Chapter 143

  After Qi established the first slave dynasty, he began to rule the family. To show Qi's position in the dynasty, people also called Qi Xia Qi. To show that the Great Xia Dynasty was founded by Qi.

  Due to the illegitimate origin of Xia Qi's throne, Xia Qi devoted himself to the governance of the human tribe in order to eliminate these unfavorable influences. He took various measures to improve the living conditions of the human tribe, allowing the human tribe to quickly recover from the damage caused by floods and other natural disasters under his diligent governance. The human tribe welcomed a spring of development.

  Xia Qi was succeeded by his son Tai Kang, who was in turn succeeded by Zhong Kang, Xiang, Shaokang, Zhu, Huai, Mang, Xie, Bu Ji, Jiong, Jin, Kong Jia, Gao and finally Jie. From Qi to Jie, there were thirteen generations, sixteen transmissions, spanning over four hundred years.

  The Xia Dynasty went from prosperity to decline, with several revivals in between. However, after Emperor Jie of Xia came to power, he became complacent and indulgent, building the Tilting Palace and decorating the Jade Platform, squandering resources without restraint. He spent his days and nights drinking and reveling with his favorite concubine, Mo Xi, ignoring the suffering of his people.

  Many of the loyal and dedicated high-ranking officials of the Xia Dynasty thought about advising Emperor Jie, but ultimately they were imprisoned and killed by him. These events led to the people, who were already dissatisfied with Emperor Jie, having even more contempt for him, while having great respect for those who had tried to advise him.

  After Xia Jie lost the support of the people, the various vassals who had been eager to move originally finally stretched out their own claws and rebelled one after another. The Great Xia Empire, which had experienced hundreds of years, ushered in the most dangerous moment.

  At this time, another merchant tribe was growing rapidly under the leadership of Shu Zuolong Tang. The merchant tribe became increasingly prosperous and the surrounding vassals were willing to follow Tang's arrangements. As a result, the strength and living environment of the surrounding tribes developed greatly. From then on, Tang's prestige began to spread among the human race.

  As Tang's influence on the human tribe grew, although the Shang tribe was still unable to compare with the Xia Dynasty in terms of actual strength, in terms of prestige alone, Tang's prestige had already surpassed that of Jie of Xia. This made Jie of Xia recall the history of the rise of the Xia royal family.

  Outsiders may consider Xia Qi as the founder of the Great Xia Empire, but as a member of the Great Xia imperial family, he knew some secrets that the Great Xia was not established by Xia Qi, but rather by Da Yu. In their hearts, Da Yu is the true founder of the Great Xia Empire.

  They naturally knew that at the beginning, Tang Yao was because of Yu's prestige, which no one could surpass, and he was admired by the people. Although Tang Yao had a mind to stop it, Yu's prestige in the human race, as well as the supporters behind him, made Tang Yao unable to hold on, and finally handed over the position of co-ruler to Yu.

  A past affair, a teacher of later affairs. The existence of Tang was undoubtedly a threat to Xia Jie, so when Tang came to pay homage, Xia Jie took the opportunity to imprison Tang in the Summer Platform. Yi Yin, who had always assisted Tang as his military strategist, was busy putting the Shang tribe in order and calming people's minds.

  On the other hand, he also sent messengers with a large amount of wealth to Xia, bribing the officials and ministers around Jie of Xia. Later, the many officials who had been won over by Tang began to persuade Jie in private. Although they initially encountered opposition from some officials who were loyal to Xia, these people could not become the mainstream. In the end, after observing Tang's behavior for a period of time, Jie finally released him.

  Tang returned to his own tribe and, with the help of General Yiyin, raised an army to overthrow Xia. He called on neighboring powers to resist the tyranny of Jie of Xia, abandon the Great Xia, and join the Shang tribe. The Shang tribe first used rituals and then force, uprooting any large or small power that did not obey his orders.

  Tang first attacked and destroyed the vassal states of Wei and Gu, defeated the Kunwu state, and then marched directly to the important city of Mingtiao. When Jie received the news, he led his troops to Mingtiao. The two armies clashed, but the soldiers of Xia were not willing to fight for Jie and took advantage of the situation to flee in all directions. Jie was unable to stop them and had to hastily retreat into the city. The Shang army pursued closely behind, and Jie hurriedly took his sister Xi and treasures, crossed the river, and escaped to Nanzhong. Later, he was caught up by Tang and captured, exiled here. Thus ended the first great Xia dynasty of human history, which had lasted for nearly five hundred years.

  Tang thoroughly defeated the Xia Dynasty and then renamed his own state from Shang to Da Shang. He then invited all the nobles of the land to a feast to discuss matters of state. Tang retired and took the position of the nobles, who all recommended him as the Son of Heaven. Thus, Tang began his reign, with Bo as his capital. In the first year of his reign, he abolished the cruel policies of Jie and followed the will of the people, so that those near and far came to him. Because Jie had no virtue, there was a great drought for seven years, but when Tang prayed at the mulberry forest, heaven sent down a great rain. He also cast coins from the gold of Mount Zhuang to save the lives of the people. He composed the music "Da Hu", which means "great protection". This expressed how Tang's great virtue and kindness could protect and rescue the people. He reigned for 13 years before dying at the age of 100.

  The throne was passed to Tai Yi, Tai Yi passed it to Wai Bing, Wai Bing passed it to Zhong Ren, Zhong Ren passed it to Tai Jia, Tai Jia passed it to Wo Ding, Wo Ding passed it to Tai Geng, Tai Geng passed it to Xiao Jia, Xiao Jia passed it to Yong Ji, Yong Ji passed it to Tai Wu, Tai Wu passed it to Shen Ding, Shen Ding passed it to Wai Ren, Wai Ren passed it to He Dan Jia, He Dan Jia passed it to Zu Yi, Zu Yi passed it to Zu Xin, Zu Xin passed it to Wo Jia, Wo Jia passed it to Zu Ding, Zu Ding passed it to Nan Geng, Nan Geng passed it to Yang Jia, Yang Jia passed it to Pan Geng, Pan Geng passed it to Xiao Xin, Xiao Xin passed it to Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi passed it to Wu Ding, Wu Ding passed it to Zu Geng, Zu Geng passed it to Zu Jia, Zu Jia passed it to Lü Xin, Lü Xin passed it to Geng Ding, Geng Ding passed it to Wu Yi, Wu Yi passed it to Tai Ding, Tai Ding passed it to Di Yi.