Is “The mulberry and grain growing together and restoration through virtue” true?

attested in history

The Records of the Grand Historian, Yin Benji, and the Book of Documents, Li Zheng, record that during Tai Wu's reign, mulberry and grain grew in the court, and Tai Wu, fearing this, cultivated virtue, causing the feudal lords to return to the Shang court; the novel mentions that the lineage of previous Shang kings is based on official history. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Yin Benji, the original text states: 「亳有祥,桑谷共生于朝,一暮大拱。帝太戊惧,问伊陟。」

Tai Wu

Early Shang rulers: official histories record that Tai Wu restored the dynasty through virtuous rule after the mulberry and grain anomaly; the novel largely follows the official historical lineage.

Sources cited above. Compiled with AI assistance and checked against those sources; for cultural reference.Data & method →

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