Zhi Yao, known as Xun Yao or Yao, Count of Zhi, known by his posthumous name as the Viscount Xiang of Zhi, was the last leader of the Zhi clan in the Jin state.
17 Facts About Zhi Yao
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Zhi Yao was the last zhongjunjiang of Jin before the state's partition.
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Zhi Yao's dramatic death was a significant event in Chinese history.
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Zhao conspired with the Han and Wei rulers so that Zhi Yao was betrayed by his own allies and defeated.
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Zhao decapitated Zhi Yao and massacred his entire family of over 200 members.
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When choosing Xiangzi as his successor, Xuanzi of Zhi Yao was warned by his clansman Zhi Yao Guo who believed that Xiangzi's personality did not fit the qualities of a ruler.
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Zhi Yao managed to defeat Qi's troops in the battle of Liqiu.
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In 468 BC, Xiangzi of Zhi Yao invaded the state of Zheng.
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In 458 BC, Zhi Yao united the armies of Han, Zhao and Wei.
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Zhi Yao attacked and exterminated two of the major clans of Jin: the Fan and the Zhonghang.
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Zhi Yao took most of the Fan and Zhonghang fiefs with the result that he rose in influence to the top of Jin's court.
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The Zhao clan, which had been in control of the Jin court before Zhi Yao's sudden rise, was pushed out.
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Xiangzi of Zhi Yao was enraged by Zhao's response to him.
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In 453 BC, Xiangzi of Zhi Yao organised the diversion of the Fen River to flow into Jinyang where Zhao was based.
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Xiangzi of Zhi Yao was pleased with the situation facing Zhao.
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Han and Wei then betrayed Zhi Yao and surrounded the Zhi Yao army.
17.
Zhi Yao's skull was used as Zhao's wine cup as a symbol of the glorious victory.