The State of Etiquette: Bo Bird insisted on ruling the country with Zhou Li, which brought about a new situation in the political economy of the Lu state

What is history: it is the echo of the past to the future, the reflection of the future on the past. - Hugo

The State of Etiquette: Bo Bird insisted on ruling the country with Zhou Li, which brought about a new situation in the political economy of the Lu state

Bo Bird, date of birth and death unknown, Ji surname, name Bird, Bo is its rank, honored as the father of the bird, the grandson of King Ji Chang of Zhou Wen, the eldest son of Zhou Gongdan, the nephew of King Ji Fa of Zhou Wu, and the first monarch of the Zhou Dynasty princely state of Lu.

At that time, Zhou Gongdan was enfeoffed with the state of Lu, but because Zhou Gongdan assisted King Zhou Cheng in Hojing, he sent Bo Yan to accept the state of Lu on his behalf. He reigned for forty-six years, and after his death, his son Duke Lukao succeeded to the throne.

In the northwest of the Lu Forbidden City in Lucheng, on the west side of the Konglin Shinto Road in the north of present-day Qufu City, there is a large uplifted mound, high and magnificent, with lush forests, known as "Bo Bird Terrace", also known as "Lu Gong Tai".

According to legend, this is the place where the first monarch of the Lu Kingdom, Bo Bird, landed in the west to look at his father. Therefore, the locals are also called "Wangfutai".

Since childhood, Bo Bird lived in the Zhou capital Ho Jing, personally taught by his strict father, and developed a character of generosity and filial piety and a character of fortitude and integrity. When King Cheng of Zhou had just ascended the throne, in order to continue to carry out the indoctrination of King Cheng, the Duke of Zhou deliberately called bo birds to accompany King Cheng. Whenever King Cheng was at fault, the Duke of Zhou beat up the bird. In this way, although King Cheng was not rebuked, his heart was even more uncomfortable than being rebuked, so he had to study hard, and later, he became a respectful and diligent son of heaven. This is the "anti-(lifting) shizi method" recorded in ancient texts.

During the reign of Bo Yan, he quelled Xu Rong's rebellion and insisted on ruling the country with Zhou Li, which brought about a new situation in the political economy of the State of Lu. Its jurisdiction extended from Taishan in the north, Xuhuai in the south, the Yellow Sea in the east, and the Yanggu in the west, becoming an important state controlled by the Zhou Dynasty in the east.

When Bo Bird was enfeoffed as the State of Lu, King Cheng of Zhou ordered that the Six Tribes of the Xiang Kingdom and the Yin People be given to The Bird of Prey, and that he be given many canonical relics and treasures and ceremonies.

Before Bo Yan left, Zhou Gongdan warned Bo Fowl, saying, "I am the son of King Wen, the brother of King Wu, and the uncle of King Cheng, and I am not lowly in the world." However, I washed my head once, held my hair three times, ate one meal, spit out food three times, got up to receive the scholars, and worried about losing the world's wise men. After you arrive in the country of Lu, you must not be arrogant to others because you have a land. ”

Bo Yan painstakingly operated in the state of Lu for three years before going to Hojing to report to his father Zhou Gongdan on his political achievements. Zhou Gongdan said: "Why is it so slow to report to the government? The bird replied, "I am changing local customs, changing local etiquette." Ordinary people also have to serve for three years after their parents die, so they come to report to the government at this time. ”

At the beginning, Lü Shang, the Duke of Qi, was enfeoffed with the state of Qi, and five months after his appointment, he reported his political achievements to Zhou Gongdan. Zhou Gongdan said, "Why is it so fast? Qi Taigong said, "I simplify the etiquette of his monarch and do it in accordance with the original customs." ”

When Zhou Gongdan heard Bo Yan say the reason for the slowness of reporting the government, he sighed and said, "Alas, the future generations of the State of Lu will be subjects to the north and serve the State of Qi." If politics is not simple and easy, the people will not be close; if politics is easy to approach the people, the people will inevitably be subordinated. ”

Later, Bo Yu's uncle Guan Shuxian, uncle Cai Shudu and others, because they were dissatisfied with the regency of Zhou Gongdan, so they kidnapped Wu Geng, the son of the King of Shang, and launched a rebellion, which is known in history as the "Rebellion of the Three Prisons". At that time, Huaiyi and Xu Rong also heard of the rebellion and came to attack the State of Lu. Bo Yan led an army to Feiyi to resist the rebels, and personally wrote the "Fei Oath" (the "History" mistakenly wrote the "Oath of Sorrow") to strictly enforce military discipline.

The Oath of Fee says, "Prepare your armor, and don't be sloppy." No damage to the cattle barn stables is permitted. Horses and cattle are lost, slaves are on the run, they are not allowed to chase each other, and they are revered to the Lord. It is forbidden to climb over the walls and rob and steal. In the suburbs near and far, the three parties must purchase forage, grain, and fortification tools. We must not be late for the construction of a fort on the day of the Jia Shu and requisition Xu Rong, otherwise we will be executed! With the hard work of all the soldiers and the support of the Qi army, it was not long before the war became a stalemate. After the Three Prisons Rebellion was quelled, the Qi, Lu, and Wednesday armies fought bitterly for two years, and finally defeated the rebels and stabilized the Lu state.

In the sixteenth year of King Kang of Zhou, Bo Bird died. After the death of Bo Bird, his son Chieftain succeeded to the throne as Duke Lukao.

Bo Yan insisted on ruling the country with Zhou Li, and after forty-six years of reign, a new situation appeared in the political economy of the State of Lu. Its jurisdiction stretched from Mount Taishan in the north, Xuhuai in the south, the Yellow Sea in the east, and the Yanggu in the west, becoming an important state controlled by the Zhou Dynasty in the east, and enjoyed the reputation of "the state of etiquette".