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Zhibo Yao

Chief minister of Jin and head of the Zhi clan whose bid to swallow his rivals ended in his destruction at Jinyang in 453 BCE.

Also known as Xun Yao · Zhibo · Zhi Xiangzi · Zhi Bo

Zhibo Yao, born Xun Yao and posthumously called Zhi Xiangzi, was the son of Zhi Xuanzi and head of the Zhi clan, serving as chief minister of Jin and leading campaigns against Qi and Zheng. He extorted land from Han Kangzi and Wei Huanzi, but when Zhao Xiangzi refused, he led Han and Wei forces to besiege Zhao at Jinyang and flooded the city. According to the Zhanguo Ce, Zhao's envoy Zhang Mengtan won Han and Wei over, and in 453 BCE the three houses turned the water on Zhi's army, killed him and divided his lands. His fall set the stage for the Partition of Jin.

Life and times

  1. UnknownBornZhoud. 453 BCE; attested from 472 BCE
  2. 453 BCEPartition of JinTook partAfter the Battle of Jinyang the Han, Zhao and Wei lineages destroyed the Zhi clan and divided Jin; in 403 BCE King Weilie of Zhou recognized them as lords.
    1. Three Clans Destroy Zhi at Jinyangc. 455 BCEAfter a siege of more than a year, Han and Wei turned on Zhi Bo at Jinyang and, with Zhao, wiped out the Zhi clan.
  3. UnknownDied