Preface
Over the past 5,000 years, China has experienced the vicissitudes of life and countless dynastic changes and social changes.
In this long history, each dynasty has left its own unique mark and its own national capital.
In the process of historical evolution, the national capital has played an important role, witnessing the development and inheritance of Chinese civilization, and also reflecting the changes and evolution of history.
For example, during the Han Dynasty and the Sui and Tang dynasties, Chang'an, now Xi'an, was the national capital. Especially during the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an became the capital of the world, creating a prosperous era and a prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty that never sleeps.
According to historical research, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty was Bianjing, which is now Kaifeng, and the capital of the Yuan Dynasty was Dadu, which is now Beijing.
So where are the dynasties before this, Chaoge, the capital of the Shang Dynasty and Xiqi, the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, now?
The rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty and the completion of the dynasty song
The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty after the Xia Dynasty, the first dynasty in the history of the mainland that was proved to exist by archaeology, and the dynasty with the largest number of capital moves.
The founding emperor of the Shang Dynasty was Shang Tang, who eliminated the remnants of the Xia Dynasty and formally established the Shang Dynasty.
However, due to the low level of productivity in ancient times, Shang Tang was forced to move the capital repeatedly due to natural disasters, and finally set the capital in Bo. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Shang Tang was diligent in government affairs, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the productive forces were developed, the private ownership system was further developed, and the Shang Dynasty officially entered the era of slavery.
But this political stability did not last long. After the death of Shang Tang, the Shang Dynasty went through Zhongren, Taijia, Taiwu and other monarchs.
During this period, the Shang Dynasty continued to have civil strife, and many royal sons did whatever it took to fight for the throne, causing a chaotic situation in the government and the opposition, which is known in history as the "Ninth Rebellion".
During this period, the successive Shang kings moved their capitals several times to find a suitable place.
After Pan Geng ascended the throne, he moved the capital to the former site of the Shang Dynasty's national capital - Bo. At this time, the Shang Dynasty had already gone through five capital moves.
The national capital is still unstable, not to mention the people of the Shang Dynasty. The people complained about this, believing that it was the wandering of the imperial court that caused the hardship of life.
However, Pan Geng is not a person who does nothing, he wants to be like his ancestor Shang Tang, make a difference, and make contributions.
In the end, he discussed with the ministers to move the capital again, and set the capital in Yin, which is known as "Pangeng moved to Yin" in history.
After this, the Shang Dynasty stabilized, and the civil strife of the royal family gradually subsided. In addition, Pangeng implemented many decrees conducive to social development, and the Shang Dynasty ushered in another peak of development, and the country was revitalized again.
Especially after Pan Geng's nephew Wu Ding ascended the throne, the Shang Dynasty not only ushered in the peak of economy and culture, but also pacified many tribes politically, establishing a large country from Gansu in the west, to the seashore in the east, to the desert in the north, and over the river and Han valleys in the south, including many tribes, known as "Wuding Zhongxing" in history. After Wu Ding's death, the Shang Dynasty gradually declined.
The last monarch of the Shang Dynasty, Emperor Xin, who is known as the King of Shang, finally set the capital of the country in Chaoge. Emperor Xin was greedy for pleasure, did not do government affairs, indulged in wine, and brutalized loyal ministers. In the end, he died in Chaoge.
As the capital of the Shang king, Chaoge was not only his burial place, but also a testimony to his tyrannical rule.
According to historical records, the Shang king built luxurious palaces and gardens in Chaoge, which were extravagant and extravagant, and his brutal rule also caused the people of Chaoge to suffer oppression and suffering.
Even so, as the last capital of the Shang Dynasty, it still carries a rich historical and cultural heritage, leaving behind a wealth of historical relics and cultural heritage.
With the advancement of archaeological work, the ruins of Chaoge have been discovered in Hebi City, Henan Province.
At the site, experts found ruins of city walls, pottery, bronzes, a large number of weapons, and oracle bone inscriptions. These artifacts show people the life of the Shang Dynasty and the fierce scenes of war, telling the turbulent history that cannot be looked back.
The Zhou Dynasty fixed the capital and Fengming Qishan
Before the destruction of the Shang Dynasty, the Zhou people settled in Qishan, which came from the legend of "Fengming Qishan".
Legend has it that King Wen of Zhou heard a very different birdsong one day. The voice was sharp and powerful, with an indescribable power that struck the spirit.
At the time, some people thought it was the wind roaring. The phoenix is a sacred bird, and only Mingjun can be sensed by the divine bird, arouse the resonance of the divine bird, benefit the people, and unify the Quartet.
King Wen of Zhou was convinced of this remark, and used it to motivate himself, expand his territory, and make great efforts to lay the foundation of the Zhou Dynasty.
The legend of King Wen of Zhou and the "Fengming Qishan" is a classic story in ancient Chinese history, and over time, the authenticity or historicity of these legends has been magical, but they have played an important role in Chinese history as part of history and culture.
As the place where the legend of King Wen of Zhou took place, Qishan has been given a special significance. Although there is no way to verify the splendor of Qishan in history, it has become one of the important symbols of Chinese culture as the background of the legend of King Wen of Zhou.
After archaeological research, experts locked the location of Qishan in Baoji City according to the unearthed cultural relics and the records of historical books.
In the Xiqi site of Baoji City, experts found a large number of bronzes and other living utensils and sacrificial supplies. These unearthed cultural relics are all proving the past of the Zhou Dynasty to the world and unveiling the mystery of the Zhou Dynasty.
At this point, Xiqi, the capital of the Zhou Dynasty, reappeared in front of the world.
epilogue
Chaoge and Xiqi are witnesses of that ancient history, which have gone through thousands of years of vicissitudes and changes, and are the epitome of history.
One is the last capital of the Shang Dynasty, which witnessed the rise and fall of the Shang Dynasty and represents the luxury and debauchery of the Shang Dynasty, and the other is the earliest capital of the Zhou Dynasty, which is the birthplace of Zhou culture and carries the rise and prosperity of the Zhou Dynasty.
According to archaeological excavations and historical research, Chaoge is located in Hebi City, Henan Province, Henan Province, while Xiqi is located in Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.
Although these two places are not far apart, they carry the civilization and mission of different historical periods, connect the ancient and modern, carry the precipitation of the years and the sense of history, and are two places of great historical significance in ancient Chinese history.
Today, these two cities no longer have the atmosphere of their respective dynasties, but the ruins are a source of inspiration and imagination.
Those dilapidated city walls, temples, altars and other buildings, tiles, pottery, bronze artifacts and other living items, as well as oracle bone inscriptions and other cultural relics are not only an important opportunity for us to restore the historical life scenes and pursue the relics of the ancients, but also the confidence for us to be born as Chinese sons and daughters and strengthen cultural self-confidence.