An Analysis of the Historical Facts of “the Alliance of Kiyang” Recorded in “the Four Inscriptions of Kiyang”

Abstract: The “Kiyang Siming” (“岐阳四铭”) consists of four inscriptions: Jingzi Dingming, Bao You Ming, Yan Hou Ke Heming and Tai Bao Guiming. The first inscription records, from the perspective of Jingzi, the important activities of the “Alliance of Kiyang” (“岐阳之盟”) for three consecutive days, which is similar to the altar activities of Chuzi in the “Alliance of Kiyang” as described in the book of Jin Yu. The “Liupin” mentioned in the second inscription is the six Yin tribes of “Qiang (“羌”), Ma (“马”), Zha (“”), Yu (“”), Yu (“御”) and Wei (“微”)” . The “five lords of the Eastern kingdom” should be interpreted as five vassals who were enfeoffed by Zhou Cheng Wang, the King of Western Zhou Dynasty. The “Ci Xiu Yu Tu” in the third inscription can be interpreted as the reward as a city given by the King of Western Zhou Dynasty. Jingzi Dingming mainly narrated the deeds of Jingzi’s assistant priests, while the other three records the enfeoffment of “Shaogong Shi” by the king in the league of Kiyang, and indirectly revealed the enfeoffment of the other five marquis.