Kids in Ancient China (Part 2)

Today's story is about one of my favorite people in ancient China: Shao Kong, one of the great emperors of the past. It's also our second story in our Kids in Ancient China series. 

 The Unknown Emperor: Shao Kang

“They’re looking for you,” Shao Kang’s grandpa told him one day. 

“Who, Ye Ye (grandpa)?” Shao Kang asked.

“Han Zhuo and his sons. Actually, it’s his sons that are out looking for you. When their dad heard that your father had a son and he was alive, he sent his sons to go out and find you.” The old man said.

“Wow.” Shao Kang was stunned. 

“The day has come. We knew people would find out about you sometime.” The old man said.

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Do what you’re called to do: become the emperor!” His grandfather said.

“How am I to do that?”

“Leave. You won’t ever take the country back if you stay here your whole life. No, they will somehow, someday find you and probably kill you, your mother, your grandmother, and me as well.”

“Why?”

“They don’t want you taking back the country, but it’s what you’re meant to do.”

It was. Shao Kang was the son of the emperor. His dad was the 5th emperor of the Xia Dynasty. Sadly, his dad wasn’t a good ruler and was often lazy. This made it easy for Han Zhuo to form an army and fight against him. He slowly starting taking over the country and finally killed the emperor. 

His wife was inside the capital when she heard the news and knew she had to escape. How was she going to leave? She couldn’t leave through the city gates because Han Zhuo would have people there looking for her. She walked along the inside of the city wall just as the sun was setting. She finally found the spot. She had seen dogs digging there earlier and thought the hole they dug might be big enough for her to get under the city wall. Thankfully, it was. She made it out of the city as the sky grew darker and darker. She didn’t go on the main road because she knew it would be watched.

It was a long trip back to her parents house, the only place in the country she knew she’d be safe. It would be good to see her parents because she hadn’t seen them for a long time. They knew she was pregnant because she wrote them letters, but she hadn’t seen them since becoming pregnant. Thankfully, she wasn’t that big yet so traveling so far by walking wasn’t as hard as it would be later. She finally arrived home and into the arms of her mom and dad. 

A few months later she gave birth to a son there. Together, she and her parents saw it to be their job to teach him about culture, history, and how to be a good ruler (unlike his father). They taught him many things. He was a good student, but not always confident. Finally, the moment came when his grandfather told him the news: Han Zhuo heard that he, the emperor’s son, was alive.

“Where would I go? You, grandma, and mom are all I’ve ever known.” The young boy said. He was 16 years old. Even though he was told he was the emperor’s son, he never thought he’d have to do anything about it!

“Go up north. We’ve heard there are people there who are still loyal to the Xia Dynasty. Find them,” the old man said.

“How?” 

“Take the road from our farm here to the nearest town. Don’t stop to talk to anyone. Then go north on that road. Do you remember how I taught you how to tell what “north” is?”

“Yes, I remember. Look for the sun and the shadows. From there I’ll be able to find where North, South, East, and West are.”

“Good. You’ve learned well. Walk a few hours until you reach a few towns after that. Talk to the people in those towns up north and tell them who you are. We hope they will help you. This is our only chance- your only chance.”

“When will I go?”

“You should go tomorrow. Your mom will make some extra flat bread and some other things for you to take for food on your long walk.”

The next day Shao Kang left his home, with tears in his eyes as well as huge tears in his mom’s, grandma’s, and yes, even his grandpa’s eyes. He walked to the nearest town and then walked passed 5 other towns before stopping to talk to people. It was about a 6 hour walk. He first went to the market in the town and asked where the leader was. It was a small bedouin town so it was easy to find the leader. After Shao Kang told him the story, the leader agreed to help him. Finally, Shao Kang started to get his confidence: he was going to be the next Xia Dynasty Emperor.

Epilogue: Shao Kang did take back the country and brought back the Xia Dynasty. He’s one of China’s legends and one of the greatest leaders China has ever had. He married the daughter of the leader of that village and together they had a lovely family, The people there helped him go from town to town to make an army to fight Han Zhuo and take back the country.