Mugong

Mugong, who reigned from 659 to 621 BCE, was a significant ruler of the Qin state in ancient China. During his time, Qin rose to become a major power in western China. While Qin attempted to expand eastward, it was blocked by the state of Jin and had to focus on incorporating the non-Chinese tribes and states in its region. Other powers recognized Qin's regional dominance, granting it overlord status. Qin's location protected it from the intense competition in central China, and its less-developed government structure allowed for greater flexibility and innovation. This period of consolidation and assimilation, particularly after Mugong, helped Qin become a formidable state.12