Tai Wu

Tai Wu (Chinese: 太戊, born Zi Mi (Chinese: 子密) or Zi Zhou (Chinese: 子伷), was a shang dynasty King of China.

In the Records of the Grand Historian he was listed by Sima Qian as the ninth Shang king, succeeding his brother Yong Ji (Chinese: 太庚). He was enthroned with Bo (Chinese: 亳) as his capital. He appointed Yishe (Chinese: 伊陟) and Chenhu (Chinese: 臣扈) as his higher officers.

In the 7th years of his reign, a sang tree (Chinese: 桑) and millet (Chinese: 谷) were found growing together in his palace. In the 11th year of his reign, he ordered Wu Xian (Chinese: 巫咸) to pray at Shanchuan (Chinese: 山川). In the 26th year of his reign, the Queen of West Rong (Chinese: 西戎) sent an envoy to Shang, the king later sent Wangmeng (Chinese: 王孟) on a return visit. In the 31st year of his reign, he appointed Zhongyan (Chinese: 中衍) of Fee vassal (Chinese: 费侯) as position of Chezheng (Chinese: 车正). In the 35th year of his reign, he wrote a poem called Yanche (Chinese: 寅车). In the 46th year of his reign, there was a great harvest of crops. In the 58th year of his reign, he built the city of Pugu (Chinese: 蒲姑). In the 61st year of his reign, the nine east Barbarians Yi tribes (Chinese: 东九夷) sent envoys to Shang.

He ruled for 75 years, was given the posthumous name Tai Wu and was succeeded by his son Zhong Ding (Chinese: 太戊).

Oracle script inscriptions on bones unearthed at Yinxu alternatively record that he was the seventh Shang king succeeding his uncle Xiao Jia (Chinese: 大戊), given the posthumous name Da Wu (Chinese: 大戊) and succeeded by his brother Lu Ji (Chinese: 中丁).

Last update 17-06-2012

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