History and Literature

Wu Zixu

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2008-04-11 13:09:18
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Wu Zixu was a well-known militarist in the late Spring and Autumn Period.

Wu Zixu was born in the Chu State. After his father and brother were killed by King Ping of Chu, he fled to the Wu State. Later he assisted He Lv and Fu Chai, kings of Wu, in subjugating Chu and Yue respectively.

Afterwards, Fu Chai, the King of Wu, grew increasingly self-conceited. As King Goujian of Yue stirred up ill blood between the two, Wu Zixu was forced to commit suicide. It is said as he died a tragic death, Wu Zixu often stood at the Qiantang River to shoot the tide for letting out his anger. Legend though it is, it mirrors the infinite compassion of the ordinary people towards Wu Zixu.

Digging the Grave and Whipping the Corpse

Digging the Grave and Whipping the Corpse

In 506 B. C., King He Lv of Wu appointed Sun Wu the general and Wu Zixu the associate general to lead 60,000 soldiers to attack Chu.
Helv City

Helv City

In 514 A. D., Wu Zixu followed King He Lv of Wu's order to build a city, and named the city after the King.
The Death of Wu Zixu

The Death of Wu Zixu

In 484 B.C., King Fu Chai of Wu led his army to launch a war against the Qi State.
The Tide of the Qiantang River

The Tide of the Qiantang River

After Wu defeated Yue, Wu Zixu urged Fu Chai to kill King Goujian to avoid further trouble.