King Wu of Zhou (武王)

Overview

King Wu of Zhou was a Founder-king of the Zhou dynasty who overthrew Shang.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	King Wu Fa	武王發	Wǔ Wáng Fā

Life and dates

Death

BC 1043 武王既崩
Died
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 14

Attested activity

legendary antiquity
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passage 23; History of Liao 78, passage 64; Book of Southern Qi 36, passage 133; Records of the Grand Historian 61, passages 22, 28; Records of the Grand Historian 65, passage 111; Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 15; History of Song 107, passage 190; Book of Sui 43, passage 44; History of Yuan 171, passage 114
legendary antiquity
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 184, passage 42
BC 1046
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 32, passage 102
BC 1046 early Zhou genealogy / conquest setting
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 114, 124-126
c. BC 1046 King Wu conquered Shang
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 23
c. BC 1050 to c. BC 1043 周公為成王叔父
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 70, passage 162

Show 29 more source-backed claims

BC 1046 to BC 1043 周武
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67
BC 1046 周武
Directly stated · History of the Northern Dynasties 88, passage 3; Old Book of Tang 113, passage 66
BC 1046 to BC 1043 周武王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passages 209, 230
BC 1050 to BC 1043 周武王
Directly stated · Book of Song 55, passage 41
BC 1046 周武王
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 118
c. BC 1050 to c. BC 1043 周武王（西周開國時）
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 35, passages 62-63
BC 1046 周武王之滅紂
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 34, passage 2
BC 1046 周武王代殷
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 441
BC 1046 周武王克殷紂
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passages 5, 155
BC 1046 周武王時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 189
BC 1046 文武不以其故貶王
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 13
BC 1046 昔夷齊獲全於周武
Directly stated · Book of Wei 96, passage 3
BC 1050 to BC 1040 昔武王以仁義伐紂而王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 40
BC 1046 昔武王克商
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 141, passage 2
BC 1046 昔武王克殷
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 76
BC 1046 武王
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 84, passage 22
BC 1046 武王之得箕子
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 140, passage 3
BC 1046 武王伐殷
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 62, passage 86
BC 1046 武王伐紂
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 3
BC 1046 武王克殷
Directly stated · Book of Song 7, passage 197; Book of Zhou 26, passage 105
BC 1050 武王同母兄弟十人；母曰太姒；及文王崩而發立
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 1-2, 4, 6-7
BC 1046 武王封弟叔處
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 84
BC 1046 武王將伐紂
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 34, passage 41
BC 1046 武王已克殷紂，平天下，封功臣昆弟
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 9-12
BC 1042 武王既崩，成王少，周公旦專王室
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 14
BC 1046 武王諤諤以昌
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 140
BC 1046 武王載旆
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 69
BC 1046 湯武不循古而王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 66
BC 1046 至于湯武，而有天下
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 111

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Sibling of Bo Yi Kao (伯邑考)
elder brother 兄 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 4, passage 23
Child of King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
son 子 · paternal line
son 子
father 父 · paternal line
father 父
Sources vary in certainty · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passages 22-23; Book of Liang 4, passage 23; Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 13
Child of King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
father 父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 1, 4
Parent of King Cheng of Zhou (周成王)
father 父 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 14
Child of King Wen (文王)
father 父
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 14-15
Parent of King Cheng (成王)
father 父
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 99, passages 15-16
Parent of King Cheng of Zhou (周成王)
father 父
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 124
Child of King Wen (文王)
fathered 生 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 376
Parent of King Cheng of Zhou (周成王)
paternal uncle 叔父
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 70, passage 162
Sibling of Duke of Zhou (周公)
paternal uncle 叔父 · Full siblings
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Han 70, passage 162; Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4, 113, 124; Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 106
Sibling of Bo Yi Kao (伯邑考)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Ran Ji Zai (冉季載)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Cao Shu Zhen Duo (曹叔振鐸)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Cheng Shu Wu (成叔武)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Huo Shu Chu (霍叔處)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Kang Shu Feng (康叔封)
same-mother brother 同母昆弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 4
Sibling of Cheng Shu Wu (成叔武)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 124
Sibling of Kang Shu Feng (康叔封)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 113, 124
Sibling of Ran Ji Zai (冉季載)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 124
Sibling of Guan Shu Xian (管叔鮮)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 113, 124
Sibling of Cai Shu Du (蔡叔度)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 113, 124
Sibling of Bo Yi Kao (伯邑考)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 113, 124
Sibling of Huo Shu Chu (霍叔處)
same-mother younger brother 同母之弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 113, 124
Child of Tai Si (太姒)
son 子 · Full siblings · maternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 3-4
Parent of Tang Shu Yu (唐叔虞)
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 108
Sibling of Guan Shu Xian (管叔鮮)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 1
Sibling of Cai Shu Du (蔡叔度)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 1
Sibling of Shu Zhen Duo (曹叔振鐸)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 115
Sibling of Kangshu (康叔)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 112
Sibling of Shu Du (蔡叔度)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 114
Sibling of Shuchu (叔處)
younger brother 弟 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 84
Sibling of Cao Shu Zhen Duo (曹叔振鐸)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 125

Kinship Role same-mother-brothers · Count 10
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passages 2, 124
Kinship Role descendants · Polity Zhou 周 · Quantity unknown
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 114

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Line Zhou royal house · 周
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 1

Career and standing

crown prince 太子
BC 1050 文王舍伯邑考而以發為太子 · Appointed · Authority King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 6
Became king
Means conquest with benevolence and righteousness
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 40
Son of Heaven
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 230
King Wu 武王
BC 1050 發立，是為武王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 7

Places and affiliations

Zhou 周
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 28
Polity Zhou 周 · Relation Member of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 1
Polity Zhou 周 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67; Records of the Grand Historian 34, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 5
Polity Zhou 周 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 3

Works and attributed material

無辜籲天
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 64

Events and relationships

Adapted rites to circumstance
Ritual · Exemplar · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Miao Jinqing (苗晉卿)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67
Attacked Zhou and became king
Military · Commander · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 40
Attacked Zhou
Military · Attacker · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 64
Attacked
Military · Commander · With King Zhou of Shang (紂) · At En: Unknown · Zh: Unknown
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 3
Became king without following antiquity
Political · Founder king
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 66
Blew pitch pipes and listened
Ritual · Agent
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 3

Show 25 more source-backed claims

Carried wooden spirit tablet and styled father King Wen
Ritual · Son · With King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 22
Conquered Yin/Shang
Military · Conqueror
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 76
Conquered
Military · Conqueror · With King Zhou of Shang (紂) · At Yin 殷
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 155
Conquered
Military · Victor · With King Zhou of Yin (殷紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 5
Conquered
BC 1046 武王已克殷紂，平天下 · Military · Conqueror · With King Zhou of Shang (殷紂) · Outcome Pacified the world
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 9
Counted crimes
Political · Accuser · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Book of Song 7, passage 197
Defeated King Zhou of Shang
BC 1046 武王已克殷紂 · Military · Conqueror · With King Zhou of Shang (殷紂)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 126
Defeated
BC 1046 甲子日 · Military · Commander · With King Zhou of Shang (紂) · At Muye 牧野
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passages 222-223
Destroyed
Military · Conqueror · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 34, passage 2
Enfeoffed meritorious ministers and brothers
BC 1046 封功臣昆弟 · Political · Enfeoffing king
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 9
Enfeoffed Shun descendants at Chen
Enfeoffment · Grantor · At Chen 陳
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 177
Enfeoffed Yu descendants at Qi
Enfeoffment · Grantor · At Qi 杞
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 178
Enfeoffed
Enfeoffment · Grantor · With Duke Dong Lou (東樓公) · At Qi 杞
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 155
Marched east to attack
Military · Commander · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 22
Pacified Yin disorder
Military · Victor · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 28
Possessed all under Heaven
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 111
Prepared to attack Shang
Military · Attacker · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 34, passage 41
Raised banners, bore the axe, and campaigned with moral legitimacy
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passages 69, 87
Re enfeoffed Bo Yi descendants at Qi
Enfeoffment · Grantor · With Lü Shang (呂尚) · At Qi 齊
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 183
Replaced yin
Military · Conqueror · With King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 441
Relation Opponent of · Person King Zhou of Shang (紂)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 3
Relation Lord of · Person Lü Shang (呂尚)
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 26
Relation Successor of · Person King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 209
Relation Received counsel from · Person Jizi (箕子)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 140, passage 3
Relation Assisted · Person King Wen of Zhou (周文王)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 6

Assessments and attributes

Assessment prospered through frank remonstrance · Mode named-source-report Speaker Zhao Liang (趙良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 68, passage 140
Assessment worthy · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 35, passage 6

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Song 7, passage 197
Historicity legendary
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 61, passage 22; Records of the Grand Historian 99, passage 15
Value historical
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 117, passage 67
During King Wu's time there were still over a thousand marquises and earls
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 36, passage 189
nineteen generations from Yellow Emperor to King Wu
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 441

References in the histories

Search passages

History

84 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Emperor Xiaozhao · 1 passage

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甲午，詔曰：「昔武王克殷，先封兩代，漢、魏、二晉，無廢茲典。 On the jiawu day, an edict stated: "When King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang, he first enfeoffed descendants of the two preceding dynasties. The Han, Wei, and two Jin dynasties likewise never abandoned this precedent.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 30Volume 30 Biographies 22: Cui Xian; Gao Dezheng; Cui Ang · 1 passage

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又說者以為昔周武王再駕盟津，然始革命，於是乃旋晉陽。 Others said that in old times King Wu of Zhou crossed the Meng Ford twice before he began the revolution — and so he turned back to Jinyang.

History of the Northern Dynasties, Chapter 88Volume 88 Biographies 76: Recluses · 1 passage

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昔夷、齊獲全于周武，華矞不容于太公，何哉？ Long ago Boyi and Shuqi were spared by King Wu of Zhou, yet Hua Yu found no place with the Grand Duke Jiang—why was that?

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 3 passages

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《詩》曰：『武王載旆，有虔秉鉞，如火烈烈，則莫我敢遏。』 As the Odes describes King Wu's campaign, moral legitimacy generated unstoppable force.

故齊之技擊不可以遇魏之武卒，魏之武卒不可以直秦之銳士，秦之銳士不可以當桓、文之節制，桓、文之節制不可以敵湯、武之仁義。」 Thus Qi's skilled fighters cannot match Wei's trained soldiers; Wei's trained soldiers cannot stand against Qin's elite warriors; Qin's elite warriors cannot withstand the discipline of Duke Huan and Duke Wen; and the discipline of Huan and Wen cannot rival the benevolence and righteousness of Tang and Wu.'

湯、武征伐，陳師誓眾，而放禽桀、紂，所謂善陳不戰者也。 Tang and Wu's legitimacy made victory decisive once forces were arrayed, minimizing prolonged combat.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 1 passage

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夫能詘於一人之下，而信於萬乘之上者，湯武是也。 Tang and King Wu could submit to one ruler for a time and ultimately rise above the sovereign of ten thousand chariots.

Book of Han, Chapter 74Volume 64a: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 1 · 1 passage

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臣聞周德始乎後稷，長於公劉，大於大王，成於文、武，顯於周公，德澤上昭，天下漏泉，無所不通。 The virtue of Zhou began with Hou Ji, swelled through Duke Liu and the Great King, ripened under Wen and Wu, and shone through the Duke of Zhou until grace soaked the realm like water from a spring.

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 2 passages

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朔對曰：「堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武、成、康上古之事，經歷數千載，尚難言也，臣不敢陳。 Shuo answered, "The deeds of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, Cheng, and Kang lie so far back in time that even after millennia they are hard to discuss clearly; I would not presume to rehearse them here.

太公體行仁義，七十有二乃設用於文、武，得信厥說，封於齊，七百歲而不絕。 The Grand Duke lived out benevolence and righteousness; not until he was seventy-two did Kings Wen and Wu put his counsel to use. They believed him, enfeoffed him in Qi, and his line lasted seven hundred years.

Book of Han, Chapter 88Volume 77: Gai, Zhuge, Liu, Zheng, Sun, Wujiang and He · 1 passage

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昔武王、周公承順天地，以饗魚烏之瑞，然猶君臣祗懼，動色相戒，況於季世，不蒙繼嗣之福，屢受威怒之異者虖！ Even Wu and Zhou trembled at small omens, he argued—how much more should a childless age fear heaven's warnings.

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 1 passage

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臮于稷𢍆，咸佐唐虞，光濟四海，奕世載德，至于湯武，而有天下。 Through ministers such as Hou Ji and Xie the virtue of Yao and Shun spread across the seas, generation on generation, until Tang of Shang and Wu of Zhou inherited the whole realm.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 32Volume 28b: Biography of Feng Yan · 1 passage

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苗裔紛其條暢兮，至湯、武而勃興。 Their line branched and flourished until Tang and Wu burst forth in power.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 34Volume 30a: Biographies of Su Jing; Yang Hou · 1 passage

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畢為天網，主網羅無道之君，故武王將伐紂，上祭於畢，求助天也。 Bi is the celestial net that snares wicked rulers. King Wu therefore sacrificed at Bi before marching against Shang, invoking Heaven’s aid.

History of Jin, Chapter 35Volume 35 Treatises 16: Rites 8: Consecration of Shrines to a Sages; Temple to the Warrior King Cheng of Zhou; Monarchs of Past Ages; Halls to Various Spirits in Changbai Shan, Dafang Shan, Amur River, Jia Yin Hou; Spirits of the Lu River; Spirits of Zhao Yin Shun; Spirits of Zhen an Gong, Rui Shen Gongl; Worshipping, Sacrifices, Vists, and State Ceremonies at Zhen Xian Jun Wang Temple · 4 passages

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三年一祭，于仲春之月祭伏犧于陳州，神農於亳州，軒轅於坊州，少昊於兗州，顓頊於開州，高辛於歸德府，陶唐於平陽府，虞舜、夏禹、成湯於河中府，周文王、武王於京兆府。 Sacrifices were held once every three years: in mid-spring Fuxi was honored at Chen Prefecture, Shennong at Bozhou, the Yellow Emperor at Fang Prefecture, Shaohao at Yan Prefecture, Zhuanxu at Kai Prefecture, Gaoxin at Guide Prefecture, Emperor Yao at Pingyang Prefecture, Shun, Yu, and Tang at Hezhong Prefecture, and Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou at Jingzhao Prefecture.

泰和三年、尚書省奏：「太常寺言：'《開元禮》祭帝嚳、堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武、漢祖祝版請禦署。 In Taihe 3 the Secretariat memorialized: "The Court of Imperial Sacrifices reports that under the Kaiyuan Rites, prayer boards for sacrifices to Di Ku, Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Kings Wen and Wu, and the Han Founder require imperial endorsement.

《開寶禮》犧、軒、顓頊、帝嚳、陶唐、女媧、成湯、文、武請禦署，自漢高祖以下二十七帝不署。 The Kaibao Rites require imperial endorsement for Fu Xi, the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu, Di Ku, Emperor Yao, Nüwa, Tang, and Kings Wen and Wu; from Han Gaozu downward twenty-seven emperors are not endorsed.

'參知政事即康及鉉以為三皇、五帝、禹、湯、文、武皆垂世立教之君，唐、宋致祭皆禦署，而今降祝版不署，恐於禮未盡。 Vice Grand Councilors Jikang and Quan held that the Three August Ones, Five Emperors, Yu, Tang, and Kings Wen and Wu were all rulers who handed down teaching for the ages; Tang and Song sacrifices all received imperial endorsement, and now to issue prayer boards without endorsement may fall short of ritual propriety.

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 117Volume 113 Biographies 63: Miao Jingqing, Pei Mian, Pei Zunqing · 1 passage

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沿革不一，今古異同，而周武、漢文，合於通變，垂範作則，可舉而行。 Customs have changed from age to age, yet King Wu of Zhou and Emperor Wen of Han adapted rites to circumstance and left models we may follow today.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 140Volume 140: Treatises 2 Calendars · 1 passage

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武王之得箕子，首敘九疇。 and when King Wu received Jizi, he began by expounding the Nine Categories.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 141Volume 141: Treatises 3 Five Elements · 1 passage

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昔武王克商，以箕子歸，作《洪範》。 In ancient times, after King Wu of Zhou conquered Shang, he brought Jizi home and composed the 《Great Plan》.

Book of Liang, Chapter 4Volume 4: Emperor Jianwen · 1 passage

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文王舍伯邑考而立武王，格于上下，光于四表。 King Wen passed over Bo Yi Kao and installed King Wu, harmonizing above and below and shining across the four quarters.

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 1 passage

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武王之伐紂也，數其罪曰「無辜籲天」； when Wu attacked Zhou, he recited his crimes: "The innocent cry to Heaven";

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 36Volume 36 Biographies 17: Xie Chaozong, Liu Xiang · 1 passage

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是以俊乂之臣，借湯、武而隆； Thus worthy ministers rose to greatness through King Tang and King Wu;

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 62Volume 62: Book of Wu 17: Biographies of Shi Yi and Hu Zong · 1 passage

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營武王伐殷，殷氏倒戈； When King Wu marched on Shang, the Shang warriors lowered their blades;

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 3Annals of Yin · 6 passages

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西伯既卒，周武王之東伐，至盟津，諸侯叛殷會周者八百。 After the Western Earl died, King Wu marched east to Mengjin; eight hundred lords who had turned from Yin rallied to him.

武王曰：「爾未知天命。」 King Wu said, "You do not yet understand Heaven’s mandate."

周武王於是遂率諸侯伐紂。 King Wu then led the host against Zhou.

周武王遂斬紂頭，縣之［大］白旗。 King Wu of Zhou then cut off Zhou’s head and hung it from the great white banner.

於是周武王為天子。 King Wu then became Son of Heaven.

周武王崩，武庚與管叔、蔡叔作亂，成王命周公誅之，而立微子於宋，以續殷後焉。 When King Wu died, Wugeng and the lords of Guan and Cai rebelled; King Cheng ordered the Duke of Zhou to crush them and set Weizi in Song to carry on Yin's line.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 13Genealogical Tables of the Three Dynasties · 9 passages

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文王昌生武王發。 King Wen Chang fathered King Wu Fa.

周武王代殷，從黃帝至武王十九世。 When King Wu of Zhou replaced Yin, it was nineteen generations from the Yellow Emperor to King Wu.

魯周公旦，武王弟。初封。 Lu: Zhou Gong Dan, younger brother of King Wu. First enfeoffment.

齊太公尚，文王、武王師。初封。 Qi: Tai Gong Shang, teacher of King Wen and King Wu. First enfeoffment.

晉唐叔虞，武王子。初封。 Jin: Tang Shu Yu, son of King Wu. First enfeoffment.

衛康叔，武王弟。初封。 Wei: Kang Shu, younger brother of King Wu. First enfeoffment.

蔡叔度，武王弟。初封。 Cai: Shu Du, younger brother of King Wu. First enfeoffment.

曹叔振鐸，武王弟。初封。 Cao: Shu Zhen Duo, younger brother of King Wu. First enfeoffment.

武王封弟叔處於霍，後世晉獻公滅霍公，後世為庶民，往來居平陽。 King Wu enfeoffed his younger brother Shuchu at Huo. In a later generation, Duke Xian of Jin destroyed Duke Huo, and his descendants became commoners, moving back and forth until they settled at Pingyang.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 25Treatise on the Pitch-Pipes · 1 passage

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武王伐紂，吹律聽聲，推孟春以至于季冬，殺氣相并，而音尚宮。 When King Wu campaigned against Zhou, he blew the pitch-pipes and listened to the sounds, extending this from the first month of spring to the last month of winter. The killing qi joined together, but the sound still favored gong.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 34House of Yan Shaogong · 1 passage

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周武王之滅紂，封召公於北燕。 When King Wu of Zhou destroyed King Zhou, he enfeoffed the Duke of Shao in Northern Yan.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 35Houses of Guan and Cai · 11 passages

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管叔鮮、蔡叔度者，周文王子而武王弟也。 Guan Shu Xian and Cai Shu Du were both sons of King Wen of Zhou and younger brothers of King Wu.

武王同母兄弟十人。 King Wu and nine other brothers shared the same mother.

其長子曰伯邑考，次曰武王發，次曰管叔鮮，次曰周公旦，次曰蔡叔度，次曰曹叔振鐸，次曰成叔武，次曰霍叔處，次曰康叔封，次曰冉季載。 Her eldest son was called Bo Yi Kao; next came King Wu Fa, then Guan Shu Xian, the Duke of Zhou Dan, Cai Shu Du, Cao Shu Zhen Duo, Cheng Shu Wu, Huo Shu Chu, Kang Shu Feng, and Ran Ji Zai.

同母昆弟十人，唯發、旦賢，左右輔文王，故文王舍伯邑考而以發為太子。 Of the ten brothers from the same mother, only Fa and Dan were worthy. They assisted King Wen on left and right, so King Wen passed over Bo Yi Kao and made Fa his crown prince.

及文王崩而發立，是為武王。 When King Wen passed away, Fa ascended the throne and became King Wu.

武王已克殷紂，平天下，封功臣昆弟。 After King Wu conquered King Zhou of Shang and pacified the world, he enfeoffed meritorious ministers and his brothers.

武王既崩，成王少，周公旦專王室。 After King Wu passed away, King Cheng was young, and the Duke of Zhou Dan took charge of the royal house.

武王發，其後為周，有本紀言。 King Wu Fa—his descendants became Zhou, and their story is told in the basic annals.

然周武王崩，成王少，天下既疑，賴同母之弟成叔、冉季之屬十人為輔拂，是以諸侯卒宗周，故附之世家言。 However, when King Wu of Zhou died, King Cheng was young, and the world was already suspicious. The royal house relied on King Wu's younger brothers by the same mother, Cheng Shu, Ran Ji, and the rest of the ten brothers, to assist and protect it, and thus the feudal lords ultimately honored Zhou. Therefore, this account is attached to the hereditary houses.

曹叔振鐸者，周武王弟也。 Cao Shu Zhen Duo was the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou.

武王已克殷紂，封叔振鐸於曹。 After King Wu defeated King Zhou of Shang, he enfeoffed Shu Zhenduo at Cao.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 36Houses of Chen and Qi · 6 passages

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至于周武王克殷紂，乃復求舜後，得媯滿，封之於陳，以奉帝舜祀，是為胡公。 When King Wu of Zhou conquered King Zhou of Yin, he again sought out Shun's descendants, found Gui Man, and enfeoffed him at Chen to continue the sacrifices of Emperor Shun. This was Duke Hu.

周武王克殷紂，求禹之後，得東樓公，封之於杞，以奉夏后氏祀。 King Wu of Zhou conquered Yin Zhou and sought Yu's descendants. He obtained Duke Dong Lou and enfeoffed him at Qi to continue the Xiahou clan's sacrifices.

舜之後，周武王封之陳，至楚惠王滅之，有世家言。 Shun's descendants were enfeoffed by King Wu of Zhou in the state of Chen, until King Hui of Chu destroyed them. Their story is told in the hereditary houses.

禹之後，周武王封之杞，楚惠王滅之，有世家言。 Yu's descendants were enfeoffed by King Wu of Zhou in the state of Qi, until King Hui of Chu destroyed them. Their story is told in the hereditary houses.

伯夷之後，至周武王復封於齊，曰太公望，陳氏滅之，有世家言。 Bo Yi's descendants were again enfeoffed at Qi by King Wu of Zhou, under the name Tai Gong Wang. The Chen clan destroyed them. Their story is told in the hereditary houses.

周武王時，侯伯尚千餘人。 During the time of King Wu of Zhou, there were still over a thousand marquises and earls.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 61Biographies: Biography of Bo Yi · 2 passages

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及至，西伯卒，武王載木主，號為文王，東伐紂。 When they arrived, the Earl of the West had died. King Wu carried the wooden spirit tablet, styled him King Wen, and marched east to attack King Zhou.

武王已平殷亂，天下宗周，而伯夷、叔齊恥之，義不食周粟，隱於首陽山，采薇而食之。 After King Wu had pacified the disorder of Yin and the world acknowledged Zhou as paramount, Bo Yi and Shu Qi were ashamed of it. For righteousness' sake they would not eat Zhou grain. They hid on Mount Shouyang, gathered ferns, and ate them.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 65Biographies of Sun Tzu and Wu Qi · 1 passage

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殷紂之國，左孟門，右太行，常山在其北，大河經其南，修政不德，武王殺之。 King Zhou of Yin had Mengmen Pass on the left and the Taihang Mountains on the right, Changshan to the north and the great river flowing south. He practiced unvirtuous government, so King Wu killed him.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 68Biography of Lord Shang · 3 passages

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故湯武不循古而王，夏殷不易禮而亡。 Therefore, Tang and Wu did not follow antiquity yet became kings; Xia and Yin did not change their rituals yet perished.

武王諤諤以昌，殷紂墨墨以亡。 King Wu prospered through frankness, while Yin Zhou perished through flattery.

君若不非武王乎，則仆請終日正言而無誅，可乎？」 If Your Lordship does not criticize King Wu, then this servant requests to speak correct words all day without punishment. Would that be acceptable?'

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 74Biographies of Mengzi and Xun Qing · 1 passage

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笔武王以仁義伐紂而王，伯夷餓不食周粟； Formerly King Wu used benevolence and righteousness to attack Zhou and became king, but Bo Yi starved rather than eat Zhou grain;

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 84Biographies of Qu Yuan and Master Jia · 1 passage

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上稱帝嚳，下道齊桓，中述湯武，以刺世事。 It invokes Emperor Ku in the remote past, speaks of Duke Huan of Qi in recent times, and recounts the deeds of Tang and Wu in between — all to cast light on the affairs of the present age.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 99Biographies of Liu Jing and Shusun Tong · 1 passage

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武王伐紂，不期而會孟津之上八百諸侯，皆曰紂可伐矣，遂滅殷。 When King Wu marched against Zhou, eight hundred lords gathered unbidden at Mengjin. All said, 'Zhou can be attacked,' and he then destroyed the Yin dynasty.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 124Biographies of Knight-errants · 1 passage

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故伯夷丑周，餓死首陽山，而文武不以其故貶王； Bo Yi despised the Zhou conquest and starved himself to death on Mount Shouyang, yet Kings Wen and Wu were nonetheless regarded as kings on that account.

History of Song, Chapter 107Volume 107 Treatises 60: Rites 10 · 1 passage

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又言：「當以僖祖為始祖，如周之後稷，太祖如周之文王，太宗如周之武王，與仁宗之廟，皆萬世不祧； He further stated: "Emperor Xi should be founding ancestor like Zhou's Hou Ji; Taizu like King Wen; Taizong like King Wu; with Renzong's temple—all never removed;

Book of Song, Chapter 7Volume 7 Annals 7: Emperor Fei I · 1 passage

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若夫武王數殷紂之釁，不能絓其萬一； When King Wu of Zhou counted the crimes of King Zhou of Yin, he could not exhaust one part in ten thousand;

Book of Song, Chapter 55Volume 55 Biographies 15: Zang Dao, Xu Guang, F Long · 4 passages

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鄭玄以為祧者文王、武王之廟，王肅以為五世六世之祖。 Zheng Xuan held that the tiao were the temples of Kings Wen and Wu, whereas Wang Su held that they were ancestors of the fifth and sixth generations.

尋去祧之言，則祧非文、武之廟矣。 If we examine the phrase 'removing the tiao,' the tiao cannot be the temples of Wen and Wu.

文、武周之祖宗，何雲去祧為壇乎？ Wen and Wu were Zhou's founding ancestors — how could the rites speak of removing the tiao to make altars?

若祧是文、武之廟，宜同月祭于太祖，雖推後稷以配天，由功德之所始，非尊崇之義每有差降也。 If the tiao were the temples of Wen and Wu, they ought to receive monthly sacrifice together with the Great Ancestor; although Hou Ji was elevated to match Heaven, that was because merit began with him, not because the principle of honor allows no gradation.

Book of Sui, Chapter 43Volume 43 Biographies 8: He Jian Wanghong, Yang Chugang, Yang Zichong, Guang De, Wang Xiong · 1 passage

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夫微子紂之元兄，族實為重，項伯籍之季父，戚乃非疏，然猶去朝歌而入周，背西楚而歸漢。 Wei Zi was King Zhou of Shang's own elder brother—the tie of blood could scarcely have been closer; Xiang Bo was Xiang Ji of Western Chu's uncle—hardly a distant kinsman—yet both men left Chaoge to join King Wu of Zhou, and turned from Western Chu to serve the Han.

Book of Wei, Chapter 96Volume 90: Retired Officals: Sui Kua, Feng Liang, Li Mi, Zheng Xiu · 1 passage

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昔夷齊獲全於周武，華矞不容於太公，何哉？ Long ago Boyi and Shuqi were spared by King Wu of Zhou, yet Hua Yu found no place with Duke Tai of Qi—why was this?

New Book of Tang, Chapter 184Volume 184 Biographies 109: Ma, Yang, Lu, Lu · 3 passages

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涚曰：「世謂周文、武二王所加者。」 Shu said, "People say Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou added them."

如子之言，少商，武弦也。 As you say, lesser shang is King Wu's string.

且文世安得武聲乎？」 Besides, how could King Wu's sound appear in King Wen's age?"

History of Yuan, Chapter 171Volume 171 Biographies 58: Liu Yin, Wu Cheng · 1 passage

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分而言之，上古則羲、黃其元，堯、舜其亨，禹、湯其利，文、武、周公其貞乎！ Speaking in detail: in high antiquity Fuxi and the Yellow Emperor are the Origin, Yao and Shun the Flourishing, Yu and Tang the Advantage, and King Wen, King Wu, and the Duke of Zhou the Steadfastness!

Book of Zhou, Chapter 26Volume 26 Biographies 18: Zhang Sunjian; Zhangsun Shaoyuan; Younger Brother Cheng; Elder Brother Si; Hu Sizheng · 3 passages

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故梁黃門侍郎裴正上書，以為昔者大舜欲聞七始，下洎周武，爰創七音。 Pei Zheng, former Attendant Secretary of the Yellow Gate of Liang, submitted a memorial arguing that in antiquity Great Shun had wished to hear the Seven Beginnings and that, down to King Wu of Zhou, the seven tones were first established.

高祖讀史書，見武王克殷而作七始，又欲廢八而懸七，幷除黃鐘之正宮，用林鐘為調首。 Emperor Gaozu read the histories and, seeing that King Wu had created the Seven Beginnings after conquering Yin, again wished to abolish the eight-tone system and suspend seven sets, remove Yellow Bell as the principal palace pitch, and use Forest Bell as the leading tone.

下逮周武，甫修七始之音。 Down to King Wu of Zhou, he merely restored the music of the Seven Beginnings.