The Comparative Study On Families Of Jin And Chu In Spring And Autumn Period

Clans play a very important role in the Spring and Autumn Period. For a long time the study on clans emphasizes clans' prevalent conformations and general rules of clan system which can neither reveal the variety of regional traits of clans nor explain how clans affect the historical trends of each kingdom. By using historical methodology and cultural comparison, this article has a deep research into the characteristics of clans in state of Jin and state of Chu, and classified the clans into three groups: Gongzu(i.e. the descendants of the kings), Gongshi(the present royal family) and Qingdafu (the clans of senior officials). On the basis of the classification, this paper attempts to analyze their different forms and internal structures, the change of their political status and rules of their development, and has a further discussion on the historical influence on local kingdoms brought by regional characteristics of clans.Gongzu is the main force of nobility in Spring and Autumn Period, which can be analyzed in broad sense as well as in narrow sense. Though Gongzu in broad sense in Jin and Chu covers the same surface meaning, either of them originates in distinct environment. In face of the bad environment which could make them die out, and in order to separate themselves from the non—Gongzu nobility in the state of Jin, they consciously accept the concept of Gongzu in broad sense. In order to distinguish themselves from foreign noblemen, Chu accept the concept of Gongzu after showing their big power of waggle in the war. From the perspective of their experiences and clans founding, Gongzu in narrow sense in Jin is going downhill after suffering serious strike during the ruling of the kings of Jin Wugong and Jin Xiangong, while Gongzu in narrow sense in Chu has survived generation after generation steadily, which is declining after the kings of Chuzhuangwang and Chugongwang. Although Gongzu officials exist in both countries, they have evolved in different ways under different circumstances.Gongshi and Gongzu have a very close relationship. On the one hand they rely on each other, but on the other hand they fight for the political power. Gongshi in Jin declines in political status due to their ignorance of the gradual withering of Gongzu. As a result, the non-Gongzu nobility control the military affairs and put Gongshi under control. Gongshi in Chu has confirmed in its position by setting up new personnel system and containing Gongzu's struggle for power. Both countries carry out the same successive system that the oldest lineal son of the king succeeded to the throne. After a serious usurp event, Gongshi in Jin attempts to guarantee the implementing of the successive system by expelling Gongzu. Thus, the non-Gongzu nobility get the opportunity of interfering the succession to the throne. In Chu, there is a saying that goes like "The successor must be the youngest one". However, the successive system is still implemented in Chu, and seldom interfered by the clans of senior officials.Qingdafu is the largest-scale noble class under the leadership of the king. There are great differences between the clans of senior officials in both countries, which are demonstrated in such aspects as the clan structure, the central administrative system and the local administrative system. In Jin, the structure of the clans of senior officials is three-leveled, namely, the core family, the extended family, and the clan. The structure of the clans of senior officials in Chu is less complicated, which is generally covers two levels. Gongshi in Jin relies excessively on the clans of senior officials. Therefore, there forms a special political system that six clans take turns to be in the leading position. Gongshi in Chu transfer its trust from the clans to close relatives so as to prevent the clans from getting excessive power. At first the counties in both countries are founded in border areas and under the direct manipulation of the king. Later on, the clans of senior officials in Jin extend their power into those areas, and gradually keep them within their power range. However, Gongshi in Chu establish new personnel system to keep them under its control. The clan of Zhao in Jin and the clan of Wei in Chu are employed as the cases for the analysis of the influences on both countries exerted by the clans of senior officials.Meanwhile, this paper does some research on the related items, such as successive system, family name, official system and local system, with the purpose of reflecting the clans in the Spring and Autumn Period comprehensively.