Eastern Zhou · Warring States

The hundred-plus states of the earlier age fought each other down to seven great powers: Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin — the Warring States. War changed from contests for the lead into wars of annexation, and grew ever larger.

Every state raced to reform itself strong: Li Kui in Wei, Shang Yang in Qin. Su Qin and Zhang Yi wove alliances and betrayals; Lian Po and Lin Xiangru made peace between general and minister; Tian Dan broke the Yan army with his fire-ox charge. Stratagem and courage took the stage in turn.

The "hundred schools of thought" also peaked here: Mencius argued for kind government, Zhuangzi roamed free in thought, Xunzi taught, Han Fei completed the Legalists. In the end, it was Qin in the west that united the land.