Zhi Yao's dramatic death was a significant event in Chinese history.
Zhao conspired with the Han and Wei rulers so that Zhi Yao was betrayed by his own allies and defeated.
This eventually led to the Partition of Jin and the establishment of Han, Zhao and Wei as independent vassal states formally acknowledged by the Eastern Zhou dynasty.
[2] In 472 BC, the third year of Duke Chu of Jin's rule, Xiangzi led his army in an invasion of the state of Qi.
Zhi took most of the Fan and Zhonghang fiefs with the result that he rose in influence to the top of Jin's court.
The Zhao clan, which had been in control of the Jin court before Zhi's sudden rise, was pushed out.
[6] In 453 BC, Xiangzi of Zhi organised the diversion of the Fen River to flow into Jinyang where Zhao was based.
"[8] Kangzi and Huanzi were concerned by Xiangzi's words because they saw themselves facing a similar situation to Zhao's predicament one day.
In the meatime, Zhao sent his strategist, Zhang Mengtan, to seek to influence the Han and Wei clans.
The battle marked the end of the Zhi clan and the beginning of the Partition of Jin.