to ask Duke Zhao, what are your plans upon returning to Qizhou?"
After listening, Zhang Zhao pondered for a moment and then replied, "If we're talking about plans, I have three more things I'd like to do."
Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him.
"King Shang was tyrannical and cruel, and the people of the world have suffered from this for a long time," Zhang Zhao looked around and said in a clear voice, "If Your Majesty can provide relief to those orphans and widows and release those slaves who have suffered unjustly, the people of the world will see Your Majesty's benevolence, and the hearts of the people will turn to the Zhou Dynasty. That is why, after returning to Qizhou, the first thing I want to do is to ask Your Majesty to implement benevolent policies and win the hearts of the people."
Upon hearing this, Ji Fa, seated at the head of the table, immediately applauded. He then earnestly asked, "Duke Zhao is absolutely right, but what is the correct method I should use to accomplish what you have described?"
Zhang Zhao rose and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty should issue a royal decree to release those who have been sold into slavery due to famine, war, or injustice, and promulgate laws prohibiting nobles from arbitrarily enslaving free citizens; furthermore, you should provide relief and care for the widowed, orphaned, lonely, elderly, weak, and disabled. In this way, Your Majesty's benevolence will be renowned far and wide, and the whole world will know that Your Majesty is a wise and benevolent ruler who extends kindness to all people!"
Jiang Shang nodded in agreement, "When the late king was alive, he also freed some slaves and was deeply loved by his people. Doing this again now is continuing the benevolent rule of the late king!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Fa was overjoyed and raised his cup to Zhang Zhao, saying, "Good! When I return to Qizhou, I will do as Duke Zhao has said."
"Your Majesty's benevolence is as great as Heaven's, a blessing to all people!" Zhang Zhao also drank a cup and said sincerely.
Ji Fa laughed heartily, gesturing for Zhang Zhao to continue explaining what he wanted to do.
Zhang Zhao continued, "The most important things for a country are sacrifices and military affairs! And to accomplish these two things, it is necessary to create ritual music to regulate the procedures of sacrifices and to clarify military commands."
"It is true that the Shang people valued the spirits and gods in their sacrifices, but they neglected the moral relationships between people. So the second thing I want to do is to hope that Your Majesty can discard the bad things in the Shang people's rituals and music, adopt the good things, and create rituals and music rules that will make it clear to everyone in the world who they should be loyal to, and that will make the army know how to advance and retreat."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dan sat up straight, his eyes revealing keen interest.
Ji Fa, seated at the head of the table, nodded thoughtfully: "What Duke Zhao said is all beneficial to the country and is not an ordinary matter. What do you think is the right thing to do?"
Zhang Zhao replied, "This is not something that one person can accomplish alone. The Fourth Prince is a wise man who is well-versed in the ways of heaven and human affairs. When I was in the Shang Kingdom, I was in charge of matters of rites and music. If we let him take charge of this matter, with me assisting him, and with the participation of those senior ministers who are knowledgeable in the classics, then this great undertaking can be accomplished."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dan chuckled and declined, saying, "Duke Zhao is too kind. How could I dare to shoulder such a great responsibility on my own in a matter concerning the state?"
San Yisheng chuckled from the side, "Fourth Young Master is too modest. You are skilled at organization and planning. If you were to take the lead in this matter, the court officials would not object."
Tai Dian nodded in agreement, saying, "When the late king revised the calendar and standardized the sacrifices, you, Fourth Prince, participated in it. It would be perfect for you to take the lead in this matter."
Upon hearing this, Ji Fa smiled and said, "Dan, don't refuse. If you refuse again, wouldn't you be disappointing Duke Zhao?"
Ji Dan glanced at his elder brother, the king, seated at the head of the table, then at Zhang Zhao, whose gaze was earnest. Finally, he rose and bowed, saying, "Since that's the case, how could I dare refuse! I hope you gentlemen will lend your full support!"
The crowd bowed and said, "We are willing to work with the Fourth Young Master to accomplish this great task."
Zhang Zhao nodded inwardly. He knew that the Duke of Zhou's establishment of rites and music in history was only fully launched after the suppression of the Rebellion of the Three Guards and the ascension of King Cheng.
Now that he has raised this issue ahead of time, although it may not be resolved immediately, it will allow Ji Dan to think about it and accumulate materials, which will ultimately benefit the long-term development of the Zhou Dynasty.
After finishing the second matter, Zhang Zhao mentioned the third matter:
"From King Ji onwards, through Duke Bin and King Tai, who migrated to the present-day Qizhou, and the subsequent kings who received their mandates, the virtues and achievements of these past kings all need to be recorded, compiled, and passed down!"
"If the virtues and achievements of our former kings could be seen and understood by the people and future generations, they would know that the rise of the Zhou dynasty was due to the accumulation of virtue and the compliance with the will of Heaven and the people!"
"Therefore, the third thing I hope Your Majesty can compile a historical record that records the virtues and achievements of the former kings, so that the people of the world will know that the rise of the Zhou Dynasty was not accidental, nor was it achieved through military conquest, but rather was the result of generations of accumulating virtue and following the will of Heaven and the people."
Zhang Zhao paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued, "The oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang people mostly record matters of sacrifice and divination. If we can be the first to compile historical records, recording the achievements of our former kings, the gains and losses of our officials, and the rise and fall of our nation, we can not only set an example for future generations but also demonstrate to the world that the Zhou dynasty's mandate of heaven had its origins!"
"Duke Zhao's words have deeply touched my heart," said Taishi Xin Jia, his eyes lighting up. He couldn't help but reply, bowing to Ji Fa. "I have served as Taishi in Shang for many years, and what I have seen and heard is mostly fragments of oracle bone inscriptions. I record one event today and another tomorrow, but no one organizes or compiles them. The events of the former kings often become unclear after three generations, which is truly regrettable. If Your Majesty intends to compile history, I am willing to do my utmost."
Ji Fa was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly: "It's wonderful that the Grand Historian is willing to lend a hand. Duke Zhao just mentioned three things—winning over the people's hearts, establishing rites and music, and compiling historical records. Now that all three things have been accomplished, I will implement them one by one after I return to Qizhou!"
He raised his wine cup and proclaimed loudly, "Come, gentlemen, please drink this cup to the brim, for the great cause of Qi Zhou!"
"For the great cause!" the crowd responded in unison, the clinking of wine cups producing a crisp and pleasant sound.
……
After the banquet, Zhang Zhao stepped out of the main tent. The night wind, carrying the moisture from the Yellow River, rushed towards him, making his clothes flutter in the wind.
Instead of rushing back to his tent, he walked alone to the edge of the camp and gazed at the river that was faintly visible in the night sky. The river flowed swiftly from west to east.
Tonight, he practically revealed half of the future development of the Zhou Dynasty, all for the sake of giving the Zhang family a powerful and influential position in Qizhou.
"Duke Zhao".
An old and steady voice came from behind him. Zhang Zhao turned around and saw Jiang Shang, with white hair and his hands behind his back, walking towards him with a deep and unfathomable gaze.
"Grand Tutor!" Zhang Zhao bowed.
Jiang Shang walked to his side and stood still for a moment before suddenly saying, "I agree with all three things you mentioned in the tent just now. But I have only one question for you."
"Grand Tutor, please speak."
"If Duke Zhao could only do one of the three things—winning hearts and minds, establishing rites and music, and compiling historical records—which would he choose?"
Zhang Zhao felt a chill run down his spine.
He knew that Jiang Shang was testing his true thoughts, to see if he truly understood the importance of prioritizing tasks.
Without hesitation, he immediately replied frankly, "Winning over the hearts of the people. Rites and music can be established slowly, and historical records can be compiled gradually, but the hearts of the people are like water, capable of carrying a boat but also capsizing it, and easily lost. If Qi Zhou can win over the hearts of the people before King Zhou of Shang completely loses them, then on the day the royal army marches eastward, the Shang army will collapse without a fight."
After listening, Jiang Shang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled, his smile carrying a sense of relief and approval: "Good! Duke Zhao is indeed a wise man."
He patted Zhang Zhao on the shoulder, turned and left, but after a few steps he turned back and said, "After returning to Qizhou, Lord Zhao, just go ahead and do what you need to do."
"Zhao, remember this!"
[Ding~ You have completed the achievement - Taigong Wang's recognition.]
You have become the Junior Tutor of Qi Zhou and have been highly valued by King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa. The three things you proposed have been approved by Taigong Wang. You have made a name for yourself in history, your clan reputation has increased by 1000, and you have obtained the inheritance - Earth Rank Aristocratic Inheritance (requires a fief).
Family Heritage: You have activated the first heritage of your family, gaining the effect that the probability of your descendants inheriting positive innate traits increases by 30%, and the probability of acquiring new positive innate traits increases by 30%!
Dream Message: 3/3 (Currently unavailable)
The voice in his mind and the panel that lit up in front of him made Zhang Zhao take a deep breath. The family simulator has five panels: military, law, knowledge, family, and strategy.
All five panels have a lineage sequence tree, and the family lineage is the first lineage of a family.
He originally thought that Gui Mou would be the first to light up the inheritance, but he didn't expect it to be the family.
Suppressing his excitement, he turned and walked back to his tent.
The firelight flickered inside the tent. The clansmen had already gone to bed, but his cousin Zhang Ke was still waiting for him.
"My elder brother has returned. How has the King of Zhou treated him?"
"Very good." Zhang Zhao sat down, poured himself a bowl of water, and slowly drank it. "It's even better than I expected."
Zhang Ke leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Brother, although our Zhang family has some roots in Chaoge, we have to start from scratch when we arrive in Qizhou. Now that you have been given an important position by the King of Zhou, the fate of the Zhang family, which consists of more than a hundred people, rests on your shoulders."
Zhang Zhao put down his bowl, looked at his cousin who was a few years younger than him, and said seriously, "It's not up to me, it's up to us. What I can do is give everyone a chance. As for whether they can seize it, that's up to each individual. Starting tomorrow, you will follow me, listen and observe more, speak and ask less, and first find out the situation in Qizhou."
Zhang Ke nodded quickly: "Yes, elder brother."
The candles were extinguished, plunging the tent into darkness. The faint sound of the Yellow River's roar could be heard, steady and powerful. Zhang Zhao lay on the rough animal hide, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"The most important affairs of the state are sacrifice and war. Sacrifices involve offering meat, and war involves receiving it; these are the great rites of the gods." — Zuo Zhuan, Duke Cheng, Year 13
"King Wen's Four Friends: Nangong Kuo, San Yisheng, Hong Yao, and Tai Dian." — *Bowuzhi* (Record of Diverse Things), Volume Six
"Hong Yao and his followers, ministers of the Western Duke, sought beautiful women, rare objects, and fine horses to present to King Zhou, who then pardoned the Western Duke." — Records of the Grand Historian, Annals of Yin
"When Wen Zhao first served as an official in the Zhou court, he advised: 'I have three things I wish to do to benefit Qi Zhou. First, to implement benevolent governance so that the people will submit to my rule. Second, to establish rites and music to clarify the hierarchy of rank. Third, to compile historical records to illuminate the virtues of the sage kings and educate the people.' The king was overjoyed upon hearing this and thus followed my advice." — *Records of the Grand Historian, Basic Annals of Zhou*
"Kang Shu of Wei, whose given name was Feng, was the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou, born of the same mother. Next in line was Ran Ji, the youngest of the three." — *Records of the Grand Historian: The Hereditary House of Kang Shu of Wei*
"Mao Shu Zheng offered water, Wei Shu Feng performed the rites, Shao Gong Shi assisted in the preparation of the offerings, and Shi Shangfu led the sacrificial animals." — Yi Zhou Shu, "Conquering Yin"
"When Wei Zi left, Ji Zi became his slave, and Bigan died remonstrating with him. Confucius said: 'The Yin dynasty had three virtuous men.'" — *The Analects*, Book 18, "Wei Zi"
"When Zhou Xin Jia was the Grand Historian, he commanded all officials to offer advice and guidance to the king." — Zuo Zhuan, Duke Xiang, Year 4