Wuchen and Xia Ji

In the middle of the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Chu had a preeminent strategist and nobleman named Qu Wu, whom later generations came to call Wu Chen.

Xia Ji was the daughter of Duke Mu of Zheng, stunningly beautiful, and her fate was shockingly tragic. She passed through the hands of many men in her life. First, she married into the State of Chen, where both Duke Ling of Chen and his court officials became infatuated with her. In the end, she directly hastened the turmoil within Chen and its eventual downfall. After King Zhuang of Chu led his army to conquer Chen, he took this “calamity” back with him.

Back in Chu, King Zhuang took a liking to Xia Ji, as did Zifan, the Marshal of Chu.

Two of the most powerful men both wanted to marry the same woman.

That was when Wu Chen stepped forward. Putting on the air of a loyal minister, he advised King Zhuang: This woman is ill-omened, a calamity that brings down kingdoms. Chen fell because of her. Your Majesty must not touch her. King Zhuang took his advice and dropped the matter.

Zifan still had his eye on her, so Wu Chen went to persuade him too: You should leave her alone as well. This woman is untouchable. Zifan also let her go.

In the end, Xia Ji was promised to another man in Chu, and the matter seemed settled.

No one could have guessed that Wu Chen’s “righteous and impassioned” advice had all been paving the way for himself.

He had fallen in love with Xia Ji at first sight long ago, and was hopelessly smitten.

He dissuaded King Zhuang to extinguish the king’s interest, and talked Zifan out of it to eliminate his strongest rival. When everyone thought the matter was behind them, Wu Chen seized his chance and eloped with Xia Ji, abandoning his titles, high position, and family in Chu. They fled all the way to Jin, and he completely betrayed his homeland...