5,000 Years of China: Yi Yin Fu Zheng

The last monarch of the Xia Dynasty was Jie, a tyrant. Around 1600 BC, Tang forces occupied the capital of the Xia Dynasty (present-day Luoyang), the Xia Dynasty collapsed, and the Tang Dynasty established the Shang Dynasty. Tang, also known as Chengtang or Chengtang, is sometimes referred to as Shangtang. The oracle records that his name was Dayi, and after Dayi destroyed Xia Jie and won the Battle of Xia, Shang Tang became emperor with the support of 3,000 princes, announcing the establishment of the Shang Dynasty. Shang Tang learned a lesson from the cruel Xia Jie, believing that Xia Jie's death was due to the opposition of ordinary people. So he set an example, did good for the people, straightened out the court platform, drove out flattering and perfidious ministers, and repurposed loyalty as ministers of the country. A series of actions by the Shang Tang Dynasty were welcomed by princes everywhere. The establishment and prosperity of the Shang Dynasty effectively promoted the development of productive forces, promoted the progress of ancient civilizations, and made China one of the great ancient civilizations

Yi Yin, born in the Yishui River Valley (near present-day Luoyang, Henan), was sold as a slave in Youxin County at a very young age (present-day Chenliu district of Kaifeng) and Zuo Xiangzhong of Shang Tang went to pay tribute to Xia Jie. On the way, he stopped for a few days in Youxin County. Inadvertently, he discovers that the slaves who transport food are clever. After talking, he found that Yi Yin was indeed a saint and returned home, and Mr. Zhong recommended Yi Yin to Shangtang. Shangtang, who was in urgent need of talents, immediately sent emissaries to take her with him to the Kingdom of Youxin to invite Yi Yin. After the special envoy arrived in Youshin State, he made an open and secret visit. In a small hut in the wild, it took a lot of effort to find Yi Yin. The messenger looked up and down at the black, diminutive, unkempt Yi Yin. He couldn't see anything outstanding about this man. He couldn't help but show an arrogant look. He said to Yi Yin, "You are Yi Yin, your luck is coming, our Shang King wants to see you, pack up your things, and follow me!" Angered by the arrogant words and deeds of the emissary, Yi Yin immediately calmly replied in a majestic and inviolable attitude: "Although I am poor, I have fields and food, and I am as happy as Yao Shun, why should I go to see your Shang King?" The envoys of the Shang Kingdom were not interested, so they had to return to the Shang Kingdom with their heads down

After Yi Yin came to Shangguo, Shang Tang felt that Yi Yin was indeed a great talent after talking, so he appointed Yi Yin as the appropriate minister of ShangGuo, and planned and handled various state affairs with Zhong Aspi. In this way, Yi Yin changed from a slave to the prime minister of the Shang Kingdom. With Yi Yin's help, Shang's power became even stronger. In the end, the crumbling Xia Dynasty was destroyed and the Shang Dynasty was established.

After Shang Tang's death, Yi Yin became an important assistant minister of the Shang Dynasty. Shang Tang had three sons. His eldest son, Tai Ding, died prematurely. After the death of the Tang Dynasty, Yi Yin supported Shang Tang's second son Wei C to succeed him as King of Shang. But Wei C soon died, so Yi Yin made his brother Zhongren king. Soon after, Zhongren died again, and Yi Yin had to make Shang Tang's eldest grandson Taijia king

Taijia grew up in the royal family and lived a carefree life. Therefore, after he ascended to the throne, he never interfered in government and civil affairs, but only knew to have fun all day

Yi Yin was worried about whether Taijia could become a good king, so he helped Taijia and did his best. As soon as Taijia ascended the throne, Yi Yin gave a long speech (later known as "Yi Xun") at the ceremony to honor Mr. Jia, instructing Taijia to inherit the wishes of his predecessors and cultivate morality diligently, so that the Shang Dynasty's Jiangshan would never disappear. He also wrote "Four Commandments" to explain the impermanence of destiny and admonished Taijia. Soon, he was going to write "Yu Hou", and with the rise and fall of the ancient emperors, he suggested that Taijia learn from history and avoid the doom of the fall of the country Yi Yin repeatedly taught Taijia to be industrious, love the people, and not indulge in entertainment, but Taijia did not listen at all. Seeing Tai Jia's stubbornness, Yi Yin thought to herself: If Tai Jia indulges like this, she may become a person like Xia Jie in the future. After discussion with other ministers, Taijia was placed under house arrest at Tonggong (now southwest of Yanshi County, Henan Province) near Tang's tomb, allowing him to calm down for three years. Seeing Taijia's childishness and simplicity, he was very different from three years ago. Yi Yin was very happy. He personally brought the Crown Dress of the Shang King to The Gong, welcomed Taijia back to Bodu, ascended the throne again, and returned the state affairs to Taijia. Taijia seems to have changed his personality during his three years of tonggong. He got up early and went to bed late, caring for the well-being of the people. When the princes saw that Taiga was generous, benevolent, and sincere, they all came to draw near to him; and when they saw that the king was amiable, cared for the people, and the people loved him with one heart and one mind, a series of good policies were implemented. The princes obeyed, and the people lived and worked in peace. The Shang Dynasty seems to have returned to the time when the Shang and Tang dynasties came to power. It is said that after Taijia's death, Yi Yin wrote three Taijia admonitions, praising Taijia and honoring him as Emperor Taizong. After Taijia's death, Wodin took the throne. Yi Yin felt that he was old and no longer participated in the government. Yi Yin died in the eighth year of Voding. He is said to have lived for more than 100 years. Wodin solemnly buried Yi Yin, sacrificed three animals, cattle, sheep and pigs, and personally mourned Yi Yin for three years to repay his contribution to the Shang Dynasty. Yi Yin's name can be found in oracle bones, which record that he enjoyed the grand sacrifice of the future Shang king. Yi Yin established the image of the first famous official in Chinese history and played an immeasurable role in the establishment and consolidation of the Shang Dynasty, especially his political views played a key role in the entire Shang Dynasty. It praises Yi Yin's achievements as an official of "Aheng" in assisting the Shang king. Yi Yin assisted the five Shang kings, including Tang, Taijia, and Wodin. He's a true five-generation veteran. The Shang Dynasty had many major ministers like Yi Yin. They played a very important role in maintaining the long-term stability of the Shang Dynasty. Yi Yin is one of the most outstanding.

The monarch of the State of Shen heard that Shang Tang had sent envoys to invite Yi Yin. He was worried that returning from the Shang Kingdom would not be good for him, so he found an excuse to capture Yi Yin. Later, when Zhong Wusi personally invited him, Yi Yin had lost his personal freedom

After returning to Shangguo, Zhong Wusi reported to Shangtang the situation that YiYin was facing. Shang Tang was very disappointed. Later, Zhong Aspi came up with an idea, suggesting that Shang Tang propose to Youxin and let Yi Yin bring Youxin's daughter to the merchant to make a dowry. In this way, we can not only invite Yi Yin, but also relieve the doubts of the deep country. Shang Tang agreed and immediately sent someone to Youxinguo to propose marriage. The messenger came to the kingdom of Youxin and proposed to the country of Youxin. The monarch of youxin agreed to Shang Tang's request and came to Shang as a dowry slave.