The Shang商Dynasty was founded by Tong湯c. 1600 BC and when it passed to King Zhou 紂 王, (c.1078-1045 BC) it developed into a notorious tyranny. Its subjects were severely exploited and they lived under oppression. Zhou紂only lived in his world of hunting, drinking and women and even invented ways of torturing people as a form of entertainment. The torture of roasting people alive by tying them to a circular copper pillar with burning charcoal below was invented by him. (炮 烙 刑 ).
His tyrannical rule had caused great opposition among his people and among the neighbouring states. Zhou Wu Wang周 武王allied with eight smaller states and led an army across Huang He黃 河to attack the capital of Shang at Chao Ge朝 歌 (present day He Nan 河 南). At Meng Jin孟津the gathered army held a massive march off ceremony and the manifesto given by Zhou Wu Wang under oath was known as Qin Shi秦 誓. It contained the following words: “ 一 心 一 德, 立定 厥 功, 惟 克 永 世 。It meant “ Let all of us with one heart and one purpose, determine to conquer our enemy and the people of the world shall live in peace thereafter.” The Shang army composed of slaves and prisoners of war, defected and the battle was lost by Zhou Wang as soon as it was joined. He returned to his palace, set it on fire and died within. That was the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of another new era in China, Zhou 周which would last for over eight centuries before unity was broken and China would plunge again into the confusion of the Warring States.
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