Daomu Biji: Wu Xie’s Private Notes

1. Ji County

According to legends, people surnamed Ji were the descendants of the Yellow Emperor. The people of Ji in Shandong area were mostly vassals of the same surname after King Wu of Zhou destroyed the Shang Dynasty.

The vassal states were as follows: Lu, Cao, Teng, Cheng, Gao, Mao, Yang, Jun, and Xing. (1)

1.1 The State of Lu

The first ruler (duke) of the State of Lu was Zhou Gongdan's eldest son Boqin. The capital was in Qufu (now Qufu City). It was one of the largest vassal states in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty. (People still use "Lu" as the abbreviation of Shandong Province.)

They had numerous cultural classics and a complete system of rituals and music. The famous thinker and educator Confucius was born during the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Lu’s culture was highly developed and it was famous as a state of etiquette.

With Mount Tai in the north and the sea in the east, the vast area of southern Shandong today was the important domain of the Zhou royal family. From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the early Spring and Autumn Period, it was a powerful state in the East, and was quite likely to compete with the powerful State of Qi at that time.

The Lu Kingdom had a total of twenty-six generations, thirty-four monarchs, and the kingdom lasted about eight hundred years. After half of the Spring and Autumn Period had passed, the national power gradually declined. Lu Qinggong had ruled the kingdom for twenty-four years (249 BC) before it was destroyed by the Chu and became Lu County.

1.2 The State of Cao

The first ruler (duke) was Shi Zhenduo, the son of King Wen of Zhou. The capital was founded in Taoqiu (now northwest of Heze Dingtao). The state was in the southwestern part of today's Shandong. It was located between the Qi, Lu, Song, and Wei states, and had a relatively weak national power.

The kingdom had a total of twenty-five generations, but was destroyed by the Song Dynasty in the fifteenth year of Cao Boyang’s rule (487 BC).

1.3. The State of Teng

The first ruler (duke) was Shu Xiu of Cuo, the son of King Wen. The historical site of the ancient Teng City is fourteen li southwest of today’s Teng County.

The state had a close relationship with the State of Lu, and was dependent on the Song and Jin states. It also participated in the alliances and wars of major powers. The State of Yue destroyed the kingdom in 415 BC, but it was soon restored. Later, it was wiped out by the Song (some say it was the State of Qi). The state had a total of twenty-three generations.

1.4 The State of Cheng

The first ruler was Shuwu, the son of King Wen of Zhou. There aren’t any records about his lineage or the monarch's posthumous title.

In 1975, a Cheng Bosunfu (2) Ge (3) was discovered in Dongjia Village, Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, so it was suspected that the state was located in the territory of Western Zhou Dynasty. One of the sovereigns was sent to rule another place in Shandong during the Spring and Autumn Period, which was northeast of today’s Ningyang County (some say it’s in Fan County, Henan Province).

In the 8th year of Lu Zhuanggong (686 BC), Lu and Qi besieged the state and it surrendered to Qi.

1.5 The State of Gao

The first ruler (duke) was the son of King Wen of Zhou. His name is unknown. The border was destroyed by the State of Zheng in the southeast of Chengwu County in the early Spring and Autumn Period. The artifacts handed down include Gao Shishuo Fu ding (4) and Gao Zhong jun (5).

1.6 The State of Mao

The first ruler was Zhou Gongdan's son, but his name is unknown. The state was located southwest of today’s Jinxiang County. It later became a territory of the State of Zou.

1.7 The State of Yang (also called Yan or Yu)

The old city was southwest of today's Yishui County. In the second year of Lu Min Gong’s reign (660 BC), the State of Qi forced its people to move there so they could obtain land. Some say that it was originally southeast of today’s Qingzhou City, and they had no choice but to move there because of the Qi people.

1.8 The State of Jun

It was a vassal state of Lu, and slightly east of today’s Jinxiang County. After Lu Yingong had ruled the state for two years (721 BC), it was occupied by Lu.

1.9 The State of Xing

The first ruler was the son of Zhou Gongdan, and his name is unknown. It was originally in Xingtai City, Hebei Province.

In 662 BC, Zhai attacked Xing, and Duke Huan of Qi (6) later joined hands with the Song and Cao states to help Xing. The state was then moved to Yiyi (now southwest of Liaocheng), and was destroyed by the State of Wei in 635 BC.

2. Ren Country

Those in this country surnamed Ren were also said to be descendants of the Yellow Emperor. Before the Xia dynasty, they lived in the southeastern part of Shandong. The vassal states are as follows: Xue, Shi, Zhu, and Guo.

2.1 The State of Xue

The first ruler (duke) was Xi Zhong, who invented chariots in the Xia dynasty. Today, the historical site of the ancient city is south of Teng County.

Later, they moved to Pi (7), so it also became known as Xia Pi. It was northeast of today's Pi County, Jiangsu and soon moved to Shang Pi, which is now northwest of Weishan (8).

After Xi Zhong, Zhong Hui lived in Xue and became one of the prime ministers of Tang of Shang (9).

King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang and re-appointed his descendant to rule the State of Xue.

After the Spring and Autumn Period, Xue moved to Pi again. The State of Xue existed through three dynasties: the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The state had sixty-four generations of rulers that we know of.

During the Warring States Period (or maybe the third year of King Qi Min’s rule, which was 298 years ago), it perished and became Qiyi.

The artifacts that have been handed down include Xue Houyu, Xue Hou ding, and Xue Zhong Bronze fu (10).

2.2 The State of Shi

The vassal state of Lu. The state was located fifty li south of today’s Jining City.

In the thirteenth year of Lu Xianggong’s rule (560 BC), there was a civil strife that resulted in the state splitting into three parts, which Lu took advantage of.

The artifacts handed down include Shibo ding, Shiqian Gui, Shiji ding, and Shiji gui (11).

2.3 The State of Zhu (some say it’s the state of Qi)

The state was founded after King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty. It was located on the north bank of Nendawen River in today’s Feicheng County. It’s been suspected that it was later destroyed by Qi.

2.4 The State of Guo (some say it’s the State of Yi)

A tribal country in the Xia dynasty. It was located near the sea northwest of today’s Ye County (Laizhou). It was later destroyed by Zhu of Xia.

3. Jiang Country

People surnamed Jiang were said to be the descendants of the Yan Emperor. A part of the country was founded at the beginning of the Zhu dynasty, and a part of it was established in the Xia and Shang eras.

The vassal states are as follows: Qi, Ji, Zhou, Lai, Zhang, Xiang, Xun, and Feng.

3.1 The State of Qi

A powerful state in both the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Ranked first in the “Seven Powerful States of the Warring States". The founding monarch (duke) was Jiang Shang (in other words, Jiang Ziya in the novel “The Investiture of the Gods”.)

In today's northern Shandong, the capital Yingqiu (later called Linzi) was built, which is now in Linzi District, Zibo City.

Following Qi Xigong's regime in the early Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi appointed Guan Zhong to initiate reform, and the state became wealthy and strong. The state had alliances with nine vassals and was incredibly powerful.

In the fifteenth year of Duke Ling of Qi’s rule (567 BC), he destroyed the State of Lai, thus expanding their territory to the present Jiaodong Peninsula. The state’s territory extended to the coast of the Bohai Sea in the east, the Yellow River in the west, Mount Tai in the south, and Binzhou City (now south of Yanshan County, Hebei) in the north.

At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the monarchy was gradually seized by the Chen family (also called the Tian family).

At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Tian He was listed as a vassal and banished Duke Kang of Qi to the sea. As a result, Jiang Qi perished (12).

3.2 The State of Ji

It was established in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, and was located in today’s Nanjitai Village, Shouguang County.

It had always been a rival of the State of Qi and felt threatened by it. After Duke Xiang of Qi ruled the State of Qi for eight years (690 BC), he eventually managed to destroy the State of Ji.

The artifacts included Jihou zhong, Jihou gui and Jihou Haozi gui.

3.3 The State of Zhou (or Chunyu)

The capital was in Chunyu (now northeast of Anqiu). In the early Spring and Autumn Period, it was annexed to Qi and became Qi’s capital (13).

3.4 The State of Lai (also called Li)

The state existed during the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Nowadays, there is Laizi City in the southeast of Longkou City, which was the ancient state of Lai. Some say it was southeast of today's Changyi County. The Lai and Qi states were close to each other, so there were often contradictions and conflicts.

During the Lai Gong era (567 BC), it was attacked by Duke Ling of Qi and perished.

3.5 The State of Zhang

It was a vassal state of Ji, so it was also called Ji Yi. The ancient city of Zhang was sixty li east of today’s Dongping County. In the twenty-second year of Duke Huan of Qi’s reign (664 BC), the State of Zhang was forced to surrender to Qi.

3.6 The State of Xiang

The ancient city of Xiang was seventy li south of today’s Ju County. In 721 BC, it was destroyed by the State of Ju.

3.7 The State of Xun (or Qi)

The state existed from the Yin and Shang Dynasties to the Spring and Autumn Period. It was seventy li east of today’s Yishui County. The artifacts handed down include Xungong Zhoshu Jian yi (14) and so on.

3.8. The State of Feng

The state was ruled by a Shang Dynasty duke. Zhou destroyed Shang and it became a territory of the State of Qi.

4. Feng Country

According to legend, people surnamed Feng were the descendants of Taihao. Taihao was said to be the leader of Dongyi, whose center of activity was originally in Chen (now Huaiyang County, Henan), and then developed northward until it gradually controlled the Jishui Basin.

The several vassal states were: Su, Ren, Xuju, and Zhuanyu.

4.1 The State of Su

The land was twenty li southeast of today's Dongping County. In 684 BC, the Song State sent troops to move its people and take their land, and it became a territory of Qi.

4.2. The State of Ren

It was located in today’s Jining City and still existed during the Warring States Period. Some said Ren first existed in the Xia Dynasty.

4.3 The State of Xuju (or Xugu)

It was in the northwest or southeast of today's Dongping County.

In the twenty-first year of Lu Xizong’s rule (639 BC), it was exterminated by the State of Zhu. The following year, the State of Lu used the excuse that it was related to the State of Xuju through political marriage to attack the State of Zhu. The State of Lu then had the ruler of Xuju go back to his state and restore it, but the state perished at the hands of the State of Zhu again.

In the seventh year of Lu Wengong’s reign (620 BC), Lu attacked Zhu again and obtained Xuju’s land. The two states eventually became territories of Lu.

4.4 The State of Zhuanyu

It was a vassal state of Lu. The ancient city of Zhuanyu was eighty li southwest of today's Fei County. Since its land was in the Lu State’s territory, its monarch was a minister of the Lu State, and he was ordered to host the Mengshan sacrificial ritual.

5. Ji Country

People surnamed Ji were said to be descendants of Taihao, the leader of Dongyi (Dongyi was regarded as barbarian territory by Huaxia people). The vassal states were Ju and Tan.

5.1 The State of Ju (some say it was Cao)

The founding monarch was Zi Yuqi. The old capital was Jiegen (also called Jijin, which was southwest of today's Jiaozhou City), but was moved to Ju (now Ju County) in the early Spring and Autumn Period. There were cities and counties such as Anqiu, Zhucheng, Yishui, Ju County, and Rizhao.

The monarchs had no posthumous title, and most of them used the name of the place where they lived as their titles.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, the Qi State repeatedly attacked it, and it was eventually destroyed by Chu in 431 BC.

5.2 The State of Tan (or Ying)

It was located north of today’s Tancheng County. The names of their lineage weren’t passed down through history, but the monarchs once paid tribute to Lu for allegiance.

In the early years of the Warring States Period (414 BC), it was destroyed by Yue. It was suspected that the state restored its original status later or reverted to the country after.

6. Cao Country

People surnamed Cao were said to be descendants of Zhuanxu. It was said that Zhaunxu’s great-great-grandson Lu Zhong eventually had six sons. He named the fifth son Ming An and gave him the surname Cao.

The vassal states were Zhu and Little Zhu.

6.1 The State of Zhu (also called Zhu Lou or Zou)

The first ruler was Cao Xie. It was said that the territory included today’s Fei, Zou, Teng, and Jinxiang counties, and also Jining city and so on.

The capital was in Zhu (now Nanzou Village, southeast of Qufu), and in 614 BC, the capital was moved to Yi (now in southeast Jiwang Cheng of Zou County).

Although Zhu was regarded as a small barbaric state by the Chinese vassals at that time, its national power and cultural prosperity were second only to Qi and Lu. It had participated in various states’ alliances and wars, and sent troops to attack neighboring states.

It was destroyed by Chu during the Warring States Period.

6.2 The State of Little Zhu (also called Little Zhu Lou or Ni)

It was originally a part of the Zhu State, but during King Xuan of Zhou’s reign, Yan— the ruler of Zhu State, who was Cao Xie’s fifth grandson—gave his son You (also known as Fei) the land of Ni as a vassal state (also called Er, which was southeast of today's Teng County).

You’s descendants and Duke Huan of Qi once helped support the royal family, and the emperor of Zhou named it Little Zhu.

It had a close relationship with Lu State, and was also destroyed by Chu during the Warring States Period.

7. Yun Country

People surnamed Yun were said to be the descendants of Zhurong. The vassal states were: Biyang, Yu, Yi, and Han.

7.1 The State of Biyang (also called Fuyang)

It was in the south of today’s Zaozhuang city, and was next to Zhu and Little Zhu. Looking at its historical site, the buildings that were within nine li of the ancient city were magnificent.

In the tenth year of Lu Xianggong’s reign (563 BC), Duke Dao of Jin worked with states such as Song and Lu to attack and destroy Biyang State. The land was merged into the Song State, and the Biyang clan moved to Huoren Town (now the eastern suburbs of Fanzhi County, Shanxi).

7.2 The State of Yu

It was in the north of today's Linyi City. In the eighteenth year of Lu Zhaogong’s reign (524 BC), the Zhu people attacked, and took the people of Yu back to Zhu. That following year, Song used the excuse that it was related to Yu by political marriage to fight against Zhu, making them return all the prisoners, and thus restoring the State of Yu. The land later became a part of Lu.

7.3 The State of Yi (also called Zi)

The ancient city Zhuangwu was sixty li west of today’s Mo city. Ancient Yi artifacts included Yibo gui.

7.4 The State of Han

A tribal country in the Xia dynasty. It was located in today's Hanting District, Weifang City. Han Jun originated from the State of Han.

8. Gui Country

People surnamed Gui were said to be descendants of Emperor Shun. The vassal states were Sui and Qi.

8.1 The State of Sui

It was located south of today's Fei city, and was destroyed by Qi in 681 BC.

8.2 The State of Qi (It was Tian Qi during the Warring States Period.)

In 386 BC, Duke Tai of Tian Qi, the minister of the Qi State, was named as a vassal by the Zhou royal family. This completely replaced the regime of the Jian family, but the duke kept the name “Qi” and used it as the name of the state. The capital was in Linzi.

Qi was one of the seven powerful states during the Warring States Period, and once lost to Wei and defeated Song.

It had long-term confrontations with Qin Dongxi and influenced the political situations of the Warring States multiple times.

In the seventeenth year of Duke Qi Min’s reign (284 BC), Yan, Qin, and Jin joined forces to attack Qi. The general from Yan took the lead by capturing Linzi, and the state gradually declined after that.

Duke Qi Jian had ruled the state for forty-five years (221 BC), but it was eventually destroyed by Qin Shi Huang.

9. Yao Country

People surnamed Yao were said to be the descendants of Emperor Shun.

The State of Min (also known as You Hun) was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty. It was located twenty-five kilometers northeast of today's Jinxiang County. The old name of the city was Hun City.

Zuo Zhuan’s (15) “Zhaogong Four Years” chapter said that Jie of Xia had an arrangement with the ruler of the state, and married the ruler’s daughter. In the “Zhaogong Eleven Years” chapter, it said that the state perished because of the marriage.

10. Si Country

People surnamed Si were said to be the descendants of Youyu. The vassal states were: Qi, Zeng, Zeng Guang, and Zeng Xun.

10.1 The State of Qi

It was already established during Tang of Shang's rule. After King Wu of Zhou destroyed Shang, he found Feng Donglou, a descendant of Xia Yu, and named him the vassal of Qi. As a result of this, it was also called the State of Xia.

The first capital was Yongqiu (now Qi County, Henan). When they were later threatened by Huaiyi at the end of the Western Zhou dynasty, they began to move north. Some think that today’s Xintai City was once the capital of Qi.

Qi Chenggong (reigned from 654-637 BC) was helped by Duke Huan of Qi and moved his capital to Yuan Mausoleum (now southeast of Changle County), but Qi Wengong (reigned 549-536 BC) moved it back to Chunyu. King Chu Hui destroyed it in the first year of Qijiangong’s reign (445 BC).

The artifacts handed down included Qibo ding and Qibo dou.

10.2 The State of Zeng (or Ceng)

The ancient city was east of today's Zaozhuang City and slightly north of Cangshan County. It was once a vassal state of Lu.

After Lu Xianggong ruled the state for six years (567 BC), it was destroyed by Ju. Zhaogong ruled the state for four years (538 BC) before Lu took the land back. After that, it belonged to the Qi State again.

10.3 The State of Zeng Guang

It was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty and located northeast of today's Shouguang County. One of the emperors of Xia once lived here. It was later destroyed by Jiao Gong, the son of Han Zhuo.

10.4 The State of Zeng Xun

It was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty that was located southeast of today's Weifang City. Xia Taikang once lived here. It was also destroyed by Han Zhuo.

11. Zi Country

People surnamed Zi were said to be the descendants of Shang Zuqi. The state of Tan— also called Zhang— was located west of today's Zhangqiu County. The site was excavated before the Anti-Japanese War. The land served as the east-west passage of the Qi State, and the state was destroyed by the Qi State in 684 BC.

12. Yan Country

People surnamed Yan were said to be the descendants of Gao Yao.

There was a state of Ge, which was a tribal country in the Xia dynasty that was located north of today’s Dezhou city.

After Tai Kang, the emperor of Xia, lost his country, the Xia noble ministers fled here to collect their remaining forces and assisted Shao Kang to restore the Xia Dynasty’s regime.

13. Ying Country

People surnamed Ying were said to be the descendants of Yi. The State of Yan, also known as Gai, was located east of the old city of Qufu.

It became an ally of Yin and Shang. King Cheng of Zhou rebelled against the Zhou dynasty with Wu Geng, the son of King Zhou of Shang. As a result, it was destroyed by the Duke of Zhou, and became a territory of Lu State.

14. Qi Country

People surnamed Qi were said to be descendants of Fangfeng. The State of Souman was a branch of Zhangdi.

From the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn Period, it was located in Shandong, north of today’s Jinan City, and was at the transition stage between tribe and state.

15. Dongyi Country

Dongyi had an ancient ethnic group of people that lived in Shandong in ancient times, who gradually merged with the Huaxia ethnic group. The vassal states were Jie and Genmou.

15.1 The State of Jie

Some say it was located southwest of today's Jiaozhou City. Its monarch Ge Lu once met with Lu Xigong and led his troops to attack Song Yi.

2. The State of Genmou

It was a vassal state of Lu. Its land was south of today’s Yishui County. In the ninth year of Lu Xuangong’s reign (600 BC), it was attacked and acquired by the State of Lu.

16. Those countries that didn’t have specific ancestral surnames.

16.1 The State of Guo

It was located northeast of today’s Liao city. It was around during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the early Spring and Autumn Period. It perished before Duke Huan of Qi got to be the ruler of Qi State.

Some artifacts were handed down.

16.2 The State of Yuyuqiu (or Yuqiu)

It was in today's Linyi City, Zhangqiu County. In the second year of Lord Luzhuang (692 BC), it was attacked by the State of Lu.

16.3 The State of Muo

The old city was twenty li east of today's Laiwu City. It was a vassal state of Lu, and they were related by political marriage. The monarch once met Duke Huan of Lu.

16.4. The State of Zhuan

It was a vassal state of Lu. It was about thirty li northeast of Tancheng County today. It was destroyed by Lu in the sixth year of Lu Chenggong’s  reign (585 BC).

16.5 The State of Shen

It was a tribal country in the Xia and Shang dynasties. It was located north of today’s Cao County. It was related to Tang of Shang by political marriage. Yi Yin was from here.

16.6 The State of Pugu (also known as Bogu and Baogu)

It was southeast of today’s Boxing County, Binzhou City. When King Cheng of Zhou ascended the throne, it was destroyed by the Duke of Zhou for participating in the Wu Geng and Dongyi rebellions, and the land became a territory of Qi.

──From Lao Yao “Ancient Countries in Shandong”

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TN Notes:

(1) This means that the rulers of these states had the surname “Ji”.

(2) Chen Bosunfu was one of the rulers.

(3) Ge was an ancient kitchen utensil. A picture of Ge:

(4) Ding was an ancient Chinese cauldron, standing upon legs with a lid and two facing handles. Wiki link

(5) Gao Zhong Jun was an ancient wine glass of that time:

(6) Duke Huan of Qi was the ruler of the State of Qi from 685 to 643 BC. Wiki link

(7) Therefore, the State of Xue was also called the State of Pi.

(8) “Xia” in Chinese here means “Down”. “Shang” here in Chinese means “Up”.

(9) Tang of Shang was the first king of the Shang dynasty in Chinese history. He overthrew Jie, the last ruler of the Xia dynasty. Wiki link

(10) They are basically all bronze ritual artifacts. The picture of Fu:

(11) Fus were square bronze artifacts, and guis were round ones.

(12) It was called “The Usurpation of Qi by Tian”. For historiographical purposes, pre-usurpation Qi is referred to as “Jiang Qi”, and post-usurpation Qi is referred to as “Tian Qi”. Wiki link

(13) Some of the names of the states in English look the same, but they are actually different Chinese characters in the original text, so this state of Qi (杞) was not the state of Qi (齐) mentioned previously.

(14) A picture of yi:

(15) Zho Zhuan is an ancient Chinese narrative history that is traditionally regarded as a commentary on the ancient Chinese chronicle “Spring and Autumn Annals”. Wiki link