Sòng (宋國) was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). Its capital was Shangqiu (商丘). In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song (宋雍氏) and Duke Zhuang of Zheng (as well as the capture of Zhai Zhong (祭仲), a leading warrior) empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.
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After King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang, marking the transition from the Shang to the Zhou Dynasty, according to feudal etiquette, even though the Shang had been destroyed, the new rulers were bound to permit them to continue offering sacrifices to their ancestors. As a result for a time Shang became a vassal state of Zhou with King Zhou’s son Wu Geng (武庚) allowed to continue ancestor worship at Yin (殷). After King Wu’s death, Wu Geng fomented a rebellion and was killed by the Duke of Zhou. King Zhou of Shang’s illegitimate elder brother was granted land at Shangqiu (商邱) where the capital of the new State of Song was built.
In 651 BC, Duke Huan of Song (宋桓公) died, leaving the district to be ruled by Duke Xiang of Song (宋襄公) who reigned from 651 to 637 BC. He was considered an Overlord by some, but was unable to maintain that role. He eventually fell to the troops of Chu.
In 355 BC, Dai Ticheng(戴剔成), a descendant of Duke Dai of Song who used to serve as a minister of Duke Pi of Song (also referred as Duke Huan of Song (latter) or Marquis Huan of Song) managed to replace his lord and take the throne. In 317 BC, Dai Yan, a younger brother of Ticheng took the throne and declared himself to be King Kang of Song, with Ticheng murdered or exiled. The king was ambitious and had succeeded in beating troops from Chu, Wei and Qi and annexing Teng at first, but the kingdom was finally annexed by Qi in 286 BC, while troops from Chu and Wei served in behalf of Qi. Qin, which had been an ally of Song, gave up saving the kingdom for strategic and diplomatic sakes after being convinced by Su Dai from Wei, and what Su Dai said later turned out all right and Qin got a benefit from the downfall of its ally.
Mozi references this state in the chapter "Obvious Existence of Ghosts", in which he mentions a number of "Spring and Autumn Annals", including the Zhou, Yan, and Qi as well. The "Spring and Autumn Annal of Song" has not survived.
Unless otherwise indicated, the ruler is the son of his predecessor.
Song is represented with the star Eta Ophiuchi in asterism Left Wall, Heavenly Market enclosure (see Chinese constellation).[1]
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