Duke Wen of Qin: The Founder of Qin's Rise and Records in the Records of the Grand Historian

Brief Introduction

Duke Wen of Qin (c. 765 BCE – 716 BCE), named Jing, was the fifteenth ruler of the State of Qin. He reigned for over fifty years, coinciding with the historical transition period from the fall of the Western Zhou to the establishment of the Eastern Zhou. Duke Wen of Qin was not only a key turning point figure in Qin history but also one of the early rulers recorded in considerable detail in the Records of the Grand Historian · Annals of Qin. His rule marked the beginning of Qin's transformation from a vassal of the Zhou Dynasty into a feudal state with independent strength, laying the foundation for the future prosperity of the Qin State.

Core Knowledge Points

* Relocation to the Confluence of Qian and Wei: Duke Wen of Qin moved the capital from Western Quanqiu to the Confluence of the Qian and Wei Rivers (near modern Baoji, Shaanxi). This move laid the geographical foundation for Qin's eastward expansion, controlling the western gateway to the Guanzhong Plain.
* Construction of Fu Zhi to Worship the White Emperor: He established the Fu Zhi (fū zhì), a dedicated altar for worshipping the White Emperor (the God of the West). This was one of the earliest official sacrificial structures of Qin, symbolizing Qin's control over western divine power and reflecting the cultural tradition of the Qin people, who originated from the Ying surname and revered the color white.
* Expelling the Xirong and Capturing the Bear: Militarily, Duke Wen of Qin defeated the Xirong (Western Rong) tribes multiple times and once captured a "Great Bear." In legend, the great bear symbolized hostile tribes or natural disasters. This achievement greatly expanded Qin's territory and removed the threat posed by the Xirong to Qin.
* Embryonic Political System: He began establishing official positions such as the "Six Ministers," initially constructing Qin's administrative system and strengthening centralization.

Connection with the Records of the Grand Historian

Sima Qian dedicated specific records to Duke Wen of Qin in the Records of the Grand Historian · Annals of Qin. He not only recorded major life events but also incorporated mythological elements to highlight the Mandate of Heaven. The book mentions: "In the fourth year of Duke Wen, a white wolf was captured and presented to King Ping of Zhou." "In the thirteenth year of Duke Wen, he attacked the Rong and reached Qi." These records confirm the relationship between the State of Qin and the Zhou royal house, as well as the process of military expansion.

Particularly famous are the records regarding the "Bear" and the "Zhi" (Altar). The Records of the Grand Historian states: "Duke Wen dreamed of a yellow snake descending from heaven to the earth, its mouth stopping at Fu Yan. Duke Wen asked Historian Dun, and Dun said: 'This is a sign of the Supreme God; you should worship it.' Thus, the Fu Zhi was constructed, and the White Emperor was worshipped with three types of sacrificial animals in the suburbs." This description reflects the combination of Qin ancestor worship and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. Through this record, Sima Qian implied that the legitimacy of Duke Wen's rule stemmed from the "Mandate of Heaven," while also explaining why Qin placed such importance on sacrificial culture.

Furthermore, the Records of the Grand Historian records that Duke Wen of Qin was buried at West Mountain after his death and mentions the succession issues involving his descendants, such as Duke Xian of Qin and Duke Chu Zi of Qin, providing important historical data for researching Qin's early genealogy. Sima Qian evaluated the period of Duke Wen of Qin as the stage where Qin "began to have a great state," affirming his core role in Qin's transition from a tribe to a state.

In summary, Duke Wen of Qin was not only a practitioner of territorial expansion for the State of Qin but also a builder of its religious and cultural system. Through the records in the Records of the Grand Historian, we can clearly see how early Qin established its status through sacrifice and warfare against the backdrop of the decline of the Zhou royal house, laying the groundwork for the later reforms of Duke Xiao of Qin and the unification of the six states.