Marquess Xian of Zhao

Marquess Xian of Zhao (?-409 BC) (simplified Chinese: 赵献侯; traditional Chinese: 趙獻侯; pinyin: Zhào Xiàn Hóu) was a leader of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period of Chinese history (475-220 BC).

Born Zhào Huàn (simplified Chinese: 赵浣; traditional Chinese: 趙浣), he was the son of Zhào Zhōu (simplified Chinese: 赵周; traditional Chinese: 趙周), grandson of Zhào Bólŭ (simplified Chinese: 赵伯鲁; traditional Chinese: 趙伯魯) and the eldest brother of Zhào Xiāng-zĭ (simplified Chinese: 赵襄子; traditional Chinese: 趙襄子).

Zhào Xiāng-zĭ believed that it was illegal for him to be the successor to Zhào Bólŭ and wanted to return his inheritance so that Zhào Huàn would become heir apparent.

After Zhào Huàn became leader he was banished from the Zhao capitals of Zhōngmú (Chinese: 中牟) (in modern-day Henan) and Daìjùn (Chinese: 代郡) (modern-day Yu County, Hebei) by Zhào Huán-zĭ (simplified Chinese: 赵桓子; traditional Chinese: 趙桓子), who usurped Zhào Huàn’s position and installed himself as ruler.

A year later, Zhào Huán-zĭ died and the local people killed all his sons. As a result, Zhào Huàn once more became leader of Zhao. After he died he was awarded the posthumous title of Zhào Xiàn-zĭ whilst his son became Marquess Lie of Zhao (simplified Chinese: 赵烈侯; traditional Chinese: 趙烈侯; pinyin: Zhào Liè Hóu) who subsequently altered his father’s posthumous title to Marquess Xian of Zhao.

References

Shen Changyun, “Zhao State Historical Manuscripts”, Zhonghua Publishing