Zhao Shuo (), 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 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 BCE, Zhao Shuo participated in the
Battle of Bi
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
between the states of Jin and
Chu
Chu or CHU may refer to:
Chinese history
* Chu (state) (c. 1030 BC–223 BC), a state during the Zhou dynasty
* Western Chu (206 BC–202 BC), a state founded and ruled by Xiang Yu
* Chu Kingdom (Han dynasty) (201 BC–70 AD), a kingdom of the H ...
. He was the commander of the lower army; one of the three armies of Jin.
He was presumably murdered during the
disaster of Xiagong. However, no other mentions of Zhao Shuo were found in Zuo Zhuan, the primary historical record of the
Spring and Autumn period
The Spring and Autumn period () was a period in History of China, Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou (256 BCE), characterized by the gradual erosion of royal power as local lords nominally subject t ...
.
In 583 BCE,
Duke Jing of Jin attacked the vassal State of Zhao.
Xuanzi's brothers
Zhao Tong and
Zhao Kuo were killed.
Han Jue lamented Zhao's imminent fall. He reasoned with Duke Jing by arguing that Xuanzi served loyally the state of Jin. According to Han Jue, Zhao Shuo had died before the year of 583 BCE. The only remaining successor was Zhao Wu, Zhao Shuo's son.
With the help of Han Jue, Zhao's power was restored and
Zhao Wu succeeded his father.
[Zuo Zhuan, Duke Cheng, 8th year of]
Sources
Monarchs of Zhao (state)
Zhou dynasty nobility
590s BC deaths
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