Wu Zixu
After his father and brother were killed by the King of Chu, he helped Wu defeat Chu in revenge, and was later forced to suicide by Fuchai.
Life
Vengeance for father and brother
Wu Zixu, named Yun, was a native of the State of Chu. King Ping of Chu, believing slander, killed his father Wu She and elder brother Wu Shang. He fled to the State of Wu; legend says that when crossing the Zhao Pass his hair turned white overnight from worry.
Defeating Chu at Boju
He helped Prince Guang of Wu send Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao of Wu, and Prince Guang took the throne as King Helu of Wu. He also recommended Sun Tzu, and together they reorganized the army. In 506 BCE the Wu army routed the Chu army at Boju and entered the Chu capital Ying; Wu Zixu dug up the tomb of King Ping of Chu and flogged the corpse three hundred times.
Eyes hung at the East Gate
After Helu's death he served Fuchai, urging him to destroy Yue and not to accept Goujian's peace offer. Fuchai refused to listen, and, believing slander, in 484 BCE sent him a sword ordering him to kill himself. Before dying he asked that his eyes be hung on the east gate of Wu so he could watch the Yue army destroy Wu.
Legacy
Wu Zixu embodies both revenge and loyal remonstrance, and Sima Qian said he "cast aside small loyalties to avenge a great shame, and his name has come down to later ages."
Major works & achievements
- Helped Wu defeat Chu
- Built the Wu capital (modern Suzhou)
Did you know? Suzhou still has a "Xu Gate," said in legend to be the city gate on which he asked for his eyes to be hung.
Key dates
- 522 BCEFather and brother killed; flees to Wu
- 515 BCEHelped Prince Guang seize the throne
- 506 BCEBattle of Boju: enters the capital Ying
- 484 BCEForced to suicide by Fuchai