At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, the Jin state was gradually going downhill, and the three families of Han, Zhao, and Wei, who held great military and political power, were replaced by the three families, known in history as the "three families divided into Jin", which was the starting point of the Warring States period.
Among the three kingdoms of Han, Zhao, and Wei, the State of Zhao was the northernmost, roughly including parts of present-day Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia. Its sphere of influence extended as far away as parts of Henan and Shandong. Because it is in the plus zone of the Central Plains and the North, it fights with the princes of the Central Plains on the one hand, and at the same time has to defend against the northern nomads.
In the forty-third year of King Xian of Zhou (326 BC), Zhao Suhou, a generation of heroes of the State of Zhao, died. Speaking of Marquis Su of Zhao, he once constantly expanded his territory, conquered the four sides, and achieved great results, so that the State of Zhao replaced the State of Wei and became the most powerful state in the Three Jin Dynasties.
After Suhou's death, he succeeded to the throne at the age of fifteen, Zhao Yong. Zhao Yong was the famous King Wuling of Zhao. Influenced by his warlike father, King Wuling of Zhao was proficient in military affairs, advocated force, and had a mature calm that was not commensurate with his age.
At that time, the five kingdoms of Wei, Chu, Qin, Yan, and Qi wanted to take advantage of the death of Marquis Zhao Suhou to avenge the death of Zhao Suhou. Under the pretext of mourning Zhao Suhou, they each went to Zhao Jing with their elite soldiers and strong generals.
Zhao Guo changed masters, and all kinds of covetous eyes were like sharp knives stabbing at King Zhao Wuling. The time had come to test him.
Intelligence and courage are the basic qualities that support a person. The young King Wuling of Zhao ordered the army to be martial law and quickly united the Han and Song states to form a unified front; at the same time, he asked the Yue king to attack Chu and Lou Fuguo to attack Yan. With help, the dream of Wei, Chu, Qin, Yan, and Qi dividing up the Zhao Kingdom collapsed in an instant.
This rising star is impressive. Wei and Han, two former rivals, took the initiative to come and show their goodwill.
Defusing the threat of the Central Plains, the nomadic peoples in the north became a major problem for King Wuling of Zhao. The nomads are highly mobile, they burn and loot, shoot a gun to change places. The Zhao army, which was mainly infantry and chariots, was tired of coping, and there was almost no strength to fight back.
What to do? There is no way out without reform. King Wuling of Zhao"
Imago rode and shot at hufu to teach the people.
"(Warring States Policy)."
He was ordered to change his hu costume, change the military system, and learn to ride and shoot.
(The Chronicles).
King Wuling of Zhao ordered that light costumes be changed throughout the country. Compared with the Hanfu with wide robes and large sleeves and dragging mud and water, the bearded clothes of the northern nomads are simple and easy, and are conducive to riding and shooting. At the same time, he promoted horseback riding, archery and other skills in the army, and gradually abandoned the chariots and spears that were widely used.
Any reform will be questioned and opposed, but King Wuling of Zhao follows the route he has planned, the combat effectiveness of the Zhao army has increased, and the national strength has gradually become stronger.
After the reform, the Zhao army successively defeated Zhongshan, Lou Fu and other forces, the territory continued to expand, and the rule of the Zhao state was strengthened.
However, character is destiny. The meritorious King Wuling of Zhao caused tragedy in his life because of excessive benevolence.
For his four sons, King Wuling of Zhao was very fond of his eldest son Zhao Zhang and second son Zhao He. According to the system of primogeniture, king Wuling of Zhao initially made Zhao Zhang crown prince. However, after the death of Lady Han (Zhao Zhang's biological mother), Wu Wa, the favored king of Zhao Wuling, begged for her son Zhao Heli to succeed him, and King Wuling of Zhao agreed.
In his early years, Zhao Zhang followed his father around in his conquests, and his martial courage was outstanding, his military achievements were outstanding, and he was respected, and in Zhao Zhang, king Wuling of Zhao saw his young self.
Zhao Zhang had to give up his position as crown prince and transfer to his younger brother, who was ten years younger than himself. Although King Zhao Wuling had an intolerance in his heart, he sacrificed the interests of his eldest son for the sake of his beloved woman.
How to treat Zhao Zhang? King Wuling of Zhao was very distressed, and after thinking about it, he made him the Prince of Anyang, ruled Dai County, and arranged for Tian Buli to assist him.
Soon, King Wuling of Zhao announced that Zen was located in Zhao He, and he became the "main father" of the dune palace.
After Zhao He (King Huiwen of Zhao) succeeded to the throne, he governed the Zhao state quite well. Zhao Zhang, who was stationed in Dai County, was often uncomfortable, and at the instigation of Tian Buli and others, Zhao Zhang launched a mutiny while King Wuling of Zhao and Zhao He were hunting in the sand dunes. He wanted to end his brother's throne with the military powers given by his father.
However, Zhao Zhang's rebellion was soon put down, and he became a loner. In the presence of the enemy, he hid in his father's palace and asked for refuge. The palms of his hands and the backs of his hands were all flesh, and King Wuling of Zhao accepted him.
The Zhao generals Gongzi Cheng, Li Dui, and others led troops to kill Zhao Zhang. Because Zhao Zhang was hiding in his father's palace, what to do?
After thinking about it, Li Dui, Gongzi Cheng, and others attacked behind The King of Zhao Huiwen, and Zhao Zhang was killed.
However, Gongzi Cheng led his troops to surround the palace of the Wuling King, which was a felony. Without doing two things, he simply did not allow the Martial Spirit King to leave the palace. Three months later, King Wuling of Zhao was trapped and starved to death.
History cannot be assumed. However, when King Wuling of Zhao did not seal him to a foreign country because he was distressed about Zhao Zhang, all this might have been avoided.