Duke Wen of Jin
Encyclopedia
Duke Jin Wen (697 BC - 628 BC) led the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history from 636 BC to 628 BC. His ancestral name is Ji(姬),clan name is Jin (晋），given name is Chong'er (重耳),and he was the son of Duke Xian
(晉獻公). He was named Chong'er (重耳; literally, "Double Ears") although there is no material evidence of deformity. However, Zuo Zhuan
also notes that "his ribs were all grown together," a sign of strength and leadership. Under his rule, Jin expanded rapidly and became the most powerful state.
After Duke Xian made Chong'er's half-brother Xiqi (奚齊) the heir to the state of Jin, Prince Chong'er fled from Jin seeing the eldest son, Shensheng (申生), was killed by their stepmother. He traveled from state to state for 19 years, earning a reputation as an impressive personality and gaining many talented followers while in exile; a lady of a foreign court once commented that "When I look at the followers of the prince of Jin, every one of them is fit to be a premier of a state".
In 636 BC, he returned to Jin, guarded by troops from the state of Qin
. After ascending the throne, Chong'er initiated multiple reforms such as reorganizing the military and establishing a stronger civil administration.
Under Duke Wen, Jin absorbed many small states; however, the people of the absorbed states often welcomed his rule. In 635 BC, Duke Wen refused to absorb the state of Yuan; the state later returned, however, and offered to become a part of Jin, which was finally accepted by Duke Wen.
Duke Wen also helped King Xiang of Zhou
to regain his throne. After King Xiang was forced off of the throne by Prince Dai, Duke Wen led the alliance that reinstated King Xiang.
He led Jin as the head of the coalition of states against the state of Chu
. At the battle of Chengpu
, Jin troops defeated the state of Chu. At Jiantu, Duke Wen gained hegemony
over the states. He is considered one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.
After Chong'er succeeded the throne as the Duke, Jie Zhitui resigned and hid himself in a mountain. Failing to invite Jie again to the court, Duke Wen ordered a fire in the hope of forcing him out and making him return to his service. The fire ended up killing Jie Zhitui and his mother. Feeling guilty about his friend, Duke Wen named the mountain after him and created Hanshi Festival (寒食節), meaning 'cold food festival', as a memorial period for Jie, wherein fire (and therefore cooking) was prohibited. It lasts for three days including the day before, on and after Qingming Festival
(清明節).
Boji. Also born by Bi Ji. She was married to Zhao Shuai, and was praised highly of returning the wifehood to the latter's first wife Shu Wei, which made herself a concubine. She bore three sons named Yingqi, Tong and Kuo. Also known as Zhao Ji and Junjishi.
Yong. Born by Du Qi. He was initially sent to Qin to be a minister in Qin to avoid the probable conflict among his brothers. When Duke Xiang died, Zhao Dun decided to create Yong, who was elder and had a good reputation. So Yong was returning to Qin guarded by Qin troops. However, when Yong and Qin troops were at border, Dun changed his idea and create Yigao as Duke Ling of Jin and attacked Qin troops. Yong was killed in the attack from his motherland.
Le (Yue?) (乐). Born by Chen Ying from Qin. He was initially sent to Chen to avoid the probable conflict among his brothers. When Duke Xiang died, another noble minister, Hu Shegu, wanted to create Le the duke and secretly fetched him from Chen. But he was ambushed and killed on the way by fellows led by Gongsun Chujiu, a minion of Zhao Dun who decided to create Yong then.
Heitun. He was initially sent to Zhou. When Duke Ling was murdered, he was created as Duke Cheng of Jin. He died in 600 BC.
Duke Xian of Jin
Duke Xian of Jin , Ancestral name is Ji, given name is Guizhu , was the nineteenth ruler of the State of Jin. He was also the ninth ruler of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period and the second duke of Jin. When his father, Duke Wu of Jin, died in 677 BC, Guizhu ascended the throne of Jin and became...
(晉獻公). He was named Chong'er (重耳; literally, "Double Ears") although there is no material evidence of deformity. However, Zuo Zhuan
Zuo Zhuan
The Zuo Zhuan , sometimes translated as the Chronicle of Zuo or the Commentary of Zuo, is among the earliest Chinese works of narrative history and covers the period from 722 BCE to 468 BCE. It is one of the most important sources for understanding the history of the Spring and Autumn Period...
also notes that "his ribs were all grown together," a sign of strength and leadership. Under his rule, Jin expanded rapidly and became the most powerful state.
After Duke Xian made Chong'er's half-brother Xiqi (奚齊) the heir to the state of Jin, Prince Chong'er fled from Jin seeing the eldest son, Shensheng (申生), was killed by their stepmother. He traveled from state to state for 19 years, earning a reputation as an impressive personality and gaining many talented followers while in exile; a lady of a foreign court once commented that "When I look at the followers of the prince of Jin, every one of them is fit to be a premier of a state".
In 636 BC, he returned to Jin, guarded by troops from the state of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
. After ascending the throne, Chong'er initiated multiple reforms such as reorganizing the military and establishing a stronger civil administration.
Under Duke Wen, Jin absorbed many small states; however, the people of the absorbed states often welcomed his rule. In 635 BC, Duke Wen refused to absorb the state of Yuan; the state later returned, however, and offered to become a part of Jin, which was finally accepted by Duke Wen.
Duke Wen also helped King Xiang of Zhou
King Xiang of Zhou
King Xiang of Zhou was the eighteenth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the sixth of Eastern Zhou Dynasty. In 635 he was driven from the capital by his brother Zhao and was restored by Duke Wen of Jin....
to regain his throne. After King Xiang was forced off of the throne by Prince Dai, Duke Wen led the alliance that reinstated King Xiang.
He led Jin as the head of the coalition of states against the state of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
. At the battle of Chengpu
Battle of Chengpu
The Battle of Chengpu took place in 632 BC between the State of Jin and the State of Chu and its allies during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. It was the first great battle in the protracted conflict between the states of the Yellow River valley, and the states of the Yangtze...
, Jin troops defeated the state of Chu. At Jiantu, Duke Wen gained hegemony
Hegemony
Hegemony is an indirect form of imperial dominance in which the hegemon rules sub-ordinate states by the implied means of power rather than direct military force. In Ancient Greece , hegemony denoted the politico–military dominance of a city-state over other city-states...
over the states. He is considered one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period.
Stories about Duke Wen
One hot summer afternoon during the exile of Chong'er and his loyal retainers, the sun was so strong that it exhausted the Prince and also made him hungry. His advisor and personal friend Jie Zhitui (介之推) made meat soup for him. Duke Wen drank the soup and felt revitalized but he wondered where his friend managed to find meat to make the soup. It turned out that his friend had cut a piece of flesh from his own thigh to make the soup. Duke Wen felt extremely moved by his friend's loyalty and promised to reward him one day.After Chong'er succeeded the throne as the Duke, Jie Zhitui resigned and hid himself in a mountain. Failing to invite Jie again to the court, Duke Wen ordered a fire in the hope of forcing him out and making him return to his service. The fire ended up killing Jie Zhitui and his mother. Feeling guilty about his friend, Duke Wen named the mountain after him and created Hanshi Festival (寒食節), meaning 'cold food festival', as a memorial period for Jie, wherein fire (and therefore cooking) was prohibited. It lasts for three days including the day before, on and after Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival
The Qingming Festival , Pure Brightness Festival or Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice , usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar...
(清明節).
Offspring
Huan. Born by Bi Ji (逼姞). He succeeded his father and was known as Duke Xiang of Jin. He was regarded as a good successor as he defeated Qin and Di, but died too early in 621 BC. His son became Duke Ling of Jin, and Duke Dao of Jin was grandson of his another son named Jie.Boji. Also born by Bi Ji. She was married to Zhao Shuai, and was praised highly of returning the wifehood to the latter's first wife Shu Wei, which made herself a concubine. She bore three sons named Yingqi, Tong and Kuo. Also known as Zhao Ji and Junjishi.
Yong. Born by Du Qi. He was initially sent to Qin to be a minister in Qin to avoid the probable conflict among his brothers. When Duke Xiang died, Zhao Dun decided to create Yong, who was elder and had a good reputation. So Yong was returning to Qin guarded by Qin troops. However, when Yong and Qin troops were at border, Dun changed his idea and create Yigao as Duke Ling of Jin and attacked Qin troops. Yong was killed in the attack from his motherland.
Le (Yue?) (乐). Born by Chen Ying from Qin. He was initially sent to Chen to avoid the probable conflict among his brothers. When Duke Xiang died, another noble minister, Hu Shegu, wanted to create Le the duke and secretly fetched him from Chen. But he was ambushed and killed on the way by fellows led by Gongsun Chujiu, a minion of Zhao Dun who decided to create Yong then.
Heitun. He was initially sent to Zhou. When Duke Ling was murdered, he was created as Duke Cheng of Jin. He died in 600 BC.
Historical TV drama
- Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Television company TVB made a TV drama about Duke Wen in the early 1990 called "Legend of Duke Wen" (晉文公傳奇), starring popstar Leon LaiLeon LaiLeon Lai is a Hong Kong-based actor and Cantopop singer. The media refer to Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . He uses the stage name "Li Ming" or "Lai Ming" which literally means "dawn."-Biography:...
as Duke Wen (during the Leon craze period). The series is semi-fictional with added WuxiaWuxiaWuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
scenes to dramatize the storyline.
External links
- A simplified Chinese website depicting Duke Wen life and story
- http://big5.china.com.cn/ch-jieri/qingming/2.htmA Traditional Chinese website about Jie Zhitui and the origin of Qingming FestivalQingming FestivalThe Qingming Festival , Pure Brightness Festival or Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice , usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar...
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