Chapter 13 12 Chinese riots

During the reigns of King Cheng and King Kang, the political situation of the Zhou Dynasty was relatively stable.Later, due to the increased exploitation of slave-owner nobles and continuous wars, the dissatisfaction of civilians and slaves also increased.The rulers of the Zhou Dynasty adopted very severe punishments in order to suppress the people.During the time of King Mu of Zhou, 3,000 criminal laws were enacted, and those who violated the laws received five kinds of punishments, which are called "five punishments".Such as tattooing on the forehead, cutting off the nose, cutting off the feet and so on.However, no matter how severe the punishment is, it cannot prevent the people from resisting.

After the tenth king of the Western Zhou Dynasty, King Zhou Li, came to the throne, the oppression of the people became even heavier.King Li of Zhou favored a minister named Duke Rongyi and implemented "patents". They occupied all lakes and rivers and forbade the people to use these natural resources to make a living; they also extorted property and abused the people. At that time, farmers living in the wild were called "savages", and civilians living in the capital were called "countrymen".The people of Haojing, the capital of Zhou, were dissatisfied with King Li's tyrannical measures, and complained a lot.

Minister Zhao Gonghu heard more and more discussions from the people of the country, and went to the palace to tell King Li: "The people can't stand it anymore. If your king doesn't change his ways as soon as possible, it will be difficult to deal with the troubles." Li Wang said nonchalantly: "Don't worry, I have my own way to deal with it." Therefore, he issued an order to forbid the people of the country to criticize the government. He also found a wizard from Weiguo and asked him to spy on those who criticized the government. " In order to please King Li, Wei Wu sent a group of people to investigate everywhere.Those people are still extorting money, and whoever refuses to obey them will make false accusations casually.

King Li listened to Wei Wu's report and killed many people.Under such pressure, Chinese people really dare not discuss it in public.When people met acquaintances on the road, they didn't dare to talk and greet them. They only exchanged a wink and hurried away. King Li was very satisfied when he saw Wei Wu's report that the number of people criticizing the government gradually decreased.Once, when the male tiger was called to see King Li, King Li said triumphantly: "Look, isn't there no one talking about it this time?" Zhao Gonghu sighed and said, "Oh, how can this be done? Shutting up people's mouths and preventing them from speaking is more dangerous than blocking up rivers! To control water, we must dredge the river and let the water flow to the sea; Similarly, the people must be guided to speak. If you forcefully block a river, you will burst your mouth; if you forcefully block people's mouths, you will cause great disaster!"

Li Wang curled his lips and ignored him, Zhao Gonghu had no choice but to withdraw. The tyranny of King Li and Lord Rongyi became more and more serious. After three years, that is, in 841 BC, the people of the country couldn't bear it, and finally held a large-scale riot.The rebels besieged the palace and wanted to kill King Li.When King Li heard the news, he hurriedly led a group of people to flee for their lives. They escaped all the way across the Yellow River and stopped at Zhi (sound zhi, northeast of Huo County, Shanxi today). The people of the country broke into the palace, but did not find King Li.Someone found out that King Li's Prince Jing fled to Zhao Gonghu's house and hid, and then surrounded Zhao Gonghu's house, demanding that Zhao Gonghu hand over the prince.Zhao Gonghu had no choice but to send his son out pretending to be the prince, so as to protect the prince.

After King Li left, there was no king in the court, so what should we do?After discussion by the ministers, Zhao Gonghu and another minister, Zhou Gong, presided over the aristocratic meeting and temporarily replaced the emperor of Zhou to exercise power, which was called "republican administration" in history.From the first year of the Republic, that is, 841 BC, Chinese history has an exact date.After the republican administration lasted for fourteen years, King Zhou Li died in Yu.The ministers appointed Prince Ji Jing as King Xuan of Zhou. King Xuan was relatively enlightened politically and was supported by the princes.However, after this national riot, the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty were already strong in the outside world and unable to prosper!