Why did the Zhou feudal system weaken during the 8th century BCE?

During the 8th century BCE, the Zhou feudal system began to weaken significantly due to a combination of political, structural, and familial factors:

• Dilution of Authority: The feudal structure relied on a network of extended family ties. As states expanded, nobility acquired their own vassals, who in turn acquired their own. Over time, these family ties became increasingly diluted, making the central ruler more dependent on the collective strength of his vassals rather than his own direct authority.123
• Rise of Local Interests: The feudal lords developed strong parochial interests that pulled them away from the central court. As these lords gained power, they were able to eclipse the king, leading to a shift in de facto power toward various feudal chiefs.43
• Loss of Royal Prestige: The Zhou royal house suffered a major blow in 771 BCE when the capital was destroyed by invading tribes and the king was killed. When the court subsequently moved east to Luoyang, the royal domain and its influence had already shrunk, and the monarchy lost its ability to maintain its position as the head of the feudal hierarchy.145
• Internal Instability: The system was further undermined by bloody court intrigues, power struggles, and the rise of powerful ministers who usurped the authority of legitimate rulers.12