The Spring and Autumn period was an era of change, turmoil, and the birth of heroes. During this period, the various vassal states competed and competed with each other, forming a magnificent historical picture. Among them, the most eye-catching is the Spring and Autumn Five Tyrants.
The so-called Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period refer to the five famous overlords of Qi Huan, Song Xiang, Jin Wen, Qin Mu and Chu Zhuang Wang, who were famous in the Spring and Autumn Period. With their wisdom, courage and leadership, they rose to prominence on the political scene and became the focus of history in that war-torn era.
01.Qi Huan Gong
Duke Huan of Qi was the first overlord of the Spring and Autumn Period, and he ascended to supremacy by:
1.Appointment of virtuous ministers: Duke Huan of Qi appointed Guan Zhong as the prime minister, implemented reforms, and made the state of Qi gradually stronger.
2.Respect for the King: Under the banner of "Respect for the King", the Duke of Qi Huan united with other vassal states to jointly resist the invasion of the northern minorities and help the vassal states attacked by Rong Di to restore their territory.
3.Kwaiqiu Alliance: In 651 BCE, Duke Huan of Qi established his supremacy by meeting the princes of Kwaiqiu.
02.Qin Mugong
Qin Mugong dominates by the following methods:
1.Appointment of virtuous ministers: Qin Mugong appointed Baili Xi, Jian Shu and other virtuous ministers, which laid the foundation for the strength of the Qin State.
2.Diplomatic strategy: Qin Mugong adopted diplomatic tactics such as marriage and alliance to establish friendly relations with major powers such as Jin and Chu, creating a favorable international environment for the development of Qin.
3.Economic development: Qin Mugong emphasized the development of agriculture and handicrafts, which increased the economic strength of the Qin state.
4.Military conquest: Through military conquest, Qin Mugong expanded Qin's territory and sphere of influence.
03.Song Xianggong
Song Xianggong was known for his benevolence and righteousness, and although he was slightly inferior in military affairs, his noble qualities impressed many people. In the struggle for hegemony among the princes, he insisted on putting morality first, which made him earn high prestige among the princes.
1.After the death of Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Xiang of Song tried to inherit the hegemony of Duke Huan of Qi, but was opposed by other vassal states.
2.In 638 BCE, Song Xianggong fought against the Chu state at the Battle of Hongshui, but due to a tactical error, the Song army was defeated and Song Xianggong was also seriously wounded.
3.After the Battle of Hongshui, Song Xianggong's dream of hegemony was shattered, and the national strength of the Song State gradually declined.
In short, although Song Xianggong was one of the five hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period, he did not really dominate, and his dream of hegemony was finally shattered. The reason why Song Xianggong is considered one of the five tyrants is because he pays attention to "benevolence and righteousness", advocates "gentlemen's war", and opposes attacking wounded enemies and attacking the elderly.
04.Jin Wengong
Jin Wengong dominates through the following methods:
1.Appointment of virtuous ministers: Jin Wengong appointed virtuous ministers such as Hu Yan, Xianzhen, and Zhao Yuan, and carried out reforms, making the Jin State gradually stronger.
2.Battle of Chengpu: In 632 BCE, Duke Wen of Jin established his supremacy by defeating the state of Chu at the Battle of Chengpu.
3.King Qin's rebellion: Duke Wen of Jin helped King Xiang of Zhou quell the rebellion of the prince's belt and increased his prestige.
4.Princes of the Alliance: The Duke of Wen of Jin has met with the princes of the Alliance many times and consolidated his supremacy.
05.King Chuzhuang
King Chuzhuang dominates by the following methods:
1.Appointment of virtuous ministers: King Chu Zhuang appointed Sun Shuao, Wu Ju and other virtuous ministers to carry out reforms, so that the state of Chu gradually became stronger.
2.Battle of Yi: In 597 BCE, King Chuzhuang established his supremacy by defeating the Jin state at the Battle of Yi.
3.Alliances of Princes: King Chuzhuang has met with the princes many times and consolidated his hegemony.
4.Annexation of small states: King Zhuang of Chu expanded the territory and sphere of influence of the state of Chu by annexing a number of small states.
The rise of the Spring and Autumn Five Hegemons had a profound impact on the politics, economy, and culture of the time.
First of all, the emergence of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period broke the monopoly of the Zhou royal family, made the competition between the vassal states more intense, and promoted the process of social change in the Spring and Autumn Period.
Secondly, the state of Qi, one of the five hegemons, achieved strong military power and political influence through reform, and became the overlord of the Spring and Autumn Period, which had an important impact on the later historical development.
In addition, the Jin State, one of the five hegemons, defeated the Chu State in the Battle of Chengpu, stabilized the situation in the Central Plains, and achieved the Jin State's hegemony in the Central Plains, which had a profound impact on the political pattern of China at that time.
In short, the emergence and rise of the Spring and Autumn Five Hegemons promoted the development of history in the Spring and Autumn Period and laid the foundation for the subsequent historical process.