According to the three-year record in Zuo Zhuan, in the early Xia Dynasty, Kyushu County was ordered to pay tribute to bronze and cast Jiuding, and the wonders of mountains and rivers all over the country were painted into figures in advance, and then carved on the tripod body respectively. Jiuding is displayed outside the palace gate after casting, so that people can know what ghosts and gods are there at a glance, and they can avoid evil spirits and make money. It is said that this move won the praise of heaven, so the Xia Dynasty was blessed by the Emperor of Heaven. As soon as Jiuding was born, it was covered with a mysterious color. In fact, it is not difficult to see its political value through mythical factors. In summer, Jiuding is made of bronze from Kyushu, and then Jiuding symbolizes Kyushu, just to show that he is the master of Kyushu and realize the unification of the world. Since then, Jiuding has become a treasure of three generations. Legend has it that after Xia's death, Ding returned to Shang, and after Shang's death, Ding returned to Zhou, indicating that his destiny belonged to him.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, with the decline of imperial power, powerful governors had a covetous heart for Jiuding, and Chu took the lead in attacking. "History of Chu Family" records that in eight years (606 BC), Chu Zhuangwang led troops to attack Rong of Lu Hun, passing through Luoyi, and deliberately arrayed himself to show his strength. King Ding of Zhou quickly sent a doctor, Wang Sunman, to comfort him. Chu Zhuangwang aggressive, truly ask Jiuding size. Wang coldly said: in Germany, not in Ding! Then, I slowly reviewed the history of Jiuding changing hands, saying that if the essence is beautiful and bright, the tripod is small and heavy, and vice versa. He further pointed out: although Zhou De declined, his destiny remained unchanged, and the weight of the tripod could not be asked. Chu Zhuangwang hit a rebuff and had to give up. This is also the origin of the idiom "winning the Central Plains".
By the end of the Warring States period, the Zhou royal family was dying. According to the "Warring States Policy and Eastern Zhou Policy", during the reign of King Xian Zhou, Qin sent troops to Zhou in an attempt to seize Jiuding. Zhou asked Qi for help and forced Qin to withdraw. But Qiang Qin refused to stop there. Later, Zhao Haoqi of Qin finally destroyed the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.
Around Jiuding, there are two problems that are still difficult for future generations to understand. One is whether Dayu cast a tripod, and the other is connected with the first question, that is, the final destination of Jiuding.
Zuo Zhuan quoted above said that Jiuding was cast in Xia Dynasty when there was virtue, while the history books put the time of casting the tripod slightly ahead of schedule, saying that when Yu Xia was in full bloom, Fang Ming Dayu cast Jiuding with the gold of Jiu Mu, which was originally intended to symbolize Kyushu. Mozi said that this tripod was cast in the early summer. The above statement is generally similar, and it has also been recognized by many people in later generations. Basically, it is believed that the tripod was cast by Dayu, and the time was when the Xia Dynasty was established.
Skeptics believe that after Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, he did not seize Jiuding from Zhou. On the contrary, rumors about Jiuding's disappearance have eyes and ears. I didn't see Ding when the Qin Dynasty was destroyed. When Liu Bang ascended the throne, Zi Ying, king of Qin, only handed over the imperial seal. "The Warring States Policy" said that when Zhou gained power, each tripod needed 90,000 people to carry it, and Jiuding needed 810,000 people to carry it. Is this possible? Modern ancient historians believe that the Warring States policy is full of exaggeration, and Yu Zhu can't occupy a dominant position.
According to contemporary archaeological excavations, some scholars believe that bronzes and bronzes have been unearthed in some primitive social sites before the Xia Dynasty. Erlitou site in Yanshi, Henan Province, is recognized by academic circles as belonging to Xia Dynasty. Bronzes of various shapes, such as bronze knights and copper chisels, were unearthed, and archaeologists also found crucible fragments, copper slag and pottery models, which proved that Xia people were fully capable of making bronzes. At least technically, Zhu Yu's nine tripod is possible. I'm afraid it is not absolutely powerful to deny Yu Zhu's dominant position only by some defects in ancient legends.
Where is Jiuding, which spread to the Zhou Dynasty? Some scholars find that the statements in Historical Records are inconsistent. Both Zhou and Qin said that in the fifty-second year of the king (255 BC), after his death, he finally returned Jiuding to Qin. The Biography of Qin Shihuang said that Jiuding was on his way to Xianyang when a tripod was blown to Surabaya, Jiangsu. According to this, except for one tripod, all eight tripods may have been searched in the palace of Qin State, which should have been lost after the death of Qin State. Zhang Shoujie, a Tang Dynasty man, also said in Justice in Historical Records: In the 19th year of Zhou Nanwang, Qin and Zhao Haoqi took Jiuding, one flew to Surabaya, and the other eight entered Qin. But he took King Zhao of Qin to Jiuding, 4 1 year earlier than this article in Historical Records. "Historical Records" and "Zen Book" also said: Zhou De declined, Song Society died, Ding lost and disappeared. Then Jiuding fell as early as the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and had nothing to do with the State of Qin. Later, the book "Sacrifice to the Suburbs" also accepted these two theories, but some people said that it was in the forty-second year of King Zhou Xian (327 BC) ... Ding Lun did not capture Pengcheng in Surabaya. Later, when Qin Shihuang patrolled Pengcheng (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu), he sent thousands of people to swim and salvage. The result was like drawing water with a sieve, and he failed to do it. This shows that Jiuding did not enter Qin, and at least one tripod disappeared.
In the Qing Dynasty, scholars such as Quan and Shen Qinhan openly expressed doubts about the above traditional views and made new explorations. On the basis of quoting the theories of Quan and Shen, Hanshu Supplement has developed. Its main contents can be roughly summarized as follows: in order to prevent the powers from coveting, coupled with economic difficulties, Zhou adopted the worst policy of destroying ding and casting money; Externally, I said I lost it, but I don't know where it is. (2) The history of the destruction of Zhou Dynasty in Qin Dynasty is not a guess of time. (3) Qin people lied that Jiuding had sunk into Surabaya, and Qin Shihuang was fooled. These statements are thought-provoking, but they are not necessarily the most important.
Since Jiuding is regarded as the land of destiny by Zhou people, it can only survive with the country. Is it reasonable to destroy yourself because of the covet of great powers? Besides, Jiuding was cast in early summer, and its shape will not be too big. Chu Zhuangwang once said in a contemptuous tone: The hook and beak of Chu is enough for Jiuding. (Historical Records Chu Family) It can be seen that the importance of Jiuding only exists in the traditional mysterious concept, not the value of the object itself. Can the rulers of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty destroy the tripod and cast money for a small amount of copper coins and commit suicide?
Although there are different opinions on the time and place of Jiuding's loss, no information has been destroyed. Therefore, we have reason to expect the progress of archaeological work. If Jiuding was lost before the demise of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, it is more likely to be buried in Kanto. If it is lost at the end of Qin dynasty, it is more likely to be buried in Guanzhong; If Xiang Yu returned to Pengcheng after breaking the Qin Dynasty, it was very likely that he would fall under Pengcheng in Surabaya, but it was far from the time recorded in Hanshu. If these problems can be clarified, it may be helpful to find the whereabouts of Jiuding.
Jiuding's cultural value and symbolic significance are immeasurable. The era of Jiuding as a symbol of kingship is gone forever, but it is a sign that China has entered a civilized era, which has indelible significance. I believe that once Jiuding sees the light of day again, it will inevitably radiate more brilliant light!