Historical Stories - Children's Classic Reading

Author: Wang Yangguang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Yi Yin instructed Taigai and Shang Tang to establish the Shang Dynasty, ruling for thirty years. After Shang Tang's death, the throne was passed to his grandson, Taigai. As a founding elder, Yi Yin continued to advise Taigai. After Taigai ascended the throne, Yi Yin wrote three articles for Taigai to read. These articles taught Taigai how to distinguish right from wrong and explained which actions should be taken and which should not, clearly and comprehensively. In the first two years after reading these articles, Taigai followed their guidance and dared not violate the rules established by his ancestors. However, by the third year, he began to become overconfident. Taigai believed himself to be the ruler of the entire nation, expecting everyone to obey his commands. Yet, he resented being supervised by Yi Yin, a minister of humble origins, and deliberately acted according to his own whims. Yi Yin repeatedly and reminded him, but eventually realized that Taigai was beyond saving. Yi Yin exiled him to Tonggong, the location of Shang Tang's tomb. During his exile, Yi Yin did not appoint a new ruler but temporarily took over the governance of the country himself.
Taigai arrived at Tonggong in a state of despair and reflected before his grandfather Shang Tang's tomb. Gradually, he came to understand that he had indeed made mistakes and resolved to completely change his bad habits. He began to care about the people around him, doing his best to help them, and acted promptly on what should be done while restraining others from making mistakes. After three years, Taigai earned the respect of the people around Tonggong, and his transformation reached Yi Yin's ears. Yi Yin, reassured, realized that the young ruler had truly repented and reformed. He personally led the civil and military officials to welcome Taigai back to the capital. Upon hearing the news of Taigai's return, the people came out to greet him along the streets. Yi Yin returned the nine dings, symbols of the empire, to Taigai. Taigai deeply moved said, "Without your teachings, I would not have known how to ruin the country!" P32-33