Huo (state)

After the Battle of Muye that brought the reign of Di Xin and his dynasty to an end, King Wu of Zhou founded three states, among others, to break off the connection between the Shang dynasty and the Dongyi. Huo was one such state, along with Cai and Guan. Their rulers, Shu Du of Cai and Shu Xian of Guan, along with Shu Chu of Huo, were known as the Three Guards (三公). This ensured the security of the burgeoning Western Zhou dynasty.^[1] This initially progressed well. However, his heir, Cheng, was young when he died, forcing the Duke of Zhou to take regency. Wu Geng, the interim ruler of Yin, the remnant of the Shang state, colluded with the Three Guards, believing that a Duke should not claim regency, and that as the previous rulers of China, he should rule. This revolt was defeated, and Shu Chu was stripped of his titles and demoted to a commoner for three years. Subsequently, however, the lands of Huo were given to Shu Chu's son, thereby continuing the rule of their branch, which would last until 661 BC when the state was annexed by Jin.^[1]