Wednesday, March 27, 2024

61 King Wu

A4.9|10

Xibo did good deeds discreetly, and the princes asked him to arbitrate all the conflicts. Then whenever people between Yu and Rui had a dispute that could not be resolved, they came to Zhou. When they entered the territory of Zhou, they saw that the farmers gave way to each other in the fields, and the people regarded it as a custom to give way to the elders. Before the people of Yu and Rui saw Xibo, they felt ashamed and said to each other: "What we are arguing about is exactly what the Zhou people despise. Why are we still going? It will only bring shame to ourselves." So they returned and gave way to each other. After hearing this, the princes said, "Xibo is probably a monarch who accepts the mandate of heaven."

A year later, Xibo attacked the Quanrong. Another year later, Xibo attacked the Mixu. And another year later, Xibo defeated the Qi State. When Zu Yi of Yin heard about this, he was terrified and told all these things to Emperor Zhou the Tyrant. Zhou the Tyrant said, "Wasn't I born with the protection of heaven! What can he do?" Another year later, Xibo attacked the Bi State. Another year later, Xibo attacked Chonghouhu. And he built Fengyi at the same time and moved the capital from Qixia to Fengyi. A year later, Xibo died and the crown prince Fa ascended the throne, who was King Wu.


西伯阴行善,诸侯皆来决平。于是虞、芮之人有狱不能决,乃如周。入界,耕者皆让畔,民俗皆让长。虞、芮之人未见西伯,皆惭,相谓曰:“吾所争,周人所耻,何往为,祇取辱耳。”遂还,俱让而去。诸侯闻之,曰“西伯盖受命之君”。

明年,伐犬戎。明年,伐密须。明年,败耆国。殷之祖伊闻之,惧,以告帝纣。纣曰:“不有天命乎?是何能为!”明年,伐邘。明年,伐崇侯虎。而作丰邑,自岐下而徙都丰。明年,西伯崩,太子发立,是为武王。