Shang (Wu Ding)

Shang Dynasty

Map by Tomatekh
Leader	Wu Ding
Capital	Yin
Religion	Taoism Solar Bird Cult (GHR)
Culture	Oriental
Mercenaries	6
Religious Intolerance	3
Traits	Imperialistic, Industrious
Map Labels Language	East Asian
Magical Girl	Fu Hao
Civilopedia

Shang led by Wu Ding is a custom by Tomatekh with contributions from Janboruta and tmxk2012917.

An early build of Shang was previously available as a bonus ability in Tomatekh's Xia mod.

This mod requires Brave New World.

Overview

Shang

The first recorded Chinese dynasty for which there is both documentary and archaeological evidence, the Shang or Yin Dynasty was the reputed successor to semi-legendary Xia Dynasty. The period of the dynasty's rule has traditionally been dated 1766 - 1122 BC; however, more recent archaeological work place these dates closer to 1600 - 1046 BC. It was in this period that Chinese writing began to develop as well as the advancement of the calendar for both lunar and solar cycles. Pottery, jade carvings, and bronze work are among the most notable surviving artifacts, the latter primarily serving a ceremonial function.

Wu Ding

Wu Ding was the 21st or 23rd king of the Shang Dynasty, living around 1200 BC. His reign was both the longest of the Shang kings and the earliest verifiable Chinese kingship for which there is both documentary and archaeological evidence. Ruling for 59 years, he demonstrated concern for the people while respecting and recruiting virtuous and capable people for his administration, paving the way for the heyday of the Shang dynasty. He is praised as a leader of dynastic revival and as a model for the enlightened ruler found in later Confucian thought. Wu Ding is widely regarded as one of the greatest kings of the Shang Dynasty.

Dawn of Man

Revered and auspicious Wu Ding, Shaman King of the Shang Dynasty, may the blessing of Heaven forever approve of your reign! As the scattered tribes of the Yellow River entered into history, the Shang Dynasty emerged as the cornerstone of Chinese civilization. A pious and warlike state, the Shang quickly united much of the North China Plain. Yet, under their rule writing, science, and art would also flourish. The complex bronze work first seen at Erlitou would evolve and join intricate carvings of jade, while the first extensive corpus of Chinese writing would develop as kings attempted to divine the heavens. Yet, the dynastic cycle was ever turning. As the Zhou state began to grow in power to the west, so too did the golden age of the Shang Dynasty begin to fade into legend.

Gaozong, the bones that were cast have cracked favorably! It is the will of Heaven that you return and once more lead the Huaxia to greatness. Can you restore the glory of your fallen dynasty? Can you build a civilization that will stand the test of time?

Introduction: Greetings! I am Wu, King of Yin. Let us cast bones and divine if Heaven approves of this meeting.

Introduction: I am Wu Ding, leader of the Huaxia and King of Shang! What business do barbarians have in my kingdom?

Defeat: A turtle shell foretold of this defeat! It was foolish to think I could defy the will of Heaven.

Defeat: To think I would lose the approval of Heaven to one as unjust and dishonorable as yourself!

Unique Attributes

Shang (Wu Ding)
Art by Janboruta Oracle Bones Great People may sacrifice a Pasture based Resource to receive a random bonus effect and create a Great Work of Writing (this consumes both the Unit and the Resource).^[1]
Art by Tomatekh Ya (Spearman) Can Capture Great People. +15% Combat Strength if all of your Cities are following the same Religion.
Art by Tomatekh Dragon Bone Pit (Shrine) Has 1 slot for a Great Work of Writing. When filled: Increases the Religious Pressure of the City by +20%.

Shaman	Artifact	Bonus
Da Yi	Oracle Bone	Bonus Faith. +1 Population in all Cities.
Da Ding	Cracked Dragon Bone	Bonus Faith. A 'We Love the King Day' is triggered in your Capital.
Da Jia	Dragon Bone	Bonus Faith. All current military Units gain +X XP.^[2]
Da Geng	Dog Scapula	Bonus Faith.
Da Wu	Cracked Turtle Shell	0.5x Bonus Faith. X infantry Units appear near your Capital.
Zhong Ding	Ox Scapula	Bonus Faith. A Holy Site is built on the Resource plot.
Zu Yi	Cracked Ox Humerus	Bonus Faith. All current Cities will generate +X Culture until your next sacrifice.
Zu Xin	Turtle Plastron	0.5x Bonus Faith. The empire enters a Golden Age.
Zu Ding	Cracked Turtle Plastron	Bonus Faith. All rival Civilizations enter X turns of Anarchy.
Xiao Yi	Ox Rib	0.5x Bonus Faith. 1 Free Technology.
Zu Jia	Cracked Ox Rib	Bonus Faith. +X Influence with all met City-States.^[3]
Kang Ding	Deer Skull	Bonus Faith. Production is hurried in the Capital.
Wu Jia	Cracked Ox Scapula	0.5x Bonus Faith. +2 Jade.
Wen Ding	Horse Scapula	Bonus Faith. A Scientific Building is constructed in your nearest City.^[4]
Di Yi	Boar Scapula	Bonus Faith. A source of Deer and a Tuo Ma appear near your Capital.
Di Xin	Ox Skull	Bonus Faith. Farms provide an additional +1 Food for the next X turns.
Bu Bing	Deer Scapula	0.5x Bonus Faith. +X Gold.
Lu Ji	Cracked Deer Skull	Bonus Faith. Barbarian troops spawn inside your borders.
Qiang Jia	Cracked Oracle Bone	Bonus Faith. +5 Happiness in your Capital for X turns.
Nan Geng	Cracked Boar Scapula	Bonus Faith. Mines provide an additional +1 Production for the next X turns.
Zhen Ding	Cracked Ox Skull	0.5x Bonus Faith. Receive an additional Spy.
Ji Danfu	Human Skull	Bonus Faith. A Settler appears near your Capital.
Feng Xin	Human Scapula	0.5x Bonus Faith. Make peace with Barbarians until your next sacrifice.
Zu Geng	Ox Humerus	Bonus Faith. 50% chance to suffer X turns of Anarchy at the start of your next turn.
Zi Liang	Cracked Horse Scapula	Bonus Faith. Your Cities are partially converted (33%) to your founded Religion or the religious majority of your Capital.^[5]
Pan Geng	Cracked Human Skull	Bonus Faith. Discover an Ancient Ruin.
Wo Jia	Ox Astragalus	0.5x Bonus Faith. 1 Free Social Policy.
Mu Xin	Horse Skull	Bonus Faith. A Financial Building is constructed in your nearest City.^[6]
Jian Jia	Turtle Shell	0.5x Bonus Faith. A Great Admiral appears near one of your Coastal Cities.^[7]
Xiang Jia	Cracked Dog Scapula	Bonus Faith. Lose X% of your ( Science, Culture, Golden Age, or Gold) reserves.
Xiao Jia	Sheep Scapula	Bonus Faith. Meet a random Civilization.^[8]
Lin Xin	Cracked Boar Skull	Bonus Faith. The Resource is replaced with a source of Truffles.
Bu Ren	Cracked Sheep Scapula	Bonus Faith. +1 Magistrate.^[9]
Wu Ding	Cracked Human Scapula	Bonus Faith. Sacrifices no longer provide random bonuses or create Great Works of Writing.^[10]

City List

Yin
Bo
Fan
Xiao
Dishi
Bi
Yanshi
Xiang
Shangqiu
Pugu
Ao
Geng
Beimeng
Mo
Chaoge
Shixianggou
Yan
Panlongcheng
Huanbei
Zhengzhou
Xingan
Danshan
Mingtiao
Muye

Spy List

Xun
Yao
Xiao
Qu
Teng
Xi Shi
Mu Xin
Meng
Ru Ji
Xu Mu

Strategy

Shang is primarily a faith and culture focused civ; the former used to fuel their UU and UB bonuses while the latter builds on the culture and tourism generated by the Great Works of Writing from their UA. Their central unique mechanic is the ability to sacrifice resources at the cost of Great People. While all sacrifices will always produce a small amount of faith and a Great Work of Writing, the random bonus varies in strength. Some bonuses are equal or greater than using a second Great Person (free Golden Age, Technology, or Social Policy, etc.), while others are largely forgettable (discover an Ancient Ruin, etc.) or even negative (Barbarians spawn in your borders). As such, acquiring the Great Work of Writing should always be your main goal when enacting a sacrifice and it’s not suggested that you use the more valuable Great People (Scientists or Engineers) to do so. However, Great Generals and the various Great Artists should be considered fair game, the latter especially as, with the added Writing Slot from the UB, Great Works of Writing should function as your primary Great Work during games.

There is a nice synergy between the Shang uniques. Sacrifices generate faith to found/spread a religion as well as Great Works. The UB can then hold the Great Work to increase the pressure from your founded Religion. The UU receives a combat bonus once your Religion has spread to all of your Cities and can also capture more Great People to fuel additional sacrifices. Remember that both of the Ya’s abilities are retained on upgrade. Consider bringing Missionaries along with your army to quickly convert captured Cities and maintain your religious union. The ability to capture Great People can be somewhat situational but will primarily benefit against foreign Great Generals. However, traveling Great Merchants or even a rare Merchant of Venice are also excellent targets.

Mod Support

Mod Support
Civ IV Traits	Yes
Community Balance Patch	Referenced
Cultural Diversity	Yes
Ethnic Units	Yes
Events and Decisions	Yes
ExCE	Yes
Map Labels	Yes
Mercenaries	Yes
Piety	Yes
Sovereignty	Yes
Unique Cultural Influence	Yes
Wish for the World	Yes
YnAEMP	Yes

Events and Decisions

Invent Chopsticks

Eating with one's hands is unhygienic and, more importantly, waiting for food to cool wastes time that could be better spent. Let us invent an eating utensil that is versatile and easy to produce.

Requirements/Restrictions:

Player must be Shang
Must have built at least 4 Farms
May only be enacted once per game

Costs:

35 Science
2 Magistrate

Rewards:

Tile Improvement construction speed increased by 20%

Develop the Oracle Bone Script

My Lord, the scribes have developed a system of pictograms to aid in communication and commerce. If we adapt these symbols to our divination practices we could better discern the will of our ancestors.