Qin Zhong

Who is Qin Zhong?

Qin Zhong or Zhong of Qin was from 844 to 822 BC the fourth ruler of the Zhou Dynasty Chinese state of Qin, founded when his great-grandfather Feizi was granted a small fief at Qin by King Xiao of Zhou. Qin Zhong succeeded his father Gongbo, who died in 845 BC. His ancestral name was Ying.

In 842 BC, the people of Zhou revolted against the hated King Li of Zhou, overthrowing him the next year, and the country fell into turmoil. The Xirong tribes that lived near Qin also rebelled, exterminating the senior branch of the House of Ying at Quanqiu. After King Xuan of Zhou ascended the throne in 827 BC, he made Qin Zhong commander of the forces in the campaign against Xirong.

In 822 BC Qin Zhong was killed in battle against Xirong. He had five sons, and was succeeded by his eldest son, who would be posthumously given the title Duke Zhuang of Qin. King Xuan of Zhou gave Qin Zhong's five sons seven thousand soldiers, and they defeated Xirong. King Xuan then awarded Qin the territory of Quanqiu, formerly belonging to the senior branch of the House of Ying, and Duke Zhuang moved the Qin capital to Quanqiu.