Chapter 32: Ancient Countries In Shandong

Chapter 32: Ancient Countries In Shandong

1. Ji County

According to legends, people surnamed Ji were the descendants of the Yellow Emperor. The people of Ji in Shandong area were mostly vassals of the same surname after King Wu of Zhou destroyed the Shang Dynasty.

The vassal states were as follows: Lu, Cao, Teng, Cheng, Gao, Mao, Yang, Jun, and Xing. (1)

1.1 The State of Lu

The first ruler (duke) of the State of Lu was Zhou Gongdan's eldest son Boqin. The capital was in Qufu (now Qufu City). It was one of the largest vassal states in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty. (People still use "Lu" as the abbreviation of Shandong Province.)

They had numerous cultural classics and a complete system of rituals and music. The famous thinker and educator Confucius was born during the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Lus culture was highly developed and it was famous as a state of etiquette.

With Mount Tai in the north and the sea in the east, the vast area of southern Shandong today was the important domain of the Zhou royal family. From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the early Spring and Autumn Period, it was a powerful state in the East, and was quite likely to compete with the powerful State of Qi at that time.

The Lu Kingdom had a total of twenty-six generations, thirty-four monarchs, and the kingdom lasted about eight hundred years. After half of the Spring and Autumn Period had passed, the national power gradually declined. Lu Qinggong had ruled the kingdom for twenty-four years (249 BC) before it was destroyed by the Chu and became Lu County.

1.2 The State of Cao

The first ruler (duke) was Shi Zhenduo, the son of King Wen of Zhou. The capital was founded in Taoqiu (now northwest of Heze Dingtao). The state was in the southwestern part of today's Shandong. It was located between the Qi, Lu, Song, and Wei states, and had a relatively weak national power.

The kingdom had a total of twenty-five generations, but was destroyed by the Song Dynasty in the fifteenth year of Cao Boyangs rule (487 BC).

1.3. The State of Teng

The first ruler (duke) was Shu Xiu of Cuo, the son of King Wen. The historical site of the ancient Teng City is fourteen li southwest of todays Teng County.

The state had a close relationship with the State of Lu, and was dependent on the Song and Jin states. It also participated in the alliances and wars of major powers. The State of Yue destroyed the kingdom in 415 BC, but it was soon restored. Later, it was wiped out by the Song (some say it was the State of Qi). The state had a total of twenty-three generations.

1.4 The State of Cheng

The first ruler was Shuwu, the son of King Wen of Zhou. There arent any records about his lineage or the monarch's posthumous title.

In 1975, a Cheng Bosunfu (2) Ge (3) was discovered in Dongjia Village, Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, so it was suspected that the state was located in the territory of Western Zhou Dynasty. One of the sovereigns was sent to rule another place in Shandong during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was northeast of todays Ningyang County (some say its in Fan County, Henan Province).

In the 8th year of Lu Zhuanggong (686 BC), Lu and Qi besieged the state and it surrendered to Qi.

1.5 The State of Gao

The first ruler (duke) was the son of King Wen of Zhou. His name is unknown. The border was destroyed by the State of Zheng in the southeast of Chengwu County in the early Spring and Autumn Period. The artifacts handed down include Gao Shishuo Fu ding (4) and Gao Zhong jun (5).

1.6 The State of Mao

The first ruler was Zhou Gongdan's son, but his name is unknown. The state was located southwest of todays Jinxiang County. It later became a territory of the State of Zou.

1.7 The State of Yang (also called Yan or Yu)

The old city was southwest of today's Yishui County. In the second year of Lu Min Gongs reign (660 BC), the State of Qi forced its people to move there so they could obtain land. Some say that it was originally southeast of todays Qingzhou City, and they had no choice but to move there because of the Qi people.

1.8 The State of Jun

It was a vassal state of Lu, and slightly east of todays Jinxiang County. After Lu Yingong had ruled the state for two years (721 BC), it was occupied by Lu.

1.9 The State of Xing

The first ruler was the son of Zhou Gongdan, and his name is unknown. It was originally in Xingtai City, Hebei Province.

In 662 BC, Zhai attacked Xing, and Duke Huan of Qi (6) later joined hands with the Song and Cao states to help Xing. The state was then moved to Yiyi (now southwest of Liaocheng), and was destroyed by the State of Wei in 635 BC.

2. Ren Country

Those in this country surnamed Ren were also said to be descendants of the Yellow Emperor. Before the Xia dynasty, they lived in the southeastern part of Shandong. The vassal states are as follows: Xue, Shi, Zhu, and Guo.

2.1 The State of XueThe source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

The first ruler (duke) was Xi Zhong, who invented chariots in the Xia dynasty. Today, the historical site of the ancient city is south of Teng County.

Later, they moved to Pi (7), so it also became known as Xia Pi. It was northeast of today's Pi County, Jiangsu and soon moved to Shang Pi, which is now northwest of Weishan (8).

After Xi Zhong, Zhong Hui lived in Xue and became one of the prime ministers of Tang of Shang (9).

King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang and re-appointed his descendant to rule the State of Xue.

After the Spring and Autumn Period, Xue moved to Pi again. The State of Xue existed through three dynasties: the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The state had sixty-four generations of rulers that we know of.

During the Warring States Period (or maybe the third year of King Qi Mins rule, which was 298 years ago), it perished and became Qiyi.

The artifacts that have been handed down include Xue Houyu, Xue Hou ding, and Xue Zhong Bronze fu (10).

2.2 The State of Shi

The vassal state of Lu. The state was located fifty li south of todays Jining City.

In the thirteenth year of Lu Xianggongs rule (560 BC), there was a civil strife that resulted in the state splitting into three parts, which Lu took advantage of.

The artifacts handed down include Shibo ding, Shiqian Gui, Shiji ding, and Shiji gui (11).

2.3 The State of Zhu (some say its the state of Qi)

The state was founded after King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty. It was located on the north bank of Nendawen River in todays Feicheng County. Its been suspected that it was later destroyed by Qi.

2.4 The State of Guo (some say its the State of Yi)

A tribal country in the Xia dynasty. It was located near the sea northwest of todays Ye County (Laizhou). It was later destroyed by Zhu of Xia.

3. Jiang Country

People surnamed Jiang were said to be the descendants of the Yan Emperor. A part of the country was founded at the beginning of the Zhu dynasty, and a part of it was established in the Xia and Shang eras.

The vassal states are as follows: Qi, Ji, Zhou, Lai, Zhang, Xiang, Xun, and Feng.

3.1 The State of Qi

A powerful state in both the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Ranked first in the Seven Powerful States of the Warring States". The founding monarch (duke) was Jiang Shang (in other words, Jiang Ziya in the novel The Investiture of the Gods.)

In today's northern Shandong, the capital Yingqiu (later called Linzi) was built, which is now in Linzi District, Zibo City.

Following Qi Xigong's regime in the early Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi appointed Guan Zhong to initiate reform, and the state became wealthy and strong. The state had alliances with nine vassals and was incredibly powerful.

In the fifteenth year of Duke Ling of Qis rule (567 BC), he destroyed the State of Lai, thus expanding their territory to the present Jiaodong Peninsula. The states territory extended to the coast of the Bohai Sea in the east, the Yellow River in the west, Mount Tai in the south, and Binzhou City (now south of Yanshan County, Hebei) in the north.

At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the monarchy was gradually seized by the Chen family (also called the Tian family).

At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Tian He was listed as a vassal and banished Duke Kang of Qi to the sea. As a result, Jiang Qi perished (12).

3.2 The State of Ji

It was established in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, and was located in todays Nanjitai Village, Shouguang County.

It had always been a rival of the State of Qi and felt threatened by it. After Duke Xiang of Qi ruled the State of Qi for eight years (690 BC), he eventually managed to destroy the State of Ji.

The artifacts included Jihou zhong, Jihou gui and Jihou Haozi gui.

3.3 The State of Zhou (or Chunyu)

The capital was in Chunyu (now northeast of Anqiu). In the early Spring and Autumn Period, it was annexed to Qi and became Qis capital (13).

3.4 The State of Lai (also called Li)

The state existed during the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Nowadays, there is Laizi City in the southeast of Longkou City, which was the ancient state of Lai. Some say it was southeast of today's Changyi County. The Lai and Qi states were close to each other, so there were often contradictions and conflicts.

The State of Min (also known as You Hun) was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty. It was located twenty-five kilometers northeast of today's Jinxiang County. The old name of the city was Hun City.

Zuo Zhuans (15) Zhaogong Four Years chapter said that Jie of Xia had an arrangement with the ruler of the state, and married the rulers daughter. In the Zhaogong Eleven Years chapter, it said that the state perished because of the marriage.

10. Si Country

People surnamed Si were said to be the descendants of Youyu. The vassal states were: Qi, Zeng, Zeng Guang, and Zeng Xun.

10.1 The State of Qi

It was already established during Tang of Shang's rule. After King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang, he found Feng Donglou, a descendant of Xia Yu, and named him the vassal of Qi. As a result of this, it was also called the State of Xia.

The first capital was Yongqiu (now Qi County, Henan). When they were later threatened by Huaiyi at the end of the Western Zhou dynasty, they began to move north. Some think that todays Xintai City was once the capital of Qi.

Qi Chenggong (reigned from 654-637 BC) was helped by Duke Huan of Qi and moved his capital to Yuan Mausoleum (now southeast of Changle County), but Qi Wengong (reigned 549-536 BC) moved it back to Chunyu. King Chu Hui destroyed it in the first year of Qijiangongs reign (445 BC).

The artifacts handed down included Qibo ding and Qibo dou.

10.2 The State of Zeng (or Ceng)

The ancient city was east of today's Zaozhuang City and slightly north of Cangshan County. It was once a vassal state of Lu.

After Lu Xianggong ruled the state for six years (567 BC), it was destroyed by Ju. Zhaogong ruled the state for four years (538 BC) before Lu took the land back. After that, it belonged to the Qi State again.

10.3 The State of Zeng Guang

It was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty and located northeast of today's Shouguang County. One of the emperors of Xia once lived here. It was later destroyed by Jiao Gong, the son of Han Zhuo.

10.4 The State of Zeng Xun

It was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty that was located southeast of today's Weifang City. Xia Taikang once lived here. It was also destroyed by Han Zhuo.

11. Zi Country

People surnamed Zi were said to be the descendants of Shang Zuqi. The state of Tan also called Zhang was located west of today's Zhangqiu County. The site was excavated before the Anti-Japanese War. The land served as the east-west passage of the Qi State, and the state was destroyed by the Qi State in 684 BC.

12. Yan Country

People surnamed Yan were said to be the descendants of Gao Yao.

There was a state of Ge, which was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty that was located north of todays Dezhou city.

After Tai Kang, the emperor of Xia, lost his country, the Xia noble ministers fled here to collect their remaining forces and assisted Shao Kang to restore the Xia Dynastys regime.

13. Ying Country

People surnamed Ying were said to be the descendants of Yi. The State of Yan, also known as Gai, was located east of the old city of Qufu.

It became an ally of Yin and Shang. King Cheng of Zhou rebelled against the Zhou dynasty with Wu Geng, the son of King Zhou of Shang. As a result, it was destroyed by the Duke of Zhou, and became a territory of Lu State.

14. Qi Country

People surnamed Qi were said to be descendants of Fangfeng. The State of Souman was a branch of Zhangdi.

From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period, it was located in Shandong, north of todays Jinan City, and was at the transition stage between tribe and state.

15. Dongyi Country

Dongyi had an ancient ethnic group of people that lived in Shandong in ancient times, who gradually merged with the Huaxia ethnic group. The vassal states were Jie and Genmou.

15.1 The State of Jie

Some say it was located southwest of today's Jiaozhou City. Its monarch Ge Lu once met with Lu Xigong and led his troops to attack Song Yi.

2. The State of Genmou

It was a vassal state of Lu. Its land was south of todays Yishui County. In the ninth year of Lu Xuangongs reign (600 BC), it was attacked and acquired by the State of Lu.

16. Those countries that didnt have specific ancestral surnames.

16.1 The State of Guo

It was located northeast of todays Liao city. It was around during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the early Spring and Autumn Period. It perished before Duke Huan of Qi got to be the ruler of Qi State.

Some artifacts were handed down.

16.2 The State of Yuyuqiu (or Yuqiu)

It was in today's Linyi City, Zhangqiu County. In the second year of Lord Luzhuang (692 BC), it was attacked by the State of Lu.

16.3 The State of Muo

The old city was twenty li east of today's Laiwu City. It was a vassal state of Lu, and they were related by political marriage. The monarch once met Duke Huan of Lu.

16.4. The State of Zhuan

It was a vassal state of Lu. It was about thirty li northeast of Tancheng County today. It was destroyed by Lu in the sixth year of Lu Chenggongs reign (585 BC).

16.5 The State of Shen

It was a tribal country in the Xia and Shang dynasties. It was located north of todays Cao County. It was related to Tang of Shang by political marriage. Yi Yin was from here.

16.6 The State of Pugu (also known as Bogu and Baogu)

It was southeast of todays Boxing County, Binzhou City. When King Cheng of Zhou ascended the throne, it was destroyed by the Duke of Zhou for participating in the Wu Geng and Dongyi rebellions, and the land became a territory of Qi.

From Lao Yao Ancient Countries in Shandong

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TN Notes:

(1) This means that the rulers of these states had the surname Ji.

(2) Chen Bosunfu was one of the rulers.

(3) Ge was an ancient kitchen utensil. A picture of Ge:

(4) Ding was an ancient Chinese cauldron, standing upon legs with a lid and two facing handles. Wiki link

(5) Gao Zhong Jun was an ancient wine glass of that time:

(6) Duke Huan of Qi was the ruler of the State of Qi from 685 to 643 BC. Wiki link

(7) Therefore, the State of Xue was also called the State of Pi.

(8) Xia in Chinese here means Down. Shang here in Chinese means Up.

(9) Tang of Shang was the first king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew Jie, the last ruler of the Xia dynasty. Wiki link

(10) They are basically all bronze ritual artifacts. The picture of Fu:

(11) Fus were square bronze artifacts, and guis were round ones.

(12) It was called The Usurpation of Qi by Tian. For historiographical purposes, pre-usurpation Qi is referred to as Jiang Qi, and post-usurpation Qi is referred to as Tian Qi. Wiki link

(13) Some of the names of the states in English look the same, but they are actually different Chinese characters in the original text, so this state of Qi () was not the state of Qi () mentioned previously.

(14) A picture of yi:

(15) Zho Zhuan is an ancient Chinese narrative history that is traditionally regarded as a commentary on the ancient Chinese chronicle Spring and Autumn Annals. Wiki link