Interview with the Duke of Zhou

Interviewer: How are you related to King Wu, the first emperor of the Zhou dynasty and how did

Duke of Zhou: I am King Wu's brother, and he is the second son of my father King Wen.

Interviewer: Instead of King Cheng becoming emperor after his father passed away, why were you appointed regent?

Duke: King Wu originally wanted me to be his heir, but I decided that the real heir was his son Cheng, and so I became regent. My nephew was still an infant when his father passed way, and so I acted as a "substitute" ruler while King Cheng was still growing up. While I waited for King Cheng to take his rightful place as emperor, I took the opportunity to try and improve the lives of our people.

Interviewer:You are known for forming part of the foundation of the Zhou dynasty. What were your strategies for helping the dynasty move along after your brother passed away?

Duke: I have tried to help the dynasty in any way that I could so all of our subjects could live safely and comfortably.  I suggested move our capital to Luoyi so there could be more control in the east. I put down rebellions and I sponsored the nine square system which helped boost our economy. I also began new music and ceremony systems.

Interviewer: Tell me a bit more about the musical systems, if you do not mind.

Duke: I composed number of musical pieces in order to educate our commoners, as most of them are illiterate, meaning they cannot read or write.

Interviewer: How else have you attempted to educate the commoners?

Duke: I wrote the Zhou Li, the description of the Zhou governmental system, and the Yi Li, one of the most important texts if I do say so myself. I wrote it with the intention of educating my people on how to be moral, and also to try and teach future generations of people.

Interviewer: When King Cheng finally grew up and you had to hand over your power, what have you continued doing so the dynasty can continue being prosperous?

Duke:  I have continued to perfect the laws and I also suggested to King Cheng to move the capital from Haojing to Luoyi.