恶贯满盈 — “One's evil deeds have accumulated to the brim”

During the late Shang Dynasty, King Zhou was a tyrannical and cruel ruler, provoking immense resentment among the common people and even dismay among the feudal lords, who believed he was unfit to govern. At that time, a feudal lord named Ji Chang advocated benevolent governance and opposed King Zhou's brutal policies, leading King Zhou to imprison him.

Later, Ji Chang's son, Ji Fa, ascended the throne and rallied the feudal lords to launch a punitive expedition against King Zhou. Their large army crossed the Yellow River and advanced towards the Shang capital, engaging King Zhou's forces at Muye.

Ji Fa's army, being a righteous force, was widely welcomed and supported by the populace, who deeply loathed King Zhou's troops. As a result, King Zhou suffered a crushing defeat, eventually immolated himself, and the Shang Dynasty came to an end.

Before leading his troops to attack King Zhou, Ji Fa delivered an impassioned oath to his entire army. He enumerated King Zhou's numerous transgressions, declaring that King Zhou's wickedness had reached its limit (恶贯满盈), that he was guilty of heinous crimes, and that he deserved punishment. Ji Fa urged everyone to unite and eliminate this scourge for the people.