678: Duke Wu of Quwo conquers Jin - Scroll Down for more details

The Conquest of Jin by Duke Wu of Quwo (678 BCE)

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In 678 BCE, a pivotal event occurred in the ancient Chinese state of Jin when Duke Wu of Quwo (曲沃武公) successfully conquered and unified Jin, marking the end of a prolonged power struggle between the ruling house of Jin and its rival branch from Quwo.

Background: The Quwo-Jin Conflict

The state of Jin, located in modern-day Shanxi province, had been embroiled in a decades-long civil war between two branches of the ruling Ji (姬) family:
- The mainline Jin rulers, based in the capital of Yi (翼), who held legitimate authority.
- The Quwo branch, a cadet line that had grown increasingly powerful and sought to overthrow the mainline rulers.

The conflict began in 745 BCE when Marquis Zhao of Jin enfeoffed his uncle Chengshi with the territory of Quwo, inadvertently creating a rival power center. Over the next several decades, the Quwo lords repeatedly attacked and killed Jin rulers, only to face resistance from the Zhou dynasty, which initially supported the legitimate Jin line.

Duke Wu's Rise and Victory

Duke Wu (originally known as Cheng of Quwo) was the fifth ruler of the Quwo branch. After years of warfare, he finally defeated and killed Marquis Min of Jin in 678 BCE, effectively eliminating the mainline Jin rulers. Unlike his predecessors, Duke Wu secured Zhou recognition by sending lavish gifts to King Xi of Zhou, who legitimized his rule and formally invested him as the new Duke of Jin.

Significance of the Conquest

• Consolidation of Jin: Duke Wu's victory ended the Quwo-Jin feud and unified the state under a single ruler, paving the way for Jin's later dominance during the Spring and Autumn Period.
  
• Political Shift: The Zhou dynasty's acceptance of Duke Wu marked a shift in feudal politics, where de facto power could override traditional legitimacy.
  
• Foundation for Future Expansion: Under Duke Wu and his successors, Jin grew into a major power, eventually playing a key role in the conflicts of the Spring and Autumn Period.

Legacy

Duke Wu's reign was short (he died in 677 BCE), but his conquest set Jin on a path to greatness. His descendants, including the famous Duke Wen of Jin, would turn the state into one of the most powerful during the Eastern Zhou era.

Note: While historical records from this period (such as the Zuo Zhuan and Records of the Grand Historian) provide details, some aspects remain debated due to limited sources. Nevertheless, Duke Wu's conquest remains a critical turning point in early Chinese history.

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