楚

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

King Zhao of Chu楚昭王

ChuHistory × Fiction

Ruler of the state of Chu, obtained the Zhanlu sword.

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DIRECT FIGURES
19
RELATION RECORDS
24
SOURCE WORKS
5

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

King Zhao of Chu, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

3 figures · 3 records
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

8 figures · 9 records
4 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

9 figures · 10 records
6 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

2 figures · 2 records
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Records of the Grand Historian

Son of King Ping of Chu, fled when Wu troops entered Ying, later restored the state. King of Chu, defeated by Wu. Ruler of Chu, once wanted to enfeoff Confucius, but later stopped.

In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Strategies of the Warring States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition

Ruler of Chu, obtained the Zhanlu sword. Ruler of Chu, summoned his ministers to ask for advice. King of Chu, fled after Wu broke Ying, later went to the state of Sui.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. 7 profile notes
    16 relations20 verified quotations
    • King Zhao of Chu→ summon →Confucius
    • Wu Zixu→ battle →King Zhao of Chu
    • King Ping of Chu→ father-son →King Zhao of Chu
    • Zi Xi→ admonish against →King Zhao of Chu
    Verified original text · 20
    1. 楚昭王闻孔子在陈蔡之间，使人聘之

      summon · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 79

    2. 子胥、伯嚭、孙武决

      battle · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77

    18 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    Discourses of the States

    2 profile notes
    2 relations3 verified quotations
    • Helü→ battle →King Zhao of Chu
    • Zi Chang→ serve lord →King Zhao of Chu
    Verified original text · 3
    1. 以与楚昭王毒逐于中原柏举

      battle · Discourses of the States, 吴语

    2. 吴人入楚，昭王出奔

      败楚 · Discourses of the States, 楚语下

    1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.

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  3. 8 profile notes
    5 relations4 verified quotations
    • King Zhao of Chu→ summon →Confucius
    • Zi Xi→ admonish against →King Zhao of Chu
    • King Zhao of Chu→ abdicate →Gongzi Shen
    • King Zhao of Chu→ attack →Marquis Zhao of Cai
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 楚使人聘孔子

      visit · Records of the Grand Historian, 孔子世家

    2. 楚令尹子西曰

      admonish against · Records of the Grand Historian, 孔子世家

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. 3 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  5. 7 profile notes
    4 relations4 verified quotations
    • Zi Xi→ admonish against →King Zhao of Chu
    • Shen Baoxu→ assist →King Zhao of Chu
    • King Zhao of Chu→ flee with →Marquis of Sui
    • Marquis of Sui→ protect →King Zhao of Chu
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 子西为王舆服以保路

      assist · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 55

    2. 申包胥曰：“吾为君也，非为身也

      assist · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 55

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

Son of King Ping of Chu, once forced into exile before returning to the throne.

  • attestedWanted to enfeoff Confucius with seven hundred li but was stopped

    The Records of the Grand Historian, in the 'Hereditary House of Confucius,' records that King Zhao of Chu once sent someone to invite Confucius and intended to formally enfeoff him with seven hundred li of land from the book-she communities, but was ultimately dissuaded by Prime Minister Zi Xi, who argued that Confucius's disciples were too capable. The original text says: 「昭王将以书社地七百里封孔子。楚令尹子西曰：“王之使使诸侯有如子贡者乎？”曰：“无有。”」from the Records of the Grand Historian, 'Hereditary House of Confucius.' The novel reproduces verbatim the plot of King Zhao of Chu's intention to enfeoff seven hundred li and Zi Xi's remonstrance to stop it, with the core characters' dialogue and the course of events matching the official historical record, faithfully restoring this historical detail.

Relationship network

20 figures · 58 links
King Zhao of ChuKing Zhao of ChuConfuciusConfuciusWu ZixuWu ZixuKing Ping of ChuKing Ping of ChuZi XiZi XiKing Helü of WuKing Helü of WuGongzi ShenGongzi ShenBo PiBo PiNang WaNang WaHelüHelüWei JiaWei JiaZi QiZi ChangSun WuKing Helü of WuMarquis Zhao of CaiSun Shu'aoWu JiShen BaoxuMarquis of Sui
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 73; Records of the Grand Historian, 伍子胥列传; Discourses of the States, 吴语; Strategies of the Warring States, 战国策校经序; Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 53; Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75; Records of the Grand Historian, 吴太伯世家; Discourses of the States, 楚语下

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.