Shu Yu of Tang 唐叔虞

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_Yu_of_Tang

Shu Yu of Tang (Chinese: 唐叔虞; pinyin: Táng Shū Yú), surname (姓): Ji (姬) given name (名): Yu (虞), and Ziyu (子於), was the founder of the State of Tang during the early Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC) of ancient China. The State of Tang would later be renamed Jin by Shu Yu's son and successor, Xie. He was the son of King Wu of Zhou and the younger brother of King Cheng of Zhou.

Shortly after the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty, King Wu of Zhou died. His son, Prince Song, ascended the throne and became King Cheng of Zhou. Since he was very young and too inexperienced to run the newly founded dynasty, his uncle, the Duke of Zhou, served as regent and handled all political affairs until King Cheng of Zhou became old enough to rule. In the year that King Cheng of Zhou ascended the throne, the people of a land called Tang (唐) rebelled, so the Duke of Zhou conquered them.

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, one day, King Cheng of Zhou was playing with his younger brother, Prince Yu. King Cheng of Zhou suddenly picked up a parasol tree leaf and gave it to Prince Yu. Then he said playfully," Let this be a proof that I will make you a feudal lord." Prince Yu happily got the leaf and he then told this to the Duke of Zhou. The Duke of Zhou thought that whatever the young King Cheng of Zhou said should not be taken lightly since he was the king.

The Duke of Zhou approached the young king and asked him if it were true. The young king said that he was just joking with his brother. Then the Duke of Zhou replied, "A sovereign must not joke about the things he says and do as what he has said." The young king thought it was reasonable and gave the recent conquered called Tang land, west of modern Yicheng County in Shanxi, to his brother, Prince Yu.

Shu Yu's son and successor, Xie, moved the capital Jiang (绛) nearer to the Jin River and renamed the state Jin.

References[edit]

Shu Yu of Tang

House of Ji

Cadet branch of the House of Ji

Chinese nobility

New creation Marquis of Tang

1042–? BC Succeeded by Xie, Marquis of Jin 

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Monarchs of Jin

United period

Shu Yu of Tang ·

Xie · 

Marquis Wu · 

Marquis Cheng · 

Marquis Li · 

Marquis Jing · 

Marquis Xi · 

Marquis Xian · 

Marquis Mu · 

Shang Shu · 

Marquis Wen

Divided period

Marquis of Jin

Marquis Zhao ·

Marquis Xiao · 

Marquis E · 

Marquis Ai · 

Marquis Xiaozi · 

Min

Rulers of Quwo

Huan Shu of Quwo ·

Zhuang Bo of Quwo · 

Duke Wu

Reunited period

Duke Wu ·

Duke Xian · 

Xiqi · 

Zhuozi · 

Duke Hui · 

Duke Huai · 

Duke Wen · 

Duke Xiang · 

Duke Ling · 

Duke Cheng · 

Duke Jing · 

Duke Li · 

Duke Dao · 

Duke Ping · 

Duke Zhao · 

Duke Qing · 

Duke Ding · 

Duke Chu

After Partition

Duke Jing ·

Duke You · 

Duke Lie · 

Duke Huan