Erzhu Zhao (尒朱兆) | 24 Histories

Overview

Erzhu Zhao was a general and Warlord.

Life and dates

Death

AD 533 二年正月…兆自縊
Suicide by hanging
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 248
AD 533 永熙二年正月丁酉
Suicide
Directly stated · Book of Wei 111, passage 227
hanged himself from a tree 自縊於樹
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 25, passage 34

Attested activity

AD 532 七月壬寅…北伐尒朱兆
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 235
AD 529 中大通元年辛丑
Dated from the passage context · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 153, passage 31; zizhitongjian:153:s0031a
AD 531 to AD 533 中興元年至赤谼嶺
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 35, 46
AD 533 二年正月…兆自縊
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 245, 248
AD 531 八月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 188
AD 532 太昌初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 13, passage 133

Show 16 more source-backed claims

AD 528 to AD 530 孝莊朝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 84-86
AD 530 to AD 533 尒朱兆
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 25, passages 4, 30
AD 528 to AD 532 尒朱兆之入洛
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 86, passage 60
AD 530 尒朱兆入洛
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 91, passage 190
AD 529 庚午
Dated from the passage context · zizhitongjian:153:s0161b
AD 530 to AD 531 建明前後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 90, 98
AD 529 戊辰
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:153:s0137t
AD 533 永熙二年正月甲午
Directly stated · Book of Wei 111, passage 226
AD 531 to AD 532 破尒朱兆於廣阿
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 206
AD 531 破尒朱兆於廣阿
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 238
AD 532 to AD 533 破尒朱兆於赤谼嶺
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 207
AD 532 破於廣阿
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 100
AD 532 閏三月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 202, 211
AD 532 高祖自晉陽出滏口，行至襄垣
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passages 13-16
AD 531 魏普泰元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 157, 164
AD 530 to AD 531 魏普泰元年前（敘事緊接普泰元年二月）
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 145, 157

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Erzhu Rong (尒朱榮)
brother's son 從子 · paternal line
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:153:s0031a
Child of Parent of Erzhu Zhao
father 父 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · zizhitongjian:153:s0031a

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry 車騎大將軍
AD 529 庚午 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · zizhitongjian:153:s0161b
General of Chariots and Cavalry 車騎將軍
AD 529 戊辰 · Held
Dated from the passage context · zizhitongjian:153:s0137t
Bearer of the Three Similitudes 儀同三司
AD 529 庚午 · Granted
Dated from the passage context · zizhitongjian:153:s0161b

Places and affiliations

Polity Northern Wei 北魏 · Relation Active under
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 90, 98, 188
Polity Northern Wei 北魏 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 145, 164
Polity Northern Wei 北魏 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 235; Book of Wei 91, passage 190
Polity Northern Wei 魏 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 238
Polity Wei 魏 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 153, passage 31; zizhitongjian:153:s0137t; zizhitongjian:153:s0161b
AD 532 北保秀容
At Xiurong 秀容 · Relation Retreated to
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 239, 242

Show 5 more source-backed claims

AD 532 四月
At Bing Province 幷州 · Relation Fled to
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 224
At Bing Province 幷州 · Relation Held
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 108
At Jinyang 晉陽 · Relation Based at
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 90, 100
At Jinyang 晉陽 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 145
At Luoyang 洛陽 · Relation Entered
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 190

Works and attributed material

不用公言，以至於此！
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Murong Shaozong (慕容紹宗)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 212
尒朱兆責神武以背己
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 206
永安枉害天柱，我報讐耳。
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 207
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 113, 125

Events and relationships

Alleged to assign six garrisons men
Political · Subject of forged accusation · Mode allegation Speaker Gao Huan (高歡)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 164
Assembled
AD 532 閏三月 · Military · Commander · At Ye 鄴
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 202
Captured emperor at Luoyang
Military · Commander · With Emperor Xiaozhuang (孝莊帝)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 95
Captured
AD 531 八月 · Military · Commander · At Yin Province 殷州
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 188
Cursed across river returned to Jinyang
AD 532 高祖自晉陽出滏口，行至襄垣 · Military · Actor · At Jinyang 晉陽
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 16
Cursed across river
Military · Antagonist · With Gao Huan (高歡)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 145

Show 17 more source-backed claims

Defeated Xing Gao at Ji'nan with Tianmu
AD 529 中大通元年辛丑 · Military · Commander · With Xing Gao (邢杲) · At Ji'nan 濟南
Dated from the passage context · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 153, passage 31
Defeated at
AD 531 破尒朱兆於廣阿 · Military · Defeated party · At Guang'a 廣阿 · With Pan Le (潘樂)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 238
Defeated by Bu Fan and fled
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 103
Entered luoyang
Military · Entrant
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 190
Fought and was defeated
Military · Commander · At Guang'a 廣阿
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 35, 43
Killed emperor and enthroned Prince Changguang
Political · Actor · With Emperor Xiaozhuang (孝莊帝)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 98
Night crossing at Xiashi
AD 529 戊辰 · Military · Commander · With Helü Sheng (賀拔勝), Guan Shou (冠受) · At Xiashi 硤石
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:153:s0137t
Offered neck to Gao Huan
Personal · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 136
Plundered Jinyang
AD 532 尒朱兆大掠晉陽 · Military · Commander · At Jinyang 晉陽
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 239
Prepared march on Luoyang
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 90
Pursued Gao Huan to Xiangyuan
AD 532 高祖自晉陽出滏口，行至襄垣 · Military · Pursuer · With Gao Huan (高歡) · At Xiangyuan 襄垣
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 13
Pursued Gao Huan to Xiangyuan
Military · Pursuer
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 132-133
Routed at Hanling
AD 532 閏三月 · Military · Defeated commander · At Hanling 韓陵
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 211-212
AD 533 二年正月
Military · Defeated party · With Dou Tai (竇泰) · At Chihong Ridge 赤洪嶺
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 245, 247
Relation Sworn brother of · Person Gao Huan (高歡) · renewed after white-horse sacrifice
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 139
Relation Sworn brother of · Person Gao Huan (高歡)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 107
Relation Patron of · Person Nianxian (念賢)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 146

Assessments and attributes

Assessment fierce and cunning but without strategy · Mode named-person-judgment Source Person Id Gao Huan (高歡)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 143
Assessment fit-only-to-lead-three-thousand-cavalry · Mode speech Speaker Erzhu Rong (尒朱榮)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 85
Assessment no-match-for-Heiliuhun · Mode speech Speaker Erzhu Rong (尒朱榮)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 86
Assessment reckless and cunning; harms the realm and loses good men · Mode speech Speaker Duan Shao (段韶)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 39, 42
Assessment tyrannized with armed force · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 108

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 84, 188, 235; Book of Wei 91, passage 190; Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 153, passage 31

References in the histories

Search passages

History

82 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 1Volume 1 Annals 1: Emperor Shenwu 1 · 52 passages

Open chapter

皆稱尒朱兆。 All named Erzhu Zhao.

曰：「此正可統三千騎以還，堪代我主衆者，唯賀六渾耳。」 Rong said, "Zhao can lead three thousand horsemen home, but only Heiliuhun is fit to replace me in command of the host."

因誡兆曰：「爾非其匹，終當為其穿鼻。」 He warned Zhao, "You are no match for him; in the end he will put the ring in your nose."

及尒朱兆自晉陽將舉兵赴洛，召神武。 When Erzhu Zhao prepared to march from Jinyang on Luoyang, he summoned Gao Huan.

兆恨焉。 Zhao resented the refusal.

騰復命，神武曰：「兆舉兵犯上，此大賊也，吾不能久事之。」 When Sun Teng returned, Gao Huan said, "Zhao is marching against the throne—he is a traitor, and I cannot serve him much longer."

自是始有圖兆計。 From that moment he began plotting against Erzhu Zhao.

及兆入洛，執莊帝以北，神武聞之，大驚。 When Zhao entered Luoyang and dragged Emperor Xiaozhuang north as a prisoner, Gao Huan was dismayed.

又使孫騰偽賀兆，因密覘孝莊所在，將劫以舉義，不果。 He sent Sun Teng to offer Zhao false congratulations while secretly seeking Emperor Xiaozhuang's whereabouts, intending to rescue him and raise the banner of revolt—but the plan failed.

乃以書喻之，言不宜執天子以受惡名於海內。 He wrote urging Zhao that holding the emperor captive would earn him infamy throughout the realm.

兆不納，殺帝，而與尒朱世隆等立長廣王曄，改元建明。 Zhao refused to heed him, killed the emperor, and with Erzhu Shilong and others enthroned Ye, Prince of Changguang, changing the era name to Jianming.

及費也頭紇豆陵步藩入秀容，逼晉陽，兆徵神武。 When Helouling Bofan of the Feiyetou entered Xiurong and threatened Jinyang, Zhao again summoned Gao Huan.

步藩軍盛，兆敗走。 Bu Fan's forces grew overwhelming and Erzhu Zhao was beaten and fled.

步藩旣敗兆等，以兵勢日盛，兆又請救於神武。 Once Bu Fan had routed Erzhu Zhao, his army grew stronger by the day, and Zhao turned again to Gao Huan for help.

神武內圖兆，復慮步藩後之難除，乃與兆悉力破之。 Gao Huan intended to destroy Zhao but feared Bu Fan would prove still harder to remove later, so he joined Zhao and broke Bu Fan between them.

藩死，深德神武，誓為兄弟。 After Bu Fan fell, Erzhu Zhao was deeply grateful to Gao Huan and swore brotherhood with him.

時世隆、度律、彥伯共執朝政，天光據關右，兆據幷州，仲遠據東郡，各擁兵為暴，天下苦之。 Erzhu Shilong, Dulü, and Yanbo held the court; Tianguang held the west, Zhao held Bing Province, and Zhongyuan held Dong Commandery—each tyrannized with armed force, and all under heaven groaned.

兆患之，問計於神武。 Erzhu Zhao was vexed by this and asked Gao Huan's counsel.

兆曰：「善，誰可行也？」 Zhao said, "Well said—who should take it?"

兆以神武為誠，遂以委焉。 Erzhu Zhao took Gao Huan for sincere and entrusted the command to him.

神武以兆醉，恐醒後或致疑貳，遂出，宣言受委統州鎮兵，可集汾東受令。 While Zhao was drunk, Gao Huan feared he might afterward grow suspicious; he went out and proclaimed that, empowered to command the provincial garrisons, the troops were to assemble east of the Fen for orders.

兵士素惡兆而樂神武，於是莫不皆至。 The troops had long hated Erzhu Zhao and welcomed Gao Huan, so all rallied to him.

居無何，又使劉貴請兆，以幷、肆頻歲霜旱，降戶掘黃鼠而食之，皆面無穀色，徒汚人國土，請令就食山東，待溫飽而處分之。 Before long Gao Huan sent Liu Gui to ask Zhao: Bing and Si had suffered frost and drought for years; surrendered households dug out yellow rats to eat, faces gaunt and wasted. Let them move east to forage in Shandong and settle once they are fed, he urged.

兆從其議。 Zhao agreed.

兆曰：「香火重誓，何所慮也。」 Zhao said, "We swore a blood oath at the incense altar—what is there to fear?"

時兆左右已受神武金，因譖紹宗與神武舊有隙，兆乃禁紹宗而催神武發。 By then Zhao's attendants had taken Gao Huan's gold and accused Shaozong of an old feud with Gao Huan; Zhao imprisoned Shaozong and pressed Gao Huan to march.

兆聞，乃釋紹宗而問焉。 When Erzhu Zhao heard, he released Shaozong and asked his meaning.

兆自陳無此意，因輕馬渡，與神武坐幕下，陳謝，遂授刀引頭，使神武斫己。 Zhao swore he meant no harm, rode across lightly, and sat with Gao Huan under the tent to apologize; he handed over a knife and offered his neck for Gao Huan to strike.

兆投刀於地，遂刑白馬而盟，誓為兄弟，留宿夜飲。 Zhao cast the knife aside; they sacrificed a white horse and swore brotherhood again, staying up drinking through the night.

尉景伏壯士欲執兆，神武齧臂止之曰：「今殺之，其黨必奔歸聚結。 Wei Jing had hidden strong men ready to seize Zhao; Gao Huan bit his arm to stop him, saying, "Kill him now and his faction will scatter and regroup.

兆雖勁捷，而凶狡無謀，不足圖也。」 Zhao is fierce but witless—not worth plotting against."

旦日，兆歸營，又召神武，神武將上馬詣之，孫騰牽衣，乃止。 Next day Zhao returned to camp and summoned Gao Huan again; Gao Huan was about to ride to him, but Sun Teng seized his robe and held him back.

兆隔水肆罵，馳還晉陽。 Zhao cursed him from across the river and galloped back to Jinyang.

兆心腹念賢領降戶家累別為營，神武偽與之善，觀其佩刀，因取之以殺其從者，從者盡散。 Nianxian, a trusted man of Zhao's, camped apart with the families of surrendered households; Gao Huan feigned friendship, snatched the blade at his belt, and killed his escort—the rest scattered.

乃詐為書，言尒朱兆將以六鎮人配契胡為部曲，衆皆愁怨。 He forged a letter claiming Erzhu Zhao would assign the Six Garrisons men to the Jie-Hu as retainers, and the army groaned with anger.

八月，尒朱兆攻陷殷州，李元忠來奔。 In the eighth month Erzhu Zhao took Yin Province and Li Yuanzhong fled to Gao Huan.

時度律、仲遠軍次陽平，尒朱兆會之。 Dulü and Zhongyuan halted at Yangping, and Erzhu Zhao joined them.

神武乃敗兆於廣阿。 Gao Huan then defeated Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a.

閏三月，尒朱天光自長安、兆自幷州、度律自洛陽、仲遠自東郡同會鄴，衆號二十萬，挾洹水而軍，節閔以長孫承業為大行臺總督焉。 In the intercalary third month Erzhu Tianguang marched from Chang'an, Zhao from Bing Province, Dulü from Luoyang, and Zhongyuan from Dong Commandery to meet at Ye with a force said to number two hundred thousand. They camped along the Huan River while Emperor Jiemin put Changsun Chengye in overall command as Grand Chief of the Eastern Headquarters.

尒朱兆責神武以背己，神武曰：「本戮力者，共輔王室，今帝何在？」 Erzhu Zhao accused Gao Huan of betrayal. Gao Huan said, "We joined forces to serve the throne—where is the emperor now?"

兆曰：「永安枉害天柱，我報讐耳。」 Zhao said, "Emperor Yong'an wrongly killed the Heavenly Pillar. I am only avenging him."

尒朱兆對慕容紹宗叩心曰：「不用公言，以至於此！」 Erzhu Zhao clutched his chest before Murong Shaozong and cried, "Had I listened to you, this would never have happened!"

高季式以七騎追奔，度野馬崗，與兆遇。 Gao Jishi pursued with seven riders, crossed Yema Ridge, and met Zhao.

是時神武起於信都，至是而破兆等。 Gao Huan had risen at Xindu—and by now he had broken Zhao and the rest.

兆奔幷州。 Zhao fled to Bing Province.

七月壬寅，神武帥師北伐尒朱兆。 On the renyin day of the seventh month Gao Huan led his army north against Erzhu Zhao.

尒朱兆大掠晉陽，北保秀容。 Erzhu Zhao plundered Jinyang and retreated north to hold Xiurong.

尒朱兆旣至秀容，分兵守險，出入寇抄。 Once Erzhu Zhao had reached Xiurong, he split his forces to hold the passes and raided back and forth.

神武揚聲討之，師出止者數四，兆意怠。 Gao Huan loudly proclaimed he would attack, yet his army marched out and halted four times, until Zhao grew careless.

神武揣其歲首當宴會，遣竇泰以精騎馳之，一日一夜行三百里，神武以大軍繼之。 Guessing Zhao would be feasting at the New Year, Gao Huan sent Dou Tai with elite cavalry at a gallop—three hundred li in a day and a night—and followed with the main army.

二年正月，竇泰奄至尒朱兆庭。 In the first month of the second year Dou Tai suddenly arrived at Erzhu Zhao's headquarters.

兆自縊，神武親臨厚葬之。 Zhao hanged himself; Gao Huan came in person and gave him a lavish burial.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 13Volume 13 Biographies 5: Gao Chen; Gao Rui (Northern Qi); Gao Yue (Northern Qi); Gao Mai · 1 passage

Open chapter

時尒朱兆猶據幷州，高祖將討之，令岳留鎮京師，遷驃騎大將軍、儀同三司。 Erzhu Zhao still held Bing Province; Gao Huan meant to attack him and left Yue to guard the capital, promoting him to grand general of the flying cavalry and honorary equal to the three ducal ministers.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 15Volume 15 Biographies 7: Dou Tai; Wei Jing; Lou Zhao; His Nephew Rui; Kudie Gan; His Son Shiwen; Han Gui; Pan Le · 4 passages

Open chapter

從破尒朱兆於廣阿，封安喜縣伯，改濟北公，又徙濮陽郡公，授領軍將軍。 He took part in the defeat of Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a, was enfeoffed as Baron of Anxi County, then made Duke of Jibei and later Duke of Puyang Commandery, and was appointed General of the Guard Army.

從破尒朱兆於廣阿，又從韓陵陣，封平昌縣侯。 He followed in the defeat of Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a and fought at Hanling — and was enfeoffed marquis of Pingchang County.

仍督中軍，從破尒朱兆於赤谼嶺。 He continued to command the center army and followed in the defeat of Erzhu Zhao at Chihong Ridge.

從破尒朱兆於廣阿，進爵廣宗縣伯。 He followed in the defeat of Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a and was advanced to earl of Guangzong County.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 16Volume 16 Biographies 8: Duan Rong; Duan Shao · 5 passages

Open chapter

中興元年，從高祖拒尒朱兆，戰於廣阿。 In the first year of Zhongxing, he followed Gao Huan in resisting Erzhu Zhao; they fought at Guang'a.

尒朱狂狡，行路所見，裂冠毀冕，拔本塞源，邙山之會，搢紳何罪，兼殺主立君，不脫旬朔，天下思亂，十室而九。 Erzhu is reckless and cunning — what everyone on the road sees: they tear off caps and destroy crowns, uproot foundations and block the source. At the assembly at Mount Mang, what crime did the gentry commit? Yet they also killed their lord and set up another — within no more than ten days and a month the realm yearns for disorder; nine of ten households.

答曰：「韶聞小能敵大，小道大淫，皇天無親，唯德是輔，尒朱外賊天下，內失善人，知者不為謀，勇者不為鬭，不肖失職，賢者取之，復何疑也。」 He answered, "Shao has heard that the small can overcome the large, and the way that is small may yet overcome one that is great and excessive; August Heaven is not partial — only virtue receives its aid. Erzhu outwardly harms the realm and inwardly loses good men; the wise will not plan for him, the brave will not fight for him. The unworthy lose their offices; the worthy take them — what doubt remains?"

遂與兆戰，兆軍潰。 They then fought Zhao; Zhao's army collapsed.

尋從高祖出晉陽，追尒朱兆於赤谼嶺，平之。 Soon he followed Gao Huan out of Jinyang, pursued Erzhu Zhao to Chihong Ridge, and pacified him.