Zhai Zhao

Who was Zhai Zhao?

Zhao Zhao was the last ruler of the Chinese/Dingling state Wei. During his reign, he used the title "Heavenly Prince", roughly equivalent to emperor.

Zhai Zhao's father Zhai Liao had, after rebelling against Jin in 386, held a swath of territory near the Yellow River in modern Henan. In 387, he sent Zhao Zhao to attack Jin's Chenliu and Yinchuan commanderies, but Jin general Zhu Xu repelled his attack. Later that year, under pressure from Later Yan's emperor Murong Chui, Zhai Liao briefly submitted to Later Yan, but in winter 387 again rebelled. In 388, he tried to reconcile with Later Yan, but after Murong Chui turned down his overture, declared an independent Wei state.

In 390, the Jin general Liu Laozhi attacked Zhai Zhao, who was then defending the city of Juancheng, forcing Zhai Zhao to abandon Juancheng and flee back to his father's capital Huatai. Liu then defeated Zhai Liao in battle as well, but did not destroy Wei.

In 391, Zhai Liao died, and Zhai Zhao succeeded him as the Heavenly Prince. Zhai Zhao soon attempted to attack Later Yan's important city Yecheng, but was repelled by Murong Chui's son Murong Nong.