Zhao Xing

Who is Zhao Xing?

Zhao Xing, was the forth ruler of the kingdom of Nanyue. His rule began in 115 BC and ended with his death in 112 BC. In Vietnamese history, he is considered a king of Vietnam.

Zhao Xing was the second son of King Zhao Yingqi, and his mother was a Han Chinese woman called Jiushi. In 135 BC, Zhao Yingqi was sent to Han court by King Zhao Mo of Nanyue, to serve as Emperor Wu's guard. Before leaving for Chang'an, Zhao Yingqi had married a Yue woman and had his eldest son Zhao Jiande. While in Chang'an, he got married with Jiushi, and had his second son Zhao Xing.

After Zhao Yingqi assumed the Nanyue throne, he appointed Zhao Xing as Crown Price instead of his eldest son Zhao Jiande, despiting the Primogeniture custom. When Zhao Yingqi died, Zhao Xing successfully succeeded his father as king, and his mother Jiushi became Queen Dowager.

In 113 BC, Emperor Wu of Han sent Anguo Shaoji to Nanyue summon Zhao Xing and Queen Dowager Jiu to Chang'an for an audience with the Emperor. The Queen Dowager was regarded as a foreigner by Nanyue people, and it was widely rumored that the Queen Dowager had an illicit relationship with Anguo Shaoji before she married Zhao Yingqi.