The early development of the state of Jin: From its enfeoffment to the hegemony of Wen Gong (r. 636-628 B.C.)

This study deals with how and why the state of Jin became the most powerful state of all China by the latter half of the seventh century B.C. Utilizing the archaeological and inscriptional sources discovered recently in Shanxi, this dissertation focuses on the relationship between Zhou and Jin and the transition of that relationship as the main impetus for the development of Jin. The Duke of Zhou enfeoffed Jin in southwestern Shanxi with the hope of withstanding the challenges not from the Rong and Di but from the remaining pro-Shang powers there. The material culture represented by the Beizhao cemetery of the Jin lords clearly shows that Jin was very closely bound to Zhou culture during the Western Zhou period. The "Jin Hou Su bianzhong" inscription from the same site also attests to the close relationship between the Zhou king and Lord Su of Jin. Jin Wen Hou (r. 780--746 B.C.) further played a critical role in the eastward evacuation of King Ping. It was however not until the usurpation of the junior branch of Quwo in 679 B.C. that the state of Jin was freed from the influence of Zhou and thus developed into a very progressive regional power. Entering into a new, closer relationship with the non-Zhou people and conquering all other feudal states of Zhou in southwestern Shanxi, Xian Gong (r. 676--651 B.C.) provided the most important background for the hegemony of Jin. Jin Wen Gong, succeeding in reforming the state, became Premier of all China and eventually eclipsed Jin's former patron Zhou. Therefore, whereas the early development of Jin can be attributed in considerable part to its close relationship with Zhou, its elimination of Zhou authority in Shanxi paradoxically made possible its rise to become the most powerful state of all China in the latter half of the seventh century B.C.