Shun (Chinese leader)
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Shun (traditional Chinese: 舜) was a legendary 23rd-22nd century BC leader of ancient China, among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, whose half-century of rule was one of the longest in Chinese history. According to Mencius, Shun is a Dongyi.
Born Yao Chonghua (姚重華), he was also known as Youyu-shi (有虞氏), the Great Shun (大舜) or Yu Shun (虞舜). He received the mantle of leadership from Emperor Yao at the age of 53 and died at 100, after relinquishing the seat of power to Yu, who founded the legendary Xia Dynasty. Shun's capital was at Puban (蒲阪) (presently in Shanxi).
In later centuries, Yao and Shun were glorified for their virtue by Confucian philosophers. Shun was particularly renowned for his modesty and filial piety (xiao 孝).
The name of Shun's mother was Wudeng(握登), and his birthplace was Yaoxu (姚墟).
Legend has it that Shun's birth mother died when Shun was very young. His father was blind and re-married soon after Shun's mother's death. Shun's step-mother then gave birth to Shun's step-brother Xiang(象) and a step-sister. Shun's step mother and step brother treated Shun terribly, often forcing Shun to do all the hard work in the family and only give him the worst food and clothing. Shun's father being blind and elderly, was often ignorant of Shun's good deeds and always blamed Shun for everything. Yet, despite these conditions, Shun never complained and always treated his father, his step-mother, and his step-brother with kindness and respect.
When he turned barely adult, his step-mother threw him out of the house. Shun was forced to live on his own. Yet, because of his compassionate nature and his natural leadership skills, everywhere he went, people followed him, and he was able to organize the people to be kind to each other and do the best they can. When Shun first went to a village that produced pottery, after less than one year, the potteries became more beautiful than they had ever been. When Shun went to a fishing village, the People there were at first fighting amongst themselves over the fishing grounds, and many people were injured or killed in the fights. Shun taught them how to share and allocate the fishing resources, and soon the village was prospering and all hostilities ceased.
When Emperor Yao became old, he distressed over the fact that his 9 sons were all useless, only knew how to spend their days enjoying themselves with wines and songs. Yao asked his administers to propose a suitable successor. Yao then heard of Shun's tales. Wise Yao did not want to simply believe in the tales about Shun, Yao decided to test Shun. Yao gave a district to Shun to govern and married his two daughters to him, with a small dowry of a new house and some money.
Though given an office and money, Shun still lived humbly. He continued to work in the fields every day. Shun even managed to convince his two brides, the two princesses who are used to good living, to live humbly and work along the People. But Shun's step-mother and step-brother became extremely jealous and conspired to kill Shun. Once, Shun's step-brother Xiang lit a barn on fire, and convinced Shun to climb onto the roof to put the fire out, but then Xiang took away the ladder, trapping Shun on the burning roof. Shun skillfully made a parachoot out of his hat and cloth and jump down in safety. Another time, Xiang and his mother conspired to get Shun drunk and then throw him into a dried up well and then bury him with rocks and dirt. Shun's step-sister, never approving of her mother and brother's schemes, told Shun's wives about the scheme. Shun thus prepared himself. Shun pretended to get drunk, and when he was thrown into the well, he had already a tunnel pre-dug to escape to the surface. Thus, Shun survived many attempts on his life. Yet, he never blamed his step-mother or his step-brother, and always forgave them every time.
Eventually, Shun's step-mother and step-brother repented their past wrongs. Shun heartily forgave them both, and even helped Xiang get an office. Shun also managed to influence Emperor Yao's 9 worthless sons into becoming useful contributing members of society.
Emperor Yao was very impressed by all of Shun's achievements, and thus chose Shun as his successor and put him on the throne in the year of Jiwei (己未). Yao's capital was in Ji (冀) which, presently, is also in Shanxi province.
Shun is also renowned as the originator of the music called Daoshao (大韶), a symphony of nine Chinese music instruments.
In last year of Shun's reign, Shun decided to tour the country. But unfortunately, he died suddenly of an illness on the journey near a river. Both his wives rushed from home to his body, and wept by the river for days. Their tears turned into blood and stained the reeds by the river. From that day on, the reeds of that region became red-spotted. Then overcame by grief, both women threw themselves into the river and drowned.
Shun's step-brother Xiang also rushed to his body and mourned day and night. Xiang(象) in his grief turned into an elephant(象, the same Chinese character).
[edit] Events of Shun's regime
In the 3rd year of his regime, he ordered Jiutao (咎陶) to establish penalties to deal with various criminals.
In the 9th year of his regime, the West Queen came to worship in China and brought white jade rings and Jue (玦) as gifts.
In the 14th year of his regime, Yu of Xia was appointed to manage disasters caused by floods and winds.
In the 15th year of his regime, he appointed Houshi (后氏) to build the palace.
In February of the 17th year, dancing was first taught at schools.
In the 25th year of his regime, envoy of the Xishen (息慎) tribe came and, as gifts, brought the bow and arrow.
In the 29th year, he ordered Ziyi (子义) to serve as duke in Shang.
In the 30th year of his regime, his wife Mang (盲) died and was honored with a tomb built for her at Wei (渭).
In the 32nd year of his regime, he transferred military power to Yu of Xia.
In January of the 33rd year of his regime, he rewarded Yu of Xia for his achievement in managing the floods, in the aftermath of which, nine provinces were re-established in China.
In the 35th year of his regime, he ordered Yu of Xia to send troops to Youmiao (有苗). After Yu achieved victory, Youmiao sent an envoy with a request to join China.
In his 36th year of his regime, he ordered the Great Wall (of Shun's time, not the current Great Wall of China) to be torn down.
In the 42nd year of his regime, the Xuandu (玄都) people came to worship him and brought precious jade as gifts.
The winter of the 47th year of his regime was very warm and the grass did not die.
In the 49th year of his regime, he moved to Mintiao (鸣条), a place later called Haizhou (海州) during the Warring States Period.
His death came the following year, after a rule described as having lasted fifty years.
See also: Chinese mythology
[edit] External links
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Shun (Chinese leader)
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| Preceded by Yao |
Emperor of China ca. 2255 BC – ca. 2195 BC |
Succeeded by Yu |
