How had Zhongzhao become the richest and most powerful country amongst the five powers of the Central Plains?
First of all, Zhongzhao had a very unique and beneficial geographical advantage. They were only bordered by other Central Plains nations, and they'd had no disasters caused by foreign ethnic groups.
Second, Zhongzhao was the first one established among the five nations. It had seized a lot of wealth from the former dynasty and attracted many citizens from among famous families and noble clans.
With no foreign ethnic groups eyeing Zhongzhao, and with the wealth accumulated by the aristocratic families as their foundation, it made sense that Zhongzhao became the leader of the five nations.
It was just that excessive ease and comfort gave rise to internal strife.
The Zhongzhao of the present had followed in the footsteps of Dongqing, and the struggles between the parties had become increasingly savage.