Di Xin

Also known as Zi Shou · Shang Zhou · King Zhou · Xin

Di Xin, personal name Shou, was the youngest son of King Yi and became heir because his mother was the principal queen; later ages called him Zhou. The Basic Annals of Yin in the Shiji credits him with quick wits, eloquence and the strength to kill beasts bare-handed, but charges him with drunkenness, devotion to Daji, heavy taxes to fill the Deer Terrace and the Juqiao granary, a pool of wine, a forest of meat and the roasting pillar. The same text says he imprisoned the Lord of the West at Youli, had Bigan's heart cut out, drove Jizi to feign madness and Weizi to flee. The Zuo Commentary says he conquered the Eastern Yi but lost his life for it. Beaten at Muye by King Wu, he put on his jade robes on the Deer Terrace and threw himself into the fire. In the Analects, Zigong observes that his wickedness was less extreme than reported, but that all the world's evils are laid on one who sinks low.