Not all of the New Text chapters are believed to be contemporaneous with the events they describe, which range from the legendary emperors Yao and Shun to early in the Spring and Autumn period.
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Although Confucius invoked the pre-dynastic emperors Yao and Shun, and figures from the Xia and Shang dynasties, he complained of the lack of documentation prior to the Zhou.
Deeply influenced by Zhu Xi's neo-Confucianism, Jo Gwang-jo believed that ideal world of mythical Chinese Emperor Yao and Shun, could be achieved if all people from the king down to low-born became morally refined and followed Confucius' teachings.
Some Chinese archaeologists believe that Taosi was the site of a state Youtang (有唐) conquered by Emperor Yao and became his capital.
Emperor Wenzong summoned him and asked him for advice, and he responded, "The way of Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun (two mythical emperors known for their benevolent rule) were based on kindness and frugality. I wish that Your Imperial Majesty would keep that in mind." Emperor Wenzong appreciated the advice.
Zhou, in order to flatter Emperor Wenzong, responded that he could be compared to the mythical Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun.
Emperor | Holy Roman Emperor | Wilhelm II, German Emperor | Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor | Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor | Roman Emperor | Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor | Emperor of Japan | emperor | Roman emperor | Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor | Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor | Yao | Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor | Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor | Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor | William I, German Emperor | Hongwu Emperor | Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor | Godspeed You! Black Emperor | Yellow Emperor | Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor | Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor | German Emperor | Frederick III, German Emperor | Emperor Meiji | Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor | Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor | Emperor Wu | Emperor Taizong of Tang |
The elders and old men of these various lands frequently pointed out to me the places where the Yellow Emperor, Yao, and Shun had lived, and in these places the manners and customs seemed quite different.