Zheng (state)

Zheng (/dʒɛŋ/; Chinese: 鄭てい; Old Chinese: *[d]reng-s) was a vassal state in China during the Zhou dynasty (1046–221 BCE) located in the centre of ancient China in modern-day Henan Province on the North China Plain about 75 miles (121 km) east of the royal capital at Luoyang. It was the most powerful of the vassal states at the beginning of the Eastern Zhou (771–701 BCE), and was the first state to clearly establish a code of law in its late period of 543 BCE. Its ruling house had the ancestral name Ji (姬ひめ), making them a branch of the Zhou royal house, who held the rank of Bo (伯はく), a kinship term meaning "elder".

State of Zheng 鄭てい國こく
806 BC–375 BC
Map of states in Zhou dynasty including Zheng
Status	Duchy
Capital	Zheng (鄭てい) Xinzheng (新しん鄭てい)
Common languages	Old Chinese
Religion	Taoism, Animism, ancestor worship
Government	Monarchy
Duke
• 806–771 BC	Duke Huan of Zheng
• 743–701 BC	Duke Zhuang of Zheng
• 395–375 BC	Duke Kang of Zheng
History
• King Xuan of Zhou granting land to Prince You	806 BC
• Conquest of the State of Han	375 BC
Currency	Chinese coin; Spade coin
Preceded by Succeeded by Zhou dynasty Han (Warring States)

Zheng
"Zheng" in seal script (top), Traditional (middle), and Simplified (bottom) Chinese characters
Traditional Chinese	鄭てい
Simplified Chinese	郑
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhèng Gwoyeu Romatzyh Jenq Wade–Giles Chêng4 IPA [ʈʂə̂ŋ] Wu Suzhounese Zên Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jehng Jyutping Zeng6 IPA [tsɛŋ˨] Southern Min Hokkien POJ Tēn Tâi-lô Tēnn Old Chinese Baxter–Sagart (2014) *[d]reŋ-s

Foundation

Zheng was founded in 806 BC when King Xuan of Zhou, the penultimate king of the Western Zhou, made his younger brother Prince You (王子おうじ友とも) Duke of Zheng and granted him lands within the royal domain in the eponymous Zheng in modern-day Hua County, Shaanxi on the Wei River east of Xi'an. Prince You, known posthumously as Duke Huan of Zheng, established what would be the last bastion of Western Zhou. He went on to serve as Situ under King You of Zhou. When the Quanrong tribes sacked the Zhou capital Haojing in 771 BC, Duke Huan was killed along with his nephew King You of Zhou.

Duke Huan was succeeded by his son Duke Wu (鄭てい武たけ公こう). Along with Marquis Wen of Jin, Duke Wu supported King Ping of Zhou against a rival, thereby helping to establish the Eastern Zhou. He re-established the state of Zheng in modern-day Xinzheng (meaning New Zheng), Henan, and annexed the state of Eastern Guo and defeated Kuai. The Zheng rulers served as high ministers of the Zhou kings for several generations.

Spring and Autumn period

Early dominance

The state of Zheng was one of the strongest at the beginning of the Spring and Autumn period. Zheng was the first Zhou state to annex another state, Xi, sometime between 684 and 680 BC. Throughout the Spring and Autumn period, Zheng was one of the wealthiest states, relying on its central location for inter-state commerce and having the largest number of merchants of any state. Zheng often used its wealth to bribe itself out of difficult situations.

Duke Zhuang of Zheng (743–701 BC) was arguably a forerunner of the Five Hegemons, though Zheng derived its dominance by dramatically different means compared to those of the later hegemons by defeating an alliance of feudal states led by Zhou itself and wounding King Huan of Zhou. When Duke Zhuang died there was a civil war between his sons and Zheng ceased to be a powerful state.

Zheng Wen Gong wen Tai Bo

This bamboo manuscript records a conversation about Zheng history between Duke Wen of Zheng (r.  672–628 BCE) and the elderly Tai Bo. Zheng state's beginning under Duke Huan (r.  806–771) is recalled by Tai Bo. Duke Huan's son Duke Wu (r.  770–744) moved Zheng state east. Its neighboring states acknowledged Zheng as a paramount power. Duke Zhuang (r.  743–701) furthered Zheng state's position of dominance.

When Duke Zhuang died his elder son Duke Zhao (r.  701, 697–695) took his place. Yet the powerful Zhai Zhong favored his younger son Duke Li (r.  701–697, 680–673) and deposed Zhao to install him. Li, however, later failed to wrest control from Zhai Zhong and was pushed into exiled. After a few years Duke Zhengzi Ying (r.  694–680), Li's younger brother, became the nominal ruler of Zheng, until he was assassinated. Duke Li then returned to rule.

Zheng Wen Gong was the son of Duke Li. At his father's death, Wen's succession was fraught with difficulties. He tells of the help given him by Tai Bo. It allowed Wen to reside in the traditional shed of mourning for his father, and so begin his 45-year rule [672-628].

Yet Tai Bo criticized Duke Wen for his seeking the ease of domestic pleasure. The Duke's principle consort Lady Mi came from Chu state. At times during the rule of Duke Wen, the affairs of Zheng fell under the influence of this powerful state to the south, Chu.

Later period

Chinese states, 5th century BCE

As competition between states intensified, Zheng had no room to expand. Due to its central location, Zheng was hemmed in on all sides by larger states.

During the later stages of the Spring and Autumn period, its territory became of pivotal interest in the rivalry of more powerful states. Zheng was often compelled to switch its diplomatic alliances. It had become a focus of contention between Chu and Qi, then later Chu and Jin. By the 7th century BCE Zheng found itself forced into a minor role.

Notwithstanding, Zheng remained quite strong into the middle and later years of the Spring and Autumn. Under Duke Mu (r. 628–606) Zheng managed to defeat a combined alliance of Jin, Song, Chen and Wei in 607 BCE.

Zheng's prime minister Zichan (543–522) became widely known as a leading statesman among the rival states of the era. Zichan was a grandson of Duke Mu. Zheng was also widely recognized as the first state of China to publish its laws, in bronze in 536 BCE.

Zheng later declined, due to disorders from conflicts among as its feuding clans. In 375 BCE during the following Warring States period Zheng was annexed by Han state.

Xingyang

The Zheng family of Xingyang 荥阳郑氏 claim descent from the Zhou dynasty kings through the rulers of the State of Zheng.

The Marquis of Xingyang rank was created for Zheng Xi. The Xingyang Zheng descendants included Zheng Daozhao and Zheng Xi. Zheng Wanjun was a member of the Xingyang Zheng. Other Xingyang Zheng descendants were Zheng Yuzhong (Zheng Qiao) and Zheng Jiong.

List of rulers

Title	Given name	Reign
Duke Huan of Zheng 鄭てい桓公かんこう	Yǒu 友とも	806–771 BC
Duke Wu of Zheng 鄭てい武たけ公こう	Juétú 掘ほ突	770–744 BC
Duke Zhuang of Zheng 鄭てい莊そう公こう	Wùshēng 寤生	743–701 BC
Duke Zhao of Zheng 鄭てい昭あきら公おおやけ	Hū 忽ゆるがせ	701 BC
Duke Li of Zheng 鄭てい厲公	Tú 突	700–697 BC
Duke Zhao of Zheng (second reign) 鄭てい昭あきら公おおやけ	Hū 忽ゆるがせ	696–695 BC
Zheng-zi Wei 鄭てい子こ亹	Wěi 亹	694 BC
Zheng-zi Ying 鄭てい子こ嬰	Yīng 嬰	693–680 BC
Duke Li of Zheng (second reign) 鄭てい厲公	Tú 突	679–673 BC
Duke Wen of Zheng 鄭てい文ぶん公こう	Jié 踕	672–628 BC
Duke Mu of Zheng 鄭てい穆きよし公おおやけ	Lán 蘭らん	627–606 BC
Duke Ling of Zheng 鄭てい靈れい公こう	Yí 夷えびす	605 BC
Duke Xiang of Zheng 鄭てい襄じょう公おおやけ	Jiān 堅けん	604–587 BC
Duke Dao of Zheng 鄭てい悼公	Fèi 沸にえ	586–585 BC
Duke Cheng of Zheng 鄭てい成しげる公おおやけ	Gùn 睔	584–581 BC
Prince Xu of Zheng 公子こうし繻	Xū 繻	581 BC
Duke Xi of Zheng 鄭てい僖公	Yùn 惲	581 BC
Duke Cheng of Zheng (second reign) 鄭てい成しげる公おおやけ	Gùn 睔	581–571 BC
Duke Xi of Zheng (second reign) 鄭てい僖公	Yùn 惲	570–566 BC
Duke Jian of Zheng 鄭てい簡公	Jiā 嘉よしみ	565–530 BC
Duke Ding of Zheng 鄭てい定じょう公おおやけ	Níng 寧やすし	529–514 BC
Duke Xian of Zheng 鄭てい獻けんじ公こう	Dǔn 躉	513–501 BC
Duke Sheng of Zheng 鄭てい聲こえ公こう	Shèng 勝かち	500–463 BC
Duke Ai of Zheng 鄭てい哀あい公こう	Yì 易えき	462–455 BC
Duke Gong of Zheng 鄭てい共きょう公おおやけ	Chǒu 丑うし	455–424 BC
Duke You of Zheng 鄭てい幽かそけ公おおやけ	Jǐ 已やめ	423 BC
Duke Xu of Zheng 鄭てい繻公	Tái 駘	422–396 BC
Duke Kang of Zheng 鄭てい康やすし公おおやけ	Yǐ 乙おつ	395–375 BC

Rulers family tree

Zheng state

Seven Mu Duke Huan of Zheng 郑桓公かんこう 806–771 BC Duke Wu of Zheng 郑武公こう 770–744 BC Duke Zhuang of Zheng 郑庄公こう 757–743 BC – 701 BC Gongshu Duan 共きょう叔段 Duke Zhao of Zheng 郑昭公こう 700 696–695 BC Duke Li of Zheng 郑厉公こう 700–697 679–673 BC Zheng-zi Wei 鄭てい子こ亹 694 BC Zheng-zi Ying 鄭てい子こ嬰 693–680 BC 子こ人じん Duke Wen of Zheng 郑文公こう 672–628 BC 叔詹 太子たいし华 Duke Mu of Zheng 郑穆公こう 627–606BC 子こ臧 公子こうし士し 公子こうし瑕きず 子こ俞弥 Duke Ling of Zheng 郑灵公こう 605 BC Duke Xiang of Zheng 郑襄公こう 604–587 BC 子こ良りょう 子こ游ゆう 子こ罕 子こ驷 子こ国こく 子こ孔あな 孔あな氏し 子こ印しるし 子こ丰 士し子こ孔あな 大だい季き氏し 子こ然しか 子こ羽わ Duke Dao of Zheng 郑悼公こう 586–585 BC Prince Xu of Zheng 公子こうし繻 581 BC Duke Cheng of Zheng 郑成公こう 584–571 BC Zichan Duke Xi of Zheng 郑僖公こう 570–566 BC Duke Jian of Zheng 郑简公こう 570–565 BC – 530 BC Duke Ding of Zheng 郑定公こう 529–514 BC Duke Xian of Zheng 郑献公こう 513–501 BC Duke Sheng of Zheng 郑声公こう 500–463 BC Duke Gong of Zheng 郑共公こう 455–424 BC Duke Ai of Zheng 郑哀公こう 462–455 BC Duke You of Zheng 郑幽公こう 423 BC Duke Kang of Zheng 郑康公こう 395–375 BC Duke Xu of Zheng 郑繻公こう 422–396 BC

Other people from Zheng

• Zichan, celebrated philosopher and statesman
• Zheng Mao (鄭てい瞀), exemplary woman of the Lienü zhuan
• Shen Buhai 申さる不ふ害がい, future Prime Minister of Han and "Legalist" philosopher.

References

Further reading

• Li Yan (2002-09-19). "Another Royal Tomb of 'King Zheng' Discovered in Henan". People's Daily. Beijing.