Zhou Op/Ed article

Han Feizi
one of the founders of legalism

          Even though Confucianism is the main religion in the Zhou dynasty, it was wrong, it should have been legalism because by having Confucianism there was no order. Since Confucianism is based on moral goodness and not actual laws, people who did not believe it could do what they want with barely any punishment at all. Since legalism is based on laws people are forced to do what there told or there will punishments. Even though people should still think and act morally like Confucius believed, but we need laws to enforce and stop us from acting out. If legalism had been enforced in the Zhou dynasty, which is the longest lasting dynasty, it could have lasted much longer and could have become the greatest dynasty ever!

Interveiw with the Duke of Zhou

Duke of Zhou

Q: How are you today Duke of Zhou?

A: I’m good thanks for asking, you?

Q: I’m good too but let’s get started, why were you appointed regent, what is a regent, and do you think they made a good choice?

A: First of all a regent is someone who rules in place of the legitimate ruler because their way to young. I was appointed regent because I was king Wu’s brother and best friend, also because his son Cheng was his only child and he was still an infant or baby. I do think they made a good choice, but I would rather have the spirits the spirits take my life rather than my brothers, but overall while I was in rule we gained much land and had firm control.

Q: very good, well then can you explain the feudal system to me?

A: sure, the feudal is based on the concept that as king I own all land and all people must obey me. It is a system that I extend my land to the rest of my population. The lords were the people who ruled large territories, they had their own local government over the people that lived on their land, and they even collected taxes in form of grain. The people harvested for themselves and the lord. In return for the land I gave them the lords owed me certain duties, especially in warfare since they had their own knights.

Q: Did this system work and why do you feel this way?

A: unfortunately, no because despite what I thought to be an organized and perfect system there was too much war between the lords and everything became hectic. Also it distracted them from invading tribes’ man.

Q: on a different subject, what is the Mandate of Heaven?

A: the Mandate of Heaven is an idea we created that traces our descent straight from Heaven and proclaims us the son of Heaven. As the son of Heaven we were wise, hardworking, unselfish, successful in many things especially the battlefield. But if you didn't do your sacred duties or have these things the spirits would punish you with natural disasters. If you don't improve you will lose the mandate

Q: Did it help and why?

A: Yes because by making them believe were from Heaven everything was peaceful, and no one doubted our commands because they believed we were like gods, that is in till we lost the Mandate of Heaven. But anyways everything was calm, and quiet except for the wars between the lords and some invasions. Mostly every person obeyed our laws and bowed down and kissed the very place my feet lay, you can say they were bees to my honey pot.

Q: I'm pretty sure that's all we have today, thanks for coming.

A: No problem it was my pleasure

Q: want to get some coffee?

A: Sure.

Mandate of Heaven

Mandate cycle

           

                   The Mandate of Heaven is an idea created by Zhou Kings. Every new dynasty (or king) receives the mandate of Heaven it prospers at the beginning but as time goes by it starts to fail and ends up losing its Mandate. It traces their descent straight from Heaven itself. Each Zhou king was considered a son of Heaven, and was given wisdom and power, by his ancestor. As the Son of Heaven they were expected to be wise, hardworking, not selfish, and win battles. But if the kings failed to do these things the spirits would cause natural disasters, if he failed to improve the spirits would take away their Mandate of heaven and a new king would come to power.

Religion in Zhou Dynasty

Confucius

                    The Zhou dynasty was known as the golden age of Philosophy. The main Philosophy or religion was Confucianism created by Confucius. Confucianism is the belief that people must be virtuous (conforming to moral principles) especially rulers, and scholars. To do this you must be truthful, modest, and loyal. It is also believed that it wasn't possible to expect virtue in the people governed if the governors or emperors did not display virtue, and did not promote education of others to get these virtues. These were the beliefs of Confucius.

The Crossbow

Crossbow

         

                     The crossbow was not invented during the Zhou dynasty but the idea and design of it was much improved. It was created in around 4th century BCE. The crossbow became the favorite weapon of the Zhou dynasty's military. The crossbow let the archers shoot pointed metal bolts long distance. The crossbow was activated by a trigger device. These crossbows had changeable parts and were mass produced by specialists. The crossbow was used with flexible scale armor. The crossbow soon led to the book the art of war. Also its idea led to the invention of the trebuchet a machine like the catapult that shoots projectiles 

Zhou Map

Zhou, and Shang map 

                       

               This is a map of the Zhou dynasty (1027-256 BCE). This map shows the change and growth of China from the Shang dynasty (1500-1027 BCE) to the Zhou and even to the Qin dynasty (221-207 BCE). Notice how there was much growth in the time of the Zhou dynasty since it was the longest lasting Dynasty. Also look at the Great Wall of China which wasn't built in till the Qin dynasty. One more thing to notice is the Chang River is in the current place of the Yangtze River. Even though lots has changed from Shang to Zhou, and from Zhou  to Qin and so on and so forth this shows that some areas stayed the same and some things did not change(Huang River, Yellow Sea, East China Sea ).  

Is it bamboo, writing, string, no it’s all together!

first chinese books

                         What seemed to be an ordinary day for a Zhou King, turned out to be a extraordinary day according to the king himself! Today is the the day the first book was invented. Whats a book you ask? Well a book is several ordinary pieces of bamboo with writing that relate stacked up and tied together. to read them you untie them, line them up, and read from right to left.  One of the kings officials said this about the new books “These Books will greatly increase the efficiency of our government. This is because now we can create longer orders and record our laws. Also we are already in the process of making the Book of Documents which will contain all legends, speeches, and overall our history.” We have also gotten news from a anonymous source that a Book of Song will soon be created, containing poetry, songs, and much more. One more book will also be created the Book of Changes which will describe the ever changing relationship of YIN and Yang. Many have liked the idea of these new books and recognize the fact that it may help except for one local merchant that has stated “There is no point in these so called books, keep things the way they used to be and let us live life how we live it now, there’s no need for change.”