Spring and Autumn Five Lords

Author: Lei Xinrong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-10-01
Features: The table of contents of this book includes: 1. The Conflict of the Duke of State; 2. The Battle of Changshao; 3. The Meeting of Bei'ang; 4. The Alliance of Kezhi; 5. Lobbying Duke Heng of Song; 6. Dominating the feudal lords; 7. The Rescue of Zheng; 8. Conquering the Shan Rong. The Spring and Autumn period refers to the period from 770 BC when King Ping of Zhou moved east to Luoyi to 403 BC when the three families of Han, Zhao, and Wei divided Jin. Nominally, it was ruled by the Zhou Dynasty, but in reality, the feudal lords were divided, and powerful states sought hegemony. The Spring and Autumn Five Hegemons are traditionally considered to be Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Xiang of Song, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Mu of Qin, and Duke Zhuang of Chu. Another view holds that Duke Xiang of Song, despite his ambitions to be a hegemon, died before achieving his goals and failed in his alliance, therefore not qualifying as a hegemon. The later struggle for hegemony between Wu and Yue saw King Goujian of Yue persevere through hardships and ultimately achieve hegemony, suggesting that Duke Xiang of Song should not be counted among the Five Hegemons, with King Goujian taking his place. Though there is controversy over the list of the Five Hegemons, the fact remains that they engaged in a struggle for dominance. This book, "The Five Hegemons of Spring and Autumn," deviates from conventional views and focuses on six hegemons rather than the traditional five. This is not to create a sensation but to present the deeds of these hegemonic rulers for readers to judge and draw their own conclusions.