Marquess Xian of Zhao

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

Born Zhào Huàn (simplified Chinese: 赵浣; traditional Chinese: 趙浣), he was the son of Zhao Zhou (simplified Chinese: 赵周; traditional Chinese: 趙周), grandson of Zhao Bolu (simplified Chinese: 赵伯鲁; traditional Chinese: 趙伯魯) and the eldest brother of Zhao Xiangzi (simplified Chinese: 赵襄子; traditional Chinese: 趙襄子).

Zhào Xiāngzĭ 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 Zhongmu County (Chinese: 中牟) (in modern-day Henan) and Dai Commandery (near modern-day Yuzhou in Hebei) by Zhao Huanzi (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 Huánzĭ 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 Xiànzĭ 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