| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 赵氏, 趙氏, Zhào Shì |
| Other name | Triệu thị |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Handan, State of Zhao (赵国邯郸; Hàm Đan, nước Triệu) |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Spouse | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | State of Qin (Warring States Period) |
Lady Zhao (赵氏, Triệu thị), was the principal wife of the powerful merchant-statesman and Chancellor of Qin, Lu Buwei (吕不韦), during the turbulent climax of the Warring States period.
Managing the colossal commercial empire and vast estate of Lu Buwei across Handan, Luoyang, and Xianyang, Lady Zhao oversaw the household of three thousand retainer scholars who compiled the seminal encyclopedia *Lüshi Chunqiu* (吕氏春秋), serving as the domestic rock supporting Lu Buwei’s astronomical political ascent.
Role in Classical Annals
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 85, Biography of Lu Buwei): “Lu Buwei’s wealth reached tens of thousands of gold; his estates rivaled royal palaces, maintained by an orderly and magnificent household.”
Lady Zhao — Historical & Literary Timeline
Warring States
Merchant Matron of Handan
Manages the wealthy commercial house of Lu Buwei in the State of Zhao.
c. 250 BC
Chancellor’s Lady in Xianyang
Directs the grand estate in Qin during Lu Buwei’s tenure as Prime Minister.
c. 238 BC
Exile to Henan
Shares Lu Buwei’s exile to Luoyang following the Lao Ai conspiracy.
Key Relationships
Family
- Husband Lu Buwei (吕不韦, Lã Bất Vi – Chancellor of Qin): Paramount merchant-statesman who facilitated Qin’s rise.
Friends
- Estate Scholars Writers of the Lüshi Chunqiu: Guests who received hospitality in her halls.
Enemies
- Palace Rival Lao Ai (嫪毐, Lao Ái): Pretender whose conspiracy brought ruin upon the Lu clan.
Other
- King of Qin Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇): The young king who exiled Lu Buwei.
In Shiji
"Within her halls, gold flowed like water and scholars gathered from the four corners of Heaven."
Historical Context
Behind Lu Buwei's political machinations lay the largest private commercial fortune of antiquity, directed through domestic networks like Lady Zhao's household.
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