BC-403_Warring States Period

This is 403 BCE, the year that marked the beginning of the Warring States Period. The three marquesses of Han, Zhao and Wei divided up the territory of their suzerain, the King of Jin, and received official recognition from the Emperor of Zhou. The Marquess of Wei reformed the state institutions, took the lead in expansion by making vassals of MidMountain and Wey, and formed an alliance with the marquesses of Han and Zhao, becoming the most powerful faction in the realm. Chu remained the largest state by territory. The King of Chu supported the Count of Zheng to fend off attacks from Han, Zhao and Wei. Meanwhile, the King of Yue formed an alliance with the Duke of Song to contain Chu's growing power. The Marquess of Qi had just seized control of the state and was still consolidating his rule and recovering national strength. The Count of Qin held fast in the west, biding his time for an opportunity.