CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
King Helü of Wu阖闾
King of Wu, appointed Wu Yuan, sought strength and hegemony.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 6
- RELATION RECORDS
- 9
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
King Helü of Wu, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 7 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
King Helü of WuisWu Zixu’s ruler
King Helü of Wu→Sun Wuappoint general
King Helü of Wu→Marquis of Caiaccept
King Helü of Wu→Bo Piappoint steward
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
2 figures · 2 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
King Helü of Wu→King Zhao of Chuattack Chu
King Helü of Wu→Wei Jiawant to rape
6 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
King of Wu, killed King Liao and seized the throne.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Strategies of the Warring States
King of Wu, appointed Wu Yuan, sought strength and hegemony.; King of Wu, ordered Yao Li to assassinate Qing Ji, and killed Yao Li's wife.; King of Wu, heavily relied on Sun Wu and Wu Yuan, attacked Chu.
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.
- Literature / legend8 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
9 relations17 verified quotations- King Helü of Wu→ ruler-subject →Wu Zixu
- Wu Zixu→ assist →King Helü of Wu
- King Helü of Wu→ attack Chu →King Zhao of Chu
- Marquis of Cai→ offer gift →King Helü of Wu
Verified original text · 17
阖闾访国政于伍员
ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 74
伍员伯嚭副之
appoint · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75
15 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
1 relations0 verified quotations- Wu Zixu→ assist →King Helü of Wu
- Official history2 profile notes
Strategies of the Warring States
1 relations1 verified quotations- Wu Zixu→ assist →King Helü of Wu
Verified original text · 1
说听乎阖闾
ruler-subject · Strategies of the Warring States, 燕／二
History vs. fiction
The legend of the Fish Gut Sword used by Helü to send Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao of Wu
The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Biographies of Assassins' and 'The Hereditary House of Wu Taibo' detail: 'Zhuan Zhu placed the dagger in the belly of the roasted fish and presented it... When he reached the king, Zhuan Zhu split the fish, and with the dagger stabbed King Liao, who died instantly.' The assassination with the Fish Gut Sword is recorded in official history.
Relationship network
- ruler-subjectKing Helü of Wu → Wu ZixulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 74Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 76Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (4)
阖闾访国政于伍员
伍员伯嚭副之
Original relation: appoint · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75
阖闾曰：“卿为德于寡人多矣，寡人何爱于枯骨，不以慰卿之私耶？”
Original relation: accept advice · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 76
立伍员为相国
Original relation: 封相 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
- assist← Wu Zixu → King Helü of Wuhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 74Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75Records of the Grand Historian, 乐毅列传Strategies of the Warring States, 燕／二
Original text (3)
伍员乃相土形之高卑，尝水味之咸淡，乃于姑苏山东北三十里，得善地，造筑大城
伍员引见阖闾曰
Original relation: recommend · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75
说听乎阖闾
Original relation: ruler-subject · Strategies of the Warring States, 燕／二
- attack ChuKing Helü of Wu → King Zhao of ChulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (2)
遂使孙武、伍员、伯嚭率师伐楚
吴王哀痛助忉怛
Original relation: battle · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (1)
二君各取其物，俱转献于吴王。
Original text (1)
阖闾乃受蔡侯之质，许以出兵
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
阖闾心动，使人召之，伯嬴不出。
- appoint generalKing Helü of Wu → Sun WulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 76Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (4)
乃封孙武为上将军，号为军师
拜孙武为大将
Original relation: appoint general · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 75
阖闾大喜，置酒高会。
Original relation: accept advice · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 76
论破楚之功，以孙武为首
Original relation: reward · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (1)
楚所以难攻者，以属国众多