By now, the one hundred or more fiefs into which the Zhou state of northern China was originally divided have, through a process of continual warfare, been absorbed into a small number of larger political units. These can now fairly be called states in their own right, as the Zhou kings exercise real power over only a small area around their capital.
These states have developed large armies, sophisticated tax systems and highly organized bureaucracies. Material civilization has made dramatic strides over the past few centuries. Technological and economic advances have led to the expansion of commerce, the growth of large towns, a flourishing merchant class, the introduction of metal coinage and, centuries before the west, the invention of cast iron. Into this fluctuating environment comes one of the most influential philosophers in world history, Confucius. At a time (as he sees it) of greed and ruthlessness when people seem to have lost their moral bearings he calls people back to their ancient duties of honour and obedience.
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