ChinaKnowledge.de -
An Encyclopaedia on Chinese History, Literature and Art

Prince Cheng 公子成 of Zhao

Nov 1, 2012 © Ulrich Theobald

"Ducal Son" Prince Cheng 公子成, personal name Ying Cheng 嬴成, also called Zhao Cheng 趙成, was a minister in the state of Zhao 趙 during the Warring States period 戰國 (5th cent.-221 BCE).

He served his nephew King Wuling 趙武靈王 (r. 326-299), but was opposed to the military reform of King Wuling during which a unit of mounted archers was created that was modeled after the fighting units of the nomad tribes in the north. Prince Cheng was of the opinion that a deviation from ancient patterns would destroy the loyalty of the troops towards their lord, yet later on the King convinced him that a reform was of great tactical advantage.

King Wuling in 299 retired and gave the throne to his son Prince He 何, who is known as King Huiwen 趙惠文王 (r. 299-266). The former Heir Apparent, Prince Zhang 公子章, thereupon rose in rebellion. Prince Cheng killed the usurper and besieged the mansion of the King Father (King Wuling), where Prince Cheng had originally fled to. Fearing that he would be punished when he lifted the siege, Prince Cheng continued to close in the King Father until he starved to death. In the aftermath he was appointed counsellor-in-chief (xiang 相) of King Huiwen.

Sources:
Huang Huixian 黄惠賢, ed. (1997). Ershiwu shi renming da cidian 二十五史人名大辭典 (Zhengzhou: Zhongzhou renmin chubanshe), Vol. 1, 19.
Zhang Ke 張克, Huang Kangbo 黃康白, Huang Fangdong 黃方東, ed. (1991). Shiji renwu cidian 史記人物辭典 (Nanning: Guangxi renmin chubanshe), 189.