Rare bird and mythical quest in Chinese Zhou dynasty

King Zhao of Zhou
Source: wikimedia commons

In the time of third Chinese dynasty Zhou - fourth king Zhao rules in the second part of X century BC. He was rather lazy - prefer pleasure than politics. In center of his interest were rather rare plants and animals than ruling country. This passion pushed him to attack rival Kingdom of Chu as he got information about rare bird observed on Chu territory. After crossing the Han River, King Zhao realized that this was a trick. Lack of preparation and weak commanding skills lead to tragic results as describe in John Keay book:

"According to the written sources, in 957 BC the Zhou king Zhao launched an ill-advised attack on Chu, a large tribute-paying but perhaps non-feudatory neighbour on Zhou’s south-eastern border. The Zhou were roundly defeated, six armies being ‘lost’ while the king himself ‘died’ – possibly drowned, probably killed." Source: Keay, J. China: A History, Kindle edition, p. 60

Queen Mother of the West
Source: wikimedia commons

Next emperor, his son Mu had much different but also unusual interest.
He believed that he had mandate to search for mythical Queen Mother of the West. Legend said that he found her and had love affair with her hoping for immortality. Obviously it's not happened however Mu reign was more successful than his father. 

"Thirteen years later King Mu, his successor, did rather better against the ‘Quan Rong’, a people on Zhou’s north-west frontier, but was unable to prevent the permanent breakaway of Zhou’s easternmost vassals." Source: Keay, J. China: A History, Kindle edition, p. 60

About Mu successor, his son Gong, historical sources mentioned very little so most probably he don't have extraordinary interest as his predecessor.

Primary sources:

[1] Keay, J. "China: A History", Kindle edition

Secondary sources:
[2] Loewe M., Shaughnessy E.L. The Cambridge History of Ancient China, Cambridge University Press