Weizi

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Weizi
- Qin Shi #15

微子 ¹
琴史 #15 ²

Weizi (Viscount of Wei), like Jizi (Viscount of Ji) was a relative of the corrupt last ruler of the Yin (i.e., Shang) dynasty, Zhou Xin.³ In disgust at Zhou Xin's activities, Weizi went into exile. This is discussed in Shi Ji, Annal 38.⁴

After Zhou Gong came to power Weizi wrote Mourning Yin Melody.⁵ There is no surviving qin melody of that title, but it is Folio 57, #16 in Yuefu Shiji (p.831). The account and lyrics there are as follows.

Qin Ji says,

Shang Yin Cao was created by the Viscount of Wei.

Shang Shu Da Zhuan says,

微子將朝周，過殷故墟....

Lyrics attributed to Weizi

麥秀漸漸兮禾黍油油，彼狡童兮不我好仇。

The original biography in Qin Shi is as follows.

Weizi was a half-brother of Zhou Xin. Zhou Xin carried on in a lewd manner. Weizi several times castigated (Zhou Xin), but he didn't listen, instead wishing to kill (Weizi), who was terrified. After Shang was defeated and perished, (Weizi) left (Shang) and accepted (the new) Zhou (dynasty). Confucius said (Weizi) was benevolent. (Weizi) then created Mourning Yin Melody

Further details in preparation. 3

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1 微子10438.3 (Return)

2 4 lines (Return)

3 紂辛 Zhou Xin (12th c. BCE) is often called simply Zhou, not to be confused with the 周 Zhou of Zhou dynasty). See bio. (Return)

4 To my knowledge, Shi Ji, Annal 38, has not yet been translated. (Return)

5 傷殷操 Shang Yin Cao
1083.71 傷殷操 quotes Shangshu Dazhuan (specifying 殷傳 Yin Zhuan). It is slightly different from the YFSJ quote, and also adds slightly different lyrics. (Return)

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