Zhao Wu (, 598–541 BC), 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 Wen of Zhao (), was a leader of the Zhao clan in the Jin state. He was the only son of

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 ...

(Viscount Zhuang), whom he succeeded as clan leader. The Chinese folktale ''

The Orphan of Zhao ''The Orphan of Zhao'' is a Chinese play from the Yuan dynasty, attributed to the 13th-century dramatist Ji Junxiang (紀君祥). The play has as its full name ''The Great Revenge of the Orphan of Zhao''. The play is classified in the ''zaju'' g ...

'' was based on the story of Zhao Wu, which was adapted into the 18th century French play ''

L'Orphelin de la Chine ''L'Orphelin de la Chine'' () is a 1753 French play by Voltaire based on '' The Orphan of Zhao'', a thirteenth-century Chinese play attributed to Ji Junxiang. Voltaire reworked the structure of the play in order to fit the classical model of Fr ...

''.

Life

In 583 BCE,

Xianzi of Han 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.� ...

gave his political support to Zhao Wu and made him the successor of Zhuangzi. However, Zhao Wu did not enter the aristocratic rank of Qing (卿) during the reign of

Duke Li of Jin Duke Li of Jin (), personal name Ji Zhoupu or Ji Shouman, was a duke of the Jin state. Duke Li succeeded his father, Duke Jing, who abdicated after falling ill in the summer of 581 BC. Duke Jing died a month later. Battle of Masui In 580 BC, t ...

. After Duke Li's death, Duke Dao appointed Zhao Wu a Qing upon his accession. This promotion occurred in the year of 573 BCE. Since Xianzi of Han was in charge of the country, Zhao clan under Zhao Wu did not possess the regency of Jin at first. In 560 BCE, Zhao Wu was appointed the commander of upper army of Jin with the recommendation from

Xuanzi of Han Han Qi (), also known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Xuan of Han (), was a leader of the Han clan in the Jin state. He was the son of Han Jue (Viscount Xian), and served as ''zhengqing'' (正卿) and ''zhongjunjiang'' of Jin between 541 ...

. In 555 BCE, Duke Ping of Jin gathered the troops of various states and invaded the

state of Qi Qi, or Ch'i in Wade–Giles romanization, was a ancient Chinese state, regional state of the Zhou dynasty in History of China#Ancient China, ancient China, whose rulers held Zhou dynasty nobility, titles of ''Hou'' (), then ''Gong (title), Go ...

. Zhao Wu received the order of besieging Lu (盧) with Xuanzi of Han. The Jin army was victorious. Duke Xiang of Lu rewarded Jin nobles include Zhao Wu greatly since Qi, the enemy of Lu (魯) was weakened. At this point of time, the regency of Jin was possessed by Xuanzi of Fan. In 550 BCE, Jin's civil war broke out. Luan clan was exterminated by Fan clan, its members were executed. No evidence of Zhao's participation in this civil war was found. In 548 BCE, Zhao Wu obtained the regency of Jin. His pacifist approach weakened the tension between 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 ...

, the two major states of

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 addition, he reduced the amount of tribute paid by minor states to Jin in order to relieve these minor states from extra financial burdens and exploitation. According to his own words, "Wars can finally come to an end". In 547 BCE, the state of Wey was in the chaos caused by a civil war. Zhao Wu met with clansmen of Sun clan which was at war with its lord, Duke Xian of Wey. With Zhao's support, Sun clan obtained sixty towns in western Wey. In 546 BCE, Zhao Wu facilitated the truce of Mibing by collaborating with Xiang Xu and Qu Jian. During the meeting and discussions, Jin and Chu agreed to truce. Jin obtained the political supremacy over the state of Qi (齊), Chen, Cai, Bei Yan, Qi (杞), Hu, Shen, and Baidi. In 541 BCE, Zhao Wu travelled to Guo and the state of Zheng with the purpose of strengthening the truce. Even King Jing of Zhou did not ignore the presence of Zhao Wu and sent Duke Ding of Liu to receive him. Zhao Wu died before the year of 537 BCE. His son Zhao Cheng succeeded him. Throughout his life, Zhao Wu had been known as an impartial man. In his funeral, people who do not know him well attended because they received the recommendation from Zhao Wu according to their actual talent instead of their political bond with Zhao.

Han Feizi The ''Han Feizi'' () is an ancient Chinese text attributed to the Chinese Legalism, Legalist political philosopher Han Fei. It comprises a selection of essays in the Legalist tradition, elucidating theories of state power, and synthesizing the m ...

, Waichushuo.

References

Sources

* * {{Monarchs of Zhao (state) Monarchs of Zhao (state) Zhou dynasty nobility Zhongjunjiang of Jin 598 BC births 540s BC deaths