[2] During this time, the Zhou king was a mere figurehead, and seven states led by aristocratic families competed for real power.
[3] All four were renowned for their activity in the politics of their era as well as being the persona of their state respectively at the time; they also wielded influence via the cultivation and housing of many talented house-guests, who often included learned men and tacticians.
Lord Pingyuan was his title, and some of his famous retainers included the philosophers Xun Kuang and Gongsun Long, the Yin and Yang master Zou Yan, and the diplomat Mao Sui.
Born Huang Xie, he was originally a government official working for King Qingxiang of Chu, and later followed Crown Prince Wan when he spent ten years as a hostage in the Kingdom of Qin.
Prince Wan was enthroned as King Kaolie of Chu, while Huang Xie was appointed prime minister and received the title of Lord Chunshen.