Prince You, known posthumously as Duke Huan of Zheng, established what would be the last bastion of Western Zhou.

Duke Zhuang of Zheng (743–701 BC) was arguably a forerunner of the Five Hegemons, though Zheng derived its dominance by dramatically different means compared to those of the later hegemons by defeating an alliance of feudal states led by Zhou itself and wounding King Huan of Zhou.

When Duke Zhuang died there was a civil war between his sons and Zheng ceased to be a powerful state.

Yet the powerful Zhai Zhong favored his younger son Duke Li (r.  701–697, 680–673) and deposed Zhao to install him.

After a few years Duke Zhengzi Ying (r.  694–680), Li's younger brother, became the nominal ruler of Zheng, until he was assassinated.

At times during the rule of Duke Wen, the affairs of Zheng fell under the influence of this powerful state to the south, Chu.

During the later stages of the Spring and Autumn period, its territory became of pivotal interest in the rivalry of more powerful states.

Under Duke Mu (r. 628–606) Zheng managed to defeat a combined alliance of Jin, Song, Chen and Wei in 607 BCE.

Zheng's prime minister Zichan (543–522) became widely known as a leading statesman among the rival states of the era.

Zheng was also widely recognized as the first state of China to publish its laws, in bronze in 536 BCE.