King Cheng of Zhou

The Zhou dynasty itself was founded after King Wu of Zhou defeated the last ruler of the Shang dynasty.

However, King Wu died soon afterward, leaving the throne to his young son, King Cheng of Zhou.

Because the king was still a child, two of King Wu's brothers assumed the responsibility of governing the realm and assisting the young ruler.

One was the famous Duke of Zhou, Jidan.

According to legend, when he traveled to hear legal disputes, he sometimes rested under a pear tree while hearing cases.

The people respected him so deeply that afterward they refused to cut down those trees, commemorating him in a poem known as Gan Tang.

Shaogong served the Zhou state across three reigns, Kings Wu, Cheng, and Kang, making him one of the most enduring political figures of his time.

As a reward for his achievements, he was granted a fief in the distant northern region known as Yan, located roughly in today's Beijing area.