Xie () family name Zi (), was an ancient Chinese nobleman and ancestor of the kings of the Shang dynasty. He is the first known Shang ancestor and ruler of the Predynastic Shang. However, he is only mentioned in texts from after the Shang dynasty: He is not attested in oracle bone inscriptions.
In Records of the Grand Historian, he is given the family name Zi (), matching those of Shang rulers in oracle bone inscriptions. In Guoyu, he is referred to by a leader of the State of Lu as the "Dark King" (), referring to a legend in which he was born from a "Dark Bird" to found Predynastic Shang.
Later generations post-Zhou refer to Xie as E Bo (). Additionally, some transmitted texts will use the character () for his name, which can be read as qì, appearing in some translations.
Xie's consort(s) is unknown, but it is known he was a father of Zhao Ming of Shang and grandfather of Xiang Tu.
Xie's father was Emperor Ku, and Xie's brothers were Houji, Emperor Zhi and Emperor Yao. Xie's mother was one of Ku's consorts â Jiang Yuan, Jiandi, Qingdu, or Changyi.
Xie allegedly served as Minister of Instruction () under Emperor Shun during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period, who said the following: <blockquote> å¸ÂèÂÂä¹Âå½å¥Âæ°ï¼ÂãÂÂç¾å§Âä¸Â親ï¼ÂäºÂÃ¥ÂÂä¸Âè¨Âï¼Âæ±Âçºå¸å¾ÂèÂÂæ¾ÂኼÂæÂÂï¼ÂäºÂæÂÂå¨寬ãÂÂãÂÂ<br> <br> Emperor Shun gave the order to Xie, saying: "The people are wanting in affection for one another, and do not observe the five orders of relationship. You, as Minister of Instruction, should reverently inculcate the lessons of duty belonging to those five orders, but do so with gentleness." </blockquote>
As Minister of Instruction, Xie was tasked with upholding the five teachings ( or ). While these were not mentioned in Sima Qian's records, they are attested in other texts. In Zuo Zhuan, specifically the 18th Year of Duke Wen, Zuo Qiuming states they are the following:
Additionally, as Minister of Instruction, Xie was enfeoffed with the Principality of Shang, which flourished under the rule of Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun.
After he died, Xie was succeeded by his son, Zhao Ming.
Xie is said to have been born as a result of Jian Di, the daughter of Yousong () and one of three sisters, consuming an egg from a dark bird (XuánniÃÂo ). After consuming the egg, Jian Di became pregnant with Qi, gave birth to him, and raised him. When he grew up, he became the Minister of Instruction of Emperor Shun.
The myth of the dark bird is mentioned in an eponymous myth amongst the Sacrificial Odes of Shang () in the Classic of Poetry, opening as follows: <blockquote> 天å½çÂÂé³¥ï¼ÂéÂÂèÂÂçÂÂÃ¥ÂÂï¼Âå® æ®·åÂÂèÂÂèÂÂãÂÂ<br> <br> Heaven ordained a dark bird, which descended upon and birthed the Shang, settling in our desolate yet vast land of Yin. </blockquote>
Much of what is known about Xie comes from the Great flood involving Yu the Great, mentioned in myriad works after the Shang dynasty fell, most predominantly Records of the Grand Historian by Sima Qian. However, as there is little archaeological evidence for the flood as described, and the closest thing to the Xia dynasty it is associated with is the Erlitou culture, the story's legitimacy is questionable.
In the 20th year of Emperor Yao's reign, the Yellow River blew its banks, causing a massive flood that engulfed much of China, swelling over hills and forcing the common man to flee to higher ground. Yao sought individuals who could assist with the flood. Gun failed, and so the task fell to Yu the Great, his son. He succeeded, and so Emperor Yao offered him office; he wanted to refuse in favour of either Xie, Hou Ji, or Gao Yao, but Yao was set and told him to attend to his duties.