Cai (state)


Cai was an ancient Chinese state established at the beginning of the Zhou dynasty, rising to prominence during the Spring and Autumn period, and destroyed early in the Warring States period.

History

Following his overthrow of the Shang king Zhou, King Wu of Zhou granted titles and territories to his younger brothers. The fifth brother, Cai Shu Du, was enfeoffed at present-day Shangcai in Henan. During the Three Guards Rebellion, he attempted to usurp the Duke of Zhou's position as regent to the young king and his defeat meant his deposition and exile.
Du's son Ji Hu, however, proved a loyal and capable ambassador for Cheng and the Duke of Zhou, and they rewarded him with the reestablishment of his father's territory and title, which he was able to pass on to his son, Ji Huang.
As the Chinese peerage developed, Cai was initially considered a county and then elevated to a march; it was never able, however, to become a duchy or kingdom in its own right. Invasions from Chu during the Spring and Autumn period relocated Cai several times, first to Xincai in 531 BC and later to Xiacai at present-day Fengtai in Anhui. In 447 BC, King Hui of Chu conquered Cai completely, but allowed the marquesses to settle near Changde in Hunan and establish a rump state called Gaocai. This was destroyed 80 years later.

Legacy

With the spread of surnames to all Chinese during the Qin dynasty, many people from the former state took the surname Cai in memory of their former home.
These former subjects have undertaken two major migrations. During the Huang Chao Rebellion against the Tang in AD 875, the Cai clan moved to Guangdong and Fujian. A later migration occurred when the Ming loyalist Koxinga relocated many Cai officers to Taiwan in the 17th century.

Rulers of Cai

The rulers of Cai were all descended from the Zhou imperial Ji family and – after the first three – held the rank of Hou.
  1. Shu Du of Cai
  2. Zhong Hu of Cai
  3. Earl Huang of Cai
  4. Marquis Gōng of Cai
  5. Marquis Li of Cai
  6. Marquis Wu of Cai
  7. Marquis Yi of Cai
  8. Marquis Xi of Cai
  9. Marquis Gòng of Cai
  10. Marquis Dai of Cai
  11. Marquis Xuan of Cai
  12. Marquis Huan of Cai
  13. Marquis Ai of Cai
  14. Marquis Mu of Cai
  15. Marquis Zhuang of Cai
  16. Marquis Wen of Cai
  17. Marquis Jing of Cai
  18. Marquis Ling of Cai
  19. Marquis Ping of Cai
  20. Marquis Dao of Cai
  21. Marquis Zhao of Cai
  22. Marquis Cheng of Cai
  23. Marquis Sheng of Cai
  24. Marquis Yuan of Cai
  25. Marquis Qi of Cai

    Rulers family tree