Early dominance The state of Zheng was one of the strongest at the beginning of the
Spring and Autumn period. Throughout the Spring and Autumn period, Zheng was one of the wealthiest states, relying on its central location for inter-state
commerce and having the largest number of merchants of any state. Zheng often used its wealth to bribe itself out of difficult situations.
Duke Zhuang of Zheng (743–701 BC) was arguably a forerunner of the
Five Hegemons, though Zheng derived its dominance by dramatically different means compared to those of the later hegemons by defeating an alliance of feudal states led by Zhou itself and wounding
King Huan of Zhou. When Duke Zhuang died there was a civil war between his sons and Zheng ceased to be a powerful state.
Duke Wen and Tai Bo This bamboo manuscript records a conversation about Zheng history between Duke Wen of Zheng ( 672–628 BCE) and the elderly Tai Bo. Zheng state's beginning under
Duke Huan ( 806–771) is recalled by Tai Bo. Duke Huan's son Duke Wu ( 770–744) moved Zheng state east. Its neighboring states acknowledged Zheng as a paramount power.
Duke Zhuang ( 743–701) furthered Zheng state's position of dominance. When Duke Zhuang died his elder son Duke Zhao ( 701, 697–695) took his place. Yet the powerful Zhai Zhong favored his younger son Duke Li ( 701–697, 680–673) and deposed Zhao to install him. Li, however, later failed to wrest control from Zhai Zhong and was pushed into exiled. After a few years Duke Zhengzi Ying ( 694–680), Li's younger brother, became the nominal ruler of Zheng, until he was assassinated. Duke Li then returned to rule. Zheng Wen Gong was the son of Duke Li. At his father's death, Wen's succession was fraught with difficulties. He tells of the help given him by Tai Bo. It allowed Wen to reside in the traditional shed of mourning for his father, and so begin his 45-year rule [672-628]. Yet Tai Bo criticized Duke Wen for his seeking the ease of domestic pleasure. The Duke's principle consort Lady Mi came from
Chu state. At times during the rule of Duke Wen, the affairs of Zheng fell under the influence of this powerful state to the south, Chu.
Later period As competition between states intensified, Zheng had no room to expand. Due to its central location, Zheng was hemmed in on all sides by larger states. During the later stages of the Spring and Autumn period, its territory became of pivotal interest in the rivalry of more powerful states. Zheng was often compelled to switch its diplomatic alliances. It had become a focus of contention between
Chu and
Qi, then later Chu and
Jin. By the 7th century BCE Zheng found itself forced into a minor role. Notwithstanding, Zheng remained quite strong into the middle and later years of the Spring and Autumn. Under Duke Mu () Zheng managed to defeat a combined alliance of Jin,
Song,
Chen and
Wei in 607 BCE. Zheng's prime minister
Zichan (543–522) became widely known as a leading statesman among the
rival states of the era. Zichan was a grandson of Duke Mu. Zheng was also widely recognized as the first state of China to publish its laws, in bronze in 536 BCE. Zheng later declined, due to disorders from conflicts among as its feuding clans. In 375 BCE during the following
Warring States period Zheng was annexed by
Han state.
Xingyang The Zheng family of Xingyang
荥阳郑氏 claim descent from the
Zhou dynasty kings through the rulers of the State of Zheng. The Marquis of Xingyang rank was created for Zheng Xi. The Xingyang Zheng descendants included Zheng Daozhao and Zheng Xi. Zheng Wanjun was a member of the Xingyang Zheng. Other Xingyang Zheng descendants were Zheng Yuzhong (Zheng Qiao) and Zheng Jiong.{{cite journal| journal=The Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies| title=One Name, Three Monks: Two Northern Chan Masters Emerge from the Shadow of their Contemporary, the Tiantai Master Zhanran (711–782) ==List of rulers==