This resource explores the practices and beliefs of the Shang Dynasty in ancient China, particularly focusing on the role of divination through millet harvests and plastromancy in establishing the King's power and connection to the divine. It examines how the King communicated with ancestors, used heated shells and bones in rituals to predict the future, and the significance of documenting these events to reinforce their legitimacy and authority. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven is introduced, illustrating how rulers were believed to be chosen by a higher power contingent upon their moral governance. The text also highlights the importance of writing as a political tool for maintaining power and legitimizing rule in the context of ancient Chinese society. Additionally, it discusses how archaeological discoveries of oracle bones have enhanced our understanding of history and the implications of lost records on our knowledge of the past.