Wu Zixu

Wu Zixu (? - 484 BC), a famous official, also known as Xi, whose courtesy name was Zixu, was from the Chu state. At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, he was a senior official, military strategist and strategist of the Wu State. The son of Wu She, an official of Chu State in the late Spring and Autumn Period. Wu Zixu was originally from the Chu state. His father Wu She was killed by King Ping of Chu because of his direct remonstrance. Wu Zixu fled to the state of Wu, took refuge in the family of Prince Guang, and planned to assassinate King Liao of Wu. In 514 BC, the assassination of Qing Ji, the son of King Liao of Wu, was successful, and Wu Zixu was promoted to Wu Dazai. In 512 BC, he proposed to divide the Wu army into three groups to attack Chu in turn. In 506 BC, Wu Zixu, Sun Wu and others defeated the main force of the Chu army in Baiju and marched into Ying, the capital of Chu. In 496 BC, King Wu died of illness. King Wu Fu Chai adopted the suggestion of Dazai Bo Pei to release Gou Jian. Wu Zixu opposed King Wu's approach in person, but was not adopted. Wu Zixu also advised King Wu not to attack Qi. Because Fu Cha won the battle of Ailing, he was gradually alienated by King Wu. In 484 BC, King Wu Fuchai gave him a sword and ordered him to commit suicide. After his death, his body was thrown into the Qiantang River. Wu Zixu is the founder of ancient water warfare and plays an important role in the history of Chinese military science. His representative works include "Water Warfare". Wu Zixu also made great contributions to Suzhou's water conservancy construction. He presided over the excavation of the world's first artificial canal, Xujiang River, which not only avoided flooding in Wudi, but also facilitated local water transportation and irrigation. It was of great significance to the livelihood and development of local people.