Sometimes considered one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu greatly expanded the territory of Qin during the reign of King Xiang of Zhou.

He was also known for his many talented advisors, such as Baili Xi, Jian Shu (蹇叔), Pi Bao (丕豹), and Gong Sun (公孫).

Duke Mu of Qin sent relief food supplies and agricultural equipment to Jin.

Qin used the opportunity when its eastern front was stable, to launch military campaigns against the minority tribes in the west.

Shortly afterwards, Duke Mu of Qin, having obtained the services of You Yu, succeeded in getting the eight barbarian tribes of the west to submit to their authority.

The Qin forces were defeated in an ambush by Jin at the Battle of Yao (zh) near present-day Luoning County, Henan Province and suffered heavy casualties.

Duke Mu refused to advance east further after holding a funeral service for those killed in action at the Battle of Yao, and focused on the traditional policy of expanding Qin's borders in the west.

Duke Mu's achievements in the western campaigns and his handling of foreign relations with Jin earned him a position among the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period.

[citation needed] In the manga and anime series Kingdom as well as a oneshot written by Yasuhisa Hara, he made an alliance with mountain tribes, after seeing his horse devoured by them, even giving the barbarians wine.