Five Hegemons of Spring and Autumn Period

The "Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period" are the five most influential monarchs of the vassal states recognized during the Spring and Autumn Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC - 476 BC). Under the banner of "respecting the king and repelling the barbarians", they became the leaders of the princes through political and military means, maintaining the order after the decline of the Zhou royal family. 1. Duke Huan of Qi (Jiang Xiaobai) Appointed Guan Zhong as prime minister, carried out reforms, and strengthened the country's strength. He proposed "respecting the king and repelling the barbarians", attacking the Shanrong in the north, rejecting Chu in the south, and stabilizing the Central Plains. Presided over the alliance of princes and became the first recognized overlord. 2. Duke Wen of Jin (Chonger) After 19 years in exile, he returned to China and ascended the throne, rectifying internal affairs and developing the military. He defeated the Chu State in the Battle of Chengpu, presided over the "Jiantu Alliance", and was officially canonized as the overlord by the Emperor of Zhou. 3. King Chuzhuang (Xiong Brigade) "If you don't make a sound, it will be a blockbuster." Aim for the Central Plains and show your ambition for hegemony. The Battle of Bi defeated the Jin State, allowing the Chu State to penetrate deep into the Central Plains and become the hegemon in the south. 4. Qin Mugong (Ying Renhao) He reused Baili Xi and other virtuous ministers to expand westward, "destroying twelve countries and opening up thousands of miles of land." He dominated Xirong, but was blocked by the Jin State due to his eastward advance, so he never became the leader of the Central Plains Alliance. 5. Song Xianggong (Zi Zifu) He regarded himself as "benevolent and righteous" and tried to inherit Qi Huangong's hegemony. In the Battle of Hongshui, he was defeated miserably because he insisted on "no drums, no formations", which was highly controversial in later generations. The wars for hegemony among the Five Hegemons in the Spring and Autumn Period laid the foundation for the comprehensive annexation during the Warring States Period. The idea of ​​"respecting the king and rejecting the barbarians" also became one of the important concepts of political integration in later generations.