Duke of Zhou (Ji Dan)

Also known as Ji Dan · Duke of Zhou · Shu Dan

Ji Dan, Duke of Zhou, was a son of King Wen and younger brother of King Wu, titled after his fief at Zhou. The Shiji says he helped King Wu overthrow Shang and was enfeoffed at Qufu, but stayed at court and sent his eldest son Boqin to rule what became the state of Lu. When King Wu died leaving the young King Cheng, the duke took charge of the government; his brothers Guan and Cai spread rumours and joined Wugeng in revolt, and in an eastern campaign he executed Guan and Wugeng and exiled Cai, pacifying the east within two years. He oversaw the building of Chengzhou at Luoyi and after seven years handed power back to King Cheng. The Record of Rites credits him with creating the rites and music, and old tradition assigns him the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), though neither claim can be proven. In the Analects Confucius laments that he had long ceased to dream of the Duke of Zhou.