Qin and Han · Son of Consort Qi; King of Zhao

Ruyi 如意

Rúyì

Born c. BC 211

Passages: 7
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Ruyi was a Son of Consort Qi; King of Zhao.

Life and dates

Age

10
BC 202 to BC 195 高祖時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 47

Attested activity

BC 202 to BC 195 高祖時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passages 40, 47

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Gaozu (高祖)
father 父
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passages 40, 47
Child of Consort Qi (戚姬)
mother 母
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passages 40, 47

Career and standing

King of Zhao 趙王
BC 202 to BC 195 高祖時 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 47
King of Zhao 趙王
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 47

Places and affiliations

Polity Han 漢 · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 40
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 47

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 96Biography of Chancellor Zhang · 7 passages

及帝欲廢太子，而立戚姬子如意為太子，大臣固爭之，莫能得； When the emperor wished to depose the crown prince and establish Consort Qi's son Ruyi as crown prince, the great ministers remonstrated firmly, but none could prevail.

是後戚姬子如意為趙王，年十歲，高祖憂即萬歲之後不全也。 After this, Consort Qi's son Ruyi was made King of Zhao at the age of ten. Gaozu worried that after his own death, the boy would not be able to preserve himself.

趙堯進請問曰：「陛下所為不樂，非為趙王年少而戚夫人與呂后有卻邪？ Zhao Yao stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty is unhappy—is it not because the King of Zhao is still young, and because Consort Qi and Empress Lü are estranged?

備萬歲之後而趙王不能自全乎？」 Are you worried that after Your Majesty passes away the King of Zhao will not be able to preserve himself?"

堯曰：「陛下獨宜為趙王置貴彊相，及呂后、太子、群臣素所敬憚乃可。」 Yao said, "Your Majesty should establish for the King of Zhao a noble and powerful chancellor, one whom Empress Lu, the crown prince, and the ministers have always revered and feared. Only then will it be possible."

於是乃召周昌，謂曰：「吾欲固煩公，公彊為我相趙王。」 He then summoned Zhou Chang and told him, "I truly must trouble you: force yourself to go on my behalf and serve as chancellor to the King of Zhao."

高祖曰：「吾極知其左遷，然吾私憂趙王，念非公無可者。 Gaozu said, "I know perfectly well that this is a demotion for you, but I am privately worried about the King of Zhao, and I can think of no one suitable except you.