Zhao Dun (Spring and Autumn)

Zhao Dun (Chinese: 趙盾; pinyin: Zhào Dùn; died 601 BCE), posthumously known as Zhao Xuanzi(Chinese: 趙宣子; Xuanzi of Zhao), was a nobleman and minister of the State of Jin. He was the son of Zhao Cui and Shu Kui of Qionggaoru. He led the Zhao clan between 621 and 601 BCE.

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhao.
Zhao Dun
2nd Leader of Zhao clan
PredecessorZhao Cui
SuccessorZhao Shuo
Died601 BCE
IssueZhao Shuo
Full name
Ancestral name: Yíng (嬴)
Lineage name: Zhào (趙)
Given name: Dùn (盾)
Posthumous name
Xuān (宣)
HouseZhao
FatherZhao Cui
MotherShu Kui

Life

After his father Zhao Cui's death, Zhao Dun first appeared in the political theatre of Jin in 621 BCE when Jin army was having a military parade in Yi. Yang Chufu, his father's acquaintance, recommended Dun to the duke of Jin. Later, Dun's power was secured and the duke entrusted him the regency.[1]

Upon Duke Xiang of Jin's death in the autumn of 621 BCE, Dun installed his young son Yigao as the duke of Jin. Before the installation, Jin's nobles favored Duke Xiang's younger brother Yong. The mother of Yigao, Consort Muying of Qin, feared the possible persecution after Yong's accession. She came to Dun's house and begged him of his support of Yigao. Dun unwillingly accepted her request and made Yigao the next duke of Jin. In this year, Hu Juju of Hu clan(a kin of the Jin duke) executed Yang Chufu because Yang threatened Hu clan's political interests. Dun in turn executed Juju.

In the autumn of 620 BCE, Zhao participated the league of Hu. He represented the state of Jin since the young duke was not able to perform such task. In the same year, he returned some of the lands occupied by Jin to the state of Wey.[2] In the spring of 618 BCE, Chu invaded the state of Zheng, Dun reinforced Zheng with other states.[3]

In 615 BCE, Duke Kang of Qin invaded Jin's Jima. Dun, along with Xun Linfu, Xi Que, Fan Wuxu, and Luan Dun encountered the Qin force in the battle of Hequ. The two sides were not able to best each other and the battle resulted a draw. During the battle of Hequ, a Jin noble named Han Jue was intentionally tested by Zhao Dun, Han proved himself to be an upright person in the battle and Zhao promoted him to the position of Sima(司馬).[4]

When the young duke Yigao grew older, Dun gradually lost his control over him. He tried altering the duke's misbehaviors by remonstrating with him. In 607, duke Ling of Jin attempted to assassinate Zhao Dun but failed. After knowing the duke's intention, Dun fled. His cousin Zhao Chuan killed the duke in a peech plantation while Dun was fleeing. Upon his return to Jin, Dun installed Duke Ling's uncle Heitun as the new duke of Jin.[4]

Zhao Dun died in 601 BCE and was succeeded by his son Zhao Shuo. Not long after his death, the Zhao clan was severely damaged during the disaster of Xiagong.[5]

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References
  1. Zuo Zhuan, Duke Wen, 6th year of
  2. Zuo Zhuan, Duke Wen, 7th year of
  3. Zuo Zhuan, Duke Wen, 9th year of
  4. Guoyu, Volume 11, Jinyu 5.
  5. Records of the Grand Historian. Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. 1982. ISBN 9787101003048.
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