Spring and Autumn Era: Part 2. The Exiled Prince 春秋: 晋楚之争
Music: Uncompromising Strength
A time of great wars had came between 2 of the greatest powers of the age. This would be an age of thundering chariots and fierce rivalries. The year is 640 BC. the divided Zhou realm laid in disarray after the implosion of Qi- the state where the first Hegemon rose in the Spring and Autumns era. At the same time, smelling its chance, the barbarian Kingdom of Chu would not be stopped in its ruthless expansion into Central China and toward the core capital of the Zhou realm. It was time that another Hegemon take the reins of overlordship. In this age, chariots are the last argument of Kings.
The 2 Juggernauts faces off. Two of the most powerful Spring and Autumn states- Jin in blue, with fresh annexations and conquests marked in light blue, and Chu in purple, with areas of its aggressive annexations marked in lavender. The belligerent state of Chu aggressively expanded in all directions in such rapidity that it managed to double its size twice in the last half a century. At the time of the Jin- Chu wars, Chu was poised to annex most of the small states in the Central Plains. The next 2 Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn era would emerge from Jin and Chu respectively.
Music: Solemnity
GREAT CLASHES- CONTENTION OF CHU AND JIN
VAST FRONTIER DOMAINS
With the death of the charismatic Duke Huan of Qi, the Zhou realm lost its pole star. Qi not only rapidly imploded in infighting but externally, its succession war ruined the networks of well- laid diplomatic web of relationships Qi had built with many of its former sworn vassals. Once- Qi firmly dominated the politics of eastern Zhou to such an extent they were practically de facto Kings in their own right- lording over dozens of smaller states in the Central Plains that pledged themselves under Qi's protection. What's more, they did so under the official blessings of the King of Zhou acting as "Hegemons" ~overlords of such immense power they were empowered to marshal the realm's armies in defense against barbarians and police the affairs of other states as they see fit. But now, in the wake of Huan's death, a new Hegemon is sorely missed- for these are extremely dangerous times.
By this time, the sizes of states- especially those on the frontiers of the realm had became astronomical in size. After nearly 2 centuries of fighting whatever barbarians on their own frontiers, those boarder lords had incorporated these tribes and peoples all into their own domains- in each cardinal direction, there was a great lord that dominated the frontiers.
The Death of Duke Huan of Qi left many of the small states along Central China without a protector and the dangerous vacuum was immediately exploited by ambitious predatory state of Chu in the south. In only half a decade, Chu massively expanded eastward, devouring several dozens of smaller states and nearly doubles in size. After having done that, it then turned its attention northward, drastically encroaching closer and closer to annex many of the small central states. By this time, Chu was not only huge is size, but the whole southern frontier was their domains.
The Zhou realm immediately in the wake of Duke Huan's death: Chu (purple)'s eastward expansions marked in light purple. Taking advantage of the fact it is flanked by many petty states to its east. Chu rapidly annexed all of them, deposed their rulers, and nearly doubled its size. These rapid annexation and expansion greatly alarmed the Central states (gold) who lost the protection of the recently deceased Duke Huan of Qi. Without a protector, they too were on the menu in the path of Chu's break neck- paced expansion into Central China. In the north, the state of Jin is marked in light blue. The bloodiest cycles of wars in the Spring and Autumn era would erupt between these 2 states.
All of the south marches with the ambition of the Chu Kings~ and yes, *Kings, for the Chu rulers- though originally only enoffed as mere 子爵 viscounts, have now brazenly made themselves "Kings" at the heads of many southern barbarian tribes that swore solely- and personally to the Chu rulers and not the Zhou Kings. With Qi having lost order in its house, the powerless King of Zhou and the many defenseless Central states were in swift need of a strong arm to lean on.
Music: A Hero's Journey
NORTH AND THE SOUTH
THE BARBARIAN VANQUISHERS
A clan that was the shielded spine of the north.
To the north, a great deal of distance away from the anxiety and rampant fears of Central Plains, there existed a formidable state: A clan that- to the rest of the Zhou realm was the shielded spine of the north. Stretching from what is today's mountainous Shanxi province, Jin was the break water between the Zhou realm and all of the hordes of invaders from the steppes that crashed against its domains. Like Qi- they too were formidable overlords, and during the ascension of Qi also made themselves the undisputed masters of their sphere.
After centuries of politicking among its neighboring tribes from the steppes and beyond, they became masters of them all in marriage and alliances. All that laid between the steppe lands and the Zhou royal capital at Luoyang was Jin's hold. Perhaps the most to be said about this house was that they were not nobodies. In fact, they were the Royal Uncles- for their ancestors were cadet branches of the Zhou Kings themselves. No one doubted that the Dukes of Jin would come to the Zhou King's rescue, after all they were closely related. The next Hegemon would arise from this warrior's house.
THE LONG EXILED PRINCE
The first thing to be noted is that Duke Wen is a title but not the name of the great lord himself. Wen- born as Chong'er was born to Duke Xian of Jin in 697 BC. In Chong'er's youth it was his misfortune that he was born into a court of intrigue. By blood- Chong'er was not fully a Zhou- blooded native but his mother 狐季姬 Houji Ji was a princess from the Di people of the steppes. Astute diplomatic marriages were part of the methods in which the state of Jin was able to rapidly assert themselves into the steppe lands. However, in Chong'er's youth this also meant that he was in a house full of half-brothers who had ambitious mothers. Duke Xian of Jin married six wives who gave birth to five sons.
A STEPMOTHER'S SLANDER
Chong'er's half-brothers included Shensheng, Yiwu, and Xiqi. While Shensheng was the original crown prince, in his later years Duke Xian favoured the concubine Li Ji 骊姬, who desired her son Xiqi to be made heir instead. To further bolster her ambition, Li Ji committed adultery with her husband's most trusted adviser You Shi. With a foothold in the court (and an experienced henchman) secured. The 2 began to plot against the crown prince. As such, was able to frame Shensheng before his father by lacing the crown prince's gift of meat to his father with poison. Shensheng was ruined, and eventually the wronged Shensheng was forced to commit suicide in 656 BC. Before his own suicide, the despondent Shensheng summoned Chong'er and warned him that he should escape Li Ji at once, for because Chong'er was also in line for the throne he would be next. The young Chong'er immediately took heed and fled the capital. This event led to a civil war in Jin, known as the Li Ji Unrest, where Duke Xian led several campaigns against his own sons, forcing them to flee Jin.
The shield of the north. The Jin state marked in blue. With territories of the barren steppelands marked in orange. Almost the entirety of Jin was located on a mountain range. Beyond it to the west lay both the steppe lands and the Gobi desert. For centuries, Jin waged a ceaseless war against the chariot- borne steppe invaders from the west. In time, this proven warrior's house became excellent charioteers and had many vassals from the steppes through both fealty and marriage.
FATHER AND SONS- THE JIN CIVIL WAR
After Prince Shensheng committed suicide, Li Ji falsely accused Chong'er and Yiwu of revolting, and the two princes escaped to Pu and Erqu, respectively. In 655 BCE, the 22nd year of his reign, Duke Xian sent troops to Pu and Erqu to capture Chong'er and Yiwu, but Yiwu escaped to the nearby western state of Liang. Also during this time Chong'er escaped north to the Di tribes, where his mother originally came from- with a flock of loyal subjects.
Di 狄- People, collectively called the "Northern Di" a steppe people that roamed the lands of what is today's upper Ordos Loop and northern Shanxi and Hebei. Although initially described as nomadic, they seem to have practiced a mixed pastoral, agricultural, and hunting economy. A Di- Shaman (above) with masked helmet and hand dagger axe. Di- artifacts, from the later Di states in early Warring States period.
DEATH OF THE CONSPIRATORS- THRONE PASSED ON
Despite Chong'er's momentary respite, events within Jin fell into near anarchy in his absence. 4 years later, Duke Xian died. After the death of Duke Xian on the ninth month of 651 BCE, Li Ji placed her son, the 15-year-old Crown Prince Xiqi on the throne and made the minister Xun Xi Chancellor to help the boy in government affairs.
However, on the tenth month of 651 BCE, a minister loyal to the exiled princes- Li Ke (里克) killed the 15 year old Xiqi a month after his accession. Duke Xian was not yet properly buried at that time. The panic struck- Xun Xi and Li Ji then placed a toddler Zhuozi on the ducal throne (Zhuozi was the nephew of Li Ji since Li Ji and her younger sister were both wed to Duke Xian) This too- met with disaster. After that, Xun Xi finished the burial of Duke Xian. On the eleventh month of 651 BCE, Li Ke killed Zhuozi and his aunt Li Ji. According to 《列女传》"Biography of Women" Li Ji was still alive before Zhouzi was killed, but was executed after. The powerless Xun Xi then committed suicide by hanging himself. Shao Ji, the younger sister of Li Ji and mother of Zhuozi, was imprisoned. Having- through violence, toppled Li Ji and her faction, the loyalist Li Ke then invited Prince Chong'er who was then in the State of Qi back to ascend the Jin throne.
But Chong'er- not wanting the burden of the throne, declined. Li Ke then invited Prince Yiwu who was then in the State of Liang and he accepted. Yiwu ascended the throne, becoming posthumously known as Duke Hui. Unfortunately for Chong'er, his half brother's ascension would mean greater disaster for him and his followers.
TORTUOUS JOURNEYS
Yiwu, now Duke Hui's rule turned out to be disastrous, immediately Yiwu sentenced Li Ke to commit suicide to atone for his role in the deaths of his two predecessors. Then he purposely antagonized the nearby powerful state of Qin- lead by one of the most capable rulers, Duke Mu (that in some traditions was regarded as 1 of the 5 Hegemons) Duke Mu then defeated Yiwu in battle and captured him. But felt pity and escorted him back to Jin. When Yiwu returned to his court he became paranoid because many within the court were sympathetic to the exiled Chong'er and wanted him to be the true leader in Jin. Therefore Yiwu sent out assassins to the Di tribes with the goal of killing Chong'er. When Chong'er and his followers were forewarned of this, they fled to the great state of Qi for protection. A context of these events is that all of what had transpired so far within Jin:~ from the schemes of Queen Li Ji to the exile of the Princes, and the ascension of Duke Hui- all happened during the Hegemonic rule of the (at this time) still living Duke Huan of Qi.
Very soon, in a few years from this time, Qi would implode and the realm would spiral into chaos, and it was in this era, that Chong'er became the titanic Duke Wen. In 644 BC, after the failed assassination attempts by his half brother Duke Hui, Chong'er took refuge in the State of Qi, his mother's other homeland. However, during his stay there, the powerful Duke Huan of Qi died in 643 BC. His passing immediately instigated a massive civil war among the Qi princes. For: like Jin- the Qi princes were also all half- brothers thus owed each other no allegiance nor reciprocity. Qi was immediately engulfed in chaos. The Qi capital was burned and even the powerful Duke Huan's body laid unburied for months left to decay while Qi imploded. The first great Hegemon of the age had fallen.
Music: Resolute Sorrow
What followed was a 19 year period of exile. During this time, Chong'er's condition deteriorated greatly in his long flight. Although they began the long trek still as lordly exiles, during the decades of flight and desperation Chong'er and his followers became little more than vagrants. There were long period of extreme hunger and times where he and his followers were robbed and barely survived with their lives. They slept in stables and hovels, and at times even begged for food so they could live to another day.
Chong'er lived like the poorest of the poor on his long travels. There were long period of extreme hunger and times where he and his followers were robbed and barely survived with their lives. They slept in stables and hovels, and at times even begged for food so they could live to another day. Despite this, the charismatic Chong'er was able to attract a great group of talented scholars into his flock, many times he was able to impress his regal hosts and at time charmed their squires and ministers into joining his cause. Through the collective hardship, they became sworn brothers.
After 639 BC, he fled first to the small state of Cao, then the states of Song, Zheng, then, the great formidable state of Chu and finally the great state of Qin. Over this tortuous 19-year period of exile, Chong'er did not waste any opportunity to appeal to the most learned men from his exile and invited them to travel with him on his journeys.
RISE OF THE SCHOLAR OFFICIALS
The Shi class was one of the 4 classes in ancient China, and could be conceptualized as scholar~ knights in ancient China, similar to the samurai- turned bureaucrat of Edo Japan, or the French Noble of the Robes "Noblesse de robe" in the Ancient Regime. They were men of exceptional intelligence kept by the great lords. The Shi 士 were originally a militaristic order composed of minor nobles who served as charioteers and chariot- mounted guards of the great lords of Shang and early Zhou dynasties. However by the height of the Spring and Autumn period, the changing nature of warfare eventually transformed most of the Shi class from warriors to highly educated scholars who served as teachers, scribes, secretaries, courtiers, advisers, strategists, and ultimately- powerful ministers for their lords. They were also mercenary philosophers, and many wandered and travelled seeking employment by courts that favored their teaching.
However, unlike many of the powerful blood nobles of the realm, most of the Shi must prove their usefulness through merit in order to be retained in the great houses of the period. Many of the most remarkable minds of ancient China, from Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, Su Qin, Mencius, all came from this class. They straddled between the old nobility and the common people. Eventually, Shi became synonymous with prominent intellectuals and many of them would found hundreds of schools of thoughts in what was known as the Hundred School of Thought: a golden age of Chinese philosophy. And it was these men that Chong'er employed or invited in abundance.
Shi 士, the shi were highly educated servants and served as courtiers, advisors, strategists, and in times- ministers for their lords. Many of the most remarkable minds of the conflicts of during the Zhou came from this class, from Laozi, Mencius, Sun Tzu, to Confucius.
There was such a talented flock that followed Chong'er in his travels that a lady of a foreign court once commented that "When I look at the followers of the prince of Jin, every one of them is fit to be a premier of a state". These men will be vital in the ascension of Jin. Speaking of which~ in 638 BC, Duke Hui grew gravely ill and died in the thirteenth year of his reign. Duke Mu of Qin escorted Chong'er back to Jin with an army, and Chong'er was installed as the Duke of Jin.
Music: War
THE GREAT CHAOS OF THE AGE
The newly enthroned Duke returned to the setting at the beginning of this story. It had been 7 years since the death of the first Hegemon and Central China was in chaos. the belligerent predatory state of Chu had been rapidly expanding in all directions, outright absorbing several dozens of smaller states to its east and doubled in size. These rapid annexation and expansion greatly alarmed the Central states of Song- who lost the protection of the recently deceased Duke Huan of Qi. Without a protector, they too were on the menu in the path of Chu's break neck- paced expansion into Central China. And it was here that Jin asserted it's place in the realm's politics.
MASSIVE REFORMS
Duke Wen undertook several major reforms of the state's military and civil institutions, partly in order to fill the gaps that had been caused by the slaughter of the ducal house previously. These included the formation of a three-army system, with an upper, middle and lower army each commanded by a General and a Lieutenant-General. This ensured both greater tactical flexibility as well as greater autonomy for each respective wings of the deployed army. The state was further invigorated by the many capable leaders Duke Wen had gathered from his wanderings, who were given senior military and governmental posts. Since Duke Wen personally knew each and every one of his key followers during the nearly 2 decade long of exile they were to be trusted with immense responsibilities and served as key pillars of the Jin government.
On the diplomatic front, Wen also embarked on a series of ambitious overtures to both the east and west of the elongated Jin domains. Already warm to the state of Qin- which offered him personal protection and escorted him back to Jin with with its soldiers. Wen then forged an alliance with Duke Mu. For the next decade, Jin and Qin could be close partners in matters of the state. Leading to the common saying, 秦晉之好 or "Friendship of Qin and Jin" served to illustrate ideal friendship between states.
OVERLORD
Having reformed his state and secured its western flank, Wen then began to actively intervene in the patchwork of smaller states in the Central Plains to Jin's east. With this army, as well as his considerable prestige, Duke Wen was able to absorb many of the states around Jin, greatly increasing its extent, while also subjecting others as vassals; its vassal states included Cao, which he attacked in reprisal for the rude treatment afforded him during his exile (either extremely rude disruption while he was bathing or suggested rape.) At the same time, he took the political stance of supporting the Eastern Zhou court and King Xiang of Zhou. When in 635 BC King Xiang was deposed and driven out by his brother, Duke Wen led a coalition of states which re-installed him as King.
COLLISION COURSE WITH CHU
Western Zhou helmet- excavated from the small state of Xue.
Having made itself the preeminent power in north- central China. Wen then pledged itself as the protector of the Central states bullied by the belligerent expansion of Chu. During this time, Chu was actively cultivating relations with several of the Central states, laying the groundwork for intervention in those regions and increased Chu military presence north of the Yellow River. Predictably, Chu did not heed Jin's assertion. Instead thought to test Jin by invading a small Jin ally.
For the upcoming battle, Jin alone deployed over 700 chariots. This is not to mention the chariotry provided by the other states of the coalition forces. In all, the forces assembled at Chengpu consisted perhaps the greatest amount of chariots ever mustered during chariot warfare in China.
In 633 BC, Chu attacked the State of Song , and the State of Song urgently asked Jin for assistance. This would end up drawing a major fault line across most of the Zhou realm, and nearly all powers in the Zhou realm would join. What followed could be considered the Great War- of the Spring and Autumn era and the biggest battle to break out during this period. On the side of Jin was joined the great frontier states of Qin and Qi (having restored itself to relevance again) and of course the besieged Song. While on the other, Chu- with several of the dissatisfied states in Central China, Zheng (a long time rival of Song and insider proxy for Chu) Cao (which Jin had formerly invaded) Wey, Chen, Cai, and Xu.
THE (1st) GREAT WAR OF SPRING AND AUTUMN ERA
BATTLE OF CHENGPU-
PRELUDE
Bronze helmets and armor of Shang & Spring and Autumn era.
The crab- like dance before Chengpu stem from both sides backing embittered proxies in the region. In the early phase, the two states' conflict was mostly played out among the smaller states which lay between their territories and formed alliances with one state or another. For daring to ally with Chu, Jin invaded Cao and Wey both, which were promptly defeated. After being overawed by Jin strength, both surrendered and detached themselves from the Chu alliance. However, in response to this affront, in the winter of 633 BC Chu marshalled its full strength and invaded the Jin allied state of Song. Chu forces broken through Song forces easily and soon the Song capital was surrounded by the Chu army.
During Chong'er's long exile he had once took shelter under the Duke of Song and was very well treated. For this reason, -and for their key strategic role as a counterweight against Chu, Duke Wen ordered an expeditionary Jin army to race eastward at the beginning of 632 to rescue the besieged Duke of Song.
THE JIN PULLOUT
A record written after this period related that during the exiled Wen's stay at Chu he was once asked by his host, King Cheng of Chu how he would repay the Chu King if he ever returned to power. As a repayment for this promise of kindness, the Jin army retired "three days march" (退避三舍) (45 km) from the shores of the strategically defensive Yellow River banks before camping on the plain of Chengpu on the border of Wei and Cao, awaiting a decisive battle. The retirement also linked the Jin forces up with Qi and Qin reinforcements.
Seeing the Jin redeployment, King Cheng of Chu discouraged pursuit of the Jin forces. Stating to his commanding Chancellor Ziyu 子玉 that Chong'er had already pulled out, there would be no point in pursuing him and Chu forces should concentrating on strangling Song. However, Chancellor Ziyu pressed on the attack with his central wing of the Chu army. This prompted the other Chu wings to follow his brash lead.
Music: Mandate of Heaven
At Chengpu, the 2 massive armies met. Though Jin's initial pullout appeared to be a move made in weakness. In reality it lured the Chu forces into a waiting trap. In each part of the Jin army was led by someone ably appointed to the post, and the many separate wings of the Jin army was led by a trusted and skilled friend of the Duke. The Jin wings also has a high degree of tactical autonomy because beneath the general of each wing was also led by a lieutenant- general. Chengpu would be a concert of dazzling maneuvers.
The Jin was well prepared and well rested, with over some 700 chariots ready for battle. The Jin army attacked first with the advance of both wings of the Jin army. Having observed that the right wing of the Chu army was composed of mostly vassal army's soldiers from Chen and Cai. Jin redeployed their strongest vanguards to face the enemy. The battle began with a head long charge by hundreds of Jin charioteers and the overwhelming assault broke the right wing of Chu. The army of Chen and Cai retreated, and the whole right flank of the Chu army became exposed.
Meanwhile skirmish were conducted by Jin and Chu forces on Chu's left flank. At an appointed moment. Two great banners of the Jin commander-in-chief himself were raised as a signal, and Jin forces under commander Luan Zhi ordered his prepared chariots to drag long branches behind them and feign a retreat~ the chariots set up massive plumes of dust and the Jin forces appeared as if they were fleeing. (The great dust would also intentionally serve as a screen that obscured movement of Luan Zhi's chariots that's actually circling around and reforming for a flanking assault.) The Chu left-, made up mostly of levies from the vassal state of Chen reported that Jin's offensive had collapsed. Confident of this opportunity, the Chu Chancellor took the bait, and ordered a full head long assault with the Chu left wing.
The Chu army fell into the waiting trap. As the Chu left wing blindly raced forward pressing its attack, it was completely exposed. Suddenly, Jin's "fleeing" soldiers turned back, and was joined by fresh units from Jin's center wing. The 2 front attacks crashed into the would be Chu pursuers and wedged it on 2 sides. Seeing this, Ziyu tried to order his own center to reinforce the trapped Chu left but the blowing dust cloud blinded the Chu center from reinforcing their struggling comrades.
Chengpu was one of the best documented battles of the Spring and Autumn era, with many of the commanders for the wings, and their performances well recorded. As the Chu left advanced, it was caught in the flank by Duke Wen's bodyguards, composed of the sons of noble clansmen and sons of his close followers and thus flanked by the Jin central army. And it was at the height of this disaster that Luan Zhi's chariots circled back.
And it was just at this time, that the Jin right wing under Luan Zhi - previously safely obscured by their chariot's dust cloud, detached their branches- circled around and also smashed into the Chu left in the flank. Having been flanked and surrounded on all sides, the entire Chu left wing was annihilated. Seeing that both the Chu left and right wing were completely destroyed and his center enveloped. Ziyu ordered a hasty retreat with the central army (composed nearly entirely of Chu native soldiers) and began a humiliating headlong march back across the Yellow River to Chu. Along the way, on hearing the news, the furious King of Chu blamed his Chancellor, who committed suicide at Liangu.
AFTERMATH
"Hegemon"
Upon hearing the news, Duke Wen was overjoyed. The Jin army then occupied the Chu army camp and celebrated for three full days. In May of that year (632 BC), Duke Wen and the lords of Lu, Qi, Chen, Song, Cai, Zheng, Wey, Ju, and King Xiang of Zhou met in Jiantu in what was known as the Conference/ League at Jiantu 践土之盟, the great lords and King Xiang of Zhou conferred Duke Wen the title of Hegemon. Thus rose the 2nd great Hegemon of the Spring and Autumn era.
And thus, the second great Hegemon of the Spring and Autumn era was made following Duke Huan of Qi's example- Central Plains- and also that of the Zhou royal house came under the protection of Jin. The Battle of Chengpu would check Chu ambitions for nearly a generation. Duke Jin would die 4 years later in 628 BC, and was succeeded by his son Duke Xiang of Jin; his son also inherited the hegemony, which would stay with Jin for nearly a century.
The Jin hold- by the time of Duke Wen's death. Not only was the Zhou Kings indebted to Jin's protection, Jin was seen as the default overlord over the Central States. Diplomatically secured in both the east and west with Qin, Jin then extended north and absorbed many tribes under its sway. Having taken control of 3 of the 4 petals of a geopolitical clover- Jin would dominate Zhou politics for half a century after this and would have several of its lords inherit the title of Hegemon throughout the next century.
CHU BROODS AND LICKS ITS WOUNDS
Music: The South Barbarians
However, Jin's hegemony- despite lasting longer than that of Qi, was not to stay unchallenged for long. Although Chengpu tempered Chu's ambitions to crash north in an avalanche, it was unable to exorcise Chu's brazen ambitions. In only half a century, the next great Hegemon would be a Chu King- a Chu King who broke the rest of the Zhou world to bent and acknowledge his greatness. Join us next time as we cover the wastrel Chu King who astounded the world "with one cry" like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
Thank you to my Patrons who has contributed $10 and above: You made this happen!
➢ ☯ Muramasa
➢ ☯ MK Celahir
➢ ☯ Kevin
➢ ☯ Vincent Ho (FerrumFlos1st)
➢ ☯ BurenErdene Altankhuyag
➢ ☯ Stephen D Rynerson
➢ ☯ Michael Lam
➢ ☯ Peter Hellman
➢ ☯ SunB
Comments
~
As for why didn't Chu simply focus on expanding southward. Well...they have, that's how they became so big in the 1st place, ever since the foundation of Zhou they have forayed southward numerous times until they essentially became a kingdom at the head of dozens vassals and hundreds of tribes. This was a century long process. And even during the Spring and Autumn and later the Warring States period they never stopped conquering southward. By the Warring States period practically all of the south was Chu's holding.