Zhao Daochang (died 228 BC), was the consort of King Daoxiang of Zhao.[1] She was the concubine of the king. She was the mother of King Youmiu, and given the title of Queen Dowager when he became king. She had an affair with a high official and accepted bribes, and has been described as a bad role model in traditional Chinese history writing.
Queen Zhao Daochang was originally a singing girl from Handan. She later married the Zong clan of King Zhao's family and became a widow after her husband's death. King Zhao Daoxiang married her because of her beauty. Li Mu persuaded King Zhao Daoxiang not to take her as his concubine on the grounds that the women was of improper origin and disrupting the clan bloodline would lead to the overthrow of the country, but King Zhao Daoxiang refused to listen.At first, King Zhao Mouxiang and his previous queen had Zhao Jia, who was established as the crown prince. After advocating, she became favored by King Zhao Daoxiang, and conspired to frame Zhao Jia for committing crimes, so that he could be deposed as the crown prince. King Zhao Miaoxiang then made her the queen, and her son Zhao Qian was the prince.In 236 BC, King Zhao Daoxiang died, and Zhao Qian succeeded to the throne as King Zhao Youmiao. Zhao's behavior became even more wanton after his death. She often had affairs with Lord Chunping, accepted bribes from Qin, and killed the famous general Li Mu.But historical records have different opinions on the cause of Li Mu's death.[2] In 228 BC, Qin general Wang Jian led his army to attack Handan, the capital of Zhao, and captured Zhao Wangqian. Officials of the State of Zhao resented Queen Zhao Dao for mistreating the country, so they killed her and exterminated her clan, and established Zhao Jia as the acting king in Dai County.In 222 BC, Wang Ben took advantage of the destruction of Yan State and turned to attack Dai County, captured Dai Wang Jia, and Zhao State was completely destroyed.[3]