CHOU-KUNG

flourished 12th century BC, , China Pinyin Zhougong, English Duke of Chou major political figure who solidified the power of the Chou dynasty (c. 11th century-255 BC) in its early years. Confucius esteemed Chou-kung as a paragon for later Chinese rulers and ministers. Chou-kung was a brother of the powerful Wu-wang, the founder of the Chou dynasty, whose reign Chou-kung helped consolidate. Upon Wu's death, Chou-kung resisted the temptation to seize the throne and chose instead to serve as counselor to Wu's young son Ch'eng-wang, whom he then began to train in the art of governing. No sooner had Chou-kung assumed the role of regent, however, than a large rebellion broke out headed by two of his brothers and the heir of the defeated Shang dynasty. Chou-kung put down the rebellion and also launched a series of expeditions that brought much of the plain of the Huang Ho (Yellow River) under control of the Chou. He subsequently built a new subsidiary capital for the eastern part of the empire near the site of modern-day Lo-yang, in Honan province. Chou-kung completely ended the Shang's domination over their former territories and established new administrative units in the regions he conquered, with trustworthy Chou officials to govern them. By the time he voluntarily gave up his position as regent after seven years of service, the Chou political and social system had been stabilized throughout the whole of North China. The administrative framework he helped establish served as a model for future Chinese dynasties. So much did Confucius admire the achievements of the long-dead Chou-kung that he once said: "I must have grown really feeble and old, since I have not for a long time dreamed of seeing Duke Chou." Chou-kung is often mistakenly credited for the writing of the Chou li ("Rites of Chou"), one of the traditional Chinese Classics.