Records of the Grand Historian he was listed by Sima Qian as the ninth Shang king, succeeding his brother Yong Ji (太庚).
On the 7th year of his reign a mulberry tree (桑) and millet (穀) were found growing together in his palace.
Tai Wu listen to his intelligent ministers and worked diligently; then, those two unusual trees withered very soon after he became a good king.
In the 26th year of his reign, the Queen of West Rong (西戎) sent an envoy to Shang, the king later sent Wangmeng (王孟) on a return visit.
In the 31st year of his reign, he appointed Zhongyan (中衍) of Fei vassal (費侯) to the position of Chezheng (車正).