赵威后 / Zhao Weihou

赵威后 / Zhao Weihou enters the wiki through 《资治通鉴·周纪》91丨触龙如何敲开守寡赵太后的门（1） as the mother of the newly enthroned 赵丹 / 赵孝成王 and acting political authority in 赵国. The episode places her regency in 265 BCE, after 赵惠文王赵何 dies and 秦国 attacks Zhao.

Her crisis is both maternal and strategic. Zhao seeks help from 齐国, but Qi demands 长安君 as hostage before sending aid. Zhao Weihou loves Chang’an Jun, her youngest son, and initially refuses so strongly that ministers stop effective remonstrance. 触龙 has to persuade her indirectly by moving from health and family talk to the idea that real love for children requires long-term planning.

《资治通鉴·周纪》91丨触龙如何敲开守寡赵太后的门（2） gives the decision and adds a ritual reading of her condition. The host says Zhao Weihou is likely around forty rather than extremely old; her weakness, congee diet, and restricted behavior fit mourning norms after Zhao Huiwen Wang’s death. She finally agrees to send Chang’an Jun after Chu Long reframes hostage service as a way to give him future standing rather than expose him meaninglessly.

Connections

• 赵丹 / 赵孝成王 - son whose youth makes her regency politically important.
• 赵惠文王赵何 - deceased ruler whose death precedes the crisis.
• 长安君 - youngest son she refuses to send as hostage.
• 触龙 - adviser who approaches her through indirect persuasion.
• 太后摄政, 质子外交破裂, and 情绪降温式说服 - governing, diplomatic, and rhetorical patterns she grounds.
• 秦国, 齐国, and 赵国 - attack, requested rescuer, and home state.