化干戈为玉帛 — “To resolve conflict and hostility”

Yu succeeded to the throne through Shun's abdication, becoming the founder of China's first dynasty, the Xia Dynasty. It is said that Yu lived to be one hundred years old and was buried on Mount Kuaiji. Yu was the son of Gun, the chieftain of the Xiahou clan, and was believed to be a great-grandson of Zhuanxu, becoming a renowned monarch in Chinese history. In his youth, Yu moved eastward with Gun to the Central Plains.

His father Gun was enfeoffed by Emperor Yao in Chong (which is Mount Song, the central sacred mountain), becoming the Earl of Chong, essentially a ruler of a vassal state. At that time, the Central Plains suffered from severe floods, so Emperor Yao ordered Gun to control the waters. As the organization for flood control was semi-military in nature and its commands were strict, Gun's status and power rapidly increased. This developed to the point where he was capable of violently disrupting the 'abdication system' of clan society. Emperor Yao, seeing this threat, ordered Shun to execute Gun at Mount Yu on the charge of 'ineffective flood control'.

After Yu's father was killed, Shun recommended to Yao, saying: 'Gun's son Yu can take over his father's duty and continue the flood control efforts.' Yu, deeply aware of the hidden political intentions, therefore 'dressed simply and lived in humble dwellings,' 'made sound his law and his body his measure,' 'held a plumb line in his left hand and a compass in his right,' 'dredged nine rivers, built dams for nine swamps,' 'measured nine mountains, and opened up nine regions.' He toiled and worried to quell the floods, staying away from home for thirteen years, passing his own doorstep three times without entering. He was loyal to his duties, diligent and frugal, took the lead, and worked tirelessly.

He also divided the territory into nine regions: Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yangzhou, Jingzhou, Yuzhou, Liangzhou, and Yongzhou. Furthermore, Yu did not take credit for his achievements, was modest and uncontentious, humble and self-disciplined, blamed himself for shortcomings, and was benevolent and loved his people.

Previously, Yu's father Gun had built high city walls on his fief to protect himself, causing his subordinate tribes and clansmen to leave him one after another. This also made people from other tribes believe there was an opportunity, and they all watched eagerly for a chance. After Yu became leader, he noticed this situation and immediately sent people to demolish the city walls and fill in the moats. Not only that, but he also distributed his wealth among the people, destroyed weapons, and educated the people with moral principles. Yu led his subordinates, adapting to local conditions, teaching the people to cultivate rice and various grains, and developing agricultural and pastoral production. At this time, the land was stable, the country was prosperous, and the people were strong. Households accumulated enough grain to last several years, and the national treasury's reserves were sufficient for several decades.

Yu led all the people of his tribe to fulfill their responsibilities, and other tribes successively came to submit. When Yu held a grand meeting of chieftains at Mount Tu, tens of thousands of leaders came to present jade and silk treasures. Shun also felt that Yu was a virtuous and capable person who could govern the world, so when he grew old, he abdicated the imperial throne to Yu.