Dynasties of ChinaSpring and Autumn periodEastern Zhou royal family lineage
Reign 606–586 BCE
When he came to the throne, Chu Zhuangwang and Chen Bing asked for the throne in the surrounding suburbs, but Wang Sunman replied, "It's virtue, not Ding"; during his reign, Chu Zhuangwang dominated the Central Plains.
Ji Yu is the son of King Qing and the younger brother of King Kuang. In the year when he came to the throne, Chu Zhuangwang attacked Lu Hun's army. Chen soldiers were in the suburbs. He asked Wang Sunman, who was sent by King Ding to express his condolences, about the size and importance of the nine tripods. Wang Sunman replied, "It's virtue but not the tripod." Chu Zhuangwang had no choice but to retreat. After that, Chu's national power became increasingly powerful: King Zhuang put down the Ruo'ao rebellion, appointed Sun Shuao as his commander, defeated the Jin army at the Battle of Bi in 597 BC, and besieged the Song Dynasty in September to force them to form an alliance, becoming the overlord of the Spring and Autumn period.
The princes of the Central Plains also experienced drastic changes: the State of Lu implemented the "initial taxation of acres" and began to collect taxes based on acres; the State of Jin destroyed the Lu family of Red Di and defeated the Qi army in the Battle of Qin. Within the royal family, there was a dispute between Wang Sunsu and the Zhao family and the Mao family. According to "Book of Han·Gou Xiu Zhi" quoted from "Zhou Pu", the Yellow River changed its course in the fifth year of King Ding's reign. King Ding died after reigning for 21 years, and his son Ji Yi succeeded him as King Jian.
DiplomacyChu Zhuangwang aspires to win the title
Chu Zhuangwang attacked Lu Hun's army. Chen Bing was in the suburbs of Zhou Dynasty and asked Wang Sunman about the size of Jiuding. Wang Sunman replied, "It's virtue, not the tripod," and he also said, "Although Zhou's virtue declined, the destiny of heaven has not changed, so the importance of the tripod cannot be questioned."
Lasting legacyThe idiom "Aspiring to the Central Plains" comes from this incident.
EconomySun Shuaoxing Water Conservancy
Chu Zhuangwang appointed Sun Shuao as his commander. He taught the people, gave lenient punishments and paid less taxes. It is said that he presided over the construction of Sibei and Shaopei during the period, and diverted water to irrigate farmland. The agriculture and national strength of Chu State increased accordingly.
Lasting legacyShaopi is now Anfengtang in Shouxian County, Anhui Province. It was listed as a world irrigation engineering heritage in 2015 and is still irrigating farmland.
PoliticsPing Ruo Ao's Rebellion
The Chu State ordered Yin Doujiao (Ruo'ao clan) to launch a rebellion. Chu Zhuangwang fought a decisive battle with him in Gaohu, put down the rebellion, and killed Ruo'ao clan. The power of the powerful clan of Chu State was attacked, and the royal power became more concentrated.
SocietyYellow River diversion
According to "Hanshu·Gouxu Zhi" quoted from "Zhou Pu", "King Ding migrated to the river in the fifth year". This is the first large-scale diversion of the Yellow River recorded in historical records. Hu Wei of the Qing Dynasty listed it as the first of the great migrations of the Yellow River in "Yu Gong Zui Zhi".
PoliticsXia Zhengshu Rebellion
Chen Linggong had an affair with Xia Ji, the mother of the doctor Xia Zhengshu, and Xia Zhengshu killed Linggong and became independent. Chu Zhuangwang attacked Chen State, killed Xia Zhengshu, and once changed Chen State to Chu County. Later, he followed Shen Shushi's advice and restored Chen State.
MilitaryBattle of Bi
Chu Zhuangwang besieged Zheng. When the Jin army came to rescue, Zheng's state had surrendered to Chu. The generals of the Jin army had different opinions. Xianyu crossed the river without authorization. The Chu army took advantage of the situation to attack. The Jin army was defeated and they fought for their lives in a boat. "There are fingers in the boat." Chu Zhuangwang thus dominated the Central Plains.
EconomyInitial tax acres
The State of Lu implemented the "initial tax on acres". Regardless of whether it was public land or private land, the tax was based on the actual acres. This reform objectively recognized the legitimacy of private land and was an important symbol of the disintegration of the well-field system.
MilitaryChu surrounds Song Dynasty
Chu Zhuangwang besieged the Song Dynasty for nine months. In the Song Dynasty, "he changed his sons to eat, and his corpses were analyzed for cooking." Song Dynasty official Hua Yuan entered the Chu camp at night and told the Chu generals frankly, and the two countries established an alliance: "I have no deceit from you, and you have no danger from me."
Lasting legacyThe idiom "you and I are deceitful" evolved from this alliance word.
PoliticsWangsunsu Rebellion
Wang Sunsu, a minister of the royal family, fought for power with the Zhao family and the Mao family, and sent Wang Zijie to kill Zhao Daigong and Mao Bowei. The royal family continued to fight among themselves, further weakening its position.
MilitaryBattle of Tartar
In order to avenge the humiliation suffered when he was sent as an envoy to Qi, Jin State Ke Ke united with Lu, Wei, and Cao Cao to attack Qi, and defeated the Qi army in Qudi. Qi Qinggong was almost captured, but Che Youfeng Chou's father swapped places with him, allowing Qi Qinggong to escape.
Ming Lu, ascended the throne in 613 BC. He aspired to conquer the Zhou suburbs, quelled the rebellion of the Ruo Ao clan, appointed Sun Shuao, defeated the Jin army in the Battle of Bi, besieged the Song Dynasty and forced it to form an alliance, and became one of the overlords of the Spring and Autumn period.
When he was young, he watched the Qin army pass through the north gate of the royal city and concluded that it would be defeated. When King Ding was ordered to comfort Chu Zhuangwang, he answered the question of the throne by saying "the virtue is not the Ding", thus safeguarding the dignity of the royal family.
He assisted Chu Zhuangwang in his administration and was known for his integrity and tolerance. It is said that he presided over the construction period of Sibei, Shaopei and other water conservancy projects. Sima Qian listed him as the first person in "Historical Records·Biographies of Xunli".
The Chu army surrounded the Song Dynasty and entered the Chu camp at night to persuade the rebels, which led to the alliance between the two countries. In 579 BC, they also mediated between Jin and Chu, leading to the first annihilation meeting.