Wen Ding

Wen Ding
Reign	1112 - 1102 BC
Predecessor	Wu Yi
Successor	Di Yi
Died	1102 BC
Issue	Di Yi Bi Gan Jizi

Wen Wu Ding or Wen Ding (Chinese: 文丁) was a king of the Shang dynasty of China from 1112 to 1102 BC.^[1][2]

Biography

According to Bamboo Annals, his capital was at Yin (殷) or Zimou.^[3]

In the second year of his reign, his vassal Jili of Zhou attacked the Yanjing Rong (燕京戎), but they defeated him.^[4]

During his third year, the Huan River (洹水) dried up.

In his fourth year, Jili attacked the Yuwu Rong (余无戎) and was victorious, making Yuwu into a Zhou client.

In his seventh year, Jili attacked the Hu Rong (呼戎) and was again victorious.

Several years later, Jili defeated the Xitu Rong (翳徒戎) and captured three of their generals. Worried that Zhou was growing too powerful, Wen Ding sent Jili to a city called Saiku (塞库) and had him killed there.

References

1. Shang dynasty by N.S. Gill, About.com Guide
2. The Cambridge History of Ancient China
3. Bamboo Annals
4. Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian