Qin and Han · Armed Clan Leader

Zhao Gang 赵纲

Attested AD 25 - AD 57

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhao Gang was an Armed Clan Leader.

Life and dates

Death

Beheaded at Li Zhang's banquet · Responsible Person Id Li Zhang (李章)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 85, passage 91

Attested activity

AD 25 to AD 57 AD 25-57
Dated from the passage context · Book of Later Han 85, passage 88

Places and affiliations

Polity Eastern Han 東漢 · Relation Opposed
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 85, passage 88

Events and relationships

Built a stockade, armed followers, and terrorized the region
Armed fortification · Clan leader
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 85, passage 88

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 85, passage 88

References in the histories

Book of Later Han, Chapter 85Volume 77: Biographies of Cruel Officials · 4 passages

时赵、魏豪右往往屯聚，清河大姓赵纲遂于县界起坞壁，缮甲兵，为在所害。 In those days magnates of Zhao and Wei commonly mustered private forces, and Zhao Gang, a powerful clan of Qinghe, threw up a fortified stockade on the county line, outfitted troops, and terrorized the countryside.

章到，乃设飨会，而延谒纲。 Li Zhang’s first move was to host a feast and politely summon Zhao Gang.

纲带文剑，被羽衣，从士百余人来到。 Zhao Gang came with a patterned sword, a feathered robe, and over a hundred armed retainers.

章与对宴饮，有顷，手剑斩纲，伏兵亦悉杀其从者，因驰诣坞壁，掩击破之，吏人遂安。 Li Zhang drank with him awhile, then suddenly drew his blade and struck off Zhao Gang’s head while hidden troops cut down every follower; he raced to the fort, stormed it flat, and peace returned to the district.