Zhao Dun (),

cognomen A ''cognomen'' (; : ''cognomina''; from ''co-'' "together with" and ''(g)nomen'' "name") was the third name of a citizen of ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. Initially, it was a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became hereditar ...

(Zhao) Meng 孟, also known by his

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary Personal name, name given mainly to revered dead people in East Asian cultural sphere, East Asian culture. It is predominantly used in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. ...

as the Viscount Xuan of Zhao (趙宣子), was a leader of the Zhao clan in the Jin state, where he served as ''dafu'' (大夫). He was a son of Zhao Cui (Viscount Cheng), whom he succeeded as clan leader.

Life

After his father Zhao Cui's death, Zhao Dun first appeared in the political theatre of Jin in 621 BCE when Jin army was having a military parade in Yi. Yang Chufu, his father's acquaintance, recommended Dun to the duke of Jin. Later, Dun's power was secured, and the duke entrusted him the regency. Upon

Duke Xiang of Jin Duke Xiang of Jin (), personal name Ji Huan, was from 627 to 621 BC the ruler of the Jin state. He succeeded his father, Duke Wen, who was one of the Five Hegemons of China's Spring and Autumn period. Battle of Yao After Duke Wen died in the n ...

's death in the autumn of 621 BCE, Dun installed his young son Yigao as the duke of Jin. Before the installation, Jin's nobles favored Duke Xiang's younger brother Yong. The mother of Yigao, Consort Muying of Qin, feared the possible persecution after Yong's accession. She came to Dun's house and begged him of his support of Yigao. Dun unwillingly accepted her request and made Yigao the next duke of Jin. In this year, Hu Juju of Hu clan (a kin of the Jin duke) executed Yang Chufu because Yang threatened Hu clan's political interests. Dun in turn executed Juju. In the autumn of 620 BCE, Zhao participated the league of Hu. He represented the state of Jin since the young duke was not able to perform such task. In the same year, he returned some of the lands occupied by Jin to the state of Wey. In the spring of 618 BCE, Chu invaded the state of Zheng, Dun reinforced Zheng with other states. In 615 BCE, Duke Kang of Qin invaded Jin's Jima. Dun, along with Xun Linfu, Xi Que, Fan Wuxu, and Luan Dun encountered the Qin force in the battle of Hequ. The two sides were not able to best each other and the battle resulted a draw. During the battle of Hequ, a Jin noble named

Han Jue Han Jue (; died after 566 BC), also known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Xian of Han (), was a leader of the Han clan in the Jin state, where he served as ''dafu'' (大夫). He was the son of Han Yu, whom he succeeded as Han clan leader.� ...

was intentionally tested by Zhao Dun, Han proved himself to be an upright person in the battle and Zhao promoted him to the position of Sima(司馬). Guoyu, Volume 11, Jinyu 5. When the young duke Yigao grew older, Dun gradually lost his control over him. He tried altering the duke's misbehaviors by remonstrating with him. In 607, duke Ling of Jin attempted to assassinate Zhao Dun but failed. After knowing the duke's intention, Dun fled. His cousin Zhao Chuan killed the duke in a peach plantation while Dun was fleeing. Upon his return to Jin, Dun installed Duke Ling's uncle Heitun as the new duke of Jin. Zhao Dun died in 601 BCE and was succeeded by his son

Zhao Shuo Zhao Shuo (), also known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Zhuang of Zhao (), was a leader of the Zhao clan in the Jin state, where he served as ''dafu'' (大夫). He was a son of his predecessor, Zhao Dun (Viscount Xuan). Life In 597 B ...

. Not long after his death, the Zhao clan was severely damaged during the disaster of Xiagong.

References

{{Monarchs of Zhao (state) Monarchs of Zhao (state) Zhongjunjiang of Jin Zhou dynasty nobility