Zhoulai (Chinese: 州來) was a small state of the Spring and Autumn period that ruled a crucial part of the middle Huai River valley.

[2] This made it a target of the expansionist state of Chu, which subjugated Zhoulai in the late 7th century BC in order to gain access to the east.

[3] While nominally allowed to maintain autonomy under its own dynasty, Zhoulai effectively became a puppet state under Chu military occupation and civil administration.

In the early 7th century BC, Zhoulai occupied a territory that stretched from Bozhou in the north[7] to Shouchun (central Anhui) in the south.

[11] Zhoulai's situation became critical from 623 BC onwards, when Chu advanced from the Upper Huai River into the former's direct vicinity.