[snowybeagle]

In view of the many other nominations, I am proposing that those who are interested nominate their personal list of who they think should constitute as the Five, rather than voting for one.

My list of the Five
01. Duke Zhuang of Zheng (郑庄公)
02. Duke Huan of Qi (齐桓公)
03. Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公)
04. Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公)
05. King Zhuang of Chu (楚庄王)

My choice of the Five was not based merely on the number of troops their state commanded, nor the number of other states acknowledging overlordship, nor the number of battles won nor size of territories gained.

It was based on prestige and significant pivotal historical influences. There were other hegemons such as Duke Dao of Jin, King He Lu and King Fu Cai of Wu, and King Gou Jian of Yue. However, I consider their achievements merely a repetition of what others had done rather than pioneering new frontiers in statemanship. At the same time, I also consider the role they played in shaping the Chinese culture.

Duke Zhuang of Zheng (郑庄公), the forerunner to the concept. Since the disgrace suffered by King You of Zhou, he was the first to command the awe of other states.

Duke Huan of Qi (齐桓公) and Duke Wen of Jin (晋文公), usually undisputed. The former introduced numerous reforms initiated by his premier Guan Zhong, while the latter was crucial to protect the orthodoxy from southern Chu.

Duke Mu of Qin (秦穆公), laid the foundation of the future dominance of Qin which eventually conquered the whole country. His gracious treatment of other states also marked him as a statesman rather than a mere warlord.

King Zhuang of Chu (楚庄王), 一鸣惊人, 三令五申, 问鼎中原. Knew how to hoodwink the entire court to determine reliable assistants, subdued numerous southern tribes (just as Qin subdued the western tribes), wise enough to withdrew from assaulting the Zhou kingdom and refrained from totally massacring the defeated Jin troops. Though by using the title King, the State of Chu was rebelling against the nominal sovereignity of the Zhou dynasty, I found the role he played too significant to be left out of the Five.