Partition of Jin
Encyclopedia
The Partition of Jin the watershed between the Spring and Autumn and Warring States
periods, refers to the division of the State of Jin between rival families into the three states of Han
, Zhao
and Wei
.
Because the process took several decades, there is some debate between scholars as to the year that best marks the true partition of Jin. state that the four most common dates picked by historians are 481, 475, 468, and 403 BCE. The last date, according to Sima Guang
marks the conferring of Marquessates by King Weilie of Zhou
on Wei Si
, ruler of the State of Wei
; Zhao Ji
, ruler of the State of Zhao
, and Han Qian, ruler of the State of Han
.
In 376 BCE, the states of Han, Wei and Zhao deposed Duke Jing of Jin
and divided the Jin territory between themselves. As a result the three states were often referred to as the "Three Jins" .
used his royal clout to give legitimacy to Wu of Quwo
as the rightful duke of Jin in 678 BCE, succession issues continued to arise.
At the same time that the Jin duke was conquering new lands territory, a process of "secondary feudalization" occurred in the early and middle parts of the Spring and Autumn Period, wherein aristocratic title and territory were awarded to vassals loyal to Jin, rather than to the Zhou royalty. Over time, while other powerful states (like Chu
) were centralizing power through a rising bureaucracy, Jin continued to have a feudal power structure with aristocratic families ruling even individual counties. Over the course of a few generations, the major aristocratic families gained enough power to undermine the ruling duke's authority. During most of the seventh and sixth centuries, Jin was composed of an assortment of semi-independent city-states fighting each other and the Jin Duke as much as they fought other states.
placed them in charge of newly conquered lands. such that, in 607 BCE, they deposed a duke that attempted to curb their political power. The Xian clan (先) was eliminated in 596 BCE. Duke Li of Jin
encouraged the Luan clan (栾) to lead a military coalition that squashed the rising power of the Xi clan (郤). Subsequently, in 573, Luan supporters had Duke Li murdered and placed a puppet on the throne and the clan was then itself eliminated by 550, making the Shi, Zhao, and Han clans the most powerful at about this time. Soon after, the Wei clan (魏) also grew in power.
In the leadup to the civil war, the dominant clans were the Zhao, Wei, Han (韩), Fan (范), Zhi (智) and Zhonghang (中行) who were collectively called the "Six Titled Retainers" . These six aristocratic families dominated Jin in the late Spring and Autumn Period, basically using the ruling duke as a figurehead until Jin was split into three separate states.
The first loss was the Shi clan, which was was stripped of power in 493. Between 464 and 453, Zhao, Wei, and Han united to destroy the Zhonghang and Fan clans, leaving only the Zhi, Zhao, Han, and Wei clans remaining. Of these, the Zhi were the strongest.
Zhao Xiangzi retreated to the Jin city of Jinyang in 455 BCE, and the united forces laid siege for two years while also diverting water supplies away from the city. Faced with a critical situation, Zhao Xiangzi sent an envoy who persuaded the Han and Wei clans to change sides. They arrived and diverted a huge stream of water that split Zhi Xiangzi's camp in two, then captured and killed Zhi Xiangzi. In 453 BCE, the Zhao, Han, and Wei clans annihilated the Zhi clan.
As their respective powers were so balanced, none of the three remaining aristocratic families felt they could feasibly gain an upper hand over the others. So, in 403 BCE, they divided the state's lands among themselves into the "three Jins" of Wei
, Han
, and Zhao
. All three states quickly formed strong bureaucracies, thereby weakening the potential for any aristocratic families from encroaching on their power. This same year, King Weilie of Zhou
proclaimed Jin, Wei, Han, and Zhao as equals
and Quwo County
(both in modern day Shanxi Province
) for Duke You of Jin.
Because Zhao Xiangzi had usurped his position as Prince, Zhao Bolu became upset and agitated, naming his grandson Zhao Xianzi heir apparent. However, after Zhao Xiangzi died, his son Zhao Huanzi banished Zhao Xianzi and appointed himself ruler of Jin. Zhao Huanzi himself died a year later, whereupon the Zhao clan killed all of his sons and enthroned Zhao Xianzi. Later on, Zhao Xianzi's son Duke Lie of Zhao succeeded as ruler.
In 349 BCE, the Han and Zhao states divided the remaining Jin territory between themselves, thus completely destroying the State of Jin.
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
periods, refers to the division of the State of Jin between rival families into the three states of Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
, Zhao
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
and Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
.
Because the process took several decades, there is some debate between scholars as to the year that best marks the true partition of Jin. state that the four most common dates picked by historians are 481, 475, 468, and 403 BCE. The last date, according to Sima Guang
Sima Guang
Sīmǎ Guāng was a Chinese historian, scholar, and high chancellor of the Song Dynasty, jinshi 1038.-Life, profession, and works:...
marks the conferring of Marquessates by King Weilie of Zhou
King Weilie of Zhou
King Weilie of Zhou, ch.: 周威烈王, pinyin: zhōu wēi lìe wáng, wg: King Weilieh of Chou, was the thirty-first sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the nineteenth of Eastern Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information: Family name...
on Wei Si
Marquess Wen of Wei
Marquess Wen of Wei was the first Marquess to rule the State of Wei during the Warring States Period of Chinese history . Born Jī Sī , he was the son of Wèi Huán-zǐ . He became ruler of Wei in 445 BCE and in 424 BCE adopted the title of “Marquess”...
, ruler of the State of Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
; Zhao Ji
Marquess Lie of Zhao
Marquess Lie of Zhao was a ruler of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history . Born Zhào Jí , his father was Marquess Xian of Zhao ....
, ruler of the State of Zhao
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
, and Han Qian, ruler of the State of Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
.
In 376 BCE, the states of Han, Wei and Zhao deposed Duke Jing of Jin
Duke Jing of Jin
Duke Jing of Jin , was the last ruler of the State of Jin during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Born Jù Jĭu he was the son of Duke Xiào of Jin and ascended to the throne on the death of his father in the first year of the reign of King Wei of Qi and the twenty-fourth year of King...
and divided the Jin territory between themselves. As a result the three states were often referred to as the "Three Jins" .
Background
Succession issues were constant in Jin as far back as seventh century. Even when, for example, King Xi of ZhouKing Xi of Zhou
King Xi of Zhou was the sixteenth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the fourth of Eastern Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information: Family name Ji in Chinese Given name...
used his royal clout to give legitimacy to Wu of Quwo
Duke Wu of Jin
Duke Wu of Jin ,Ancestral name is Ji,Given name is Cheng and formerly known as Duke Wu of Quwo , was the eighteenth ruler of the state of Jin. He was also the eighth ruler of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period...
as the rightful duke of Jin in 678 BCE, succession issues continued to arise.
At the same time that the Jin duke was conquering new lands territory, a process of "secondary feudalization" occurred in the early and middle parts of the Spring and Autumn Period, wherein aristocratic title and territory were awarded to vassals loyal to Jin, rather than to the Zhou royalty. Over time, while other powerful states (like Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
) were centralizing power through a rising bureaucracy, Jin continued to have a feudal power structure with aristocratic families ruling even individual counties. Over the course of a few generations, the major aristocratic families gained enough power to undermine the ruling duke's authority. During most of the seventh and sixth centuries, Jin was composed of an assortment of semi-independent city-states fighting each other and the Jin Duke as much as they fought other states.
Growing aristocracy
The Zhao clan (趙/赵) gained in prominence after Duke WenDuke Wen of Jin
Duke Jin Wen led the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history from 636 BC to 628 BC. His ancestral name is Ji,clan name is Jin Duke Jin Wen (晋文公) (697 BC - 628 BC) led the state of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history from 636 BC to 628 BC. His ancestral...
placed them in charge of newly conquered lands. such that, in 607 BCE, they deposed a duke that attempted to curb their political power. The Xian clan (先) was eliminated in 596 BCE. Duke Li of Jin
Duke Li of Jin
Duke Li of Jin or Jin Li Gong was a ruler of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period. He made peace with Qin to the west and Qi to the east to block the growth of Chu to the south. In 579 the four powers held a peace conference, but fighting soon broke out again and Duke Li defeated Chu at the...
encouraged the Luan clan (栾) to lead a military coalition that squashed the rising power of the Xi clan (郤). Subsequently, in 573, Luan supporters had Duke Li murdered and placed a puppet on the throne and the clan was then itself eliminated by 550, making the Shi, Zhao, and Han clans the most powerful at about this time. Soon after, the Wei clan (魏) also grew in power.
In the leadup to the civil war, the dominant clans were the Zhao, Wei, Han (韩), Fan (范), Zhi (智) and Zhonghang (中行) who were collectively called the "Six Titled Retainers" . These six aristocratic families dominated Jin in the late Spring and Autumn Period, basically using the ruling duke as a figurehead until Jin was split into three separate states.
Civil war
After the 546 BCE truce agreement between Jin and Chu (itself prompted in part by Jin's internal difficulties), conflicts between aristocrats and with the Duke escalated and a civil war (497-453 BCE) commenced.The first loss was the Shi clan, which was was stripped of power in 493. Between 464 and 453, Zhao, Wei, and Han united to destroy the Zhonghang and Fan clans, leaving only the Zhi, Zhao, Han, and Wei clans remaining. Of these, the Zhi were the strongest.
The Battle of Jinyang
Acting on his own accord, the Jin Minister Zhi Xiangzi used the Zhi clan's place in the Jin court to intimidate and demand territory from ministers Han Kangzi of the Han clan and Wei Huanzi of the Wei clan. After Zhao Xiangzi of the Zhao clan rejected Zhi Xiangzi's demands in 455 BCE, Zhi Xiangzi attacked the Zhao clan while compelling the Han and Wei clans to send troops.Zhao Xiangzi retreated to the Jin city of Jinyang in 455 BCE, and the united forces laid siege for two years while also diverting water supplies away from the city. Faced with a critical situation, Zhao Xiangzi sent an envoy who persuaded the Han and Wei clans to change sides. They arrived and diverted a huge stream of water that split Zhi Xiangzi's camp in two, then captured and killed Zhi Xiangzi. In 453 BCE, the Zhao, Han, and Wei clans annihilated the Zhi clan.
As their respective powers were so balanced, none of the three remaining aristocratic families felt they could feasibly gain an upper hand over the others. So, in 403 BCE, they divided the state's lands among themselves into the "three Jins" of Wei
Wei (state)
The State of Wei was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Warring States Period of Chinese history. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and Qi and included parts of modern day Henan, Hebei, Shanxi and Shandong...
, Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
, and Zhao
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
. All three states quickly formed strong bureaucracies, thereby weakening the potential for any aristocratic families from encroaching on their power. This same year, King Weilie of Zhou
King Weilie of Zhou
King Weilie of Zhou, ch.: 周威烈王, pinyin: zhōu wēi lìe wáng, wg: King Weilieh of Chou, was the thirty-first sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the nineteenth of Eastern Zhou Dynasty.-Personal information: Family name...
proclaimed Jin, Wei, Han, and Zhao as equals
Remaining Jin lands
Duke Ai of Jin died in 434 BCE and was succeeded by Duke You of Jin . The Han, Zhao and Wei clans divided up surplus Jin territory amongst themselves, leaving only Jiang CountyJiang County
Jiang County is a county of Shanxi, China. It is under the administration of Yuncheng city.-References:*...
and Quwo County
Quwo County
Quwo County is a county of Shanxi, China. It is under the administration of Linfen city. The town of Quwo is in the Fen River valley about 30 miles south of Linfen and about 10 miles east of the point where the Fen River turns west. From 745 to 677 BC Quwo a state that broke off from the State of...
(both in modern day Shanxi Province
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) for Duke You of Jin.
Because Zhao Xiangzi had usurped his position as Prince, Zhao Bolu became upset and agitated, naming his grandson Zhao Xianzi heir apparent. However, after Zhao Xiangzi died, his son Zhao Huanzi banished Zhao Xianzi and appointed himself ruler of Jin. Zhao Huanzi himself died a year later, whereupon the Zhao clan killed all of his sons and enthroned Zhao Xianzi. Later on, Zhao Xianzi's son Duke Lie of Zhao succeeded as ruler.
In 349 BCE, the Han and Zhao states divided the remaining Jin territory between themselves, thus completely destroying the State of Jin.