At times, the two polities were allies and trading partners, but at least on two occasions war broke out among them, eventually leading to Dapeng's destruction by King Di Xin of Shang around 1060 BC.

Archaeological findings seem to corroborate these records, as large quantities of shells have been uncovered from Qiuwan,[5] and the Xuzhou area appears to have served as major trading hub since the 3rd millennium BC.

[2] According to Sima Qian, Dapeng and its ruling dynasty were eventually destroyed by the Shang royal army in the 11th century BC due to the "unjust behaviour" of Peng Zu's successors.

Modern historians such as Chen Mengjia, Li Xueqin, and Shima Kunio believed that this campaign against Dapeng is likely related to King Di Xin's military expedition into the Huai River valley that was recorded on oracle bones.

[4] The excavators interpreted the findings as sacrifices to the Sheji, God of Earth, who was symbolized by standing rocks,[2] prayed to for a good harvest,[3] and whose cult was prevalent among the eastern tribes as well as the Shang people.