[1][2] He was renowned for acting as a capable and loyal regent for his young nephew King Cheng, and for successfully suppressing the Rebellion of the Three Guards and establishing firm rule of the Zhou dynasty over eastern China.

His eldest brother Bo Yikao predeceased their father (supposedly a victim of cannibalism); the second-eldest defeated the Shang dynasty at the Battle of Muye around 1046 BC, ascending the throne as King Wu.

[4][5]: 52  The Duke of Zhou successfully attained the regency and administered the kingdom himself,[5]: 54  leading to revolts not only from disgruntled Shang partisans but also from his own relatives, particularly his older brother Guan Shu.

The Duke of Zhou was credited with elaborating the doctrine of the Mandate of Heaven, which countered Shang propaganda that as descendants of the god Shangdi they should be restored to power.

[9] Therefore upholding virtue and ruling with justice and clemency, showing pity to the orphans and widows, and ensure respectful treatment to everyone corresponds to the will of Heaven and the people, as Duke Zhou expresses and emphasized to the young king Cheng and his courtiers.

[10] On a more practical level, the Duke of Zhou expanded and codified his brother's system of territorial administration,[4] granting titles to loyal Shang clansmen and even establishing a new capital city at Chengzhou around 1038 BC.

[7] Laid out according to exact geomantic principles, Chengzhou was the home of King Cheng, the Shang nobility, and the nine tripod cauldrons symbolic of royal authority, while the Duke continued to administer the kingdom from the former capital of Haojing.