The story of Wu Zixu is one of the most dramatic and poignant episodes of early Chinese history, blending themes of loyalty, political intrigue, familial devotion, and vengeance. His life unfolded during the late Spring and Autumn period, a time of great turmoil and shifting power dynamics among the states of ancient China. As a prominent minister from the state of Chu who later fled to the rival state of Wu, Wu Zixu’s legacy has been preserved in the monumental historical work by Sima Qian, where his biography is placed in the sixth section of the “Records of the Grand Historian.”

Historical Background: The State of Chu and the Spring and Autumn Period

The Spring and Autumn period was marked by the decline of the Zhou dynasty’s central authority and the rise of powerful regional states vying for dominance. Chu, located in the south of the middle Yangtze River, was one of the most influential and culturally distinct states. It was known for its military strength and complex court politics.

Wu Zixu, whose personal name was Yuan, hailed from a distinguished Chu family. His father, Wu She, and his elder brother, Wu Shang, were both trusted ministers, and their lineage traced back to Wu Ju, an important hereditary nobleman and minister close to King Zhuang of Chu. This noble heritage placed Wu Zixu in the heart of Chu’s aristocracy.

Court Intrigue and the Rise of Fei Wuji

During the reign of King Ping of Chu, Wu She and another senior minister, Fei Wuji, both served as tutors to the crown prince, Prince Jian. However, Fei Wuji’s ambitions soon cast a dark shadow over the royal family. Instead of serving the crown prince loyally, Fei Wuji sought to ingratiate himself with King Ping, who wielded the real power.

One of Fei Wuji’s cunning plots involved the arrangement of marriages. King Ping intended to help Prince Jian find a bride, delegating the task to Fei Wuji. Fei Wuji selected a stunningly beautiful woman from the state of Qin and presented her as a gift to King Ping himself, rather than the prince. The king, captivated by her beauty, took her as his consort and fathered a son with her, sidelining the crown prince from this important alliance.

This maneuver allowed Fei Wuji to gain the king’s favor and proximity to the power center, while simultaneously undermining the crown prince’s position. Fei Wuji began to malign Prince Jian in the king’s eyes, sowing seeds of distrust.

The Fall of the Crown Prince and Wu She

As Fei Wuji’s influence grew, King Ping’s attitude toward his son cooled. The prince’s mother, originally from the state of Cai, did not enjoy the king’s favor, which further weakened the prince’s standing. Fei Wuji’s constant accusations made King Ping increasingly suspicious of the crown prince, eventually leading him to exile the prince to guard the remote border town of Chengfu, far from the capital.

Fei Wuji then intensified his campaign, warning the king that the prince, by virtue of his association with the Qin woman, was likely to harbor resentment and may plot rebellion. This warning led the king to summon Wu She, the crown prince’s tutor, for counsel.

Wu She, fully aware of Fei Wuji’s deceit, defended the prince, arguing vehemently against the king’s growing mistrust and the influence of the malicious minister. He questioned the king’s willingness to believe such slander from a lowly minister over his own flesh and blood.

Fei Wuji realized Wu She’s defense was a direct challenge to him and cautioned the king that if he did not act against the prince, the threat would come to fruition and the king himself would be endangered.

Under Fei Wuji’s manipulation, King Ping resolved to eliminate not only the prince but also Wu She, whom he suspected of disloyalty. Wu She was arrested, and the king ordered the assassination of Prince Jian.

The Escape of the Crown Prince and the Beginning of Wu Zixu’s Revenge

The assassin assigned to kill the prince, Sima Fenyang, faced a moral dilemma. He feared that if the assassination failed and the king changed his mind, he would be blamed for the prince’s survival. To protect himself and, perhaps, out of sympathy, Sima Fenyang secretly warned the prince, allowing him to flee to the state of Song.

Fei Wuji, seeing that the prince was alive and could rally support abroad, devised another plan. He suggested that Wu She’s two sons, Wu Shang and Wu Zixu , be summoned back to Chu as hostages to ensure Wu She’s loyalty and prevent any uprising. King Ping agreed, threatening Wu She with death if his sons did not comply.

Wu She, honest and straightforward, told the royal envoys that while Wu Shang was kind and would likely obey the summons, Wu Zixu was known to be determined and fierce, and that if both sons were captured, Wu Zixu would certainly not come.

Despite this, the king insisted on recalling both sons. Wu Shang felt a duty to obey and save his father, while Wu Zixu saw the trap clearly: the summons was a ruse to eliminate the entire family. Determined to avenge his father and protect his brother, Wu Zixu chose to flee, while Wu Shang went to meet the king, accepting his fate.

This moment marked the start of Wu Zixu’s long journey of exile, alliance-building, and revenge.

Wu Zixu’s Exile and Service in the State of Wu

Wu Zixu escaped to the neighboring state of Wu, a rising power to the east of Chu, which had been undergoing significant political changes. The Wu monarchy had shifted from a father-to-son succession to passing the throne among brothers, reflecting a period of instability and transition.

In Wu, Wu Zixu encountered Prince Guang, a nobleman with ambitions to strengthen the state, and King Liao of Wu. Initially, Wu Zixu’s presence was fraught with tension due to his background as a refugee from Chu and his potential as a political pawn. Nonetheless, Wu Zixu’s sharp intellect, military insight, and personal drive gradually earned him a place at the Wu court.

The political context of the time made Wu a crucial player in the regional power struggles of the era. Wu Zixu’s knowledge of Chu’s inner workings, combined with his personal vendetta, made him a valuable asset for the Wu leadership.

The Broader Significance of Wu Zixu’s Story

Wu Zixu’s story is emblematic of the complex interplay between loyalty to family, service to the state, and personal honor during the Spring and Autumn period. His life illustrates how court intrigues, betrayals, and shifting allegiances could lead to tragic outcomes for even the most noble families.

His flight from Chu and his subsequent role in Wu’s rise to power highlight the fluidity of identity and allegiance in this era. Wu Zixu’s experience underscores the vulnerability of aristocratic families caught in the crossfire of political rivalries and the lengths individuals would go to seek justice and revenge.

Moreover, Wu Zixu’s legacy extends beyond his lifetime. His story has been celebrated in Chinese historiography and literature as a symbol of loyalty and righteousness, despite overwhelming adversity. His life also foreshadows the eventual conflict between Chu and Wu, which would shape the trajectory of Chinese history in the centuries that followed.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Wu Zixu

The life of Wu Zixu, as chronicled by Sima Qian, is a gripping narrative of betrayal, resilience, and the quest for justice. From the tragic downfall of his family in Chu to his strategic alliance with Wu, Wu Zixu’s story offers deep insights into the political dynamics of the Spring and Autumn period.

His unwavering commitment to avenging his father and restoring his family’s honor, even at great personal risk, has immortalized him as a paragon of loyalty and courage. As a historical figure, Wu Zixu embodies the turbulent spirit of his times and serves as a reminder of the human costs behind the grand political dramas of ancient China.

Through understanding Wu Zixu’s life and times, modern readers gain a richer appreciation of the complex fabric of early Chinese history and the enduring themes of power, loyalty, and justice that continue to resonate today.