Yi Yin's mother lived by the Yi River. After becoming pregnant, she dreamed that a god told her, "When water flows from your stone mortar, you must head east without hesitation and never look back." Soon after, water suddenly flowed from the mortar. Kind-hearted, she informed her neighbors before heading east. After walking ten miles, she looked back at her home and found it submerged in a vast ocean. She then transformed into a hollow mulberry tree. From within the hollow mulberry tree lived a baby boy, who became Yi Yin.

Zhong Hui, the monarch of the State of Xue, came to the State of Youshen for sightseeing. He noticed that the chef Yi Yin had extraordinary demeanor and chatted with him after the banquet. He learned that Yi Yin was knowledgeable and had a good memory, and was well-versed in all major events in the world. Zhong Hui wanted to buy Yi Yin back to the State of Xue and entrust him with important responsibilities, but after several rounds of negotiations with the monarch of the State of Youshen, he failed to achieve his wish. He had no choice but to give Yi Yin some property to buy his freedom, purchase land, and temporarily settle down, waiting for the right opportunity. After Zhong Hui left, Yi Yin redeemed himself as a commoner according to Zhong Hui's arrangement. He settled down in Qin Zhuang, purchased land, and devoted himself to farming.

Yi Yin was intelligent and diligent from a young age. Although he worked in the fields of the Youshen State, he was fond of the teachings of Yao and Shun. He mastered both cooking techniques and the art of governing a country. He served as a chef for slave owners and aristocrats, as well as a "teacher-servant" for the children of the nobility. He was renowned for studying the governance methods of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, as well as the wise monarchs such as King Yu. So renowned was he that the thirsty-for-talent King Tang of Shang made five trips to the Youshen State, offering jade, silk, horses, and leather as gifts to recruit him.

King Youxin refused to allow Yi Yin to serve King Tang of Shang, so King Tang cleverly married the king's daughter as his concubine, allowing Yi Yin to accompany him as part of the dowry. Later, King Tang directly appointed Yi Yin as his right prime minister, valuing him greatly. The Mencius records, "Tang learned from Yi Yin before making him his minister, therefore he became king without much effort." This means that King Tang grew up under Yi Yin's tutelage and only later made him his minister, thus easily ruling the world.

When Yi Yin was cooking for Tang of Shang, he analyzed the general trend of the world and the way of governance using the "theory of the harmony of the five flavors" and the "theory of the control of fire," and advised Tang to take on the great responsibility of destroying the Xia dynasty.Tang then realized that Yi Yin possessed extraordinary talent, so he relieved him of his post as a court official and appointed him as the Right Chancellor.

When Shang Tang wanted to attack Xia Jie, Yi Yin suggested that they temporarily stop paying tribute to the Xia Dynasty to observe the Xia Dynasty's reaction.

Xia Jie was furious and mobilized the armies of the Nine Yi tribes to prepare for an attack on Shang Tang. Yi Yin said, "It's not time yet. The fact that he can mobilize the armies of the Nine Yi tribes shows that now is not the time to attack."

Tang of Shang then sent someone to apologize to Jie of Xia, requesting the restoration of the vassal relationship and the resumption of tribute payments.

The following year, Tang of Shang again stopped paying tribute. Jie of Xia then tried to mobilize the armies of the Nine Yi tribes, but the Nine Yi armies no longer obeyed his orders. Yi Yin said, "Now we can attack Jie of Xia."

The Shang dynasty first conquered the neighboring Xia-controlled state of Ge, thus securing the Shang capital, Nanbo.He also dispatched his trusted minister Yi Yin to the capital of the Xia Dynasty to investigate the situation.Then, by employing a strategy of eliminating the Xia dynasty's allies one by one, they defeated the Xia vassal states such as Shiwei, Gu, and Kunwu, which were located between Xia and Shang, leaving King Jie of Xia isolated and without support.Next, Tang of Shang led 70 chariots and 6,000 daredevils to attack the capital of Xia.King Jie of Xia had no choice but to hastily lead his royal army to fight the Shang army at Mingtiao. The Xia army suffered a crushing defeat, and this war became the turning point in the Xia Dynasty's demise.

After Zhong Ren's death, his son Tai Jia succeeded him. According to the Records of the Grand Historian, when Tai Jia first ascended the throne, he attempted to continue the benevolent rule of Tang of Shang, but soon after taking the throne, he neglected state affairs, indulged in pleasure, and exhibited immoral behavior.

Yi Yin deeply felt that Tai Jia's moral failings threatened the foundation of the Shang Dynasty. Based on the principles of "divine mandate" and "virtuous governance," he decided to take extreme measures. According to the "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Yin," Yi Yin exiled Tai Jia to Tong Palace and personally assumed regency.

During his time in Tong Palace, Tai Jia reflected on his past transgressions and studied the *Tang Xun* (the governing principles of Shang Tang) and sacrificial rites. Legend has it that he offered sacrifices at Shang Tang's tomb every morning, reading the governing documents left by Shang Tang, and gradually repented. Yi Yin, witnessing his improved character, welcomed him back to the capital and restored him to the throne. After his restoration, Tai Jia devoted himself to governing, rebuilt sacrificial rites, implemented benevolent policies, and restored stability to the Shang Dynasty.