What would be the result of multiple, competing civilizations sprouting from the northern plain, preventing Han dominance of it (and as a result, all of china)? which known peoples are good candidates to take this role in northern china?
Answer: They probably did, but the geography meant that eventually they would come together. Even in the Spring and Autum period there were many rival states and they didn't see themselves as 'Han'.
It's like in Europe going into who were the great rivals of the beaker people. The answer is so lost to time we can't really say.
The point is someone would have conquered most of the North China Plain and put their cultural stamp on the whole thing and you'd get 'alt China' eventually. Geography isn't a 100% destiny but it's probably #1 or #2 on the list of factors.
Answer: They probably did, but the geography meant that eventually they would come together. Even in the Spring and Autum period there were many rival states and they didn't see themselves as 'Han'.
It's like in Europe going into who were the great rivals of the beaker people. The answer is so lost to time we can't really say.
The point is someone would have conquered most of the North China Plain and put their cultural stamp on the whole thing and you'd get 'alt China' eventually. Geography isn't a 100% destiny but it's probably #1 or #2 on the list of factors.