Western Zhou enforcers? Zhou Feng Guo Yun, Sanmenxia Guo State Museum

Spent two days in Sanmenxia, briefly visited a few attractions, today I will introduce the Guo State Museum, which is quite worth mentioning. The museum is currently a national 4A scenic spot and a national second-level museum. Guo State, King Wen of Zhou enfeoffed his two brothers, Guo Zhong and Guo Shu, as the rulers of Eastern Guo and Western Guo. Eastern Guo was located in Xingyang, Henan, while Western Guo was located in Baoji, Shaanxi, guarding the Western Zhou from both sides. The people of Guo State were skilled in battle and participated in many significant historical events from the Western Zhou to the early Spring and Autumn period. Over time, Eastern Guo was destroyed by the State of Zheng in the early Spring and Autumn period, and Western Guo migrated eastward to the area around present-day Sanmenxia, Henan, eventually being destroyed by the rising State of Jin, leading to the complete exit of Guo State from the historical stage. The museum, the Guo State site was excavated in 1956, rated as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in the country in 1990, and the museum was built and opened in 2000. It underwent renovation and upgrading in 2018, and the overall exhibition is still quite good, featuring a display mode of museum + chariot and horse pits + site. Highlights, bronzes, the museum's collection of bronzes is exquisitely decorated, with a rich variety of shapes and clear inscriptions, worth seeing. Jade, this part is even more stunning, with many ancient jade artifacts used for sacrificial purposes, diverse and exquisite, including some jade sets and various animal-themed pieces, many of which are seen for the first time. Chariot and horse pits and site, the museum is built on the site, preserving many chariot and horse pits and site areas, still worth a visit. "When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold", during the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Jin wanted to attack Guo State and borrowed the way from the State of Yu. The minister of Yu, Gong Zhiqi, advised the ruler of Yu that if Guo State perished, Yu State would also be in danger, just as without lips, the teeth would feel cold. In the end, Yu State still lent the way to Jin State, and after destroying Guo State, Jin State turned around and also destroyed Yu State, which is the origin of the saying "when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel cold". The museum ticket is 40 yuan, located in the urban area of Sanmenxia, with very few visitors, making for a great experience. The highlights are the bronzes, jades, and chariot and horse pits, and it is quite rewarding to visit.