How did the Qin dynasty bring Hubei into the first united Chinese empire?

During the period of the Zhou dynasty, the region of present-day Hubei served as the heartland of the powerful state of Chu. For centuries, Chu was a major contender for power in China, maintaining a distinct culture while competing with other states for supremacy.123

The integration of Hubei into the first united Chinese empire was achieved through military conquest by the Qin dynasty. Under the leadership of Qin Shi Huang, the Qin state—which had developed a highly organized, legalist-based military and bureaucratic system—systematically eliminated its rivals. Chu was finally defeated and eliminated in 223 BCE. Following this victory, Qin Shi Huang unified China in 221 BCE, bringing Hubei under the control of the newly established imperial administration.2451

While the Qin dynasty’s rule was brief, it laid the foundation for a centralized state. Hubei was subsequently fully assimilated into the broader Chinese state during the succeeding Han dynasty.452