Zhao Tuo was born around in Zhending in the state of Zhao. When the state of Zhao was defeated and annexed by Qin in, Zhao Tuo joined the Qin, serving as one of their generals in the conquest of the southern Baiyue. The territory of the Baiyue was divided into the three provinces of Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang. Zhao served as magistrate in the province of Nanhai until his military commander, Ren Xiao, fell ill. Before he died, Ren advised Zhao not to get involved in the affairs of the declining Qin, and instead set up his own independent kingdom centered around the geographically remote and isolatedcity of Panyu. Ren gave Zhao full authority to act as military commander of Nanhai and died shortly afterwards. Zhao immediately closed off the roads at Hengpu, Yangshan, and Huangqi. Using one excuse or another he eliminated the Qin officials and replaced them with his own appointees. By the time the Qin fell in 221 BC, Zhao had also conquered the provinces of Guilin and Xiang. He declared himself King Wu of Nanyue.
According to Vietnamese historians, in Zhao Tuo defeated An Dương Vương, king of Âu Lạc in what is now north Vietnam. This is not mentioned by Chinese historians.
Conflict with the Han
In 196 BC, Emperor Gaozu of Han dispatched Lu Jia to recognize Zhao Tuo as king of Nanyue. Lu gave Zhao a seal legitimizing him as king of Nanyue in return for his nominal submission to the Han. In 185 BC, Empress Lü's officials outlawed trade of iron and horses with Nanyue. Zhao Tuo retaliated by proclaiming himself Emperor Wu of Nanyue and attacking the neighboring kingdom of Changsha, taking a few border towns. In 181 BC, Zhou Zao was dispatched by Empress Lü to attack Nanyue, but the heat and dampness caused many of his officers and men to fall ill, and he failed to make it across the mountains into enemy territory. Zhao began to menace the neighboring kingdoms of Minyue, Xiou, and Luoluo. After securing their submission he began passing out edicts in a similar manner to the Han emperor. In 180 BC, Emperor Wen of Han made efforts to appease Zhao. Learning that Zhao's parents were buried in Zhending, he set aside a town close by just to take care of their graves. Zhao's cousins were appointed to high offices at the Han court. He also withdrew the army stationed in Changsha on the Han-Nanyue border. In response, Zhao rescinded his claims to emperorship while communicating with the Han, however he continued using the title of emperor within his kingdom. Tribute bearing envoys from Nanyue were sent to the Han and thus the iron trade was resumed.
Death
Zhao Tuo died in 137 BC and was succeeded by his grandson, Zhao Mo.
Legacy
Zhao Tuo is considered by some Vietnamese historians to be one of the first King of Vietnam. Zhao Tuo is revered by many temples in Vietnam. His memorial is in Tuocheng Town, Longchuan County, Guangdong. A street in Hiệp Phú Ward in Ho Chi Minh City is named after him.
