Weizi Qi

Elder half-brother of King Zhou of Shang; after his repeated remonstrances went unheeded he left, and was later enfeoffed in Song.

Life

Elder brother of King Zhou

Weizi Qi was the eldest son of the Shang king Di Yi. Because his mother was of low status he could not inherit the throne, which went to his younger brother Zhou.

Remonstrated, then left the state

King Zhou was dissolute and tyrannical. Weizi remonstrated with him repeatedly to no avail, and after consulting the Grand Preceptor and the Junior Preceptor he left the court. After King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang, Weizi came to the gate of his camp to surrender, bare to the waist, leading a sheep and holding a reed.

Founder of Song

After Wugeng's rebellion was put down, the Duke of Zhou had Weizi replace Wugeng in offering sacrifices to the Shang ancestors and enfeoffed him in Song, with his capital at Shangqiu. The State of Song preserved the ritual and musical traditions of the Shang.

Legacy

Confucius named Weizi, together with Bigan and Jizi, as "the three men of humaneness of Yin," and the State of Song, as the state of the Shang dynasty's descendants, lasted more than seven hundred years.

Major works & achievements

• Continued the Shang ancestral sacrifices

Did you know? Confucius's ancestors came from the State of Song and were descendants of Weizi.

Key dates

• 1050 BCERemonstrated with King Zhou in vain and left (approx.)
• 1046 BCESubmitted to King Wu of Zhou
• 1040 BCEEnfeoffed in Song