King Qi of Xia

Also known as Si Qi · Xiahou Qi · Di Qi · Xia Qi · Qi

Qi was, in the traditional account, the son of Yu and a woman of the Tushan clan, and is known as Qi of the Xia. The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) says Yu chose Yi as his successor, but after the three years of mourning Yi stood aside and the lords came to Qi's court instead, so he became ruler. When the Youhu clan refused to submit, Qi led an army against them and fought a great battle at Gan; the speech he made to his troops beforehand survives as the Oath at Gan in the Book of Documents (Shangshu). The ancient Bamboo Annals (Zhushu jinian) say instead that Yi tried to take the throne and Qi killed him. The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) tells that Kai, a Han taboo substitute for his name, went up to heaven three times and brought down the Nine Songs. He was succeeded by his son Taikang, and later tradition dates hereditary kingship from his accession.