Announcement of Tang

Tang had already abolished the mandate of Xia. He then returned to Bo. He composed the "Announcement of Tang." (This sentence is not present in the original text.)

The king returned from the place where he had conquered Xia. He arrived at Bo and broadly proclaimed to all the myriad regions of the world.

The king said: "Alas. You, the multitudes of officials and people from the four quarters of the various states. Listen carefully to my solitary proclamation. The great August Heaven on High bestowed the virtuous nature upon the people below. If they follow their constant nature, they can be settled—the one who accords with righteousness is the sovereign.

The Xia king abandoned virtue and acted with tyranny, thereby inflicting cruelty upon you, the people of the four quarters. You, the people of the four quarters, suffered from his fierce calamities, unable to endure the poison and pain. Together, you appealed to Heaven and the spirits of the earth and grain, declaring your innocence. The law of Heaven is to bless the good and send calamity to the evil. Thus, it sent down disaster upon the Xia state to manifest its crimes.

Therefore, I, the little child, respectfully carry out the bright and manifest authority of Heaven and dare not pardon Xia Jie. Presumptuously, I used a black bull as a sacrifice and presumptuously made a clear announcement to Heaven and the spirits, requesting punishment for the guilty Xia state. Then I sought the great sage (Yi Yin), and with united hearts and strength, I acted on behalf of you multitudes to plead for the preservation of your lives.

Heaven indeed trusted and protected the people below. The criminal Xia Jie was deposed and subdued. Heaven's command was without error. The myriad things flourished like grass and trees. The billions of people were indeed able to survive.

Let me alone settle and govern your states. Now I do not know whether I have offended Heaven and Earth. Trembling with fear, I am deeply anxious, as if about to fall into an abyss.

All you feudal lords who have established states with me, do not imitate unlawful deeds. Do not indulge in pleasure and dissipation. Each of you observe your constant statutes to receive Heaven's blessings. If you have good deeds, I dare not conceal them. If crimes lie with me, I dare not pardon myself. For all these are examined in the mind of the Supreme God. If you, the four quarters and myriad states, have crimes, let them all rest on my person. If I alone have crimes, they will not implicate you, the four quarters and myriad states.

Alas. I hope you can sincerely keep faith in these words. If so, you will also be able to achieve a good outcome."