Zhao Wu
| Viscount Wen of Zhao | |||||||
| Chinese | 趙文子 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
| Zhao Wu | |||||||
| Chinese | 趙武 | ||||||
|
|||||||
| Transcriptions | |
|---|---|
| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhào Wénzǐ |
| Transcriptions | |
|---|---|
| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhào Wǔ |
Viscount Wen of Zhao, given name Wu, was a vassal lord of the state of Jin and the 4th viscount of Zhao. He was the only son of Viscount Zhuang of Zhao. Chinese fictional folklore "The Orphan of Zhao" (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.
In 583 BCE, Viscount Xian of Han gave his political support to Zhao Wu and made him the successor of Viscount Zhuang. However, Zhao Wu did not enter the aristocratic rank of Qing(卿) during the reign of Duke Li of Jin. 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 viscount Xian of Han was in charge of the country, Zhao clan under 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 Viscount Xuan of Han. In 555 BCE, Duke Ping of Jin gathered the troops of various states and invaded the state of Qi. Zhao Wu received the order of besieging Lu (盧) with viscount Xuan of Han. The Jin army was victorious. Duke Xiang of Lu rewarded Jin nobles include Wu greatly since Qi, the enemy of Lu (魯) was weakened. At this point of time, the regency of Jin was possessed by Viscount Xuan 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 Spring and Autumn period. 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.
...
Wikipedia