Quan (state)


The State of Quán was a small Zhou Dynasty vassal state of Central China. A Marquisate, then Dukedom, its rulers were descendants of Shang Dynasty ruler Wu Ding with the surname Zi. Quan was founded by Wen Ding’s son Quan Wending in the area of modern day Maliang Town, Shayang County, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, next to what would later emerge as the State of Chu.

History

During the Xia and Shang Dynasties, China was divided into the Nine Provinces at which time Jingmen City was classified as part of Jingzhou.

In the 11th century BC the Duke of Zhou received orders from King Cheng of Zhou to announce an edict concerning descendants of the royal Ji family. They were given land in the Shihui Bridge area of Shayang County where they established the State of Ran, also known as the State of Na and the State of Quan. The initial ruler of Quan was given the title “First Duke of Quan”. The history of both Ran and Quan during the Western Zhou Dynasty is not recorded.

At the beginning of the Spring and Autumn period Chu's power was in the ascendant and the state gradually expanded southwards. Chu rulers Xiong E and Ruo’Ao were anxious to expand southwards but this would require the overthrow of the State of Ran and bring the Zhou court onto the doorstep of Chu.
During the reign of King Huan of Zhou, in 704 BC King Wu of Chu attacked the State of Sui at the Battle of Suqi near modern-day Suizhou. This was only one part of the Kings military campaign and he subsequently invaded Quan, overthrowing its 22nd generation leader with the surname Zi, Duke Gui of Quan. Thereafter King Wu established a county within Quan's former borders and installed his minister Dou Min as magistrate.