Zhao (Five Dynasties period)

Zhao (趙, ~910–~921) was a state early in the Five Dynasties period of the history of China in what is now central Hebei. The ancestors of Zhao's only prince, Wang Rong, had long governed the region as military governors (Jiedushi) of the Tang dynasty's Chengde Circuit (Chinese: 成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei), and after the collapse of the Tang in 907, the succeeding Later Liang's founding emperor ("Taizu"), Zhu Wen made Wang, then his vassal, the Prince of Zhao. In 910, when the Emperor tried to directly take over the territory of Zhao and its neighboring Yiwu Circuit (Chinese: 義武, headquartered in modern Baoding, Hebei), Wang Rong and Yiwu's military governor Wang Chuzhi turned against the Later Liang, aligning themselves with Later Liang's archenemy, Jin's prince, Li Cunxu, instead. In 921, Wang Rong's soldiers assassinated him, slaughtered the Wang clan, and supported his adoptive son Zhang Wenli (known as Wang Deming while under Wang Rong's adoption) to succeed him instead. Li Cunxu soon defeated Zhang Wenli's son and successor Zhang Chujin and incorporated Zhao into Jin territory.

Zhao (state)

Zhao (Chinese: 趙; Old Chinese: *[d]rewʔ) was one of the seven major states during the Warring States period of ancient China. At the beginning of the Warring States Period, Zhao was one of the weakest states but gained strength during the reign of King Wuling of Zhao: by the end of the period, Zhao was the only state strong enough to oppose the mighty Qin.

Its territory included areas in modern Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The state of Zhao bordered the Xiongnu (Huns), the states of Qin, Wei and Yan. Its capital was Handan (邯郸), suburb of modern-day Handan City in Hebei.

Origins and ascendancy

At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the state of Jin was divided up between three powerful ministers, the Zhao family patriarch being one of them. In BC 403, the king of Zhou formally recognized the existence of the State of Zhao along with two other States, Han and Wei, marking the start of the Warring States Period.

At the onset of the Warring States period, Zhao was one of the weaker states. Despite its extensive territory, its northern border was frequently subject to harassment by the Xiongnu and by other northern nomadic peoples. At the same time, surrounded by strong states and lacking the military strength of Wei or the prosperity of Qi, Zhao became an asset in the struggle between those two states; this struggle came to a climax in 354 BC, when Wei invaded Zhao and Zhao had to seek aid from Qi. The resulting Battle of Guiling, a major victory for Qi, lessened the southern threat to Zhao.