What does "Duke of Zhou" mean?

Duke Zhou (? -about 1095) surnamed Ji, the younger brother, also known as Shu Dan. Duke Zhou was a famous politician and thinker in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty, because his fief was in Zhoudi (now Qishan North, Shaanxi Province). Assist the prince of Wu to destroy the business. After the death of King Wu, the king who succeeded to the throne was very young and was regent by his uncle Dan. Put down the rebellion of Guan Cai and Wu Geng, and build Luoyi as the east capital. According to legend, he engaged in rites and music and established a code.

Chapter system, advocating "moral caution". The fief is in Zhou, which is called Duke Zhou.

There is a scenic spot in the north of Qishan County, Zhougong Temple, which is said to be the place where Zhougong lived after his abdication.

During the alternation of Yin and Zhou Dynasties, Duke Zhou assisted Zhou Wuwang in cutting down merchants. The following year, King Wu died, Zhou Chengwang was young, and Duke Zhou was the Regent. He appointed Yin's son, Wu Gengyin, and let his brother and Cai Shu run the country. Guan Shu, Cai Shu, Huo Shu and others did not accept the rumor that the Duke of Zhou was "not conducive to the dutiful son". When King Wu was seriously ill, Duke Zhou tried to pray that he would take his place, and the news was hidden in Jintengge. Later, because of the natural disaster, the king was frightened and gave him a bedroom of Jinteng. When he found the congratulatory message, he was very moved and welcomed Duke Zhou home. Cai Shu and Huo Shu colluded with Wu Geng and Dongyi people to rebel against Zhou. The Duke of Zhou was ordered by a king to crusade eastward, "lower his uncle", punish Wu Geng, build Luoyi (now Luoyang, Henan Province) as the east capital, and incorporate Yin adherents. During the regency period, the Duke of Zhou formulated a series of systems, such as: (1) widely sealing princes, successively sealing 7 1 vassal states such as Song, Wei, Lu, Qi and Yan, and "feudal princes" effectively consolidated the rule of the Western Zhou Dynasty; According to the characteristics of the Zhou Dynasty, the system of rites and music made some choices and improved various laws and regulations. Later generations called it "Zhou Li" or "Zhou Gong Code", which had a far-reaching impact on later generations.

Duke Zhou accepted the lesson of the demise of Xia and Shang Dynasties and put forward many important political thoughts: he advocated the existence of "destiny", but repeatedly stressed that "obedience is abnormal" and he could not obey orders; The thought of "respecting morality" emphasizes that rulers must cultivate themselves, "match heaven with morality", not covet pleasure, "be fit but not healthy" and know "the difficulty of agriculture"; The thought of "protecting the people" recognizes that "the people's hearts are impermanent, but only the interests are cherished", and to win the people's hearts, it is necessary to implement the policy of virtue; "Cautious punishment" advocates "respecting morality" and "respecting morality means punishment". Some tough measures are necessary, but be careful when using punishment. Duke Zhou's thoughts and remarks were basically concentrated in the Grand Imperial Examination, Kang Imperial Examination, wine patent, Tudor, Wuyi and Duofang in Shangshu, which was one of the main theoretical bases for Confucianism to advocate "rule by virtue" later.

Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, worships Duke Zhou very much. Confucius once said: "If people have the beauty of the talents of the Duke of Zhou, they are arrogant and stingy, and the rest are insufficient." ("The Analects of Confucius Taibo") praised Zhou: "Zhou Gongcheng, Wu Zhide, chasing kings and kings, taking the worship of the son of heaven as the first public"; "Duke Zhou, it is filial piety!" (The Book of Rites The Doctrine of the Mean) When Confucius was old and weak, he even sighed: "I am weak! For a long time, I stopped dreaming about Duke Zhou! " Because of his admiration for Confucius, Duke Zhou became one of the most respected ancient saints of Confucian scholars, and was sometimes called "Kong Zhou" with Confucius.