Zheng (state)

Zhou dynasty Chinese vassal state (806–375 BC)

State of Zheng

806 BC–375 BC

Map of states in Zhou dynasty including Zheng

Status| Duchy
Capital| Zheng (鄭)
Xinzheng (新鄭)
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
Simplified Chinese| 郑
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Zhèng
Gwoyeu Romatzyh| Jenq
Wade–Giles| Chêng4
IPA| [ʈʂə̂ŋ]

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

Zheng (/dʒɛŋ/; Chinese: 鄭; 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), making them a branch of the Zhou royal house, who held the rank of Bo (伯), a kinship term meaning "elder".

## Foundation

[edit]

Zheng was founded in 806 BC when King Xuan of Zhou, the penultimate king of the Western Zhou, made his younger brother Prince You (王子友) 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 (鄭武公). 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.[1][2][3][4]

## Spring and Autumn period

[edit]

### Early dominance

[edit]

The state of Zheng was one of the strongest at the beginning of the Spring and Autumn period. 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.[5]

### Zheng Wen Gong wen Tai Bo

[edit]

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.[6][7]

### Later period

[edit]

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.[1][2][3][4]

#### Xingyang

[edit]

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.[8] The Xingyang Zheng descendants included Zheng Daozhao and Zheng Xi.[9] Zheng Wanjun was a member of the Xingyang Zheng.[10] Other Xingyang Zheng descendants were Zheng Yuzhong (Zheng Qiao)[11] and Zheng Jiong.[12]

## List of rulers

[edit]

Title  | Given name  | Reign

|
|

Duke Huan of Zheng
鄭桓公 | Yǒu
友 | 806–771 BC
Duke Wu of Zheng
鄭武公 | Juétú
掘突 | 770–744 BC
Duke Zhuang of Zheng
鄭莊公 | Wùshēng
寤生 | 743–701 BC
Duke Zhao of Zheng
鄭昭公 | Hū
忽 | 701 BC
Duke Li of Zheng
鄭厲公 | Tú
突 | 700–697 BC
Duke Zhao of Zheng (second reign)
鄭昭公 | Hū
忽 | 696–695 BC
Zheng-zi Wei
鄭子亹 | Wěi
亹 | 694 BC
Zheng-zi Ying
鄭子嬰 | Yīng
嬰 | 693–680 BC
Duke Li of Zheng (second reign)
鄭厲公 | Tú
突 | 679–673 BC
Duke Wen of Zheng
鄭文公 | Jié
踕 | 672–628 BC
Duke Mu of Zheng
鄭穆公 | Lán
蘭 | 627–606 BC
Duke Ling of Zheng
鄭靈公 | Yí
夷 | 605 BC
Duke Xiang of Zheng
鄭襄公 | Jiān
堅 | 604–587 BC
Duke Dao of Zheng
鄭悼公 | Fèi
沸 | 586–585 BC
Duke Cheng of Zheng
鄭成公 | Gùn
睔 | 584–581 BC
Prince Xu of Zheng
公子繻 | Xū
繻 | 581 BC
Duke Xi of Zheng
鄭僖公 | Yùn
惲 | 581 BC
Duke Cheng of Zheng (second reign)
鄭成公 | Gùn
睔 | 581–571 BC
Duke Xi of Zheng (second reign)
鄭僖公 | Yùn
惲 | 570–566 BC
Duke Jian of Zheng
鄭簡公 | Jiā
嘉 | 565–530 BC
Duke Ding of Zheng
鄭定公 | Níng
寧 | 529–514 BC
Duke Xian of Zheng
鄭獻公 | Dǔn
躉 | 513–501 BC
Duke Sheng of Zheng
鄭聲公 | Shèng
勝 | 500–463 BC
Duke Ai of Zheng
鄭哀公 | Yì
易 | 462–455 BC
Duke Gong of Zheng
鄭共公 | Chǒu
丑 | 455–424 BC
Duke You of Zheng
鄭幽公 | Jǐ
已 | 423 BC
Duke Xu of Zheng
鄭繻公 | Tái
駘 | 422–396 BC
Duke Kang of Zheng
鄭康公 | Yǐ
乙 | 395–375 BC

### Rulers family tree

[edit]

Zheng state

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Huan of Zheng
郑桓公
806–771 BC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Wu of Zheng
郑武公
770–744 BC|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Zhuang of Zheng
郑庄公
757–743 BC – 701 BC| | Gongshu Duan
共叔段|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Zhao of Zheng
郑昭公
700
696–695 BC| | Duke Li of Zheng
郑厉公
700–697
679–673 BC| | Zheng-zi Wei
鄭子亹
694 BC| | Zheng-zi Ying
鄭子嬰
693–680 BC| | 子人
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Duke Wen of Zheng
郑文公
672–628 BC| | 叔詹
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 太子华| | Duke Mu of Zheng
郑穆公
627–606BC| | 子臧| | 公子士| | 公子瑕| | 子俞弥
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Duke Ling of Zheng
郑灵公
605 BC| | Duke Xiang of Zheng
郑襄公
604–587 BC| | 子良| | 子游| | 子罕| | 子驷| | 子国| | 子孔
孔氏| | 子印| | 子丰| | 士子孔
大季氏| | 子然| | 子羽
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Duke Dao of Zheng
郑悼公
586–585 BC| | Prince Xu of Zheng
公子繻
581 BC| | Duke Cheng of Zheng
郑成公
584–571 BC| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zichan|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Duke Xi of Zheng
郑僖公
570–566 BC
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Duke Jian of Zheng
郑简公
570–565 BC – 530 BC
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Duke Ding of Zheng
郑定公
529–514 BC
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Duke Xian of Zheng
郑献公
513–501 BC
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | Duke Sheng of Zheng
郑声公
500–463 BC| | Duke Gong of Zheng
郑共公
455–424 BC
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Duke Ai of Zheng
郑哀公
462–455 BC| | Duke You of Zheng
郑幽公
423 BC| | Duke Kang of Zheng
郑康公
395–375 BC
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Duke Xu of Zheng
郑繻公
422–396 BC|

## Other people from Zheng

[edit]

* Zichan, celebrated philosopher and statesman
* Zheng Mao (鄭瞀), exemplary woman of the Lienü zhuan
* Shen Buhai 申不害, future Prime Minister of Han and "Legalist" philosopher.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Bai Shouyi (2002). An Outline History of China. Beijing: Foreign Language Press. ISBN 7-119-02347-0.
2. ^ a b Creel, Herrlee G. (1970). The Origins of Statecraft in China. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-12043-0.
3. ^ a b Walker, Richard Lewis (1953). The Multi-state System of Ancient China. Shoe String Press.
4. ^ a b Theobald, Ulrich (2018-11-01). "The Regional State of Zheng 鄭". China Knowledge. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
5. ^ Hsu Cho-yun, "The Spring and Autumn period", pp. 551-552, in Cambridge History of Ancient China (1999).
6. ^ Shaughnessy, Edward L. (2023). "10: The Tsinghua Manuscript *Zheng Wen Gong wen Tai Bo". Writing Early China. SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 255–256 (the author's description of this conversation) and pp. 261–264 (its transcription and translation). ISBN 9781438495224.
7. ^ Shaughnessy (2023) refers to an episode in the Zuo Zhuan for Lady Mi: Duke Xi, 22 (638 BCE), i.e., Legge (1983), p.183: "the ladies Me and Këang, wives of Wǎn, the earl of Ch'ing" [that is: Mi, Wen, Zheng].
8. ^ Knechtges, David R. (2014). "Zheng Xi 鄭羲 (426–492), zi Youlin 幼麟". In Knechtges, David R. & Chang, Taiping (eds.). Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature: A Reference Guide, Part Three & Four. Handbook of Oriental Studies, Section 4: China, volume 25/3-4. Leiden, Boston: Brill. pp. 2232–2234\. doi:10.1163/9789004271852_004. ISBN 978-90-04-27185-2.2232-2234&rft.pub=Brill&rft.date=2014&rft_id=info:doi/10.1163/9789004271852_004&rft.isbn=978-90-04-27185-2&rft.aulast=Knechtges&rft.aufirst=David+R.&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=OWLPBAAAQBAJ&q;=zheng+xingyang&pg;=PA2233&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Zheng+(state)" class="Z3988">
9. ^ Robert E. Harrist (2008). The landscape of words: stone inscriptions from early and medieval China. University of Washington Press. pp. 103, 117–118\. ISBN 9780295987286.117-118&rft.pub=University+of+Washington+Press&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=9780295987286&rft.au=Robert+E.+Harrist&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=plGOAAAAMAAJ&q;=zheng+xingyang&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Zheng+(state)" class="Z3988">
10. ^ Chen Jinhua (2007-05-11). Philosopher, Practitioner, Politician: the Many Lives of Fazang (643-712). Brill. p. 146\. ISBN 978-90-474-2000-2.
11. ^ Han Si (2008). A Chinese word on image: Zheng Qiao (1104–1162) and his thought on images. Acta Universitatis Gothoburgensis. pp. 31, 266. ISBN 978-91-7346-607-3.
12. ^ Chen Jinhua (1999). "One Name, Three Monks: Two Northern Chan Masters Emerge from the Shadow of their Contemporary, the Tiantai Master Zhanran (711–782)". The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies. 22 (1). International Association of Buddhist Studies: 42, 39, 90.

### Further reading

[edit]

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

* v
* t
* e

Ancient Chinese states

Zhou dynasty|

| Major states|

* Cai
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|

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Warring States|

| Seven states|

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|

Minor states|

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