Royals › Monarch / Emperor
Hou Yi
Legendary archer and chief of the Youqiong who, by the Zuo Zhuan's account, took over Xia rule and was killed through Han Zhuo
Mural of the event “Taikang Losing the State”, which this person took part in.
In the early years of the Xia, royal authority remained shaky, with internal vassals and external tribes still hedging their loyalty. After the third king Taikang ascended, his neglect of government triggered serious social discontent.
- Roles
- Monarch / Emperor
Hou Yi, also called Yi, is remembered in legend as the chief of the Youqiong in the Xia period and a famous archer. The Zuo Zhuan, under the fourth year of Duke Xiang, says that when the Xia declined he moved from Chu to Qiongshi and took over Xia rule with the support of the Xia people. Trusting in his archery, he gave himself to hunting, neglected the people and relied on Han Zhuo, and as he came back from a hunt his own household men, set on by Han Zhuo, killed him. He is often confused with the Yi who shot down nine suns, a separate legend. No reliable dates exist.
Life and times
- c. 2000 BCEBorn
Xia - 1950 BCETaikang Losing the State
Took partTaikang's prolonged absences let Hou Yi bar his return and seize Xia power, beginning decades of Eastern Yi dominance.- Taikang Neglects Rule at Luorui2040 BCEKing Taikang indulged in hunting beyond the Luo River for months, losing popular support and triggering crisis.
- Hou Yi Seizes Zhenxun2035 BCEHou Yi occupied the Xia capital Zhenxun and installed Taikang's brother Zhongkang as a puppet ruler.
- Taikang Neglects Rule at Luorui
- 1930 BCEUsurpation of Yi and Zhuo
Took partHan Zhuo killed Hou Yi, seized his power, and pursued Xia royal remnants until Shao Kang's counteroffensive.- Han Zhuo Slaying Hou Yi Usurping2010 BCEHan Zhuo orchestrated a coup against Hou Yi, assassinating him and seizing control of Youqiong.
- Han Zhuo Slaying Hou Yi Usurping
- 1900 BCEDied
