Chapter 61: The Beginning of the Partition of Jin by the Three Families

Shanxi is also known as Jin because, during the Spring and Autumn period, it served as the primary territory of the powerful State of Jin, and was the homeland of Duke Wen of Jin, one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period. However, with the rise of powerful private clans, the rulers of Jin, much like the Zhou King, were marginalized by subordinate ministers who relied on their clan influences, causing their status to decline day by day.

Initially, there were six major factions within Jin: the Zhi clan, the Han clan, the Zhao clan, the Wei clan, the Fan clan, and the Zhonghang clan. The six families squeezed the ruler of Jin until he could only live in a constrained and subservient manner. Yet, as each faction expanded, their territories began to abut, leading to constant friction and increasingly fierce conflicts. Later, the Zhi, Han, Zhao, and Wei clans united to crush the Fan and Zhonghang clans, partitioning their lands. Among them, the Zhi clan was the most powerful.

Since history records the "Partition of Jin by Three Families" rather than four, one of the four factions—Zhi, Han, Zhao, and Wei—had to be eliminated. Logically, under the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, the one "erased" from history should have been one of the Han, Zhao, or Wei families. If so, the strong would grow stronger, the weak weaker, and according to "natural law," the ultimate outcome would not be the partition of Jin by three families, but rather the usurpation of Jin by the Zhi clan. Thus, the one ultimately erased from the map was none other than the most powerful Zhi clan.

Overthrowing the strongest faction, the Zhi clan, was no simple task. Even knowing that the strongest would break the balance of power and eventually devour everyone in the game, some would still willingly take orders from the powerful as subordinates, clearing obstacles on the path where the strong would swallow them up. The communication and coalition among the weak required time and cost; the strong would exploit this "time gap" to coerce and lure them, defeating them one by one.

Therefore, the weak facing the imminent threat of the strong typically had only two choices: become a pawn in their hands—which, though ending in being discarded once the birds were gone, at least delayed the time of defeat and might offer unexpected turns of fortune—or face immediate destruction. Because of this subtlety, the journey of Han, Zhao, and Wei in destroying the Zhi clan could be described as full of dramatic twists and heart-pounding moments. The Han and Wei clans played the role of pawns, while the Zhao clan became the chess player. Meanwhile, the Zhi clan was a powerful but careless player, repeatedly making grave mistakes that gave Zhao, Wei, and Han rare opportunities, ultimately leading to their own self-destruction.

Regarding the Partition of Jin by Three Families, the story must be painted in detail, beginning with the Zhao.

The Zhao clan was not originally surnamed Zhao, but Ying, sharing the same ancestry as the people of Qin; "Zhao" was their clan name. Originally belonging to the Dongyi peoples, the Ying lineage migrated westward and served the kings of the Shang and Zhou dynasties by driving carriages and tending horses, gradually settling down.

Among the descendants of the Ying lineage was a man named Zaofu, who served King Mu of Zhou. Skilful in raising horses, Zaofu continuously presented fine steeds to King Mu, winning the king's deep favor and trust, which led the king to specially grant Zaofu the duty of driving his chariot. When the Marquis of Xu revolted, King Mu rode in a chariot driven by Zaofu, traveling a thousand Li a day to swiftly suppress the rebellion. In rewarding contributions, King Mu enfeoffed Zaofu with the land of Zhao, whereupon Zaofu adopted Zhao as his clan name.

By the time the lineage reached Zhao Yang, the Zhao clan flourished with widespread branches, reaching the peak of its power. Zhao Yang even became the chief minister of Jin, holding authority that overshadowed the realm. Historical records note him as "Minister of Jin in name, but holding the actual power of Jin."

However, waters overflow when full, and the moon wanes when full. Danger lurked not far ahead, waiting for the Zhao clan. The foundation of the Zhao family was the city of Jinyang. After Zhao Yang spent immense effort and thought to build Jinyang, he found the streets inside sparse and desolate. Such an empty city, if besieged, would certainly be inadequate for defense. Consequently, the clan leader Zhao Yang reached out to his kinsman Zhao Wu in Handan, demanding the return of five hundred households of hostages he had acquired when defeating the State of Wei.

Logically, as a member of the Zhao clan, Zhao Wu ought to obey the command of the clan leader Zhao Yang, but Zhao Wu had his own difficulties. If he lost those five hundred Wei hostages in his hands, the city of Handan, exposed right at the doorstep of the Wei people, would likely face devastating destruction. Weighing the options, Zhao Wu decided to attack the State of Qi, intending to capture five hundred households from Qi and present them as a replacement to Zhao Yang.

However, Zhao Wu's idea was far too simplistic. The State of Qi possessed a vast territory spanning a thousand Li, abundant resources, and the advantages of the sea, making it the wealthiest state under heaven. Ever since Duke Huan achieved hegemony with the assistance of Guan Zhong, Qi had stood among the feudal lords as a superpower, renowned as the "Sturdy Qi." Attacking Qi, whether through a frontal assault or a surprise raid, was no easy task to accomplish. Moreover, even if they miraculously succeeded, the enraged people of Qi would certainly refuse to swallow such an insult, and the ultimate outcome would inevitably be a clash of arms between Jin and Qi, sparking interstate warfare.

Upon learning of this, Zhao Yang flew into a rage and dispatched men to execute Zhao Wu, little knowing that this would trigger a massive political storm.

Zhao Wu's clan lived in Handan, neither too distant nor too close to Zhao Yang's direct lineage, but they had long maintained marital ties with the Fan and Zhonghang clans. Backed by the Fan and Zhonghang clans, Zhao Wu's son Zhao Ji raised troops in rebellion, vowing to avenge his father.

Originally, the ruler of Jin stood on the side of Zhao Yang, but alas, words must be supported by strength; his voice was far too faint—so faint that it could be virtually ignored. Armed with weapons, the Fan and Zhonghang clans merely cast fierce side-long glances at the ruler of Jin, and he swiftly designated Zhao Yang as the prime instigator. According to the laws of Jin, an instigator had only one fate: death.

Two fists could not fend off four hands. Under the combined siege of the Fan and Zhonghang clans, Zhao Yang was soon overwhelmed and retreated to guard the city of Jinyang. The city of Jinyang, into which Zhao Yang had poured his heart and soul, withstood the test. Amidst flying stones and arrows, soaked in flowing blood, and surrounded by corpses, it stood tall and unfallen for a full year.

Outside the city, the Fan and Zhonghang clans were enduring the anxiety of a protracted siege and the boredom of waiting, when an unexpected twist suddenly emerged. Sensing that the "time was ripe," the Zhi, Han, and Wei clans hastily entered the fray.

Two against three—they were already at a numerical disadvantage. Furthermore, after a year, the resources of the Fan and Zhonghang clans were thoroughly exhausted. Coupled with a counterattack launched by the Zhao from within the city, the allied forces of Fan and Zhonghang collapsed like a mountain under an avalanche, perishing with their names erased, and their lands were swiftly partitioned among the four families.

Strangely, the Zhi, Han, and Wei clans did not proceed to eliminate the Zhao clan and divide their territory. It was likely they feared the deterrence of Jinyang, and Jinyang would not willingly fade into silence; it would continue to write its glorious and legendary future.

A Single Sentence Changes Destiny

Although they managed to keep their green hills, this battle severely crippled the Zhao clan's strength, leaving them without the dominance to control Jin, and their status was usurped by the Zhi clan.

In fact, even before the rebellion of the Fan and Zhonghang clans, Zhao Yang had already been plagued by headaches. Zhao Yang was advanced in years, with one foot already in the grave, yet his designated heir and eldest legitimate son, Bolu, was a thoroughly incompetent fellow.

"The future world will be treacherous and filled with variables. Can Bolu handle the cannibalistic rivals lurking all around us, protect our Zhao clan, and carry our legacy forward?" Zhao Yang looked at Bolu's simple-minded expression and sighed inwardly.

Perhaps due to worrying day and night about his heir, Zhao Yang fell ill—and remained unconscious for five days and five nights. With no one in charge, affairs big and small in the Zhao territory plunged into a state of chaotic disorder, prompting those around him to summon the divine physician Bian Que.

After waiting for quite a while, the people finally saw Bian Que leisurely walking out of the bedroom. Dong Anyu, the trusted favorite minister of Zhao Yang, hurried forward to inquire about the condition. Bian Que stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "The master's blood vessels are flowing smoothly and his breathing is steady. Why need you worry?" Sure enough, shortly after, Zhao Yang woke up and told Dong Anyu and the others, "The reason I have been sleeping deeply without waking these past few days is because I was receiving instruction from the Heavenly Emperor; the Heavenly Emperor also entrusted me with a child and a greyhound, saying: 'When your child grows to adulthood, let this greyhound stay by his side.'" Dong Anyu and the others looked at each other in dismay, not knowing what to make of it, but the matter was far too peculiar, so they recorded the words of their master Zhao Yang.

Later one day, Zhao Yang went out on an inspection tour. A man blocked his path, insisting on seeing the lord. Zhao Yang's attendants drew their swords to threaten him, yet he refused to retreat, prompting them to report to Zhao Yang. The moment Zhao Yang saw this man, he felt he had seen him in a dream, standing right beside the Heavenly Emperor. Zhao Yang asked, "Who is the child entrusted by the Heavenly Emperor?" The man replied, "This child is your son, and the State of Dai regards the greyhound as its ancestor, so your son will surely conquer the State of Dai." Zhao Yang was overjoyed in his heart: My son is chosen by the Heavenly Emperor, and the Zhao family has a worthy successor! He then asked the man's name, wishing to bestow an official post upon him and keep him by his side. However, the man replied, "I am merely a rustic villager, here for no other purpose than to convey the will of the Heavenly Emperor." With that, he vanished without a trace. Zhao Yang was all the more astonished, and his urgency to find this son chosen by the Heavenly Emperor grew increasingly intense. Consequently, he invited the renowned physiognomist Gubu Ziqing, hoping to use his miraculous physiognomy skills to find the heir who "carried the mandate of heaven."

Some critics argued that physiognomy had no basis whatsoever, being mere self-talk and wild ramblings by physiognomists seeking food and drink. Of course, while physiognomy was not a science, it had its foundations—it was an empirical skill, a means of judgment people derived from observing life. Many physiognomists were indeed swindlers with no true insight or ability, merely wandering the jianghu to earn a meal. Yet this Gubu Ziqing was different; renowned far and wide and respected by ministers of various states, he surely possessed astonishing mastery of his craft.

Full of hope, Zhao Yang summoned all his sons and introduced them to Gubu Ziqing. To everyone's surprise, Gubu Ziqing scanned the group and flatly remarked, "None of these are materials sufficient to inherit the general's enterprise." Zhao Yang slumped instantly, unable to sit as straight as before; his head dropped, and he muttered to himself, "Does the Zhao family have no successor, destined to perish in my hands?" At that moment, Gubu Ziqing's voice sounded by his ear again: "Are all the general's sons here? Just now on the road, I saw a youth surrounded by a crowd of attendants—he is also your son, is he not?" A spark of hope reignited in Zhao Yang's heart. He promptly ordered his men to fetch that son; this man was none other than Zhao Wuxu.

As soon as Wuxu arrived, Gubu Ziqing bowed in greeting and sighed, "This is the true general!" Zhao Yang asked doubtfully, "Wuxu was born of a Di maidservant and has a humble background; how can he be considered noble?" Gubu Ziqing replied, "He is chosen by the Heavenly Emperor; though a concubine's son, he will ultimately attain greatness." Only then did Zhao Yang recall the dream entrusted by the Heavenly Emperor and the gift of the greyhound, and everything suddenly became clear to him. However, Wuxu was after all a concubine's son with foreign blood, and earlier, when Gubu Ziqing read the faces of the sons, Zhao Yang had not summoned Wuxu, knowing that he held no status in the Zhao family—Zhao Yang may have never even regarded him as his own son. Thus, to abruptly depose Bolu and establish Wuxu as heir—even if Zhao Yang could bring himself to accept it—would surely provoke opposition from everyone in the household. Nevertheless, from that moment on, Wuxu's position in Zhao Yang's heart underwent a heaven-shaking transformation.