Zhao Wu (, 598 BCE–541 BCE), posthumously known as Zhao Wenzi (, Wenzi of Zhao), was the only son of

Zhao Shuo Zhao Shuo (; died 597 BCE), posthumously known as Zhao Zhuangzi(; Zhuangzi of Zhao), was a vassal lord of Jin (Chinese state), the state of Jin. He was the son of Zhao Dun (Spring and Autumn), Zhao Dun. Life In 597 BCE, Zhao Shuo participated ...

, the lord of the Zhao clan of the State of Jin during the

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history from approximately 770 to 476 BC (or according to some authorities until 403 BC) which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives fr ...

in ancient China. Chinese fictional folklore "

The Orphan of Zhao ''The Orphan of Zhao'' is a Chinese play from the Yuan era, 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'' genre ...

" (趙氏孤兒) was based on Zhao Wu. He was also the inspiration of the 18th century French play '' L'Orphelin de la Chine''.

Life

In 583 BCE,

Xianzi of Han Han Jue (; died after 566 BC), posthumously known as Han Xianzi (), was the fifth head of the House of Han and a Jin politician and general. He was the son of Ziyu of Han.司马贞·史记索隐 “万生赇伯，赇伯生定伯简，简生舆， ...

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 (, reigned 580–573 BC) was a ruler of the State of Jin, a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His ancestral name was Ji, given name Zhoupu (州蒲), though ''Shiji'' records his given name as Shoum ...

. 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 (), posthumously known as Xuanzi of Han (), was a Chinese monarch and politician who served as the head minister of the state of Han and then military leader and prime minister of the State of Jin. He was the son of Han Jue Han Jue (; d ...

. 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 state of the Zhou dynasty-era in ancient China, variously reckoned as a march, duchy, and independent kingdom. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong. Qi was founded shortly ...

. 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, the two major states of

. 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 A ceasefire (also known as a truce or armistice), also spelled cease fire (the antonym of 'open fire'), is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be between state act ...

by collaborating with

Xiang Xu Xiang or Hsiang may refer to: *Xiang (place), the site of Hong Xiuquan's destruction of a Chinese idol early in the Taiping Rebellion *Xiang (surname), three unrelated surnames: Chinese: 項 and Chinese: 向 (both ''Xiàng'') and Chinese: 相 (''X ...

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 Zheng may refer to: *Zheng (surname), Chinese surname (鄭, 郑, ''Zhèng'') *Zheng County, former name of Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, China *Guzheng (), a Chinese zither with bridges *Qin Shi Huang (259 BC – 210 BC), emperor of the Qin Dynasty, ...

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 Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are rank ...

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'' or ''Hanfeizi'' (" ritings ofMaster Han Fei") is an ancient Chinese text named for its attribution to the political philosopher Han Fei. It comprises a selection of essays in the Legalist tradition on theories of state power, ...

, Waichushuo.

Reference

Sources

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