The Cheng-Kang Reign Period (Cheng Kang Zhi Zhi) was the first flourishing period in Chinese written history. It was created by Emperor Cheng and Kang of the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC).

In the Western Zhou Dynasty, the emperors strengthened the control of vassal kings with the system of enfeoffment, which ensured vassals’ subordinate relationship to the royal family. The obedience of vassal states was then determined by the system instead of the national strength.

The emperors of the Western Zhou Dynasty all attached great importance to agriculture. They would till the land in person to announce the beginning of the annual farming, setting an example for the public to encourage farmers, as well as make sacrifices to gods and ancestors with the food they grew.

During the Cheng-Kang Reign Period, the agricultural industry was well developed through long-term practices, with a wide variety of crops and remarkable yields, as showcased in The Book of Songs.

Bronze tools started to be used for farming, replacing a part of the stone tools. The advanced farming technologies were adopted, including the cooperation of plowing with ancient ploughs and the scientific planning of farmland, which improved cultivation efficiency.

People at that time came to realize that green manure is of importance to improve soil fertility. They also became experienced in pest control when learning about the harm of insect infestation.

The new normalized ritual system was established in this period, which was the foundation of the current civilized etiquette, legalizing the governance of the ruling class, and also presenting the internal stability of the royal court.

During that period, society was stable and ethnic groups in all areas were acquiescent to the Western Zhou Dynasty. It had also accelerated the economic and cultural exchanges between the various ethnic groups.

The Cheng-Kang Reign Period was highly praised by later generations, and several factors contributed to that flourishing period.

Emperor Cheng and Kang, as well as government officials, all took the past as a mirror. Learning from the painful lessons of predecessors, drinking too much wine was forbidden at that time, and emperors were exhorted not to indulge in ease and pleasure.

The emperors of the Western Zhou Dynasty had realized the importance of the public, whose support may play a decisive role in ruling. The people-oriented concept sprouted in the early Western Zhou Dynasty also promoted the trend of ideological emancipation in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-256 BC).

The trust between the emperors and their ministers in the period was another significant factor. They were all diligent in government affairs and lived thrifty lives.

In addition, benevolent rule and moralization were advocated during that period. Punishments were used with caution and fairness, with criminals given the chance to make a new start.

The Cheng-Kang Reign Period was not only a flourishing period of the Western Zhou Dynasty, but also an example for later generations.