【帝国时代一】商文明在官方文件中的描述
注：英语原文取自最古老版本的帝国时代一的帮助文件中，关于历史的文本量相当巨大，但在win7系统更新后，以win95为基础的hlp文件被淘汰，如今已经很难找到打开hlp文件的方法。如有大佬能提供支援就好了。
注：因为原hlp文件并未随着罗马复兴资料片的更新而更新，所以这个系列不包含新增的罗马、迦太基、马其顿和巴尔米拉文明。
注：因为年代久远（1996年左右），很多记述可能已经与最新的考古发现有着显著的差异。
注：蹩脚英语，翻译腔，懒得润色的语句。
注：英语原文放在前面，汉语翻译放在后面。
注：文件内容为翻译产物，很多内容是歪果仁上个世纪对我国的刻板印象，请理性辩证看待。
更多资料：世界地理历史小常识198——中国（CV8406346、CV8406449、CV8406487）
Shang Culture（1600BC-221AD）
China has been a mystery to much of the world since word of its existence first spread west in ancient times. It was isolated first by geography, and then by a conscious policy on the part of its rulers. It was thought to be one of the oldest civilizations but modern archaeology and research has revealed that the civilizations on Crete, in Egypt, and in Mesopotamia predate it significantly.
China encompassed a number of fertile river valleys, especially the Huang Ho (Yellow) and Yangtze, that were ideal sites for agriculture. New technologies spread gradually from the west and the first Chinese farming communities appeared along these rivers around 5000 BC. Although all ancient civilizations eventually shared a common threshold of agricultural and technological knowledge, the relative isolation of China allowed it to form a unique culture. The Chinese distinguished their civilization by being first to achieve many important advancements.
Capital
The first recognized dynasty of Chinese kings is that of the Shang, who were located in the north along the Huang Ho River. Their principal city was An-yang, southwest of modern Beijing. The Chou dynasty overthrew a decadent Shang king and ruled for 400 years from the city of Hao in the northwest province of Shensi. When barbarians from the north sacked Hao, the Chou capital was moved east to Loyang. Although the Chou dynasty soon lost control of most of China, it continued to rule a state of varying size from its central position until 221 BC. In 221 BC, China was unified by the Chin, from whom the country gets its modern name. A new capital was built at Hsien-Yang, also southwest of modern Beijing.
Rise to power
The Shang dynasty ruled over a conglomeration of northwestern Chinese feudal territories from 1766 to 1027 BC. The remainder of the country was made up of territories that the Shang could not reach or influence. In 1027 BC a particularly decadent Shang ruler lost control of the kingdom and succumbed to either revolt or the deliberate attack from the more western province of Chou. A Chou dynasty established itself and then expanded its control to the middle and southern areas of China over the next 400 years. With the help of a deposed queen, barbarians from the north invaded Chou in 722 BC and sacked the capital.
The Chou dynasty relocated further to the east but never regained its dominance. The weakening of the Chou led to the Spring and Autumn period (722 to 481 BC) that takes its name from the title of a history of the era. New feudal kingdoms emerged and fought each other for territory, strategic materials, and population centers. Warfare between the feudal territories and barbarians to the north was incessant. By 500 BC, the 200 feudal territories of China had consolidated into 20 independent states.
A peace was arranged around 540 BC at a conference instigated by smaller states that had suffered continual invasion and despoiling. Peace lasted 40 years and then hostilities resumed, setting off the age known as the Warring States (481 to 221 BC). Seven major states emerged in this period, but each was subjugated by the Chin, one after the other, beginning in 230 BC. In 221 BC Prince Cheng, the Tiger of Chin, proclaimed himself Shih Huang-ti, the first emperor of China.
Economy
Early Chinese farmers grew millet and vegetables, and kept dogs and pigs. By 4000 BC rice was being grown and became the most important food crop of Asia. By 2500 BC cattle, chickens, sheep, and goats were raised, and water buffalo were being used to pull plows and wagons.
Despite the ravages of war, the ancient Chinese economy continued to grow and improve. An elaborate road network improved communications and trade. Massive irrigation projects dammed entire rivers, breaking them into small streams that carried water over extensive plains for rice cultivation. Most impressive were canals connecting rivers or taking water into previously arid regions. The first of these was built in 486 BC to supply troops. The eventual dominance of the Chin was due in part to the rapid population growth that resulted from canal and irrigation projects that dramatically increased food production.
Bronze did not reach China until around 1500 BC, and iron followed in the sixth century BC. Another advantage of the Chin was their iron deposits and iron industry. Iron tools were more efficient and iron weapons gave their soldiers an advantage in battle. The Chinese were casting iron seventeen centuries before that technology was achieved in Europe, and iron-making was a key factor in the shaping of their society.
China was unique to the ancient world for its general lack of slavery and a large peasant class of land owners. The reasons for this are not fully understood. These two conditions probably contributed to the enormous food production and population that China supported.
Religion and culture
The religion of ancient China was dominated by ancestor worship. Kings traced their ancestry back directly to Shang-Ti, the ancestor and founder of the people, and the ruler of the natural world. Shang-Ti and deceased forebears were petitioned by sacrifices for guidance in all aspects of life. Political power was linked to the spiritual. The ruler was the Son of Heaven and ensured the welfare of the people. These ancient beliefs were modified eventually into a state religion by two competing philosophies that developed around the sixth century BC in response to growing dissatisfaction with feudalism.
The oldest of these philosophies was Taoism, based on a collection of profound sayings. Conformity to the Tao was achieved by unassertive action and simplicity. Taoism urged a return to a naturally sharing society that was cooperative, not acquisitive. A typical Taoism saying read "He who feels punctured must have been a bubble."
The second and most influential philosophy was Confucianism, a more practical and socially aware doctrine. This was a philosophy of honesty and cooperation in relationships based on loyalty to principles. Virtue was acquired by self-cultivation and self-denial. The Confucian ideal was a perfection of the human personality through sacrifice in deference to traditional values passed down from one抯 ancestors. Heaven was the reward of the dutiful descendant.
Government
The various dynasties of China ruled over a hierarchy of feudal states linked by kinship and vassalage. Feudal society was supported by peasant farmers who produced a surplus of food and provided unpaid labor.
Following the formation of the first empire in 221 BC, the long failing feudal society was replaced by a new structure. The aristocracy were only relatives of the emperor. Four classes of society were ranked below them. The shih were lesser nobility, land-owners, and scholars. The nung were the peasant farmers who paid taxes, labored on public works, and served in the armies. The kung were the artisans, and the shang were the merchants.
Architecture
Ancient Chinese architecture was concerned primarily with building walls. Walls defended villages and towns, but also divided towns into sections. Controlling access to sections of cities enhanced the power of authorities. The earliest walls were built of earth tamped down between wooden slats that held it in place. The use of earth in this manner led to two major characteristics of Chinese architecture -- walls did not usually bear loads and roofs supported generous overhangs to keep water off the walls. Walls were improved first with sun-dried bricks on their facings and then with fire-baked bricks by the end of the Warring States period.
The Great Wall of China was constructed following the unification of 221 BC for two purposes. It was intended first to keep out or discourage attacks by mounted barbarians from the north. It also was an outlet for the labor of thousands of men who had previously served in the massive armies now made unnecessary by the unification.
Military
The ancient Chinese fielded armies that at times dwarfed those seen previously in the Near and Middle East. Casualties from a battle often numbered 100,000 or more according to records well regarded today for accuracy. Professional armies were supplemented by large militia levies called up for temporary service.
The most militaristic states were those to the north and northwest who were forced to become proficient in war because of repeated attacks by mounted barbarians. Provinces in this region learned to fight large field armies from neighboring states as well as the barbarian hordes. The three dominant dynasties of ancient China originated in the northern provinces.
Chariot archers dominated the battlefields of the Bronze Age Shang era, but they were supplanted by mounted archers and large infantry armies armed with iron weapons. An early technical achievement was the crossbow, not seen elsewhere for many centuries. Crossbows were manufactured in large quantities for the arming of the militia, as well as regular troops. This fact influenced the widespread building of walls for protection. For reasons not known, armor was made predominantly of wood and bamboo.
Decline and fall
The empire established in 221 AD was further modified by the former Han dynasty up to 9 AD. In that year a usurper grabbed the throne and ruled for 16 years. Attempts to reform land ownership failed, however, and the usurper was eventually beheaded. This period makes a convenient break point in Chinese history, even though the empire continued to exist into the twentieth century AD.
Legacy
The principle legacy of ancient China was its philosophy, including the concepts of face, ancestor worship, virtue, and balance with nature (Yin-Yang), which continue to shape its culture today. The most recognizable physical legacy is the Great Wall, the only man-made object on Earth visible from space.
商文明（公元前1600~公元221年）
中国在第一次被西方所知之后就一直是一个神秘的存在，不论是因为遥远的地理位置还是后来闭关锁国的政策。中国被认为是世界最古老的文明之一，与埃及、希腊克里特岛和美索不达米亚的文明并列。
中国有很多肥沃的河谷，例如黄河（黄色的）和长江。新技术是从中国的西部传播进来，约公元前5000年用于这些河谷之中。虽然所有的文明都有相同的农业和技术门槛，但是中国因为地理上的隔离成就了一个独特的文化。中国通过很多独创的发明将自己的文明传播到世界。
首都
中国第一个公认的君主是在黄河之北的商王，首都位于安阳，在现在北京的西南。周王朝推翻了腐朽的商王，并统治了400多年，首都在陕西西北的镐。北方的野蛮人攻陷镐之后，周王朝东迁到洛阳，虽然很快失去了对土地的控制，但仍然在中原区域有一定的地盘。直到公元前221年，秦（Chin）统一了中国，并让中国有了现在的名字。秦的首都在咸阳，也在现在北京的西南。
发展壮大
商王朝在公元前1766年至公元前1027年统治了中国西北，其余的部分由不能完全控制的领地所组成。公元前1027年，某个商王遭到了西部一个叫周的省份蓄意攻击，接下来的400年里周王朝建立并扩大了对中国中部和南部的控制。公元前722年，在一个王后的帮助下，北方的野蛮人入侵并控制了首都。周王朝迁到了东方，但失去了控制力，导致了春秋时代的来临（公元前722年至公元前481年）这段时期的名字来源于后来的一本史书。新的封建王国涌现，并为了战略资源，土地和人口互相争斗。封建王国与野蛮人的争斗也不间断。最后200多个封建领地已经合并为20多个封建国家。公元前540年曾经有一段时间的和谈，和平持续了40多年，之后敌对的状态恢复，被称为战国时代。有七个主要的国家，但最后被秦国一个接一个征服。公元前221年，王子：政，秦国的老虎，自称为Shih Huang-ti，意思是第一个皇帝。
经济
最初，中国农民种植小米和蔬菜，饲养狗和猪。公元前4000年，水稻成为亚洲最重要的粮食作物。公元前2500年，牛、鸡、羊、山羊和水牛被驯养，用来拉犁和车。尽管有战争的蹂躏，中国古代的经济仍然持续增长。完善的道路网络加速了通信和贸易。大规模灌溉坝遍布整个河流，打破了只能在河流附近的平原进行水上种植水稻的局限。最典型的是将河流引入以前干旱地区的运河。最初建于公元前486年用于方便粮食供应部队。秦国正是凭借这些让人口迅速增长并最后统一全国。后来运河也持续地增加粮食产量。
秦国的另一个优势是他们的铁工业。铁制工具更好用，铁制武器给士兵战斗中的优势。中国人比欧洲早十七个世纪开始铸铁，这是他们社会形成的一个关键因素。
中国有一个与众不同的地方就是他们缺乏奴隶，也没有一个大的土地拥有者，这个现象的根源还未能被理解，但这可能是他们保持巨大粮食产量和人口的原因。
宗教文化
中国古代的宗教以祖先崇拜为主。国王的祖先就是上帝，是人民的祖先和创始人，是自然世界的统治者。上帝和已故的祖先是生活中各个方面的向导。权力与精神联系在一起。统治者是上天的儿子，保证了人民的福利。这些古老的信仰逐渐成为一个国家的两个相互制衡的哲学，这些理论在公元前第六世纪左右形成，用于反驳不满封建制度的理论。
这些哲学中最古老的是道教，有着一系列深奥的谚语。符合道的行动应该是坚定的、简单的。道家主张回归自然，共享社会，是合作的，是没有需求的。就像典型的道教谚语说的：“一个人感觉被刺了，那一定是因为他曾经是个泡泡。”
第二个最有影响的哲学就是儒家思想，是实用的社会意识的学说，给予诚信原则的关系的合作哲学，美德通过自我修养和自我否定而得。儒家思想是通过牺牲和最受祖先传承下来的价值观而达到的完美人格的体现，天堂是对遵守美德的人的奖励。
政权
中国各朝各代都有封建统治着的亲属存在，得到了农民的支持，他们生产了多余的食物，提供了无偿的劳动。公元前221年，新的帝国诞生，原有的结构逐渐改变，皇帝的亲戚是唯一的贵族，其他四个阶级低于他们，分别是士农工商，士是小贵族，土地的拥有者，农是农民，纳税并建设公共设施，必要时成为军队，工是工匠，商是商人。
建筑学
中国古代建筑主要是建墙，用来防卫村镇，并将其分为不同区域，控制城市的入口提高了政权力量。最早的墙使用土填在木板之间压实而成，这种造墙方法导致墙的荷载降低，并且需要屋檐来挡雨。墙体使用晒干的泥土改善了这一局面，战国时期用火烧制的砖出现结束了这一局面。
中国的长城修建于公元前221年统一之后，有两个目的，首先是为了阻挡北方野蛮人的出入，其次是为了让原来是军队的上千万人的劳力有地方用。
军事
中国派出的军队，有时往往比中东那些浩大的战争，需要的人数更多，根据现在的准确估计，超过了十万，以专业军队为主，雇佣军队为辅。
最尚武的封建国家位于中国的北部和西北，最初是被迫为了防御北方的野蛮人。中国古代三大主流王朝发源于北方。青铜时代，商朝时期战车弓箭手比较常见，后来逐渐被战国时期的骑射手和步兵所取代。中国最早发明了弩，比其他地区早了几百年，弩大量用于武装部队，这一现象影响了城墙的防御，由于不知道的原因，盾牌往往由木头或竹子制成。
衰亡
公元9年，西汉王朝被篡位者统治了16年，尝试改革土地所有制失败，篡位者被斩首。公元221年汉朝的崩溃成为一个转折点。虽然中国的帝国一直存在直到20世纪初。
遗产
中国的主要遗产是哲学，包括面相，祖先崇拜，美德以及自然平衡（阴阳）。这些直到现在还在影响他们的文化，最容易识别的象征是长城，是唯一一个在太空中肉眼可见的人造建筑。
这是帝国时代一相关文明说明文件翻译的第（10/12）部：
1.埃及：CV13647116
2.希腊：CV13828033
3.巴比伦：CV13907052
4.亚述：CV13984562
5.米诺斯：CV14070144
6.赫梯：CV14097823
7.腓尼基：CV14186644
8.苏美尔：CV14251992
9.波斯：CV14307291
10.商：本篇
11.朝鲜：
12.大和：
