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"JADE FISH AND THE MASTER"
The Period of the Warring States
The Warring States Period (481/403 BCE - 221 BCE) describes the three centuries when various rival Chinese states battled viciously for territorial advantage and dominance. Ultimately the Qin state was victorious and established the first unified Chinese state. Qin is pronounced 'Chin' and it gave the empire its name which has lasted until today - China.
Around 280 BCE, the Zhou Dynasty was in a weakened position. It had been very successful for over a thousand years, but the Qin were pushing eastwards and eventually defeated all its neighbouring states to establish one great empire under Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BCE).
I have imagined the fictional Border Town (Biânchéng) as situated near where the great Yellow River is joined by the River Wei.
