Zhao Yang (Spring and Autumn)

Zhao Yang 趙鞅 (d. c. 475–476 BCE), cognomen (Zhao) Meng 孟, also known as Ying Yang 趙鞅 (personal), Zhi Fu 志父, and posthumously as Zhao Jian-zi 趙簡子 or Viscount Jian of Zhao, was a fifth century b.c. Jin state Head noble (or Clan leader) of the Zhao lineage. Serving as Chief minister under Duke Ding 晉定公 (r. 512–475), he was head of the Jin state government and army as its highest military commander, as well as a legal reformer, with the feudal-era Jin state uniting civil and military authority. He was Grandson of Zhao Wu 趙武.

After the rebellion of Prince Chao, and a strategy meeting in the summer of 517, Zhao Yang and a Zhi Li led the Jin army to reinstate the king in 516. In 513 Zhao Yang inscribed a new penal code in iron together with Xun Yin 荀寅. On orders, he oversaw the construction a city wall for the town of Rubin 汝濱, formerly Luhun 陸渾, where there were Di tribes. He commanded the Jin army when it besieged the state of Wei 衛 in 500, forcing a re-establishment of their alliance with Wei as subordinate. Three years later he was supported by the king against other noble houses attacking him (Fan and Zhonghang), expelling them. After the opposing nobles retreated to the Qi state 齊, he annexed a portion of their territory together with his supporters, viscounts of Wei 魏, Han and Zhi 智 (or 知).

He should not be confused with earlier clan leader and Zhao Viscount Zhao Dun, cognomen (Zhao) Meng 孟, or a less famous Zhao Yang from the Wei state.