What is history: it is the echo of the past to the future, the reflection of the future on the past. - Hugo
In our traditional impression, the replacement of Xia by Shang is no different from the subsequent Tang dynasty and Sui dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. In short, it is a contest between two dynasties.
However, it is possible that this may not be the case.
The process of Shang extinguishing Xia, because of the lack of historical materials, it is difficult for us to get a glimpse of the whole picture. Only from the fragments of the "History of Yin Benji" and "Mencius Teng Wen Gongxia" can understand part of the information.
In these historical sources, the process of the Shang dynasty destroying xia is as follows: the Xia Dynasty had a vassal state called the Ge Kingdom. The monarch of this country, who did not obey the ancestors and did not sacrifice to the ancestors, angered the leader of the Shang tribe, Tang, and he sent troops to destroy the Ge state. And in the process, Tang also heard that Xia Wangjie was also an absurd and unscrupulous person, and his princes Kunwu had raised the banner of anti-Xia. Tang then decided to take advantage of the civil unrest in the Xia Dynasty to destroy Xia Jie. With the help of Yi Yin, Tang began by sweeping away Xia Jie's vassal states, and after many conquests, finally defeated the Xia army at the Battle of Narujo. After the defeat of the army, Jie ran to the South Nest and died within a few years. Tang successfully ascended the throne and created the foundation of the Shang Dynasty for 600 years.
Is this really the case historically? In line with the belief that "it is better to believe in books than to have no books", scholars have studied the process of Shang's extinction of Summer. First of all, it can be clear that the two warring sides, Xia Jie and Shang Tang, did have their own people in history. According to Mr. Guo Moruo's elaboration, in the oracle bones, Tang is also called "Tang" and "King Wu" by posterity.
Second, what was the nature of the war between Shang and Xia? Judging from the "History of Yin Benji" and other sources, Shang seems to be a vassal state of Xia, in other words, Tang is a prince of Jie. But judging from the content reflected in the oracle bone, the relationship between Xia and Shang is not the superior-subordinate relationship we imagine, but the relationship of equality. The power of the Xia Dynasty could only be limited to the core area, that is, the southern Part of Western Henan and Southern Jin, and out of this area, the Xia Dynasty could not reach it. According to historians, the scope of activity of the Shang Dynasty was in the area of present-day Shandong and Henan. For example, Shangqiu is likely to be the birthplace of the Shang tribe, and Cao County is considered to be the capital of Tang. Obviously, under the conditions at that time, the decrees of the Xia Dynasty were difficult to reach the scope of activities of the Shang clan. The Shang clans were politically independent.
In addition, the "Tang Oath" in the Book of Shang can also prove the equal relationship between Xia and Shang.
Wang Yue: "Ge Zhongshu, listen to the words." Non-Taiwan kid dares to call chaos! There are many sins, and the destiny is destroyed. Now there are many, and Ru said, 'I will not forgive my multitudes, but will give up my affairs, but cut off the summer?' 'To hear the words of the people, the Xia clan is guilty, and to fear God, do not dare to be wrong. Jin Ruqi said: 'Summer sin is like a platform? 'The king of Xia led the forces of the people and led the cutting of Xia Yi. There are many who are slacking off, saying, 'Time is lost?' Yu and Ru are dead. 'Shadroz, this day will pass.' ”
"Ershang assists a man, and gives him the punishment of heaven, and gives him a great bribe!" He did not believe in it, nor did he renege on his word. Er does not follow the oath, and gives and kills Ru, and there is forgiveness.
The "Tang Oath" is the oath before Tang Vaxia, which is equivalent to pre-war mobilization. In his speech, Tang did not have the slightest tone of guilt. As he said, "If you hear the words of the people, the Xia clan is guilty, and you fear God, and you dare not be wrong", the implication is that the reason why he raised the army was because he heard Xia Min tell xia Jie's sins, and if he did not raise a soldier, "God" would blame him. This kind of speech is not in the tone of a vassal, but between two enemy countries. In addition, it can be seen in the text of the "Tang Oath" that the subjects of the Shang tribe did not approve of the Tang Zhengxia Dynasty, believing that this matter had nothing to do with them, which also proved the equal relationship between Xia and Shang.
In summary, it is not difficult to conclude that the Shang Dynasty was different from the internal dynastic changes that followed, and was somewhat similar to "international wars". However, it should be pointed out that because the "state" at that time was not fully formed, the Shang Dynasty established by Tang still had the color of the clan commune period. For example, Xia Min supported the arrival of Shang Tang and did not have the feeling of being a slave to the country. Therefore, to be precise, shang tang extinguishing xia is still a scuffle between clans.