-We're not actually sure if the Xia dynasty really existed or if it's just a myth, but there is certainly archaeological evidence to suggest that this region of China around the Yellow River did indeed have civilization (such as urban centers, bronze tools/weapons, tombs, and even palaces).
-According to the archaeological narrative (strictly scientific), this civilization is called the Erlitou culture.
-It may actually be the mythical Xia that the historical records refer to, but it's difficult to say for sure.
-Believed to have existed anywhere from 2200-1500 BC.
-The historicity or the traditional historical chronology of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties is also seriously questioned nowadays.
-Most likely these were more or less different versions of the same overall culture and civilizations that just overlapped with each other.
-A lot of our info about this time comes from the "Shiji" (Records of the Grand Historian), compiled by Sima Qian, a government official and historian during the Han dynasty (lived c. 94 BC).
-Anyway, so according to traditional Chinese lore, Yu the Great was the first king of the Xia dynasty. However, at this point in the narrative he still the heir under King Shun.
-According to legend, Yu worked tirelessly to improve the infrastructure of the land (even at the expense of spending time with his family).
-As a result of this, however, the civilization was thriving.
-During this time, King Shun sent Yu to lead an army and attack the "Sanmiao" people (one of the variations on the word "miao" which was used by the Han dynasty to refer to "barbaric" non-Han people to the south (possibly related to modern-day Hmong and their relatives) who had been raiding while the region was preoccupied with the flooding.
-Because of his brilliant leadership, Yu was able to drive the Sianmiao out of the region and back south. It was around this time that Yu finally accepted King Shun's nomination as heir.
-Around 2200 BC, Yu became king and this officially kicked off the Xia dynasty.
-King Yu's order of business was reorganizing the provinces (also called "zhou"): (from 12 to 9: Ji, Yan, Qing, Xu, Yang, Jing, Yu, Liang, and Yong).
-The capital of the kingdom was Yangcheng (modern-day Zhengzhou, Henan Province).
-King Yu also implemented a taxation system of copper, tin, and bronze.
-According to legend, King Yu used the bronze to create nine tripod cauldrons ("ding vessels") for magical rituals and ceremonies.
-Anyway, King Yu eventually got old, so he knew it was time for him to name an heir.
-According to legend, King Yu wanted a couple other dudes who worked as government officials to replace him as ruler, but for unclear reasons his son, Qi, became the next king.
-One version says that Yu had been such a great ruler that the common folk clamored for his son to rule, believing that the greatness was surely hereditary, so Qi was enthroned.
-However, another version says that Qi took power for himself by force.
-c. 2159 BC- King Qi is enthroned.
-This succession was important because it would mark an end of China's meritocratic succession of dynastic leaders for the next 4000 years!
-Not everyone was happy with Qi's enthronement- Qi apparently had to fight a battle or two with some dissenters and their forces.
-Had 5 sons, one of them would replace him as king.
-After King Qi died, he was replaced by his son, King Tai Kang.
-King Tai Kang loved to hunt, drink, bang chicks, etc.- your basic shitty king.
-According to legend, Tai Kang was so shitty at ruling that while he was out hunting, a dude named Houyi (AKA Hou-i, Shenyi, or just Yi) took power and occupied the capital with his army.
-Fun fact: Houyi is also a god of archery in Chinese mythology.
-However, Houyi also ended up being a shitty ruler as well, so he in turn was eventually usurped by one of his generals, Han Zhuo.
-Meanwhile (according to some versions), King Tai Kang drowned in a lake while in exile, so back in the capital his younger brother, Zhong Kang, was named king, although his reign was pretty quiet.
-Anyway, regardless of who was king before him, the next king was Zhong Kang's son, King Xiang.
-Under King Xiang's reign, the capital moved from Yangcheng to Shangqui (modern-day Henan Province).
-King Xiang also fought wars against various barbarian tribes, including the Huai, Fei (AKA Quanyi), Feng, and Huang.
-In addition to this, the forces of King Xiang eventually clashed with those of General Han Zhuo. During this battle, King Xiang was slain.
-Xia was now under the control of General Han Zhuo and his renegade forces.
-However, King Xiang's pregnant wife, Queen Ji, had survived the aftermath of the general's wrath, and she would eventually give birth to a boy named Shao Kang...
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