A Pretty Face to Bring Down Zhou

King You was the last King of Western Zhao, 781-771 BC.

The Zhou had ruled China for around 300 years.

In 779, King You took a beautiful commoner as a concubine, Bao Si.

To delight Bao Si, King You would do things like light the warning beacons for her entertainment.

Bao Si's Queen was Shen, a Princess of the Quanrong people, neighboring nomads.

Bao Si wanted more.

King You removed Queen Shen from her position, and her son, his heir, Yijiu.

He elevated Bao Si to the position of his Queen, and their son Bofu as the new crown prince.

Shen's father was not pleased.

He attacked Zhou. King You lit the warning beacons, but no one came.

So began the Warring States period.