China's Warrior Queen (2022) Movie Script
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
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Narrator: 3,500 YEARS AGO,
A GREAT AND POWERFUL DYNASTY
EMERGED FROM THE CENTRAL
CHINESE PLAINS; THE SHANG.
THEIR ARMIES WERE LED BY A
FIERCE AND BRILLIANT GENERAL.
HER NAME: FU HAO.
IN THE CITY OF ANYANG,
HER UNDISTURBED
TOMB WAS DISCOVERED,
BUT THERE WAS
SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL
ABOUT THIS FAMOUS SHANG QUEEN.
ALONG WITH EXQUISITE JEWELRY
AND ELABORATE BRONZE PIECES,
A MULTITUDE OF
WEAPONS WERE FOUND.
THIS WAS THE GRAVE
OF A GREAT WARRIOR.
Cao: THE TOMB OF FU
HAO WAS ONE OF
THE MOST IMPORTANARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY
OF THE BRONZE AGE.
Narrator: MANY
ARCHEOLOGISTS BELIEVE THE SHANG
ARE THE FIRST DYNASTY OF CHINA.
Wilson: WE CAN TRACE THE
ORIGINS OF CHINESE WRITING
TO THE SHANG DYNASTY.
IT'S THE ONLY ANCIENT WRITTEN
LANGUAGE STILL IN ACTIVE USE.
Narrator: BASED ON
THE LATEST RESEARCH
AND ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDINGS,
WE RECREATE THE LIFE
OF THE SHANG PRINCESS
WHO BECAME A GENERAL,
(CHANTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
PRIESTESS, AND QUEEN.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
AT THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND,
AN EAST ASIA COLLECTION
WAS CREATED IN THE 1850S.
IT HOLDS THE MOSIMPORTANT PIECE OF EVIDENCE
ABOUT CHINA'S FIRSFEMALE GENERAL;
A TINY INSCRIPTION ON
A RITUAL TURTLE SHELL.
Cao: IN OUR COLLECTION, WE HAVE
THIS PIECE OF ORACLE BONE,
SOMEONE DIVINED, FU
HAO, RAISED 3,000 MEN,
JOINED WITH ANOTHER 10,000
MEN, FOR A MILITARY ATTACK.
THIS INSCRIPTION HAS THE LARGESNUMBER OF A MILITARY FORCES
RECORDED FROM THE TIME.
THIS ORACLE BONE
SHOWS THAT FU HAO
WAS A VERY CAPABLE
MILITARY LEADER.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(REINS CLINKING)
Narrator: IN AROUND 1200 BCE,
HAO, THE DAUGHTER OF
A LEADING SHANG LORD,
IS SENT TO THE CAPITAL FOR AN
ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO THE KING.
AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE TROJAN WARS,
THE NEW EGYPTIAN KINGDOM
AND THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE,
THE SHANG WERE ONE OF
THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED
BRONZE AGE CIVILIZATIONS.
THEIR KINGS RULED FROM
THE CAPITAL, DAYISHANG.
IN THE VALLEYS AROUND
THE YELLOW RIVER,
THE SHANG LORDS HAD
TRANSFORMED FORESTS
INTO FERTILE FARM
LANDS WITH THE HELP
OF A MASSIVE
PEASANT LABOR FORCE.
HAO AND HER ENTOURAGE
CREATE A STIR.
Wilson: THE SIGHT OF HORSES AND
CHARIOTS WOULD HAVE BEEN
A VERY RARE THING.
THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH
THE SENIOR ELITE OF SOCIETY.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO'S CHILDHOOD
FRIEND, OFFICER YU,
HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO
PROTECT THE PRINCESS
AT THE KING'S COURT.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: TRAVEL OUTSIDE
THE SHANG SETTLEMENTS
COULD BE DANGEROUS.
(MAN SHOUTS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
NOMADIC BANDITS LIE IN WAIFOR THE TRAVELERS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(HOOVES THUDDING)
YU AND HIS GUARDS
FIGHT OFF THE RAIDERS,
HELPED BY HAO'S ARCHERY SKILLS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MEN GRUNTING)
IN THE 1970S, HAO'S TOMB
WAS DISCOVERED IN YINXU
BY CHINESE ARCHEOLOGISZHENG ZHENXIANG
AT THE SITE OF
THE SHANG CAPITAL.
Cao: IN FU HAO'S TOMBS WE FOUND
A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF WEAPONS,
BOTH MADE IN BRONZE,
AND ALSO JADE.
HER LIFE WERE MUCH INVOLVED
IN MARTIAL ACTIVITIES
AND ALSO IN MILITARY
ENGAGEMENTS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: VICTORY
BRINGS BENEFITS.
THE CAPTURED BANDITS ARE A
CURRENCY IN THE SHANG WORLD.
Wilson: SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE
BEEN USED FOR CONSCRIPT LABOR
IN THE FIELDS, MAYBE AS
TRIBUTE SUBMITTING THEM
TO THE SHANG KING.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE
PROSPECT OF BECOMING
A KING'S TRIBUTE
TERRIFIES THE PRISONERS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO
ARRIVES AT DAYISHANG.
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE
ARE LIVING HERE.
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Wilson: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAMUST HAVE GONE THROUGH HER HEAD
WHEN SHE FIRST CAUGHSIGHT OF THE SHANG CAPITAL,
IT MUST'VE BEEN THE LARGESSETTLEMENT IN CHINA AT THE TIME,
ONE OF THE LARGEST SETTLEMENTS
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Narrator: AT THE
HEART OF THE CAPITAL
ARE THE LUXURIOUS ROYAL
PALACES AND TEMPLES
NEXT TO A MANMADE LAKE.
IT WAS HOME TO THE
SHANG KING, WU DING.
WU DING WAS A MILITARY
KING WHO PERSONALLY LED
HIS ARMIES TO EXPAND THE SHANG
HEARTLAND IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
Cao: KING WU DING CERTAINLY
BROUGHT STABILITY TO
THE SUN STATE.
WU DING, IN CHINESE
MEANING MARTIAL DING,
WHICH INDICATES HE WAS A VERY
CAPABLE MILITARY GENERAL.
Narrator: HAO ARRIVES
WELL-PREPARED FOR THE MOMENSHE MEETS HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: A GRIM FATE
AWAITS HAO'S PRISONERS
AT THE HANDS OF THE KING.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
HAO TAKES ONE LAST LOOK
AT HER OLD FRIEND, YU,
KNOWING HER LIFE WILL
NEVER BE THE SAME.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING'S
FIRST QUEEN IS FU JING,
WHO IS DETERMINED TO
DEFEND HER STATUS IN COURT.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: A SHANG KING
ALWAYS FAVORS THE RIGHT,
SO THAT IS WHERE HIS
FAVORITE QUEEN SHOULD SIT.
FOR NOW, PRINCESS HAO MUSACCEPT HER SEAT TO THE LEFT.
Cao: PRINCESS HAO, WHEN SHE
ARRIVED AT THE SUN COURT,
SHE WOULD HAVE FACED SOME
VERY COMPLICATED SOCIAL
AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
THE KING HAD AT LEAST 64 WIVES,
AND SHE WOULD HAVE BECOME ONE
OF THE THREE ROYAL CONSORTS.
Narrator: OFFICER YU
PRESENTS ANOTHER SPECIAL
WEDDING GIFT FROM HAO'S CLAN;
PRIZED OX SHOULDER BLADES
USED FOR IMPORTANDIVINATION CEREMONIES
FOR THE SHANG ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
IN DAYISHANG, TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF ORACLE DIVINATION BONES
HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN PITS
AROUND THE PALACE COMPLEX.
THE FRAGMENTARY BONES AND
TURTLE SHELLS WERE COVERED
WITH DETAILED INSCRIPTIONS
ABOUT CHILDBIRTH,
HARVESTS AND WARFARE.
OFFERING HELP AND
ADVICE TO THE LIVING
FROM THE DECEASED ANCESTORS
AND THE SHANG GODS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING
CALLS HIS DIVINER
TO PREPARE A CEREMONY
PREDICTING THE OUTCOME
OF HIS MARRIAGE TO HAO.
IN ORDER TO SHOW OFF HIS STATUS,
THE DIVINER PRESENTS
PRECIOUS TURTLE SHELLS
AS AN OFFERING FROM
HIS OWN CLAN INSTEAD.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
HIS GIFT REJECTED, THE
DIVINER IS HUMILIATED.
Wilson: THE DIVINER WAS PROBABLY
SOMEONE WHO WAS THOUGHTO POSSESS SPECIAL POWERS,
SPECIAL SENSITIVITIES.
THEY MAY, IN FACT,
HAVE FUNCTIONED ALMOSLIKE A KIND OF
SENIOR PRIESTHOOD.
Narrator: IN
THE ROYAL TEMPLE,
AS THE ORACLE
BONES ARE PREPARED,
THE DIVINER AND THE
JEALOUS FIRST QUEEN SCHEME
TO DERAIL HAO'S
WEDDING CEREMONY.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE SHANG
DYNASTY CAPITAL OF DAYISHANG,
KING WU DING SEEKS
APPROVAL FROM THE ANCESTORS
FOR HIS MARRIAGE TO HAO.
TO OBTAIN THEIR ANSWER,
THE DIVINER INSERTS
A HEATED POKER TO
CRACK THE OX BONE.
Wilson: THIS IS A FRAGMENTARY
TURTLE SHELL THAWAS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR
THE DIVINATION CEREMONY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE
BACK OF THE SHELL,
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S
SPECIALLY PREPARED NOTCHES
THAT WERE CUT INTO THE BACK.
AND IT WAS THE APPLICATION OF
HEAT IN THESE HOLLOWED AREAS
ON THE BACK OF THE
BONE THAT ACTUALLY
CAUSED THE BONE OR
THE SHELL TO CRACK.
Narrator: THE WAY THE
BONE CRACKS WILL SHOW
THE ANCESTORS' ANSWER.
THE DIVINER INSISTS THATHE ANCESTORS DISAPPROVE
OF THE KING'S FORTHCOMING
MARRIAGE TO HAO.
Wilson: THE DIVINATION DID NOALWAYS LEAD TO A CLEAR ANSWER.
THE DIVINER COULD
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
IN INTERPRETING THE CRACKS,
THE KING COULD
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
IN INTERPRETING THE CRACKS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: PRINCESS
HAO INTERVENES.
SHE KNOWS THE DIVINER
TAMPERED WITH THE BONE.
SHE SPOTS ANOTHER CRACK WITH
A QUITE DIFFERENT OUTCOME;
A SIGN THAT HER MARRIAGE
WILL BRING GOOD FORTUNE.
Wilson: THE SYSTEM CERTAINLY,
TO MODERN EYES,
APPEARS THAT IT COULD
HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FROM NOW
ON, HAO IS ASSURED
SHE WILL BECOME A QUEEN.
THE OUTCOME IS
INSCRIBED IN THE BONE.
OVER 50,000 SHANG ORACLE BONES
WERE DISCOVERED IN ANYANG.
THE 3,000 YEAR OLD
INSCRIPTIONS RECORD
THE STORY OF FU
HAO, KING WU DING,
AND THE HISTORY OF
THE SHANG DYNASTY.
Wilson: YOU CAN SEE THE CRACK
AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE
THE INSCRIPTIONS THANARRATE THE SUBJECOF THE DIVINATION CEREMONY.
THE CHARACTERS ARE
VERY PICTOGRAPHIC;
YOU CAN SEE A DEPICTION
OF A FOUR LEGGED ANIMAL
DOWN HERE IN THE CORNER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN WASHINGTON, DC,
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF ASIAN ART IS PAROF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
WHICH FUNDED SOME OF
THE EARLY EXCAVATIONS
OF THE ANCIENT SHANG CAPITAL
THAT WAS LATER NAMED YINXU.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: IN DAYISHANG,
A CEREMONY IS HELD
FOR HAO'S WEDDING,
LED BY QUEEN FU JING.
THE CAPTIVES ARE
TO BE SACRIFICED
AS AN OFFERING TO THE ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(METAL CLINKS)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FOR HER
WEDDING CEREMONY,
THERE WAS ONE MORE
OFFERING TO THE ANCESTORS;
MEAT COOKED IN AN
ELABORATE CAULDRON
CAST IN THE FINESBRONZE IN CHINA.
THIS 2,000 POUND RITUAL VESSEL
WAS DISCOVERED AT ANYANG.
IT IS THE HEAVIEST BRONZE
WORK IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
INSCRIBED FROM KING WU
DING TO HIS QUEEN FU JING.
IN THE PALACE TEMPLE, FU
JING RELUCTANTLY PRESIDES
OVER A CEREMONY
FOR THE NEW QUEEN.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO
JOINS FU JING AND FU GUI
AS THE THIRD QUEEN,
ALL FROM THE MOST LOYAL
AND POWERFUL CLANS OF THE SHANG.
FU HAO PREPARES FOR HER
FIRST NIGHT WITH THE KING.
A LOT DEPENDS ON THIS FOR
HER CLAN'S STATUS AT COURT.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Narrator: FU HAO'S FUTURE AND
THE STANDING OF HER CLAN
RESTS ON HER FIRSNIGHT WITH THE KING.
(WOMAN SINGING)
(HAUNTING MUSIC)
Cao: FOR A YOUNG WOMAN, SHE
WAS FACING MANY CHALLENGES,
AND ALSO SHE WOULD HAVE
COMPETITIONS FROM OTHERS.
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING,
HAO IS TAKEN AWAY
FROM THE KING'S CHAMBERS
BY FU JING.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FU HAO REALIZES THAT SHE
IS NOW JUST ONE OF MANY.
HAO SEEKS SOLACE IN A
BEAUTIFUL JADE PHOENIX
GIVEN TO HER BY HER
FATHER AS A SYMBOL
OF HER CLAN'S STRENGTH.
SHE IS DETERMINED
NOT TO BE ONE OF
THE KING'S FACELESS
MARRIAGE TROPHIES.
(HAUNTING MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO'S
TOMB CONTAINED 865 PIECES
SIMILAR TO THESE MADE
OF JADE AND MARBLE,
THE MOST VALUABLE MATERIALS
OF THE SHANG PERIOD.
NEXT TO THE 564 BEAUTIFUL
CARVED IVORY AND SHELL OBJECTS,
MORE HIGH STATUS
JEWELRY WAS DISCOVERED.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HAUNTING MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO'S
OLD FRIEND, YU,
DOES HIS BEST TO TAKE CARE
OF THE VALUABLE HORSES.
HAO SHOWS HIM THE
CORRECT AMOUNT OF FEED.
SHE HAS AN AFFINITY WITH HORSES.
THE KING IS INTRIGUED
BY HAO'S INDEPENDENAND DETERMINED NATURE, AND
IMPRESSED BY HER HORSEMANSHIP.
(HAUNTING MUSIC CONTINUES)
Wilson: THE TRANSMISSION OF
HORSE CULTURE IS SOMETHING
THAT IS STILL A LITTLE
BIT OF A MYSTERY.
IT'S THOUGHT THAT THE IDEA
OF HORSES CAN BE ASSOCIATED
WITH FU HAO'S TIME.
IN FU HAO'S TOMB, WE'VE
FOUND A PARTICULAR KIND
OF SKINNING KNIFE THAT OFTEN
HAS A HORSE HEAD HANDLE
THAT SUGGESTS TO US THAT SHE MAY
HAVE HAD A CLOSER
PERSONAL CONNECTION.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Narrator: BY DEMONSTRATING
HER SUPERIOR RIDING SKILLS,
HAO SHOWS SHE IS TRULY
DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER QUEENS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAR THUDS)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(SPEAR THUDS)
THE FLOURISHING SHANG
KINGDOM WAS SURROUNDED
BY MANY DANGEROUS TRIBES,
CONSTANTLY CHALLENGING AND
ATTACKING HIS DEFENSES.
KING WU DING IS DESPERATE
FOR NEWS FROM HIS ARMY
FIGHTING IN THE
TROUBLED BORDER REGION.
THE FIRST QUEEN, FU JING,
WAS WITH HIS TROOPS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE ROYAL
TEMPLE, THE KING SEEKS GUIDANCE
ABOUT HIS MILITARY RESPONSE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: NO ONE IN
THE PALACE KNOWS WHO WILL
BE CHOSEN AS GENERAL TO SUPPRESS
THE TROUBLE AT THE BORDER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE ANCESTORS'
ADVICE MEANS THAT FU HAO
HAS BOOSTED HER STATUS;
SHE IS NOW A QUEEN
AND A GENERAL.
Wilson: THE SHANG WAS ALMOSCONSTANTLY AT WAR,
AND WARFARE WAS AN
IMPORTANT ASPECOF THE RULER'S RESPONSIBILITY
MAINTAINING AND
PROTECTING THE STATE.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: THE MANY BRONZE
WORKSHOPS IN DAYISHANG
RELIED ON SECURE TRADE
ROUTES FOR THE SUPPLY
OF TIN AND COPPER
FROM THE SOUTH.
THE URBAN SETTLEMENALSO TRADED HORSES,
SALT AND JADE FROM THE NORTH.
THE FLOURISHING TRADE HAD TO
BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.
TO DEAL WITH THE UNREST ON
THE NORTHWESTERN BORDER,
FU HAO IS ADVISED BY THE
EXPERIENCED GENERAL, JU.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO HAS A CORE
UNIT OF PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS
WHO WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED
ALONG THE WAY BY CONSCRIPTS.
(CART RATTLING)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE CENTER
OF MODERN DAY ANYANG,
NOT FAR FROM THE OLD PALACES,
WE FIND THE ROYAL BURIAL
COMPLEX AT XIAOTUN.
HERE, CHARIOTS AND THEIR
HORSES FOUND ALL ACROSS
THE SHANG CAPITAL HAVE
BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER.
AS A GENERAL, FU HAO NEEDS
TO CONSCRIPT MORE SOLDIERS.
SHANG ARMIES RELIED ON PEASANFARMERS TO BOLSTER THE RANKS.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
GENERAL FU HAO'S RECRUITERS
ARRIVE IN WHAT SEEMS
TO BE A DESERTED VILLAGE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MEN YELLING)
(METAL CLINKING)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO IS IMPRESSED
BY THE WOMEN'S COURAGE.
SHE NEGOTIATES WITH
VILLAGE LEADER, PANG,
AND OFFERS RICH AWARDS FOR
THE MEN TO JOIN THE ARMY.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO RECRUITS
THE VILLAGE WOMEN TO HER ARMY.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: FU HAO STILL
NEEDS MORE SOLDIERS,
BUT THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR
THE LOCAL SHANG LORDS.
PEASANT LABOR WAS VITAL
TO FARM THEIR LANDS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO HOLDS A
SPECIAL SACRIFICE CEREMONY
FOR THE ANCESTORS IN SUPPOROF HER FOR MILITARY CAMPAIGN.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Narrator: THE SHANG
ALWAYS GAVE ONE SYMBOLIC
DRINK TO THEIR ANCESTORS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Wilson: IT'S THOUGHTHAT IN THE SHANG,
REALLY THE MEASURE OF
WEALTH WAS PROBABLY
MORE BASED ON LABOR.
THE NUMBER OF ABLE-BODIED HANDS
YOU HAD FOR CLEARING FIELDS,
FOR BUILDING, FOR FARMING,
RATHER THAN OWNING LAND ITSELF.
Narrator: TO
BREAK THE DEADLOCK,
GENERAL FU HAO SUGGESTS THATHE LORDS WILL BE SACRIFICED
IF THEY DON'T DELIVER TROOPS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
HER RUTHLESS MESSAGE
BRINGS THEM BACK INTO LINE.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Cao: THERE WAS CONSTANTLY
SHIFTING OF POWERS,
AND ALSO ALLIANCES,
AND CERTAINLY
FROM ORACLE BONE INSCRIPTION
WE KNOW SOME GROUPS
WERE ALLIES OF THE SHANG,
AND THOSE LATER
SHIFTED TO BE ENEMIES.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: ON THE
MORNING BEFORE BATTLE,
GENERAL FU HAO INSPECTS
HER TROOPS ONE LAST TIME.
SHE IS PROUD TO SEE PANG
AND HER WOMEN FIGHTERS
AMONGST THE MEN.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(EVERYONE CHANTS IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: GENERAL
FU HAO LEADS HER ARMY
INTO BATTLE AGAINST THE ENEMY,
CARRYING THE AX OF
A SHANG COMMANDER.
Wilson: TWO LARGE AXES LIKE THIS
WERE FOUND IN FU HAO'S TOMB.
THEY'RE LARGE AND VERY HEAVY.
TO FIND AN OBJECT LIKE
THIS IN A SHANG ELITE TOMB
SUGGESTS THAT THE
OCCUPANT OF THE TOMB
WAS A GREAT MILITARY LEADER,
OR MAYBE A RITUAL LEADER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO
LINES UP HER TROOPS
FOR HER FIRST BATTLE
AS A QUEEN AND GENERAL.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: GENERAL FU HAO
PREPARES TO LEAD HER ARMY
INTO COMBAT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
THEN THE ROYAL GUARD AND THE
QUEEN HERSELF JOIN THE BATTLE.
(EVERYONE HOLLERING)
(METAL CLINKS)
THE CONFLICT DESCENDS
INTO A CHAOTIC MELEE
OF HAND-TO-HAND COMBAOVER A LARGE AREA.
Cao: FROM THE
FRAGMENTED EVIDENCE
WE HAVE ON ORACLE BONES.
THEY'RE SOME CAMPAIGN
TOOK QUITE A LONG TIME.
IT IS UNLIKELY ONE
LARGE MILITARY CAMPAIGN
COULD BE SETTLED BY
ONE DECISIVE BATTLE.
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
(METAL CLANKS)
Narrator: GENERAL JU FIGHTS
ALONGSIDE THE VILLAGE WOMEN.
(MAN SCREAMS)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
Narrator: FU HAO SPOTS
THE ENEMY COMMANDER.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(METAL CLINKING)
THE SHANG WIN THE DAY,
BUT NOT WITHOUT LOSS.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN A SPECIAL CEREMONY
IN HONOR OF HER VICTORY,
FU HAO CONSULTS THE
SHANG ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
THE CRACKS IN THE ORACLE BONE
DECREE THAT THE PRISONERS
OF WAR ARE TO BE SACRIFICED.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Wilson: IT MAY BE
SHOCKING TO US,
BUT HUMAN SACRIFICE WAS A
VITAL PART OF SHANG LIFE.
WHOLE SKELETONS, SKULLS,
BEHEADED SKELETONS
ARE FOUND IN VARIOUS
COMBINATIONS,
SOMETIMES IN ASSOCIATION
WITH ROYAL BURIALS,
AND SOMETIMES IN OTHER
LOCATIONS AT THE SHANG SITE.
IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN
AN IMPORTANT PART OF
RITUAL PRACTICE.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: AFTER HER VICTORY,
FU HAO'S PROMINENCE IN
COURT IS ESTABLISHED.
SHE TAKES OVER MANY
OF THE KING'S DUTIES.
Cao: SHE WOULD HAVE
MANY DIFFERENT ROLES ON
THE MANAGEMENOF STATE AFFAIR, TO
AGRICULTURAL WORK,
OR TO PERFORM DIVINATION
ON BEHALF OF THE KING.
Narrator: THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
HOLDS AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION
OF SHANG ORACLE BONES.
AMONG THE ANCIENT BONE FRAGMENTS
WE FIND EVIDENCE OF FU
HAO'S CONTINUING SUCCESS
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Cao: THIS ORACLE BONE HAS
THE DATE OF THE DIVINATION,
AND NOW WE LOSTHE DIVINERS NAME,
BUT WE DO HAVE THE
QUESTION, WHICH IS:
"IF QUEEN FU HAO
RAISED 3,000 MEN,
AND JOINED THEM WITH ANOTHER
10,000 MEN FOR A CAMPAIGN,
WOULD SHE RECEIVE ASSISTANT?"
BUT IT SHOWS FU HAO WAS
TRUSTED WITH SUCH LARGE FORCES
AND INDICATES HER ABILITY
AS A MILITARY LEADER.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Narrator: OVER THE
YEARS, HAO HAS BECOME
WU DING'S FAVORITE QUEEN.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING INSTRUCTS
HIS DIVINER TO PREPARE
A CEREMONY TO PREDICTHE SEX OF THEIR CHILD.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: AS HIS
MOST TRUSTED ADVISOR,
FU HAO NOW SITS ON
THE RIGHT OF WU DING
AS THEY RECEIVE THE
RESULTS OF THE DIVINATION.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
Narrator: FU HAO
GAVE BIRTH TO A BOY.
OVER THE YEARS, THE COUPLE
ENJOY SPENDING TIME TOGETHER
ALONE IN THE ROYAL FORESTS.
Cao: HUNTING HAS MANY
DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS;
IT'S NOT JUST AN OCCASION OUAND CAPTURE THE GAME FOR FOOD,
BUT IT'S ALSO A WAY
OF MARTIAL TRAINING
FOR THE KING AND ALL
FOR THE OTHER ELITES.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
Narrator: THE
ROYAL COUPLE'S TIME
WOULD SOON BE CUT SHORT.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
Narrator: SOMETIME IN THE
12TH CENTURY BCE,
SHANG KING REALIZES THAT HIS
IRREPLACEABLE QUEEN IS DYING.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(WOMAN SINGING)
FU HAO WAS JUST 33.
Cao: IT IS LIKELY KING WU
DING WOULD BE DEVASTATED
WHEN FU HAO PASSED AWAY
AT A RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE.
THIS IS MOSTLY
LIKELY BECAUSE FU HAO
WAS A VERY CAPABLE WOMAN
AND SUPPORTED THE KING
IN MANY ASPECTS OVER
THE STATE'S GOVERNANCE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: KING WU
DING MISSES HIS QUEEN,
PRIESTESS AND GENERAL SO MUCH
THAT HE INSISTS ON BURYING
HER NOT IN THE ROYAL CEMETERY,
BUT RIGHT NEXT TO HIS PALACE.
Wilson: IT'S REMARKABLE THAT THE
KING DIDN'T WANT HER BURIED
FAR FROM HIM AND
SUGGESTS A DESIRE TO KEEP
THAT KIND OF PROXIMITY,
THAT KIND OF CONNECTION
EVEN AFTER HER DEATH.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Narrator: THE GRIEVING
KING ASSEMBLES VALUABLE
GRAVE GOODS TO COMFORT FU HAO
IN THE WORLD OF THE
SHANG ANCESTORS.
ANOTHER TRADITION WAS FOR
CLOSE FRIENDS OR FAMILY
TO ACCOMPANY THE DECEASED.
FU HAO'S GUARDIAN, YU,
MAKES A SPECIAL REQUEST.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Cao: FROM THE
ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE,
BASED ON THE ROYAL
TOMBS, WE CAN DEDUCT THASOME OF THE SACRIFICED
HUMAN WERE LIKELY
TO HAVE HAD A CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING
OR OTHER ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS.
IN SHANG'S BELIEF SYSTEM,
THE DECEASED WOULD CONTINUE
TO INFLUENCE THE LIVING WORLD.
WU DING CONSIDERED
FU HAO COULD CONTINUE
SUPPORT HIM, ADVISE HIM.
Narrator: WU DING IS
RECEIVING A SPECIAL AMBASSADOR,
BUT WITHOUT HIS BELOVED ADVISOR,
HE STRUGGLES WITH STATE AFFAIRS.
Cao: IT IS REALLY FASCINATING
TO THINK THIS PIECE OF BONE
ON MY PALM NOW IS
3,000 YEARS OLD.
WHEN THEY PERFORMED
THIS DIVINATION,
KING WU DING AND FU HAO WOULD
BE PRESENT IN THE SAME SPACE,
AND HOW AMAZING THAT IS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Cao: TO ME, PERSONALLY, FU HAO
WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN.
SHE ALLOWS US TO REEVALUATE
HOW WE THINK ABOUWOMEN'S ROLE IN
THE ANCIENT WORLD.
Narrator: THANKS TO
THE DISCOVERY OF HER TOMB,
THE LEGACY OF FU HAO,
THE SHANG DYNASTY,
AND THE BIRTH OF THE CHINESE
CIVILIZATION LIVES ON.
(WOMAN SINGS)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
videoteka.club
Narrator: 3,500 YEARS AGO,
A GREAT AND POWERFUL DYNASTY
EMERGED FROM THE CENTRAL
CHINESE PLAINS; THE SHANG.
THEIR ARMIES WERE LED BY A
FIERCE AND BRILLIANT GENERAL.
HER NAME: FU HAO.
IN THE CITY OF ANYANG,
HER UNDISTURBED
TOMB WAS DISCOVERED,
BUT THERE WAS
SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL
ABOUT THIS FAMOUS SHANG QUEEN.
ALONG WITH EXQUISITE JEWELRY
AND ELABORATE BRONZE PIECES,
A MULTITUDE OF
WEAPONS WERE FOUND.
THIS WAS THE GRAVE
OF A GREAT WARRIOR.
Cao: THE TOMB OF FU
HAO WAS ONE OF
THE MOST IMPORTANARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY
OF THE BRONZE AGE.
Narrator: MANY
ARCHEOLOGISTS BELIEVE THE SHANG
ARE THE FIRST DYNASTY OF CHINA.
Wilson: WE CAN TRACE THE
ORIGINS OF CHINESE WRITING
TO THE SHANG DYNASTY.
IT'S THE ONLY ANCIENT WRITTEN
LANGUAGE STILL IN ACTIVE USE.
Narrator: BASED ON
THE LATEST RESEARCH
AND ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDINGS,
WE RECREATE THE LIFE
OF THE SHANG PRINCESS
WHO BECAME A GENERAL,
(CHANTING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
PRIESTESS, AND QUEEN.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
AT THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND,
AN EAST ASIA COLLECTION
WAS CREATED IN THE 1850S.
IT HOLDS THE MOSIMPORTANT PIECE OF EVIDENCE
ABOUT CHINA'S FIRSFEMALE GENERAL;
A TINY INSCRIPTION ON
A RITUAL TURTLE SHELL.
Cao: IN OUR COLLECTION, WE HAVE
THIS PIECE OF ORACLE BONE,
SOMEONE DIVINED, FU
HAO, RAISED 3,000 MEN,
JOINED WITH ANOTHER 10,000
MEN, FOR A MILITARY ATTACK.
THIS INSCRIPTION HAS THE LARGESNUMBER OF A MILITARY FORCES
RECORDED FROM THE TIME.
THIS ORACLE BONE
SHOWS THAT FU HAO
WAS A VERY CAPABLE
MILITARY LEADER.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(REINS CLINKING)
Narrator: IN AROUND 1200 BCE,
HAO, THE DAUGHTER OF
A LEADING SHANG LORD,
IS SENT TO THE CAPITAL FOR AN
ARRANGED MARRIAGE TO THE KING.
AT THE BEGINNING
OF THE TROJAN WARS,
THE NEW EGYPTIAN KINGDOM
AND THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE,
THE SHANG WERE ONE OF
THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED
BRONZE AGE CIVILIZATIONS.
THEIR KINGS RULED FROM
THE CAPITAL, DAYISHANG.
IN THE VALLEYS AROUND
THE YELLOW RIVER,
THE SHANG LORDS HAD
TRANSFORMED FORESTS
INTO FERTILE FARM
LANDS WITH THE HELP
OF A MASSIVE
PEASANT LABOR FORCE.
HAO AND HER ENTOURAGE
CREATE A STIR.
Wilson: THE SIGHT OF HORSES AND
CHARIOTS WOULD HAVE BEEN
A VERY RARE THING.
THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH
THE SENIOR ELITE OF SOCIETY.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO'S CHILDHOOD
FRIEND, OFFICER YU,
HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO
PROTECT THE PRINCESS
AT THE KING'S COURT.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: TRAVEL OUTSIDE
THE SHANG SETTLEMENTS
COULD BE DANGEROUS.
(MAN SHOUTS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
NOMADIC BANDITS LIE IN WAIFOR THE TRAVELERS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(HOOVES THUDDING)
YU AND HIS GUARDS
FIGHT OFF THE RAIDERS,
HELPED BY HAO'S ARCHERY SKILLS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MEN GRUNTING)
IN THE 1970S, HAO'S TOMB
WAS DISCOVERED IN YINXU
BY CHINESE ARCHEOLOGISZHENG ZHENXIANG
AT THE SITE OF
THE SHANG CAPITAL.
Cao: IN FU HAO'S TOMBS WE FOUND
A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF WEAPONS,
BOTH MADE IN BRONZE,
AND ALSO JADE.
HER LIFE WERE MUCH INVOLVED
IN MARTIAL ACTIVITIES
AND ALSO IN MILITARY
ENGAGEMENTS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: VICTORY
BRINGS BENEFITS.
THE CAPTURED BANDITS ARE A
CURRENCY IN THE SHANG WORLD.
Wilson: SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE
BEEN USED FOR CONSCRIPT LABOR
IN THE FIELDS, MAYBE AS
TRIBUTE SUBMITTING THEM
TO THE SHANG KING.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE
PROSPECT OF BECOMING
A KING'S TRIBUTE
TERRIFIES THE PRISONERS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO
ARRIVES AT DAYISHANG.
OVER 100,000 PEOPLE
ARE LIVING HERE.
(BIRDS SQUAWKING)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Wilson: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAMUST HAVE GONE THROUGH HER HEAD
WHEN SHE FIRST CAUGHSIGHT OF THE SHANG CAPITAL,
IT MUST'VE BEEN THE LARGESSETTLEMENT IN CHINA AT THE TIME,
ONE OF THE LARGEST SETTLEMENTS
ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Narrator: AT THE
HEART OF THE CAPITAL
ARE THE LUXURIOUS ROYAL
PALACES AND TEMPLES
NEXT TO A MANMADE LAKE.
IT WAS HOME TO THE
SHANG KING, WU DING.
WU DING WAS A MILITARY
KING WHO PERSONALLY LED
HIS ARMIES TO EXPAND THE SHANG
HEARTLAND IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
Cao: KING WU DING CERTAINLY
BROUGHT STABILITY TO
THE SUN STATE.
WU DING, IN CHINESE
MEANING MARTIAL DING,
WHICH INDICATES HE WAS A VERY
CAPABLE MILITARY GENERAL.
Narrator: HAO ARRIVES
WELL-PREPARED FOR THE MOMENSHE MEETS HER FUTURE HUSBAND.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: A GRIM FATE
AWAITS HAO'S PRISONERS
AT THE HANDS OF THE KING.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
HAO TAKES ONE LAST LOOK
AT HER OLD FRIEND, YU,
KNOWING HER LIFE WILL
NEVER BE THE SAME.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING'S
FIRST QUEEN IS FU JING,
WHO IS DETERMINED TO
DEFEND HER STATUS IN COURT.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: A SHANG KING
ALWAYS FAVORS THE RIGHT,
SO THAT IS WHERE HIS
FAVORITE QUEEN SHOULD SIT.
FOR NOW, PRINCESS HAO MUSACCEPT HER SEAT TO THE LEFT.
Cao: PRINCESS HAO, WHEN SHE
ARRIVED AT THE SUN COURT,
SHE WOULD HAVE FACED SOME
VERY COMPLICATED SOCIAL
AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
THE KING HAD AT LEAST 64 WIVES,
AND SHE WOULD HAVE BECOME ONE
OF THE THREE ROYAL CONSORTS.
Narrator: OFFICER YU
PRESENTS ANOTHER SPECIAL
WEDDING GIFT FROM HAO'S CLAN;
PRIZED OX SHOULDER BLADES
USED FOR IMPORTANDIVINATION CEREMONIES
FOR THE SHANG ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
IN DAYISHANG, TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF ORACLE DIVINATION BONES
HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED IN PITS
AROUND THE PALACE COMPLEX.
THE FRAGMENTARY BONES AND
TURTLE SHELLS WERE COVERED
WITH DETAILED INSCRIPTIONS
ABOUT CHILDBIRTH,
HARVESTS AND WARFARE.
OFFERING HELP AND
ADVICE TO THE LIVING
FROM THE DECEASED ANCESTORS
AND THE SHANG GODS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING
CALLS HIS DIVINER
TO PREPARE A CEREMONY
PREDICTING THE OUTCOME
OF HIS MARRIAGE TO HAO.
IN ORDER TO SHOW OFF HIS STATUS,
THE DIVINER PRESENTS
PRECIOUS TURTLE SHELLS
AS AN OFFERING FROM
HIS OWN CLAN INSTEAD.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
HIS GIFT REJECTED, THE
DIVINER IS HUMILIATED.
Wilson: THE DIVINER WAS PROBABLY
SOMEONE WHO WAS THOUGHTO POSSESS SPECIAL POWERS,
SPECIAL SENSITIVITIES.
THEY MAY, IN FACT,
HAVE FUNCTIONED ALMOSLIKE A KIND OF
SENIOR PRIESTHOOD.
Narrator: IN
THE ROYAL TEMPLE,
AS THE ORACLE
BONES ARE PREPARED,
THE DIVINER AND THE
JEALOUS FIRST QUEEN SCHEME
TO DERAIL HAO'S
WEDDING CEREMONY.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE SHANG
DYNASTY CAPITAL OF DAYISHANG,
KING WU DING SEEKS
APPROVAL FROM THE ANCESTORS
FOR HIS MARRIAGE TO HAO.
TO OBTAIN THEIR ANSWER,
THE DIVINER INSERTS
A HEATED POKER TO
CRACK THE OX BONE.
Wilson: THIS IS A FRAGMENTARY
TURTLE SHELL THAWAS SPECIALLY PREPARED FOR
THE DIVINATION CEREMONY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE
BACK OF THE SHELL,
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S
SPECIALLY PREPARED NOTCHES
THAT WERE CUT INTO THE BACK.
AND IT WAS THE APPLICATION OF
HEAT IN THESE HOLLOWED AREAS
ON THE BACK OF THE
BONE THAT ACTUALLY
CAUSED THE BONE OR
THE SHELL TO CRACK.
Narrator: THE WAY THE
BONE CRACKS WILL SHOW
THE ANCESTORS' ANSWER.
THE DIVINER INSISTS THATHE ANCESTORS DISAPPROVE
OF THE KING'S FORTHCOMING
MARRIAGE TO HAO.
Wilson: THE DIVINATION DID NOALWAYS LEAD TO A CLEAR ANSWER.
THE DIVINER COULD
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
IN INTERPRETING THE CRACKS,
THE KING COULD
HAVE BEEN INVOLVED
IN INTERPRETING THE CRACKS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: PRINCESS
HAO INTERVENES.
SHE KNOWS THE DIVINER
TAMPERED WITH THE BONE.
SHE SPOTS ANOTHER CRACK WITH
A QUITE DIFFERENT OUTCOME;
A SIGN THAT HER MARRIAGE
WILL BRING GOOD FORTUNE.
Wilson: THE SYSTEM CERTAINLY,
TO MODERN EYES,
APPEARS THAT IT COULD
HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FROM NOW
ON, HAO IS ASSURED
SHE WILL BECOME A QUEEN.
THE OUTCOME IS
INSCRIBED IN THE BONE.
OVER 50,000 SHANG ORACLE BONES
WERE DISCOVERED IN ANYANG.
THE 3,000 YEAR OLD
INSCRIPTIONS RECORD
THE STORY OF FU
HAO, KING WU DING,
AND THE HISTORY OF
THE SHANG DYNASTY.
Wilson: YOU CAN SEE THE CRACK
AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE
THE INSCRIPTIONS THANARRATE THE SUBJECOF THE DIVINATION CEREMONY.
THE CHARACTERS ARE
VERY PICTOGRAPHIC;
YOU CAN SEE A DEPICTION
OF A FOUR LEGGED ANIMAL
DOWN HERE IN THE CORNER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN WASHINGTON, DC,
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF ASIAN ART IS PAROF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
WHICH FUNDED SOME OF
THE EARLY EXCAVATIONS
OF THE ANCIENT SHANG CAPITAL
THAT WAS LATER NAMED YINXU.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: IN DAYISHANG,
A CEREMONY IS HELD
FOR HAO'S WEDDING,
LED BY QUEEN FU JING.
THE CAPTIVES ARE
TO BE SACRIFICED
AS AN OFFERING TO THE ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(METAL CLINKS)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FOR HER
WEDDING CEREMONY,
THERE WAS ONE MORE
OFFERING TO THE ANCESTORS;
MEAT COOKED IN AN
ELABORATE CAULDRON
CAST IN THE FINESBRONZE IN CHINA.
THIS 2,000 POUND RITUAL VESSEL
WAS DISCOVERED AT ANYANG.
IT IS THE HEAVIEST BRONZE
WORK IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
INSCRIBED FROM KING WU
DING TO HIS QUEEN FU JING.
IN THE PALACE TEMPLE, FU
JING RELUCTANTLY PRESIDES
OVER A CEREMONY
FOR THE NEW QUEEN.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO
JOINS FU JING AND FU GUI
AS THE THIRD QUEEN,
ALL FROM THE MOST LOYAL
AND POWERFUL CLANS OF THE SHANG.
FU HAO PREPARES FOR HER
FIRST NIGHT WITH THE KING.
A LOT DEPENDS ON THIS FOR
HER CLAN'S STATUS AT COURT.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
Narrator: FU HAO'S FUTURE AND
THE STANDING OF HER CLAN
RESTS ON HER FIRSNIGHT WITH THE KING.
(WOMAN SINGING)
(HAUNTING MUSIC)
Cao: FOR A YOUNG WOMAN, SHE
WAS FACING MANY CHALLENGES,
AND ALSO SHE WOULD HAVE
COMPETITIONS FROM OTHERS.
Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING,
HAO IS TAKEN AWAY
FROM THE KING'S CHAMBERS
BY FU JING.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FU HAO REALIZES THAT SHE
IS NOW JUST ONE OF MANY.
HAO SEEKS SOLACE IN A
BEAUTIFUL JADE PHOENIX
GIVEN TO HER BY HER
FATHER AS A SYMBOL
OF HER CLAN'S STRENGTH.
SHE IS DETERMINED
NOT TO BE ONE OF
THE KING'S FACELESS
MARRIAGE TROPHIES.
(HAUNTING MUSIC CONTINUES)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO'S
TOMB CONTAINED 865 PIECES
SIMILAR TO THESE MADE
OF JADE AND MARBLE,
THE MOST VALUABLE MATERIALS
OF THE SHANG PERIOD.
NEXT TO THE 564 BEAUTIFUL
CARVED IVORY AND SHELL OBJECTS,
MORE HIGH STATUS
JEWELRY WAS DISCOVERED.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(HAUNTING MUSIC)
Narrator: HAO'S
OLD FRIEND, YU,
DOES HIS BEST TO TAKE CARE
OF THE VALUABLE HORSES.
HAO SHOWS HIM THE
CORRECT AMOUNT OF FEED.
SHE HAS AN AFFINITY WITH HORSES.
THE KING IS INTRIGUED
BY HAO'S INDEPENDENAND DETERMINED NATURE, AND
IMPRESSED BY HER HORSEMANSHIP.
(HAUNTING MUSIC CONTINUES)
Wilson: THE TRANSMISSION OF
HORSE CULTURE IS SOMETHING
THAT IS STILL A LITTLE
BIT OF A MYSTERY.
IT'S THOUGHT THAT THE IDEA
OF HORSES CAN BE ASSOCIATED
WITH FU HAO'S TIME.
IN FU HAO'S TOMB, WE'VE
FOUND A PARTICULAR KIND
OF SKINNING KNIFE THAT OFTEN
HAS A HORSE HEAD HANDLE
THAT SUGGESTS TO US THAT SHE MAY
HAVE HAD A CLOSER
PERSONAL CONNECTION.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Narrator: BY DEMONSTRATING
HER SUPERIOR RIDING SKILLS,
HAO SHOWS SHE IS TRULY
DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER QUEENS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SPEAR THUDS)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(SPEAR THUDS)
THE FLOURISHING SHANG
KINGDOM WAS SURROUNDED
BY MANY DANGEROUS TRIBES,
CONSTANTLY CHALLENGING AND
ATTACKING HIS DEFENSES.
KING WU DING IS DESPERATE
FOR NEWS FROM HIS ARMY
FIGHTING IN THE
TROUBLED BORDER REGION.
THE FIRST QUEEN, FU JING,
WAS WITH HIS TROOPS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE ROYAL
TEMPLE, THE KING SEEKS GUIDANCE
ABOUT HIS MILITARY RESPONSE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: NO ONE IN
THE PALACE KNOWS WHO WILL
BE CHOSEN AS GENERAL TO SUPPRESS
THE TROUBLE AT THE BORDER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE ANCESTORS'
ADVICE MEANS THAT FU HAO
HAS BOOSTED HER STATUS;
SHE IS NOW A QUEEN
AND A GENERAL.
Wilson: THE SHANG WAS ALMOSCONSTANTLY AT WAR,
AND WARFARE WAS AN
IMPORTANT ASPECOF THE RULER'S RESPONSIBILITY
MAINTAINING AND
PROTECTING THE STATE.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: THE MANY BRONZE
WORKSHOPS IN DAYISHANG
RELIED ON SECURE TRADE
ROUTES FOR THE SUPPLY
OF TIN AND COPPER
FROM THE SOUTH.
THE URBAN SETTLEMENALSO TRADED HORSES,
SALT AND JADE FROM THE NORTH.
THE FLOURISHING TRADE HAD TO
BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.
TO DEAL WITH THE UNREST ON
THE NORTHWESTERN BORDER,
FU HAO IS ADVISED BY THE
EXPERIENCED GENERAL, JU.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO HAS A CORE
UNIT OF PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS
WHO WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED
ALONG THE WAY BY CONSCRIPTS.
(CART RATTLING)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN THE CENTER
OF MODERN DAY ANYANG,
NOT FAR FROM THE OLD PALACES,
WE FIND THE ROYAL BURIAL
COMPLEX AT XIAOTUN.
HERE, CHARIOTS AND THEIR
HORSES FOUND ALL ACROSS
THE SHANG CAPITAL HAVE
BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER.
AS A GENERAL, FU HAO NEEDS
TO CONSCRIPT MORE SOLDIERS.
SHANG ARMIES RELIED ON PEASANFARMERS TO BOLSTER THE RANKS.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
GENERAL FU HAO'S RECRUITERS
ARRIVE IN WHAT SEEMS
TO BE A DESERTED VILLAGE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MEN YELLING)
(METAL CLINKING)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO IS IMPRESSED
BY THE WOMEN'S COURAGE.
SHE NEGOTIATES WITH
VILLAGE LEADER, PANG,
AND OFFERS RICH AWARDS FOR
THE MEN TO JOIN THE ARMY.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO RECRUITS
THE VILLAGE WOMEN TO HER ARMY.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: FU HAO STILL
NEEDS MORE SOLDIERS,
BUT THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR
THE LOCAL SHANG LORDS.
PEASANT LABOR WAS VITAL
TO FARM THEIR LANDS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO HOLDS A
SPECIAL SACRIFICE CEREMONY
FOR THE ANCESTORS IN SUPPOROF HER FOR MILITARY CAMPAIGN.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Narrator: THE SHANG
ALWAYS GAVE ONE SYMBOLIC
DRINK TO THEIR ANCESTORS.
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Wilson: IT'S THOUGHTHAT IN THE SHANG,
REALLY THE MEASURE OF
WEALTH WAS PROBABLY
MORE BASED ON LABOR.
THE NUMBER OF ABLE-BODIED HANDS
YOU HAD FOR CLEARING FIELDS,
FOR BUILDING, FOR FARMING,
RATHER THAN OWNING LAND ITSELF.
Narrator: TO
BREAK THE DEADLOCK,
GENERAL FU HAO SUGGESTS THATHE LORDS WILL BE SACRIFICED
IF THEY DON'T DELIVER TROOPS.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
HER RUTHLESS MESSAGE
BRINGS THEM BACK INTO LINE.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Cao: THERE WAS CONSTANTLY
SHIFTING OF POWERS,
AND ALSO ALLIANCES,
AND CERTAINLY
FROM ORACLE BONE INSCRIPTION
WE KNOW SOME GROUPS
WERE ALLIES OF THE SHANG,
AND THOSE LATER
SHIFTED TO BE ENEMIES.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: ON THE
MORNING BEFORE BATTLE,
GENERAL FU HAO INSPECTS
HER TROOPS ONE LAST TIME.
SHE IS PROUD TO SEE PANG
AND HER WOMEN FIGHTERS
AMONGST THE MEN.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(EVERYONE CHANTS IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: GENERAL
FU HAO LEADS HER ARMY
INTO BATTLE AGAINST THE ENEMY,
CARRYING THE AX OF
A SHANG COMMANDER.
Wilson: TWO LARGE AXES LIKE THIS
WERE FOUND IN FU HAO'S TOMB.
THEY'RE LARGE AND VERY HEAVY.
TO FIND AN OBJECT LIKE
THIS IN A SHANG ELITE TOMB
SUGGESTS THAT THE
OCCUPANT OF THE TOMB
WAS A GREAT MILITARY LEADER,
OR MAYBE A RITUAL LEADER.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: FU HAO
LINES UP HER TROOPS
FOR HER FIRST BATTLE
AS A QUEEN AND GENERAL.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Narrator: GENERAL FU HAO
PREPARES TO LEAD HER ARMY
INTO COMBAT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
THEN THE ROYAL GUARD AND THE
QUEEN HERSELF JOIN THE BATTLE.
(EVERYONE HOLLERING)
(METAL CLINKS)
THE CONFLICT DESCENDS
INTO A CHAOTIC MELEE
OF HAND-TO-HAND COMBAOVER A LARGE AREA.
Cao: FROM THE
FRAGMENTED EVIDENCE
WE HAVE ON ORACLE BONES.
THEY'RE SOME CAMPAIGN
TOOK QUITE A LONG TIME.
IT IS UNLIKELY ONE
LARGE MILITARY CAMPAIGN
COULD BE SETTLED BY
ONE DECISIVE BATTLE.
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
(METAL CLANKS)
Narrator: GENERAL JU FIGHTS
ALONGSIDE THE VILLAGE WOMEN.
(MAN SCREAMS)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(PEOPLE HOLLERING)
Narrator: FU HAO SPOTS
THE ENEMY COMMANDER.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(METAL CLINKING)
THE SHANG WIN THE DAY,
BUT NOT WITHOUT LOSS.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: IN A SPECIAL CEREMONY
IN HONOR OF HER VICTORY,
FU HAO CONSULTS THE
SHANG ANCESTORS.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
THE CRACKS IN THE ORACLE BONE
DECREE THAT THE PRISONERS
OF WAR ARE TO BE SACRIFICED.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
Wilson: IT MAY BE
SHOCKING TO US,
BUT HUMAN SACRIFICE WAS A
VITAL PART OF SHANG LIFE.
WHOLE SKELETONS, SKULLS,
BEHEADED SKELETONS
ARE FOUND IN VARIOUS
COMBINATIONS,
SOMETIMES IN ASSOCIATION
WITH ROYAL BURIALS,
AND SOMETIMES IN OTHER
LOCATIONS AT THE SHANG SITE.
IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN
AN IMPORTANT PART OF
RITUAL PRACTICE.
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(WOMAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: AFTER HER VICTORY,
FU HAO'S PROMINENCE IN
COURT IS ESTABLISHED.
SHE TAKES OVER MANY
OF THE KING'S DUTIES.
Cao: SHE WOULD HAVE
MANY DIFFERENT ROLES ON
THE MANAGEMENOF STATE AFFAIR, TO
AGRICULTURAL WORK,
OR TO PERFORM DIVINATION
ON BEHALF OF THE KING.
Narrator: THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
HOLDS AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION
OF SHANG ORACLE BONES.
AMONG THE ANCIENT BONE FRAGMENTS
WE FIND EVIDENCE OF FU
HAO'S CONTINUING SUCCESS
ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Cao: THIS ORACLE BONE HAS
THE DATE OF THE DIVINATION,
AND NOW WE LOSTHE DIVINERS NAME,
BUT WE DO HAVE THE
QUESTION, WHICH IS:
"IF QUEEN FU HAO
RAISED 3,000 MEN,
AND JOINED THEM WITH ANOTHER
10,000 MEN FOR A CAMPAIGN,
WOULD SHE RECEIVE ASSISTANT?"
BUT IT SHOWS FU HAO WAS
TRUSTED WITH SUCH LARGE FORCES
AND INDICATES HER ABILITY
AS A MILITARY LEADER.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Narrator: OVER THE
YEARS, HAO HAS BECOME
WU DING'S FAVORITE QUEEN.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: THE KING INSTRUCTS
HIS DIVINER TO PREPARE
A CEREMONY TO PREDICTHE SEX OF THEIR CHILD.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: AS HIS
MOST TRUSTED ADVISOR,
FU HAO NOW SITS ON
THE RIGHT OF WU DING
AS THEY RECEIVE THE
RESULTS OF THE DIVINATION.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
Narrator: FU HAO
GAVE BIRTH TO A BOY.
OVER THE YEARS, THE COUPLE
ENJOY SPENDING TIME TOGETHER
ALONE IN THE ROYAL FORESTS.
Cao: HUNTING HAS MANY
DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS;
IT'S NOT JUST AN OCCASION OUAND CAPTURE THE GAME FOR FOOD,
BUT IT'S ALSO A WAY
OF MARTIAL TRAINING
FOR THE KING AND ALL
FOR THE OTHER ELITES.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(LEAVES RUSTLING)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
Narrator: THE
ROYAL COUPLE'S TIME
WOULD SOON BE CUT SHORT.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
Narrator: SOMETIME IN THE
12TH CENTURY BCE,
SHANG KING REALIZES THAT HIS
IRREPLACEABLE QUEEN IS DYING.
(LIGHT MUSIC CONTINUES)
(WOMAN SINGING)
FU HAO WAS JUST 33.
Cao: IT IS LIKELY KING WU
DING WOULD BE DEVASTATED
WHEN FU HAO PASSED AWAY
AT A RELATIVELY YOUNG AGE.
THIS IS MOSTLY
LIKELY BECAUSE FU HAO
WAS A VERY CAPABLE WOMAN
AND SUPPORTED THE KING
IN MANY ASPECTS OVER
THE STATE'S GOVERNANCE.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Narrator: KING WU
DING MISSES HIS QUEEN,
PRIESTESS AND GENERAL SO MUCH
THAT HE INSISTS ON BURYING
HER NOT IN THE ROYAL CEMETERY,
BUT RIGHT NEXT TO HIS PALACE.
Wilson: IT'S REMARKABLE THAT THE
KING DIDN'T WANT HER BURIED
FAR FROM HIM AND
SUGGESTS A DESIRE TO KEEP
THAT KIND OF PROXIMITY,
THAT KIND OF CONNECTION
EVEN AFTER HER DEATH.
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
Narrator: THE GRIEVING
KING ASSEMBLES VALUABLE
GRAVE GOODS TO COMFORT FU HAO
IN THE WORLD OF THE
SHANG ANCESTORS.
ANOTHER TRADITION WAS FOR
CLOSE FRIENDS OR FAMILY
TO ACCOMPANY THE DECEASED.
FU HAO'S GUARDIAN, YU,
MAKES A SPECIAL REQUEST.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Cao: FROM THE
ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE,
BASED ON THE ROYAL
TOMBS, WE CAN DEDUCT THASOME OF THE SACRIFICED
HUMAN WERE LIKELY
TO HAVE HAD A CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KING
OR OTHER ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS.
IN SHANG'S BELIEF SYSTEM,
THE DECEASED WOULD CONTINUE
TO INFLUENCE THE LIVING WORLD.
WU DING CONSIDERED
FU HAO COULD CONTINUE
SUPPORT HIM, ADVISE HIM.
Narrator: WU DING IS
RECEIVING A SPECIAL AMBASSADOR,
BUT WITHOUT HIS BELOVED ADVISOR,
HE STRUGGLES WITH STATE AFFAIRS.
Cao: IT IS REALLY FASCINATING
TO THINK THIS PIECE OF BONE
ON MY PALM NOW IS
3,000 YEARS OLD.
WHEN THEY PERFORMED
THIS DIVINATION,
KING WU DING AND FU HAO WOULD
BE PRESENT IN THE SAME SPACE,
AND HOW AMAZING THAT IS.
(MAN SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
Cao: TO ME, PERSONALLY, FU HAO
WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN.
SHE ALLOWS US TO REEVALUATE
HOW WE THINK ABOUWOMEN'S ROLE IN
THE ANCIENT WORLD.
Narrator: THANKS TO
THE DISCOVERY OF HER TOMB,
THE LEGACY OF FU HAO,
THE SHANG DYNASTY,
AND THE BIRTH OF THE CHINESE
CIVILIZATION LIVES ON.
(WOMAN SINGS)
(LIGHT MUSIC)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC)