Zhi Yao

Zhi Yao (), Xun Yao (), or Zhi Boyao (), posthumously known as Zhi Xiangzi (), was the ruler of Zhi, a vassal state of Jin during the late Spring and Autumn period. He was the son of Zhi Shen. He was the last Zhongjunjiang (Prime Minister) of Jin before its partition.

Zhi Yao's dramatic death was a significant event in Chinese history. As the dominant vassal state, he asked Kangzi of Han, Huanzi of Wei and Xiangzi of Zhao to cede their lands to the Zhi clan. Han and Wei complied. But Zhao refused to give lands to the Zhi clan. In response to Zhao's refusal, Xiangzi led his army, along with armies from Han and Wei, in laying siege to the Zhao capital Jinyang (modern Taiyuan). The siege lasted two years before it came to a dramatic end. Zhao conspired with the Han and Wei rulers so that Xiangzi was betrayed by his own allies and defeated. Zhao decapitated Zhi Yao and massacred his entire family of over 200 members. After the fall of the Zhi clan, no vassals in Jin could once again match the power of the Zhao, Han, and Wei clans. The Duke of Jin was consequently only a figurehead rather than the ruler of the Jin state. This eventually led to the Partition of Jin and the establishment of Han, Zhao and Wei as independent states acknowledged by the Zhou dynasty ruler.

This event is considered to mark the end of the Spring and Autumn period and the beginning of the Warring States period. Provided by Wikipedia