Zhao Xin (died 301), courtesy name Heshu, was a military general and rebel of the Jin dynasty (266–420). A relative of Empress Jia Nanfeng, Zhao Xin rebelled and attempted to establish independence in Yi province after she was overthrown by the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun in 300. During his rebellion, he allied himself with Li Xiáng and the six commanderies refugees (六郡民流) of Guanzhong, but his suspicion led to his execution of Li Xiáng in 301. In retaliation, Li Xiáng's brothers, Li Te and Li Liu led their armies to attack Zhao Xin at Chengdu, causing him to flee and be later killed a subordinate.
Zhao Xin | |
|---|---|
| 趙廞 | |
| Governor of Yi Province (益州牧) (Self-appointed) | |
| In office 300–301 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Shijiazhuang, Hubei |
| Died | 301 Shuangliu District, Sichuan |
| Children | Zhao Bing |
| Courtesy name | Heshu (和叔) |
Early life and career
editZhao Xin's ancestors were from Anhan County (安漢縣), Baxi Commandery (巴西郡), which is in present-day Nanchong, Sichuan. They were followers of the Celestial Master, Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, and after Zhang Lu surrendered to Cao Cao and was relocated to Hebei in 215, his ancestors also decided follow him and settled down in Zhao Commandery. Zhao Xin was described as a person who values simplicity, yet was excessively extravagant in practice. He entered the service of the imperial court, and in succession served as the Magistrate of Chang'an County, Administrator of Tianmen Commandery, Administrator of Wuling Commandery (武陵郡; around present-day Changde, Hunan) and General Who Spreads Vehemence. The Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun appreciated his talents, and during his time in Wuling, Zhao Xin notably promoted a man named Pan Jing (潘京), who went on to become a renowned official.[1][2]
In 296, Zhao Xin was appointed the Inspector of Yi province and General Who Breaks and Charges, although he only officially took up office in 298. At the time of his appointment, Qi Wannian's rebellion had broken out in the Guanzhong region to the north of Yi province, so Zhao Xin instructed the officials in Yi, Ma Xuan (馬玄) and Yin Fang (尹方) to assist in fighting the rebels. He also ordered to have the rice from the provincial capital, Chengdu be requisitioned as military supplies and sent to the Guanzhong by deer carts.[3]
Rebellion in Yi province
editEarly stages
editIn 300, Zhao Xin received an imperial edict summoning him to the Jin capital, Luoyang to serve as the Empress's Chamberlain while the Interior Minister of Chengdu, Geng Teng (耿滕) replaces him as the Inspector of Yi. However, Zhao Xin suspected that he was going to be executed, as he was related by marriage to and supported the empress and paramount leader, Jia Nanfeng, who had just been overthrown and killed by Sima Lun. There was a prophecy which stated "The Yellow Star is that of the king", and at the time, the stars within "Zhao state" (趙; same character as Zhao Xin's surname) constellation were shining bright. Seeing that the Jin government was in disarray, he began his plan to declare independence in the Shu region.[4]
Due to Qi Wannian's rebellion, many refugees were entering Yi province from the Guanzhong region. Zhao Xin, in an attempt to win their support, distributed food from the government storehouses to the refugees. He also made the refugee leaders, the brothers Li Xiáng and Li Te, his subordinates and treated them exceptionally. However, the refugees became reliant on Zhao Xin's protection, and many of them became bandits and caused trouble for the locals of Shu. Geng Teng was unnerved by the situation that was unfolding and secretly sent petitions to the imperial court urging them to send the refugees back north out of fear they would rebel. Zhao Xin thus resented Geng Teng when he found out about these petitions.[5]
Killing Geng Teng and Chen Xun
editAfter the official edict arrived in Yi, Geng Teng was greeted and escorted by more than a thousand civil and military officials from the Lesser City to take up his post in the Greater City, where the affairs of Yi are managed. However, Zhao Xin refused to leave the Greater City and sent Li Xiang's generals, Luo An (羅安) and Wang Li (王利) to initimidate Geng Teng. Luo An and his allies raided Geng Teng at Xuanhua village in Guanghan Commandery and killed the edict bearer, but Geng Teng remained intent on entering the Greater City despite opposition from his advisor, Chen Xun (陳恂).[6]
When Geng Teng entered the city through the western gate, Zhao Xin ordered his aide, Dai Mao (代茂) to capture him, but Dai Mao informed Geng Teng on what was about to happen and left instead. Nonetheless, Zhao Xin sent his soldiers to attack Geng Teng, defeating him several times which led to him killing himself by jumping off the Lesser City. Geng Teng's son, Geng Qi (耿奇) hid with a peasant named Song Ning (宋寧) through the help of the official, Zuo Xiong (左雄). Zhao Xin offered Song Ning a thousand gold to find Geng Qi, but he refused, allowing Geng Qi to later escape. All of Geng Teng's accompanying officials fled except for Chen Xun, who tied himself and presented himself before Zhao Xin requesting for Geng Teng's body, which was granted.[7]
With Geng Teng dead, Zhao Xin then sent his soldiers against the Colonel of Western Yi Tribes, Chen Zong (陳總), who was also making his way for Chengdu. Chen Zong briefly stopped at Jiangyang when he heard about the situation. He then attempted to rush to Chengdu, but poor road conditions delayed his march, and when he reached Yufu Crossing (魚涪津) in Nan'an County (南安縣; in present-day Leshan, Sichuan), he was met with Zhao Xin's army. Chen Zong was reluctant to fight them despite the urging of his advisor, Zhao Mo (趙模), but at the same time, many of his soldiers were deserting him. Chen Zong fled to hide among the grass, while Zhao Mo, disguised as Chen Zong, led the remaining troops to attack but was killed in battle. When Zhao Xin's men found out that they had killed Zhao Mo instead, they went to search for Chen Zong and killed him as well.[8]
Conflict with Li Xiang and his brothers
editAfter eliminating Geng Teng and Chen Zong, Zhao Xin declared himself as Grand Chief Controller, Grand General and Governor of Yi province, and according to the Chronicles of Jin (晉春秋) by Du Yanye (杜延業), he also went as far as introducing a new reign era, Taiping (太平).[9] He also began appointing and dismissing officials within Yi, and many of the Jin imperial officials dared not ignore his summon. Li Xiáng brought with him the leaders of the refugee groups to visit Zhao Xin, who appointed him as General Who Awes Bandits and awarded him the title of Marquis of Yangqiu Village. Zhao Xin then ordered him to recruit soldiers from the refugees and block the roads leading to the north.[10] As he had rebelled, his eldest son, Zhao Bing (趙昺), who was in Luoyang, was executed.
Though Zhao Xin treated Li Xiáng as a close ally at first, he soon grew wary of him as he became increasingly popular and displayed exceptional command over his own soldiers. Zhao Xin did not say anything at first, but his chief clerks, Du Shu (杜淑) and Zhang Can (張粲) advised him to get rid of Li Xiáng, warning him that Li Xiáng was not related to him and yet had many of their best soldiers under his command. In 301, Li Xiáng visited Zhao Xin and urged him to claim the imperial title, but Zhao Xin angrily rejected and accused him of treason. After discussing with Du Shu and others, Zhao Xin killed Li Xiáng, along with his sons, nephews and kinsmen, totalling more than ten people.[11]
Li Xiáng's brothers, Li Te and Li Liu were still guarding the northern front when he died. Soon after, Du Shu and Zhang Can, were also murdered by their peer, Xu Yan (許弇) over a dispute about his office, and Xu Yan was also killed in turn. All three men were Zhao Xin's closest advisors, and with their deaths, his power was greatly weakened. Zhao Xin sent envoys to console and explain his actions to Li Te and Li Liu, even trying to appoint them as generals, but the brothers were furious and led their troops towards Chengdu by passing through Mianzhu.[12]
Zhao Xin sent his generals, Fei Yuan (費遠), Li Bi (李苾) and Chang Jun (常俊) to defend Shiting in Mianzhu. However, they were badly routed when Li Te launched a night raid on their camps, and Li Te continued his march onto Chengdu. Many of the city's commanders and officials fled in fear, leaving Zhao Xin alone with his wife and children. Zhao Xin and his family fled on a small boat, but at Guangdu (廣都; in modern Shuangliu District, Sichuan), they were all killed by a subordinate, Zhu Zhu (朱竺). Li Te soon entered Chengdu, sacking the city before sending a list of crimes that Zhao Xin had committed to the Jin capital in Luoyang.[13]
References
edit- ^ (廞字和叔，本巴西安漢人也。祖世隨張魯內移，家趙。趙王倫器之。歷長安令，天門、武陵太守，來臨州。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (潘京，字世長，武陵漢壽人也。弱冠，郡辟主簿，太守趙廞甚器之，嘗問曰：「貴郡何以名武陵？」京曰：「鄙郡本名義陵，在辰陽縣界，與夷相接，數為所攻，光武時移東出，遂得全完，共議易號。《傳》曰止戈為武，《詩》稱高平曰陵，於是名焉。」為州所辟...) Jin Shu, vol.90
- ^ (元康六年，復以梁益州為重州，遷益州刺史栗為梁州，加材官將軍。揚烈將軍趙廞為益州刺史，加折衝將軍。關中氐及馬蘭羌反，寇天水、略陽、扶風、始平、武都、陰平。發梁州及東羌、鎮西討之，不克。益州遣牙門馬玄、尹方捄援之。以鹿車運成都米給軍糧。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (永康元年，詔徵刺史廞為大長秋。遷成都內史中山耿滕為益州刺史、折衝將軍，因廞所服佩。初，廞以晉政衰而趙星黃，占曰：「星黃者王。」陰懷異計。「蜀土四塞，可以自安。」) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (永康元年，詔征益州刺史趙廞為大長秋，以成都內史耿滕代廞。廞遂謀叛，潛有劉氏割據之志，乃傾倉廩，振施流人，以收眾心。特之党類皆巴西人，與廞同郡，率多勇壯，廞厚遇之，以為爪牙，故特等聚眾，專為寇盜，蜀人患之。滕密上表，以為流人剛剽而蜀人懦弱，客主不能相制，必為亂階，宜使移還其本。若致之險地，將恐秦雍之禍萃于梁益，必貽聖朝西顧之憂。廞聞而惡之。) Jin Shu, vol.120
- ^ (州被詔書，已遣文武士千餘人迎滕。滕以廞未出州，故在郡。廞募庠黨羅安、王利等劫滕，〔殺傳詔者，〕大敗於「廣漢」宣化亭。「殺傳詔者」滕議欲入州城。功曹陳恂諫曰：「今州郡并治兵，怨搆日深。入城必有大禍。不如安住少城，檄諸縣合村保，以備秦氐。陳西夷行至。且觀其變。不爾，可退住犍為，西渡江原，以防非常。」滕不從。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (冬十有二月，滕入城，登西門。廞遣親近代茂取滕。茂告之而去。廞又遣兵討滕。滕軍敗績，自投少城「上」〔死〕。吏左雄負滕子奇依民宋寧藏。廞購千金，寧不出。廞尋敗，得免。郡吏皆竄走，惟陳恂面縛詣廞，請滕死喪。廞義而不殺也。恂與戶曹掾常敞共備棺冢葬之。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (廞又遣兵逆西夷校尉陳總。總至江陽，聞廞有異志，主簿蜀郡趙模曰：「今州郡不協，必生大變，當速行赴之。府是兵要，助順討逆，誰敢動者！」總更緣道停留，比至南安魚涪津，已遇廞軍，模白總：「散財募士以拒戰，若克州軍，則州可得；不克，順流而退，必無害也。」總曰：「趙益州忿耿侯，故殺之；與吾無嫌，何爲如此！」模曰：「今州起事，必當殺君以立威，雖不戰，無益也。」言至垂涕，總不聽，衆遂自潰。總逃草中，模著總服格戰；廞兵殺模，見其非是，更搜求得總，殺之。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.83
- ^ (永康元年，趙廞自稱大都督、大將軍、益州牧，建號太平元年（同上五）。) Jin Chunqiu
- ^ (廞自稱大將軍益州牧。以武陽令蜀郡杜淑、別駕張粲、巴西張龜、西夷司馬襲尼、江原令犍為費遠等為左、右長史，司馬，參軍。徙犍為太守李庠為威寇將軍。召臨邛令涪陵許弇為牙門將。召諸王官，莫敢不往。又以廣漢太守張微、汶山太守楊邠、成都令費立為軍祭酒。時庠與兄〔特〕、弟流、驤、妹婿李含、天水任回、上官晶、張佳、扶風李攀、始平費他、氐符成、隗伯、董勝等四千騎在北門。廞使庠斷北道。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (李庠曉勇得衆心，趙廞浸忌之而未言。長史蜀郡杜淑、張粲說廞曰：「將軍起兵始爾，而據遣李庠握強兵於外。非我族類，其心必異，此倒戈授人也，宜早圖之。」會庠勸廞稱尊號，淑、粲因白廞以庠大逆不道，引斬之，幷其子姪十餘人。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.84
- ^ (庠素東羌良將，曉軍陳，不用麾志，舉矛為行伍。庠勸稱大號漢。庠部下放攪，廞等忌之，張佳遂於會所斬庠，及其兄子弘等十餘人。慮特等為變，又命為督將，安慰其軍。還特庠喪。其夜，特、流徹眾散歸綿竹。廞遣故陰平令張衡、升遷費恕就綏納，皆為特所殺。) Huayang Guozhi, vol.8
- ^ (廞恐朝廷討己，遣長史費遠、犍為太守李苾、督護常俊督萬餘人斷北道，次綿竹之石亭。特密收合得七千餘人，夜襲遠軍，遠大潰，因放火燒之，死者十八九。進攻成都。廞聞兵至，驚懼不知所為。李苾、張征等夜斬關走出，文武盡散。廞獨與妻子乘小船走至廣都，為下人硃竺所殺。特至成都，縱兵大掠，害西夷護軍薑發，殺廞長史袁治及廞所置守長，遣其牙門王角、李基詣洛陽陳廞之罪狀。) Jin Shu, vol.120
Notes
edit- Chang, Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guozhi)
- Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.