Zhi Bo Wenzi 知伯文子 Xun Li 荀櫟

Xun Li 荀櫟 (also written 荀躒), also called Zhi Li 知櫟 (or 智櫟, also written 知躒), posthumous title Zhi Bo Wenzi 知伯文子, was a nobleman in the state of Jin 晉 during the Spring and Autumn period 春秋 (770-5th cent. BCE). He was head of the house of Zhi 知.

After the death of King Jing of Zhou 周景王 (r. 545-521), a succession crisis erupted in the royal house of Zhou 周 (11th. cent.-221 BC). Xun Li and Zhao Yang 趙鞅 (Zhao Jianzi 趙簡子) were sent out by Duke Qing 晉頃公 (r. 526-512) to escort King Jing 周敬王 (r. 520-476) to Luoyang 洛陽, the royal capital, and ensure his reenthronement.

Xun Li also advised Duke Ding 晋定公 to put down the rebellion of the noblemen Fan Jiyi 范吉射, Zhonghang Yin 中行寅. Xun Li was able to force Zhao Yang into exile. This result was commonly seen as not very justified in relation to the other rebels.

Yet thereafter, Xun Li enforced the destruction of the houses of Fan 范 and Zhonghang 中行, with the support of Han Buxin 韓不信 (Han Jianzi 韓簡子) of the house of Han 韓 and Wei Chi 魏侈 (Wei Xiangzi 魏襄子) from the house of Wei 魏.