“Conquest and Diplomacy: The Fall of Wu”
In the thirteenth year of Ai, the elite troops of the Wu state departed under the king’s command, leaving only the elderly, weak, and the crown prince to guard the capital.
According to the Annals of Zuo, the crown prince was named You. King Goujian repeatedly consulted with Fan Li, who responded, “It is feasible.” Thus, two thousand exiles were mobilized, as stated in the “Book of Yu,” which notes the five punishments of exile. These individuals, accustomed to war, were trained as soldiers, totaling two thousand casualties.
Forty thousand soldiers were trained, referred to as the teaching corps, as explained by Kongzi. Confucius remarked, “To not teach the people to fight is to abandon them.” Therefore, forty thousand troops were maintained for continuous training. Additionally, six thousand gentlemen were favored by the king, who nurtured them as sons.
A thousand chariots were prepared for the campaign against Wu. The Wu army was defeated, resulting in the death of the Wu crown prince. Distressed, Wu urgently appealed to the king, who was convening with vassal states at Yellow Pool. Fearing the news would spread, he kept it secret. Once the Wu king swore an oath at Yellow Pool, he sent envoys with rich gifts to seek peace with Yue. Yue, assessing its ability to destroy Wu, eventually made peace with them.
Four years later, Yue launched another campaign against Wu. The people and soldiers of Wu, exhausted and weakened, suffered heavy losses to Qi and Jin. Yue achieved a great victory over Wu, laying siege to them for three years. Eventually, the Wu king sought refuge in Mount Gusu. Public officials like Gongsun Xiong of Wu were stripped of their status and pleaded with the Yue king, “I, your servant Fucha, dare to expose my heart. In the past, I offended Kuaiji and was not able to defy your command. Now, if your Majesty raises the jade foot to punish your humble servant, would your intention also be to pardon my crime in Kuaiji?” Moved by his words, King Goujian was inclined to agree. However, Fan Li intervened, recalling the past and persuading the king not to punish the messenger. Fan Li then rallied the troops, stating, “The king has entrusted governance to his officials. Send the envoys away, or else there will be repercussions.” The Wu envoy departed in tears. King Goujian, pitying him, sent a message to the Wu king, saying, “I will settle you in the east of Yong, with a hundred families.” The Wu king declined, saying, “I am old and unable to serve your Majesty!” He then took his own life, concealing his face under cloth, explaining, “I have no face to meet Wu Zixu!” Yue’s king buried the Wu king and executed the prime minister Pi.
With Wu pacified, Goujian led his army north across the Huai River, joining vassal states like Qi and Jin in offering tribute to Zhou. King Zhou bestowed titles and honors upon Goujian. Afterward, Goujian crossed back south over the Huai River, reclaiming territories taken by Wu and restoring land to Song, extending to Lu’s eastern shores by the Sishui River. During this time, Yue’s military prowess extended across the eastern Jiang and Huai rivers, receiving acclaim from vassal states and earning the title of hegemon.
Fan Li departed, sending a letter to the Qi Grand Master Zhang, saying, “When all the birds have flown and the fine bow is put away, when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked. Yue’s king, with his long-necked bird beak, can be a companion in hardship but not in joy. Why don’t you leave?” Zhang saw the letter but claimed illness and did not appear. Rumors circulated that Zhang was plotting rebellion. Yue’s king then gifted Zhang a sword, stating, “You taught me the seven strategies to conquer Wu. I used three to defeat Wu, and the remaining four are yours to fulfill my predecessor’s test.” Zhang subsequently took his own life.
Goujian passed away in the eleventh month of the tenth year of Duke Zhao of Jin, known as “Chanshi”. Shiwang Shi and his successors then took the throne. When Shiwang Shi passed away, Wang Bushou took the throne. When Wang Bushou passed away, Wang Bu Shou took the throne. When Wang Bu Shou passed away, Wang Bu Shou took the throne. When Wang Bu Shou passed away