The Orphan of the Zhao Family


In the state of Jin in today’s southern Shanxi province during and Autumn period ( 770-476 B. C. ),the reigning monarch Duke Jing became jealous of the growing power and popularity of an upright minister named Zhao Shuo. The duke decided to eliminate zhao, and found a ready ally in the clever and unscrupulous court official Tu Angu.

The wily Tu began to spread false rumors about Zhao and his two brothers, Zhao Tong and Zhao Kuo. His big chance came when a landslide in the mountains blocked river traffic. Tu blamed the disaster on the misdeeds of the Zhao brothers. In those days, natural calamities were often believed to be signs of heavenly disfavor caused by the evil actions of rulers or officials.

Seizing this chance, the duke sent armed troops to attack the Zhao mansion. An official signboard was posted before the house branding the Zhaos as criminals. The soldiers mercilessly slaughtered every member of the family , and even the servants. When the massacre was over, several hundred people lay dead. But among the bodies Tu Angu could not find that of Zhao Shuo’s wife Zhuang Ji - who also happened to be the aunt of Duke Jing.

Zhao Shou had been warned beforehand by his friend Han Jue of the plot against his family. He saw no hope of resisting the duke’s power, but if his pregnant wife could be taken into hiding, the family line might still survive. Entrusting her to one of his men, Cheng Ying, Zhao told her "If it is a boy , name him Zhao Wu and tell him to revenge us. " The sorrowing woman was hidden in a remote part of the royal palace.

The false counselor Tu Angu discovered Zhuang Ji’s hiding place and urged Duke Jing to put her to death. The duke was naturally reluctant to have his own aunt killed. And Tu tried hard to persuade him, saying , " The princess herself is not the danger. But she bears a child of the Zhao family. When the child grows up it could bring disaster. You cannot ignore this. " So the duke decreed that if the child turned out to be a boy, he should be slain immediately.

Zhuang Ji did give birth to a son. The boy was hidden and faithful servant spread the news that a girl baby had been born, and died soon after. Tu Angu did not believe it. He promised a huge reward to anyone who would reveal the whereabouts of the child . And whoever concealed him would be executed together with his whole family. Guards stationed at the palace gates questioned and searched everyone going in or out.

Meanwhile ChengYing and Gongsun Chujiu, another loyal friend of the Zhao family, came up with a bold plan to save the infant. But carrying it out would involve great sacrifices. Gongsun asked Cheng " Which is easier, do you think ----dying for the child or staying alive to protect and raise him ?" Cheng answered, " Dying is easier. " Gongsun’s reply:" Ten I choose the easier part. "

So the plan went into effect . Cheng , pretending to be an informer, went to Tu Angu and told him that Zhao’s son had been secretly hidden in Gongsun’s house. Tu was delighted and immediately took some soldiers to arrest Gongsun. In the basement of his house they found a baby wrapped in silk and brocade. Actually, this was Cheng’s youngest son. Tu ordered that both the infant and Gongsun be put to death . Before the execution Gongsun pretended to be very angry and cursed his " faithless " friend Cheng who in turn contrived to look guilty and defiant.

Believing that the danger was over, Tu called off the massive search. His late father’s friend Han Jue then smuggled the real Zhao infant out of the palace and give it into Cheng’s care. Cheng took the boy to a mountain hideout and for fifteen years raised him as his father would have wished.

In the meantime , Duck Jing had died and Duke Dao succeeded him appointed Han Jue to high position and dismissed dishonest officials including Tu Angu. The new duke also believed that the Zhao brothers had been treated unjustly, and expressed his sorrow that none of the family remained alive. Han then revealed the truth and Dao ordered the young man brought to court.

Zhao Wu and his teacher Cheng Ying were over-joyed. When Tu’s treachery was revealed , justice was done at last. The family property was resorted to young Zhao Wu, and Tu and all his family were executed ( in those days considered the supreme penalty and deterrent to evil-doers ).

Duke Dao wanted to reward Cheng Ying for his faithful service, but Cheng refused . " I endured many humiliations and lived for this day when I could see the boy grown and vengeance done. It would not be just to take any reward while Gongsun lies in his grave. " He then took his own life . The duke had him buried together with Gongsun and erected a monument inscribed " Tomb of Two Heroes. "

The story of the Zhao family was recorded in the Historical Records by Sima Qian ( 2nd century B. C. ) and in the New Anecdotes by Liu Xiang (77-6 B.C.). Capturing the popular imagination , it has been retold in many forms. Ji Junxiang, a dramatist of the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) wrote a play called Zhao Family orphan. In the 18th century this play, in translation, became a favorite of European audiences.



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