Dynasties of ChinaXia dynastyXia dynasty lineage
ZhongkangSi Zhongkang
Reign —
Taikang's younger brother, it is said that he once ordered the Marquis of Yin to attack Xihe who had neglected his duties. The solar eclipse recorded in "Xia Shu" is often tied to that time.
IBiography
- Reign
- —
- Order of accession
- Ruler #4 · Xia dynasty lineage
- Life dates
- Unknown birth and death
Zhongkang is the son of Qi and the younger brother of Taikang. He is called "Zhongkang" in "Historical Records". After Taikang's death, he succeeded him as king. It is said that he was established by Hou Yi, and the real power was in the hands of Hou Yi. According to "Historical Records", Xi He, who was in charge of astronomy and calendar, indulged in drinking and neglected his duties, "wasting time and causing chaos". Zhongkang ordered Marquis Yin to lead an army to conquer and wrote "Yin Zheng". After Zhongkang's death, his son Xiang came to the throne.
IITimeline
During the reign
PoliticsYin Zheng Xihe
Xihe was in charge of the astronomical calendar, but he indulged in wine and "wasted time and chaos." Zhongkang ordered Marquis Yin to lead an army to attack, and his oath was called "Yin Zheng". The current version of "Shang Shu·Yin Zheng" is generally believed to be a pseudocommissioned work from the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
Science & technologyZhongkang solar eclipse
"Zuo Zhuan" quoted from "Book of Xia" "The sun does not gather in the room, the blind man plays the drum, the stingy man runs away, and the common people go away" to describe the scene of beating the drum to save the sun during the solar eclipse. Later generations often associated this event with Zhongkang and called it the "Zhongkang Solar Eclipse". It is regarded as one of the earliest solar eclipse records in China. The specific date range is still controversial.