A study of rise of Zheng and its impact on the great changes from Western Zhou to the Spring and Autumn Period

The Spring and Autumn Period is the turning point in Chinese history. In only three hundred years, the traditional cultural establishment and thoughts inherited from the ancient dynasties were totally reformed. Most of the scholars believe that the great changes of the Spring and Autumn Period began with the death of King You, and King Ping moved the court to eastern capital as they marked the downfall of monarchy and rapid rise of feudal Dukedoms. However, I believe that the rise of Zheng through the defeat King Huan in 715 BC in "The Battle of Ruge" is the crucial factor contributing to the great changes in the Spring and Autumn Period.; This thesis studies the rise of Zheng and its influence on the development of a new kind hegemony---"Ba" (Overlord) System. The first part of this thesis analyzes the historical background and factors of the rapid rise of Zheng. The second part focuses on how Guan Zhong (Qi's prime minister) reforms Qi on the Zheng model and helps Qi Huan Gong become the first "Ba" in the Spring and Autumn Period.; The main reason for the rapid rise of Zheng in just a hundred years attributes mainly to Zheng Huan Gong's overcoming class differences and collaborating with the businessman, thus laying down a strong economic foundation for the East move. Moreover, Zheng Zhuang Gong had abandoned the traditional practice by using infantry to make up for the chariots shortage that led to victory in the Battle of Ruge is the turning point for the success of Zheng's hegemony.; Guan Zhong's ancestral home "Ying Shang" was within Zheng's boundary. When Guan Zhong was young, he witnessed how Zheng Zhuang Gong built and ruled his hegemony. Therefore, the success of Zheng became the best blueprint for him to manage Qi. Guan Zhong emphasized on economic reform and strengthened commercial development. Furthermore, Qi's military reform also imitated Zheng by large increase in infantry. In less than five years, Guan Zhong helped Qi to become a "Ba".; The new order of the Spring and Autumn Period, which lasted for three hundred years, was established with Zheng Zhuang Gong's drawing the blueprint of hegemony, Guan Zhong's modification and implementation in Qi.