King Yi's reign is poorly documented. The first year of his reign is confirmed by a solar eclipse on April 21, 899. He succeeded his uncle
King Xiao, who was in turn succeeded by King Yi's son
King Yí, who was "restored by the many lords". The
Bamboo Annals state that he moved from the capital from
Zongzhou () to a locality called Huaili. This hints that he was removed from power by his uncle, but the matter is uncertain. Yi's grandson was
King Li of Zhou.
Sima Qian records that there was a period of decline that prompted poets to satirize his reign. A collection of pots from the thirteenth year of his reign describe him giving an imperial edict in the Situlǜ Palace () in Chengzhou (), which was recorded by Yi Dian (), to Ya Bo (), Chi Xi (), and others unnamed, who kowtowed in response. ==Family==