Zhu Ren

Shi Ren was the thirteenth ruler of Predynastic Shang. He succeeded Bao Ding However, as he was only invoked, almost nothing is known about his life or reign. He was succeeded by his son, Shi Gui.

Name and family Shi Ren is known as Zhu Ren in Records of the Grand Historian, where Sima Qian records his father as Bao Bing. Therefore, coupled with oracle bone evidence, the consensus is that Bao Ding was likely his predecessor.

The ren 壬 in Shi Ren's name may describe the day in which sacrifices were to be made to him, being the 9th of the Heavenly Stems.

In Oracle bone inscriptions Shi Ren is mentioned over 100 times in oracle bone inscriptions, around as many times as Wang Hai. However, because Shi Ren predates the Late Shang where extant oracle bones come from, On the Guisi day, a liturgist divinated. Charge: Are the Two Shis ailing the ruler king? Should we perform an appeasement ritual [to fix the situation]?

Sacrifices Like all ancestral deities, Shi Ren received sacrifices, gave consultations, and protected the Shang, among other duties. Additionally, his late spouse, Bi Geng , would also receive sacrifices. Perform a you-sacrifice of two oxen to Shi Ren.

壬子貞王賓示壬翌日無尤 On the renzi day, charge: Should the king perform a bin ceremony for Shi Ren, and if so, on the coming day, will there be no misfortune?