The Rebellion of the Three Guards: Power Crisis in Early Western Zhou and Duke of Zhou's Eastern Expedition

Brief Introduction

The Rebellion of the Three Guards, also known as the Rebellion of Guan and Cai, occurred in the early Western Zhou Dynasty following the death of King Wu and during the minority of King Cheng. This was the first large-scale rebellion by feudal lords in Chinese history. The core of the rebellion lay in the unequal distribution of power within the Zhou royal family and the counterattack by remnant forces of the Yin-Shang dynasty seeking restoration. As regent, the Duke of Zhou (Zhou Gong Dan) quelled this crisis through the Eastern Expedition, laying the foundation for the stability of the Western Zhou regime.

Core Knowledge Points

* Historical Background: After King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty, he enfeoffed Wu Geng (son of King Zhou) in the former Shang territory to pacify the Shang remnants. Simultaneously, King Wu sent his three younger brothers—Guan Shu Xian, Cai Shu Du, and Huo Shu Chu—to establish protective states around Wu Geng for surveillance, historically known as the "Three Guards."
* Causes of Rebellion: After King Wu's death, King Cheng was young, and the Duke of Zhou served as regent. Guan Shu and others were dissatisfied with the Duke's concentration of power. They spread rumors that "the Duke of Zhou would harm King Cheng" and allied with Wu Geng and Eastern Yi tribes to launch a rebellion, attempting to restore the Shang Dynasty.
* Suppression Process: The Duke of Zhou ignored opposing opinions and led an army on the Eastern Expedition. Lasting three years, the Duke defeated the rebel forces, executed Wu Geng and Guan Shu, exiled Cai Shu, and demoted Huo Shu.
* Subsequent Impact: After the rebellion was quelled, the Duke of Zhou implemented a large-scale system of enfeoffment. Kang Shu was enfeoffed at Wei, and Wei Zi Qi at Song, thoroughly disintegrating the remnant Shang forces and expanding the Zhou Dynasty's territorial control.

Connection with the "Records of the Grand Historian" (Shiji)

Sima Qian provided detailed records of the Rebellion of the Three Guards in the "Records of the Grand Historian," primarily concentrated in the "Annals of Zhou" and the "Hereditary House of the Duke of Zhou."
1. Narrative Perspective: Sima Qian portrayed the Duke of Zhou as a model of loyalty and patriotism. In the "Hereditary House of the Duke of Zhou," he specifically described the Duke's diligence with the phrase "combing his hair three times while bathing, and spitting out his food three times while eating." This contrasted with the irrationality and harm of the Rebellion of Guan and Cai, establishing the Duke's political legitimacy.
2. Concept of the Mandate of Heaven: The text emphasizes that the rebellion was an act against the "Mandate of Heaven." The victory of the Duke of Zhou's Eastern Expedition is described as a manifestation of the Mandate returning to Zhou, reinforcing the sanctity of the Zhou Dynasty's rule.
3. Institutional Origins: Through this event, the "Records of the Grand Historian" explains the perfection process of the Western Zhou's ritual and music system and the enfeoffment system. The suppression of the Rebellion of the Three Guards is viewed as a prelude to the Duke of Zhou creating rituals and music, marking the Western Zhou's transition from military conquest to political governance.

Conclusion

The Rebellion of the Three Guards was not only a political crisis in the early Zhou period but also a key turning point in the formation of the Western Zhou state structure. Through the records in the "Records of the Grand Historian," we gain insight into how early dynasties established a ruling order that lasted for hundreds of years through violent suppression of rebellion and institutional reconstruction, having a profound impact on the formation of centralized systems in later generations.