Western Zhou

King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang king and founded a new dynasty with its capital at Haojing — the Western Zhou. The king granted land to relatives and comrades-in-arms, building a pyramid of lords: "All under heaven is the king's land."

The Duke of Zhou drew up rites and music — rules for sacrifices, banquets, and dress — and noble sons went to school. China's tradition of courtesy and propriety traces back to this time.

In the later years, King Li silenced the people's complaints, and King You lit the warning beacons just to win a smile. Crisis crept closer. In 771 BCE the Quanrong stormed Haojing; the Western Zhou ended, the kings moved east, and the Spring and Autumn age began.