During the
Xia (c. 2070–1600 BC) 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 (姬) family. They were given land in the Shihui Bridge (拾回桥) area of Shayang County where they established the
State of Ran (冉国), also known as the State of Na (那国) and the State of Quan. The initial ruler of Quan was given the title “First Duke of Quan” (权甲公 pinyin:
Quán Jiǎ Gōng). The history of both Ran and Quan during the Western Zhou dynasty (1066–771 BC) is not recorded. At the beginning of the
Spring and Autumn period (771 BC), Chu's power was in the ascendant and the state gradually expanded southwards. Chu rulers
Xiong E (熊鄂) and
Ruo’Ao (若敖) (799–764 BC) 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 (速杞之战). 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 (权归公). Thereafter, King Wu established a county within Quan's former borders and installed his minister
Dou Min (斗缗) as magistrate. ==References==