Dynasties of ChinaShang dynastyShang dynasty lineage
Prince of ShangZu Geng
Reign —
The son of Wu Ding, after succeeding to the throne, built a temple for his father named Gaozong; it is said that his stepmother Wu Ding was cast at this time.
IBiography
- Reign
- —
- Order of accession
- Ruler #23 · Shang dynasty lineage
- Life dates
- Unknown birth and death
Zu Geng is the son of Wu Ding. It is said that Wu Ding's eldest son Xiaoji died early and Zu Geng succeeded to the throne. "Historical Records" says that after Zu Geng came to the throne, minister Zu Ji praised Wu Ding for being able to take the differences between pheasants as a warning and cultivate virtue in administration. He built a temple for him, revered him as "Gaozong", and wrote "Gaozong Xi Ri" and "Gaozong's Instructions". The number of years Zu Geng reigned is unknown, but the Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project estimates that the four kings from Zu Geng to Kang Ding totaled about 44 years. After Zu Geng's death, his younger brother Zu Jia succeeded to the throne.
IITimeline
During the reign
PoliticsRespect father as Gaozong
After Zu Geng came to the throne, Zu Ji built a temple for Wu Ding, revered him as "Gaozong", and wrote "Gaozong Xu Ri". The Xia–Shang–Zhou Chronology Project places the first year of Zu Geng as 1191 BC.
CultureStepmother Wuding
The Houmuwu Ding, unearthed in Wuguan Village, Anyang in 1939, weighs 832.84 kilograms and is the heaviest known Shang and Zhou bronze ware. The inscription "Stepmother Wu" is generally believed to be cast by Zu Geng or Zu Jia to worship their mother Fu Jing.
Lasting legacyThe Stepmother Wu Ding is now in the National Museum of China. Originally called "Si Mu Wu Ding", it was renamed "Step Mu Wu Ding" at the National Expo in 2011. There is still debate in the academic circles on the pronunciation of the first character.