The whole story began with a children’s rhyme that suddenly spread through the capital. It was a short chant sung by a group of kids, clapping their hands in rhythm. The words said, “The moon is about to rise, the sun is about to set. A bow made from mulberry wood, a quiver woven from wild grass. The state of Zhou is about to fall.” King Xuan heard this rhyme while returning to the city at night. He was deeply disturbed and felt it was a curse aimed at him and at the kingdom. He flew into a rage, ordered the children to be arrested and questioned, and banned the rhyme inside the city. Anyone who dared sing it would have their whole family punished.
