“The Triumph of Wuwang: Defeat of the Tyrant”
During the Zhou Dynasty, King Wen passed away at the age of ninety-seven, and King Wu at ninety-three. When King Wen died, King Wu was already eighty-three years old. He ascended the throne at eighty-four and reigned until his death at ninety-three. The thirteen years of campaigning against King Zhou were counted from the year King Wen received his mandate, illustrating his commitment to fulfill his father’s legacy.
Historical texts mention that in the second year of his conquest of Shang, the king fell ill and was indisposed. King Wen received his mandate for nine years before passing away. In the eleventh year of King Wu’s reign, he concluded the mourning period, inspected his troops at Mengjin, and defeated King Zhou in the thirteenth year. By the fifteenth year, he fell ill. Duke of Zhou requested a mandate for him, and he recovered. Four years later, he passed away, at the age of ninety-three.
The Shiji records that in the eleventh year of King Wu, he inspected his troops in the east and defeated King Zhou in the thirteenth year.
King Wu took the title of Prince Tai after himself, stating that he waged war in honor of King Wen and did not dare to act independently. He then informed the Grand Marshal, Minister of State, Minister of Works, and all the officers: “Gather, be trustworthy! I am not knowledgeable, but my ancestors had virtuous ministers. I, the younger generation, inherit their first achievements. I will establish rewards and punishments to define their merits.” Thus, he mobilized his troops. The military regulations stipulated: “Marshal your people, gather your boats and oars. Those arriving late will be executed.”
King Wu crossed the river and, in the middle of the stream, a white fish leaped into the king’s boat. King Wu bent down and offered it as a sacrifice. After crossing, fire from above was seen returning below, reaching the king’s residence and transforming into a crow. Its color was red, its sound was mournful.
At that time, eight hundred princes gathered unexpectedly at Mengjin. All the princes said, “King Zhou can be attacked.” King Wu said, “You do not yet know the decree of heaven; it is not yet time.” He then returned his army.
Two years later, hearing that King Zhou’s tyranny had worsened, he killed Wang Zibi and imprisoned Jizi. Grand Preceptor Chi and Junior Preceptor Qiang held their instruments and mourned for Zhou. So King Wu informed all the princes: “Yin has committed grave crimes, which cannot be left unavenged.” He followed King Wen and led three hundred chariots, three thousand elite soldiers, and forty-five thousand foot soldiers to attack King Zhou in the east. In the eleventh year, on the twelfth month of the Wuyou day, the army crossed Mengjin. All the princes gathered and said, “Be diligent and do not slack off.” King Wu then made a great oath to the masses: “Now King Zhou of Yin has used the words of his women to sever his ties with heaven, destroying his three rituals. He has abandoned his father, mother, and brothers, neglected his ancestors’ music, changed proper music for licentious sounds, and delighted in the words of women. Therefore, I will now carry out heaven’s punishment. Today’s battle will not go beyond six or seven steps before we cease hostilities. Sons of virtue, do not be slack!”
In the second month, Jiazi, when the day dawned, King Wu went to the pastures of the Shang suburbs and then made a solemn vow. Holding the Yellow Battle-Axe in his left hand and the White Banner in his right, he commanded, “People of the western land, toil hard!” King Wu said, “Alas! I have many officers and ministers. I have commanders, heads of divisions, and subordinates, leaders of the army, marshals, and military officers, and infantry and cavalry commanders. I have the commoners, the Shu, Qiang, Moho, Lu, Peng, and Pu peoples, all armed with your spears and shields, comparing your shields and raising your spears, I give you my vow.” The king said, “Ancient people say ‘A hen crows without a rooster.’ A hen crows early, but a family is deprived of its property. Today, King Zhou of Yin has used the words of women. He has abandoned his ancestors’ ceremonies and not answered. He has left his family and abandoned his mother and brothers. He has pursued the many crimes and run away. He has ruled dishonestly over his subjects and corrupted the Shang kingdom. Therefore, I will carry out heaven’s punishment. Today, the battle will only go six steps. Seven steps. Don’t do it again. Don’t do it. Don’t do it again, so that he will be a long-standing man. If you do not try, you will be