King Xiaocheng of Zhao
| King Xiaocheng of Zhao | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reign | 265 BCE-245 BCE | ||||||||
| Predecessor | King Huiwen of Zhao | ||||||||
| Successor | King Daoxiang | ||||||||
| Spouse | unknown | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Father | King Huiwen of Zhao | ||||||||
| Born | unknown | ||||||||
| Died | 245 BCE | ||||||||
King Xiaocheng of Zhao (Traditional Chinese: 趙孝成王) (died 245 BCE, reigned 265 BCE – 245 BCE) reigned in the State of Zhao during the Warring States period of Chinese history. His reign oversaw the decline of Zhao military power owing to the catastrophic result of the Battle of Changping.
King Xiaocheng of Zhao ascended to the throne in the midst of a military stalemate between the Qin and the Zhao over the status of Shangdang, which Han had ceded to Zhao during the reign of King Huiwen. The commander in charge of Zhao forces, Lian Po, opted for a defensive strategy of fort construction. Perhaps due to Qin accusations of Lin Po's cowardice, King Xiaocheng decided in 260 BCE to replace him with Zhao Kuo, regardless of objections from leading politician Lin Xiangru. Zhao Kuo's offensive strategy played right into the hands of Qin general Bai Qi, and ultimately cost Zhao the battle and, with it, Zhao's military pre-eminence.
King Xiaocheng of Zhao died in 245 BCE and was succeeded by his son and heir, King Daoxiang of Zhao.
Notes and references
- Zhao Guo Shi Gao (Draft History of the Zhao State), Shen Changyun, Zhonghua Book Company, China.