Yi Yin (伊尹) | 24 Histories

Overview

Yi Yin was a Shang minister and sage remembered as a model statesman.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Alternate name	Aheng	阿衡

Life and dates

Death

Unspecified
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 92
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 13, passage 414

Attested activity

伊
Directly stated · History of Ming 135, passage 6
伊尹負於鼎俎
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 9
legendary antiquity
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 89; Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Northern Qi 48, passage 43; Book of Northern Qi 50, passage 56; Book of Chen 2, passages 216, 234; Book of Chen 19, passage 258; Book of Chen 20, passage 37; Book of Chen 29, passage 98; Book of Han 25, passage 100; Book of Han 98, passage 106; Book of Han 101, passage 131; Book of Later Han 32, passages 73, 105; Book of Later Han 33, passage 239; Book of Later Han 89, passages 164, 330; Book of Later Han 92, passage 174; Book of Later Han 94, passage 290; Book of Southern Qi 4, passage 76; Book of Southern Qi 36, passage 134; Book of Southern Qi 47, passage 82; Records of the Grand Historian 57, passage 229; Records of the Grand Historian 63, passage 100; Records of the Grand Historian 78, passage 154; New Book of Tang 123, passage 248; Book of Zhou 23, passage 294
legendary antiquity
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 38, passage 233
legendary antiquity
Uncertain · Old History of the Five Dynasties 103, passage 242
legendary antiquity
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 6, passage 177

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Shang antiquity
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passages 159-160
BC 1600 to BC 1540 伊、呂
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 65, passages 370-371
BC 1600 to BC 1540 伊
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 33, passage 13
BC 1600 伊
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 83, passage 225
BC 1600 伊尹、呂尚之謀
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 103, passage 52
c. BC 1600 to c. BC 1500 伊尹
Directly stated · Book of Jin 109, passage 193
c. BC 1600 to c. BC 1500 伊尹
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 55, passage 185; Book of Zhou 23, passage 138
BC 1600 伊尹
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 129, passage 91
BC 1600 to BC 1500 伊尹勤於鼎俎（商湯之世）
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 75, passage 173
BC 1600 to BC 1500 伊尹去夏入商
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 62, passage 155
BC 1600 to BC 1500 商初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 31, passage 157
BC 1600 to BC 1500 或曰，伊尹負鼎而勉湯以王，百里奚飯牛車下而繆公用霸，作先合，然後引之大道。
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 45
BC 1600 to BC 1500 殷獲伊摯
Strongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 160
BC 1600 to BC 1500 湯…獲伊尹
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 75, passage 179
BC 1600 湯時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 34, passage 7
BC 1600 談者皆擬於阿衡
Directly stated · Book of Han 99, passage 67

Family

Kinship Role descendants · Held states alongside Shang and Zhou · Quantity unknown
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 100

Key source chapters

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 3 Annals of Yin 16 passages
Book of Later Han, Chapter 33 Volume 29: Biographies of Shentu Gang; Bao Yong; Zhi Yun 4 passages
Book of Zhou, Chapter 23 Volume 23 Biographies 15: Su Chuo 4 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 65 Volume 56: Dong Zhongshu 3 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 76 Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo 3 passages

Career and standing

cook 庖
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 63, passage 100
pillar minister 台辅
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 330
administrator of the realm 國政
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 34
Aheng 阿衡
Held
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 164
Rank duke or marquis 公侯
Directly stated · Book of Han 76, passage 319

Places and affiliations

Polity Later Han 後漢 · Relation Associated with
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 103, passage 242
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Han 75, passages 173, 179
Polity Shang 商 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 159
Polity Shang 殷 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 65, passage 370
Polity Yin/Shang 殷 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 160
At Bo 亳 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 93

Works and attributed material

All Possess One Virtue 咸有一德
Relation Author
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 79
Saying · Speaker · Direct quotation · Extent s0193 · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Yang Yu (陽裕)
Directly stated · Book of Jin 109, passage 193

Events and relationships

Banished
Political · Agent · With Taijia (太甲) · At Tong palace 桐宮
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passage 86
Carried a cauldron to Tang
Allusion · Exemplar · With King Tang (湯) · Mode quotation
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 123, passage 248
Carried tripod and urged Tang to become king
Political · Adviser · With King Tang (湯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 45
Cited as model or warning
AD 544 大統十年 · Political · Exemplar · Mode document Source Person Id Su Chuo (蘇綽)
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 23, passage 138
Delivered seals to Deng Ai
Diplomatic · Envoy
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 33, passage 161
Exiled
Political · Minister · With Tai Jia (太甲) · At Tong 桐
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 234

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Invoked with Huo Guang as regent usurpation model
Allusion · Exemplar · With Huo Guang (霍光)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182
Labored among cooking vessels
Personal · Subject
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 124, passage 9
Labored at cauldrons and boards
Personal · Laborer · Mode allusion Speaker Wang Bao (王褒)
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 173
Obtained by Yin
Appointment · Recruited
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 160
Recalled as cook minister archetype
Allusion · Exemplar
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 23, passage 406
Sold himself to aid Shang and preserved the people
Political · Minister · Mode quotation Speaker Zhi Yun (郅惲)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 159
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 100
at the time there were no Yi and Huo to assist 時無伊、霍之輔
Relation Would have assisted · Person Emperor Jing of Liang (梁敬帝) · Negated true · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Wei Zheng (魏徵)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 177
Relation Minister of · Person King Tang (湯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 74, passage 45
Relation Served · Person King Tang (湯)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 32, passage 73
Type served · Person King Tang (湯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 76, passage 315
Relation Minister of · Person Tang (湯)
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 75, passage 179
Relation Minister who exiled · Person Tai Jia (太甲)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 234

Assessments and attributes

Assessment companion fit for sages; a true king could not rise without such men · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Liu Xin (劉歆)
Directly stated · Book of Han 65, passage 371
Assessment sage · Mode quotation Speaker Han Fei (韓非)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 63, passage 101

Source notes

either entered as Youxin cook-attendant or was invited five times as a recluse
Field how-met-Tang
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 3, passages 32-33
Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 75, passage 173
Historicity legendary
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 1; Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 182; Book of Northern Qi 48, passage 43; Book of Later Han 33, passage 239; Book of Later Han 38, passage 233; Book of Later Han 89, passage 330; New Book of Tang 123, passage 248
Historicity uncertain
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 13
Value legendary
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 33, passage 159

References in the histories

Search passages

History

80 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 28Volume 28 Biographies 20: Yuan Tan (Eastern Wei); Yuan Bin; Yuan Xiaoyou; Yuan Huiye; Yuan Bi; Yuan Shao (Eastern Wei) · 1 passage

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對曰：「數尋伊、霍之傳，不讀曹、馬之書。」 He replied, "I pore over the lives of Yi Yin and Huo Guang — not the chronicles of Cao Cao and the Sima clan."

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 39Volume 39 Biographies 31: Cui Jishu; Zu Ting · 1 passage

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珽乃遺陸媼弟悉達書曰：「趙彥深心腹深沈，欲行伊、霍事，儀同姊弟豈得平安，何不早用智士耶？」 Ting sent a letter to Dame Lu's younger brother Sida: "Zhao Yanshen's heart runs deep and hidden. He means to play Yi Yin and Huo Guang—the lady's brother and sister, how will they stay safe? Why not take a clever man into counsel early?"

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 48Volume 48 Biographies 40: Imperial Affines · 1 passage

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文略嘗大遺魏收金，請為其父作佳傳，收論尒朱榮比韋、彭、伊、霍，蓋由是也。 Wenlüe once paid Wei Shou heavily to glorify his father in print—hence Shou’s likening of Erzhu Rong to Wei Qing, Peng Yue, Yi Yin, and Huo Guang.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 50Volume 50 Biographies 42: Favored by Nobles · 1 passage

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世祖謂士開有伊、霍之才，殷勤屬以後事，臨崩，握士開之手曰：「勿負我也。」 Shizu declared that Shikai had the gifts of Yi Yin and Huo Guang and earnestly entrusted the aftermath to him; dying, he clasped Shikai's hand and said, "Do not betray me."

Book of Chen, Chapter 2Volume 2: Emperor Wu 2 · 2 passages

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王僧辯闕伊尹之才，空結桐宮之憤，貞陽假秦兵之送，不思穆嬴之泣。 Wang Sengbian lacked the gift of an Yiyin yet brooded on the wrong of the Tong Palace; Zhenyang leaned on northern troops yet never remembered Mu Ying's tears.

按此用伊尹放太甲於桐故事，坰與桐形近而訛。 Note: the passage uses Yiyin's exile of Tai Jia to Tong; jiong is a graphic slip for tong.

Book of Chen, Chapter 19Volume 19: Shen Jiong; Yu Li; Ma Shu · 1 passage

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樞肆志尋覽，殆將周遍，乃喟然歎曰：「吾聞貴爵位者以巢、由為桎梏，愛山林者以伊、呂為管庫，束名實則芻芥柱下之言，翫清虛則糠秕席上之說，稽之篤論，亦各從其好也。 Shu read through them almost entirely and sighed: "I hear that men who prize office take Chao Fu and Xu You as shackles, and men who love the hills take Yi and Lü as storekeepers; those who bind name to fact treat Laozi as straw, and those who play at emptiness treat banquet talk as chaff. In earnest judgment each follows his own bent.

Book of Chen, Chapter 20Volume 20: Dao Zhongju; Han Zigao; Hua Jiao · 1 passage

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家國安危，事歸宰輔，伊、周之重，物無異議，將相舊臣，咸知宗仰。 The realm’s safety belongs to its chief ministers. The weight of Yi and Zhou is beyond dispute. Every old general and minister knows to look to him.

Book of Chen, Chapter 29Volume 29: Zong Yuanrao; Sima Shen; Mao Xi; Cai Zheng · 1 passage

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皇太后深惟社稷至計，令王入省，方當共康庶績，比德伊、周。 The empress dowager deeply weighs the plan for the altars of soil and grain and has ordered the prince to enter the secretariat; we should together bring peace to the people's labors and match the virtue of Yi and Zhou.

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 1 passage

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故伊、呂之將，子孫有國，與商周並。 Thus, when Yi Yin and Lü Shang served as commanders, their descendants received states that endured alongside Shang and Zhou.

Book of Han, Chapter 65Volume 56: Dong Zhongshu · 3 passages

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贊曰：劉向稱：「董仲舒有王佐之材，雖伊、呂亡以加，管、晏之屬，伯者之佐，殆不及也。」 The encomium says: Liu Xiang wrote, "Dong Zhongshu had the talent to assist a true king. Even Yi Yin and Lü Wang could add nothing to him; Guan Zhong and Yan Ying, ministers to hegemons, likely fell short."

至向子歆以為：「伊、呂乃聖人之耦，王者不得則不興。 But Liu Xiang's son Liu Xin held: "Yi Yin and Lü Wang were companions fit for sages; without men like them, a true king could not rise.

然考其師友淵源所漸，猶未及乎游、夏，而曰管、晏弗及，伊、呂不加，過矣。」 Yet weighed against the lineage that produced Ziyou and Zixia, to call Guan and Yan his inferiors and rank him with Yi and Lü is going too far."

Book of Han, Chapter 75Volume 64b: Yan, Zhu, Wuqiu, Zhufu, Xu, Yan, Zhong, Wang, and Jia 2 · 2 passages

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是故伊尹勤於鼎俎，太公困於鼓刀，百里自鬻，甯子飯牛，離此患也。 Yi Yin labored over pots and chopping boards; the Grand Duke was reduced to working as a butcher; Baili Xi sold himself, and Ning Qi fed oxen. In this way they suffered these hardships.

故世平主聖，俊艾將自至，若堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武之君，獲稷、契、皋陶、伊尹、呂望，明明在朝，穆穆列布，聚精會神，相得益章。 Thus, in an age of peace under a sage ruler, outstanding elders come of their own accord. Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Kings Wen and Wu obtained the service of Hou Ji, Xie, Gao Yao, Yi Yin, and Lü Wang. Brilliant at court and solemn in their ranks, they joined their finest insights and magnified the glory of ruler and minister alike.

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 3 passages

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譬若以周、邵為丞相，孔丘為御史大夫，太公為將軍，畢公高拾遺於後，弁嚴子為衛尉，皋陶為大理，後稷為司農，伊尹為少府，子贛使外國，顏、閔為博士，子夏為太常，益為右扶風，季路為執金吾，契為鴻臚，龍逢為宗正，伯夷為京兆，管仲為馮翊，魯般為將作，仲山甫為光祿，申伯為太僕，延陵季子為水衡，百里奚為典屬國，柳下惠為大長秋，史魚為司直，蘧伯玉為太傅，孔父為詹事，孫叔敖為諸侯相，子產為郡守，王慶忌為期門，夏育為鼎官，羿為旄頭，宋萬為式道候。」 Imagine the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao as your chancellors; Confucius as chief censor; the Grand Duke as commander; Duke Bi Gao as court remonstrant; Bian Zhuangzi as captain of the guard; Gao Yao as chief judge; Hou Ji as minister of agriculture; Yi Yin as palace treasurer; Zigong as foreign envoy; Yan Hui and Min Ziqian as court scholars; Zixia as master of rites; Yi as western capital intendant; Zilu as capital commandant; Xie as master of guest ceremonies; Guan Longpeng as keeper of the imperial genealogy; the minister Boyi as metropolitan governor; Guan Zhong as northern capital intendant; Lu Ban as chief engineer; Zhong Shanfu as palace chamberlain; the Earl of Shen as master of the horse; Prince Jizi of Yanling as keeper of parks and waters; Baili Xi as commissioner for dependent peoples; Liuxia Hui as chamberlain to the empress; Shi Yu as censor of conduct; Qu Boyu as grand tutor; Kong Fu as supervisor of the heir apparent's household; Sunshu Ao as chancellor to the feudal lords; Zichan as commandery governor; Prince Qingji as a palace gate guard; Xia Yu as cauldron officer; Yi the Archer as vanguard officer; and Song Wan as road-clearing scout."

故伊尹蒙恥辱、負鼎俎、和五味以干湯，太公釣於渭之陽以見文王。 That is why Yi Yin swallowed humiliation, shouldered the kitchen cauldron, and seasoned five flavors to win Tang's ear, and the Grand Duke angled on the north bank of the Wei until King Wen found him.

太公、伊尹以如此，龍逢、比干獨如彼，豈不哀哉！ The Grand Duke and Yi Yin met with such success, while Guan Longpeng and Bigan met with the opposite fate. Is that not tragic?

Book of Han, Chapter 96Volume 85: Gu Yong and Du Ye · 1 passage

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宜夙夜孳孳，執伊尹之強德，以守職匡上，誅惡不避親愛，舉善不避仇讎，以章至公，立信四方。 Labor day and night in the stern virtue of Yi Yin: keep your charge, aid the throne, punish evil without sparing kin, promote good without shunning enemies—only thus can you show perfect fairness and win trust across the realm.

Book of Han, Chapter 98Volume 87a: Yang Xiong 1 · 1 passage

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乃搜逑索耦皋、伊之徒，冠倫魁能，函甘棠之惠，挾東征之意，相與齊乎陽靈之宮。 He gathered men worthy to stand beside Gao and Yi, the best of their generation, mindful of old kindness and eastern expeditions, and together they entered the Yang Spirit shrine.

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 1 passage

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天下之士，雷動雲合，魚鱗雜襲，鹹營於八區，家家自以為稷、契，人人自以為咎繇，戴縰垂纓而談者皆擬於阿衡，五尺童子羞比晏嬰與夷吾，當塗者入青雲，失路者委溝渠，旦握權則為卿相，夕失勢則為匹夫； Scholars swarm like thunderheads—layer on layer they crowd the eight circuits, every house fancying itself the line of Ji and Xie, every man a second Gao Yao; anyone in cap and ribbons plays at being Yi Yin, and boys barely five feet tall scorn to mention Yan Ying or Guan Zhong. Catch favor and you ride the clouds; miss your footing and you lie in the gutter—minister at dawn, nobody at dusk.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 1 passage

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故事各達其時之英俊，若必伊尹、呂望而後薦之，則此人不因足下而進矣。」 History shows every era advances its own capable men. If you insist on waiting for another Yi Yin or Lü Shang, talent will pass you by—those men will never owe their careers to you."

Book of Han, Chapter 103Volume 91: Usurers · 1 passage

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故曰：「吾治生猶伊尹、呂尚之謀，孫、吳用兵，商鞅行法是也。 He liked to say, "Building a fortune takes the cunning of Yi Yin or Lü Wang, the timing of Sun and Wu in using troops, and the ruthlessness of Shang Yang's code.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 31Volume 28a: Biographies of Huan Tan; Feng Yan · 1 passage

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伊、望之策，何以加茲！ What could Yi Yin or Lü Wang add beyond that?

Book of Later Han, Chapter 32Volume 28b: Biography of Feng Yan · 2 passages

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昔伊尹之幹湯兮，七十說而乃信； Yi Yin pled his case to Tang seventy times before he was believed;

詔伊尹於亳郊兮，享呂望於酆州； I call Yi Yin from the outskirts of Bo and feast Lü Wang by Fengzhou;

Book of Later Han, Chapter 33Volume 29: Biographies of Shentu Gang; Bao Yong; Zhi Yun · 4 passages

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方今師傅皆以伊、周之位，據賢保之任，以此思化，則功何不至？ Your tutors and guardians stand in the place of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou and bear the charge to protect wise counsel—if they truly taught reform, what goal could be beyond reach?

昔伊尹自鬻輔商，立功全人。 Yi Yin once sold himself to aid Shang and saved the people.

惲竊不遜，敢希伊尹之蹤，應天人之變。 I dare aspire to Yi Yin's path and answer Heaven and humanity.

鳥獸不可與同群，子從我為伊、呂乎？ Will you roam with beasts or follow me as Yi Yin and Lü Wang?

Book of Later Han, Chapter 38Volume 33: Biographies of Zhu, Feng, Yu, Zheng, Zhou · 1 passage

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孟軻有言曰：『有伊尹之心則可，無伊尹之心則篡矣。』 Mencius said, 'With Yi Yin's intent it is permissible; without it, it is usurpation.'

Book of Later Han, Chapter 89Volume 80a: Biographies of Writers 1 · 3 passages

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二迹阿衡，克光其则。 Twin pillars like Yi Yin—shining through his standard.

武丁兴商，伊宗皇士。 King Wuding lifted Shang anew; Yi lineage ministers became the royal limbs.

今将军累世台辅，任齐伊、公，而德政未闻，黎元涂炭。 You have been the dynasty's backbone for generations—weight like Yi Yin or the Duke of Zhou—yet no humane rule appears and the people burn in misery.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 92Volume 82a: Biographies of Alchemists 1 · 1 passage

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德量績謀，有伊、呂、管、晏之任； In moral breadth and policy depth he rivals Yi Yin, Lü Wang, Guan Zhong, and Yan Ying;

Book of Later Han, Chapter 94Volume 83: Biographies of Hermits · 1 passage

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昔伊尹不怀道以待尧、舜之君。 Yi Yin did not clutch the Way waiting for a Yao or Shun.

Book of Jin, Chapter 109Volume 109 Records 9: Murong Huang · 2 passages

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裕謂友人成泮曰：「仲尼喜佛肸之召，以匏瓜自喻，伊尹亦稱何事非君，何使非民，聖賢尚如此，況吾曹乎！ Yang Yu told his friend Cheng Pan, "Confucius rejoiced at Bi Xi's summons and likened himself to a gourd; Yi Yin too said, 'What affair is not that of the lord? What people are not his subjects?' Even sages were thus, how much more we!

卿追蹤伊、孔，抑亦知機其神也。」 You follow Confucius and Yi Yin—you know when Heaven calls.”

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 103Volume 103 Book of Later Han 5: Emperor Yin Annals, Part 2 · 1 passage

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輔政之臣，復非伊、呂。 and his ministers were no Yi or Lü.

Book of Liang, Chapter 6Volume 6: Emperor Jing · 1 passage

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敬帝遭家不造，紹茲屯運，征伐有所自出，政刑不由於己，時無伊、霍之輔，焉得不爲高讓歟？」 Emperor Jing inherited a dynasty in ruin and an age of upheaval. Armies marched at another’s command, and neither government nor justice was his to direct. With no Yi Yin or Huo Guang to support him, how could he have avoided yielding the throne?"

History of Ming, Chapter 135Volume 135 Biographies 23: Chen Yu, Ye Dui, Fan Chang, Song Siyan, Guo Jingxiang, Yang Yuangao, Ruan Hongdao, Kong Keren · 1 passage

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太祖渡江，以秦從龍薦，發書聘之，引伊、呂、諸葛為喻。 After the Founder crossed the Yangzi, Qin Conglong recommended him; the Founder sent a letter of invitation comparing Chen to Yi Yin, Lü Shang, and Zhuge Liang.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 4Volume 4 Annals 4: Prince of Yulin · 1 passage

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鎮軍居正體道，家國是賴，伊霍之舉，實寄淵謨，便可詳依舊典，以禮廢黜。 The suppressing-army general holds to the upright Way; state and house depend on him; the act of Yi and Huo rests on grave design—follow the ancient precedents in full and remove him by ritual.

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

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英達之君，假伊、周而治。 and enlightened rulers governed with the aid of Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 47Volume 47 Biographies 28: Wang Rong, Xie Tiao · 1 passage

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竊習戰陣攻守之術，農桑牧藝之書，申、商、韓、墨之權，伊、周、孔、孟之道。 I have studied the arts of attack and defense, books of farming and herding, the stratagems of Shen Buhai, Shang Yang, Han Fei, and Mozi, and the Ways of Yi Yin, the Duke of Zhou, Confucius, and Mencius.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 55Volume 55 Biographies 36: Filial Piety · 1 passage

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隆昌末，預謂丹陽尹徐孝嗣曰：「外傳藉藉，似有伊周之事，君蒙武帝殊常之恩，荷託付之重，恐不得同人此舉。 Late in Longchang Yu told Xu Xiaosi, governor of Danyang: "Rumors are rife, as though men plot like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou. You received extraordinary favor from Emperor Wu and bear a heavy trust—I fear you cannot join them.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 33Volume 33: Book of Shu 3: Biography of the Later Lord · 1 passage

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謹遣私署侍中張紹、光祿大夫譙周、駙馬都尉鄧良奉繼印綬，請命告誠，敬輸忠款，存亡敕賜，惟所裁之。 I therefore send my acting palace attendant Zhang Shao, grandee of the household Qiao Zhou, and chief groom Deng Liang with the seals of state to beg for terms and declare our good faith. Life or death rests in your judgment alone.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 61Volume 61: Book of Wu 16: Biographies of Pan Jun and Lu Kai · 1 passage

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臣聞有國以賢為本，夏殺龍逢，殷獲伊摯。 They say a state stands on worthy men: Xia slew Long Pang, yet Yin won Yi Yin.

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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其二曰：“昔伊尹去夏人商，陳平委楚歸漢，書功竹帛，遺名陵後世，世主不謂之背誕者，以為知天命也。 The second reads: "Long ago Yi Yin left Xia for Shang and Chen Ping abandoned Chu for Han; their deeds were recorded on bamboo and silk and their names endure for posterity—rulers did not call them traitors, but men who read Heaven's mandate.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 3Annals of Yin · 16 passages

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伊尹曰：「明哉！ Yi Yin replied: "How clear—

伊尹名阿衡。 Yi Yin was named Aheng.

阿衡欲奸湯而無由，乃為有莘氏媵臣，負鼎俎，以滋味說湯，致于王道。 Wishing to serve Tang but lacking an introduction, Aheng joined the Youxin bridal procession as a cook, carried pots and boards, won Tang over through his cooking, and drew him toward the kingly Way.

或曰，伊尹處士，湯使人聘迎之，五反然後肯往從湯，言素王及九主之事。 Others say yiyin was a recluse whom Tang invited five times before he came, then spoke to him of the model rulers and the Nine Masters.

伊尹去湯適夏。 yiyin left Tang and went over to the Xia court.

湯乃興師率諸侯，伊尹從湯，湯自把鉞以伐昆吾，遂伐桀。 Tang then raised an army of the lords, yiyin at his side, and himself wielded the axe against Kunwu before marching on Jie.

伊尹報。 yiyin made his report.

伊尹作咸有一德，咎單作明居。 Yi Yin composed All Possess One Virtue, and Jiu Dan composed Bright Dwelling.

帝中壬即位四年，崩，伊尹乃立太丁之子太甲。 Zhongren ruled four years and died; yiyin then set Taiding's son Taijia on the throne.

帝太甲元年，伊尹作伊訓，作肆命，作徂后。 In Emperor Taijia’s first year, Yi Yin composed the Instructions for Taijia, the Broad Commands, and The Departed Sovereign.

帝太甲既立三年，不明，暴虐，不遵湯法，亂德，於是伊尹放之於桐宮。 After three years Taijia proved dark, violent, and lawless; yiyin banished him to the Tong palace.

三年，伊尹攝行政當國，以朝諸侯。 For three years yiyin ruled as regent and received the lords at court.

帝太甲居桐宮三年，悔過自責，反善，於是伊尹乃迎帝太甲而授之政。 Taijia spent three years in Tong, repented, and mended his ways; yiyin then brought him back and restored the government.

伊尹嘉之，乃作太甲訓三篇，褒帝太甲，稱太宗。 yiyin praised him, composed the three Instructions of Taijia, and honored him as Grand Ancestor.

帝沃丁之時，伊尹卒。 Under Woding, yiyin died.

既葬伊尹於亳，咎單遂訓伊尹事，作沃丁。 After Yi Yin had been buried at Bo, Jiu Dan set forth Yi Yin’s deeds in instruction and composed Woding.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 13Genealogical Tables of the Three Dynasties · 2 passages

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帝太甲，故太子太丁子。淫，伊尹放之桐宮。三年，悔過自責，伊尹乃迎之復位。 Emperor Taijia, son of the former heir Taiding, was dissolute. Yi Yin confined him in the Tong Palace; after three years of repentance Yi Yin restored him.

帝沃丁。伊尹卒。 Emperor Woding. Yi Yin died.

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

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周公乃稱「湯時有伊尹，假于皇天； The Duke of Zhou then said, "In the time of Tang there was Yi Yin, who relied upon August Heaven;

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 57House of Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang · 1 passage

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雖伊尹、周公，何以加哉！ Even Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou could scarcely have done more!

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 63Biographies of Laozi and Han Fei · 1 passage

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伊尹為庖，百里奚為虜，皆所由干其上也。 Yi Yin became a cook, Baili Xi became a captive—all the paths by which they petitioned their superiors.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 74Biographies of Mengzi and Xun Qing · 2 passages

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或曰，伊尹負鼎而勉湯以王，百里奚飯牛車下而繆公用霸，作先合，然後引之大道。 Some say: Yi Yin carried a tripod and urged Tang to become king; Baili Xi fed oxen under a cart and Duke Mu employed him to become hegemon. They made themselves fit first, then led them to the great way.

騶衍其言雖不軌，儻亦有牛鼎之意乎？ Although Zou Yan’s words were unorthodox, perhaps he too had Yi Yin’s intention in speaking of cauldrons and tripods.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 78Biography of Lord Chunshen · 1 passage

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今楚王病，旦暮且卒，而君相少主，因而代立當國，如伊尹、周公，王長而反政，不即遂南面稱孤而有楚國？ The King of Chu now lies ill and will die any day. Your Lordship aids the young ruler, seizes control of the government, and ascends the throne like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou. When the king comes of age, you return power to him. If not, you proclaim yourself ruler facing south and take possession of the kingdom of Chu.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 83Biographies of Lu Zhonglian and Zou Yang · 1 passage

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今夫天下布衣窮居之士，身在貧賤，雖蒙堯、舜之術，挾伊、管之辯，懷龍逢、比干之意，欲盡忠當世之君，而素無根柢之容，雖竭精思，欲開忠信，輔人主之治，則人主必有按劍相眄之跡，是使布衣不得為枯木朽株之資也。 Now consider the scholars of the realm who dwell in poverty and low estate. Though they may possess the arts of Yao and Shun, wield the eloquence of Yi Yin and Guan Zhong, and harbor the devotion of Long Pang and Bi Gan, wishing to devote their utmost loyalty to the ruler of their age—yet lacking anyone to introduce them or vouch for their worth—no matter how they exhaust their minds and seek to offer their faithfulness, the ruler will inevitably greet them with a hand on his sword and a suspicious glare. This is what prevents men of humble birth from gaining even the advantage of the gnarled log and the rotten stump.

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

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太史公曰：昔者虞舜窘於井廩，伊尹負於鼎俎，傅說匿於傅險，呂尚困於棘津，夷吾桎梏，百里飯牛，仲尼畏匡，菜色陳、蔡。 The Grand Historian remarks: In the old days, Emperor Shun was nearly killed in a well and a granary. Yi Yin labored among the pots and cutting boards. Fu Yue hid himself at the cliffs of Fu. Lu Shang was reduced to desperate straits at Jijin. Guan Zhong wore fetters. Baili Xi fed cattle for a living. Confucius was besieged at Kuang and went hungry until his face turned sallow between Chen and Cai.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 129Biographies of Money-Makers · 1 passage

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故曰：「吾治生產，猶伊尹、呂尚之謀，孫吳用兵，商鞅行法是也。 He declared: 'My approach to managing commerce and production is comparable to the stratagems of Yi Yin and Lü Shang, the military art of Sunzi and Wu Qi, and Shang Yang's implementation of the law.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 123Volume 123 Biographies 48: Li, Xiao, Lu, Wei, Zhao, He · 1 passage

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有司讓曰：「昔桀不道，伊尹負鼎於湯； The authorities rebuked him: "In old times Jie was without the Way and Yi Yin carried a cauldron to Tang;

Book of Zhou, Chapter 23Volume 23 Biographies 15: Su Chuo · 4 passages

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苟得其人，自可起塚養而為卿相，伊尹、傅說是也，而況州郡之職乎。 Get the right man and he may rise from tending graves and feeding cattle to minister and chancellor, as with Yi Yin and Fu Yue—how much more so for provincial office!

若伊之在商，周之有呂，說之相丁，用保我無疆之祚。」 Like Yi Yin in Shang, Lü Wang in Zhou, and Yue assisting Wu Ding—you preserve our boundless fortune."

若乃庖廚、胥靡、種德、微管之臣，罕聞於世； Men like the cook, the convict laborer, the planter of virtue, and Guan Zhong in humble obscurity are rarely celebrated in their own time;

誠能監前事之得喪，勞虛己於吐握，其知賢也必用，其授爵也勿疑，則舜禹湯武之德可連衡矣，稷契伊呂之流可比肩矣。 If rulers could truly weigh past success and failure, humble themselves as Duke of Zhou did when he "spit out his food and released his hair grip" to receive men, employ the worthy without fail, and grant office without hesitation, then the virtue of Shun, Yu, Tang, and Wu would stand in one line and men like Hou Ji, Xie, Yi Yin, and Lü Shang could walk shoulder to shoulder.