<Li> Zhongshan Between the states of Zhao and Yan was the state of Zhongshan, which was eventually annexed by Zhao in 296 BC . </Li> <Li> Sichuan states: In the far southwest were the non-Zhou states of Ba (east) and Shu (west). These ancient kingdoms were conquered by Qin later in the period . </Li> <Li> Other minor states: There were many minor states which were satellites of the larger ones until they were absorbed . Many were in the Central Plains between the three Jins (west) and Qi (east) and Chu to the south . Some of the more important ones were Song, Lu, Zheng, Wey, Teng and Zou . </Li> <P> The eastward flight of the Zhou court in 771 BC marks the start of the Spring and Autumn period . No one single incident or starting point inaugurated the Warring States era . The political situation of the period represented a culmination of historical trends of conquest and annexation which also characterised the Spring and Autumn period; as a result there is some controversy as to the beginning of the era . Proposed starting points include: </P>

What was the cause of the warring states period