Shun

My name is Chonghua, my surname is Yao, and my nickname is Yu. Later generations often call me Shun. Born in Yao Xu, he was named "Chonghua" because he had double pupils. I am a descendant of Emperor Zhuanxu, but by my generation, the family has long since declined and we are nothing more than a commoner. His biological mother, Hedeng, died young, and his father, Gusou, became blind. He married his stepmother and gave birth to a younger brother, Xiang. My father was partial to my stepmother and younger brother, and the three of them tried to kill me several times: They asked me to build a barn, and they set fire to it; they ordered me to dig a well, and they filled it with earth. My family was poor and helpless, so I worked everywhere to make a living. When I was thirty years old, Siyue recommended me to Emperor Yao. In order to test me, Emperor Yao married his two daughters Ehuang and Nvying to me, and sent nine sons to work with me. After becoming the regent, I did two things: one was to promote the virtuous, and the other was to punish the evil. I exiled Gonggong and Huandou, moved Sanmiao, and punished Gun, who had failed to control the floods, in Yushan. The four crimes were put down, and the people of the world were convinced. When Emperor Yao died, I stayed in mourning for three years. I took the initiative to avoid Yao's son Danzhu and retreated to the south of Nanhe. At the age of sixty-one, I officially ascended the throne as the Emperor, made Puban my capital, and named my country Yu. After reigning for thirty-nine years, the world was divided into twelve states, and twelve pastors were set up to appease the people. Officials were tested every three years, and officials were promoted or demoted based on their merits and demerits. I often think that the so-called rule of virtue is never empty talk. It means that everyone can settle down and perform their duties, so that the people have enough food and clothing, and know the etiquette and justice. Yu controlled floods for thirteen years. He passed through his house three times without entering. He calmed down the floods and won the support of all the people. I then followed the example of Emperor Yao, recommended Yu to heaven, and surrendered the world to him. In my later years, I went south for hunting tours and reached the wilderness of Cangwu. Looking back on my life, I started from humble beginnings, encountered many family difficulties, and finally inherited the emperor's legacy and brought peace to the world. I have no regrets in my heart.