t them wearing a sword。 Following him were many armed guards。 The three ministers took the side of the road to let the party go by。
〃Why are you three so late in leaving the Palace？〃 asked Sima Shi。
〃His Majesty was reading； and we stayed with him；〃 said Li Feng。
〃What was he reading？〃
〃The histories of the Xia； Shang； and Zhou dynasties。〃
〃What questions did the Emperor ask as he read those books？〃
＇e＇ Yi Yin was was helper and prime minister of King Tang； the founder of Shang Dynasty。 After King Tang's death； Yi Yin served his sons and grandson。 Soon after Tai Jia； King Tang's grandson； ascended the throne； he mitted many faults； and Yi Yin； acting as regent； exiled Tai Jia to Tong Palace………the burial place of King Tang。 After three years Yi Yin returned him the throne。 Tai Jia eventually became an enlightened emperor。 Shang Dynasty lasted for 650 years （BC 1700…1050）。 It was this act of Yi Yin rather than his services in building up an empire that has made him immortal。 Whether he did right in temporarily dethroning the king was open to question； until a final verdict was rendered by Mencius who thought that his ends amply justified his means。 This historical event attests the extent of the power exercised by a prime minister in those days。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Duke of Zhou was brother of King Wu； who was the founder of Zhou Dynasty。 After King Wu's death； the Duke of Zhou served his young son as regent。 The Duke of Zhou pletely ended the Shang domination； and he helped establish the Zhou administrative framework； which served as a model for future Chinese dynasties。 Zhou Dynasty lasted for 800 years （BC 1050…221）。 。。。。。
〃He asked about Yi Yin* and how he upheld the Shang； and the Duke of Zhou*； how he acted when he was re