King Zhao of Chu
Encyclopedia
King Zhao of Chu (? – 489 BCE) was from 515 – 489 BCE the king of the State of Chu
during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. Documents unearthed in the former state also show his title as King Shao. Born Xiong Zhen (熊珍), King Zhao was the son of King Ping of Chu (楚平王).
of the State of Wu led an army to invade Chu. His army was commanded by the military strategist Sun Tzu
, author of The Art of War
, as well as Wu Zixu
, a Chu exile whose father and brother were killed by King Ping of Chu. The Wu army routed the Chu army at the historic Battle of Boju, and the Chu commander Nang Wa fled to the state of Zheng
.
The Wu army pursued the remaining Chu troops, won several more battles, and captured Ying
, the capital of Chu. Chu general Shen Yin Shu
defeated the Wu army but was severely wounded, and was killed by a Chu officer at his own request. King Zhao was forced to flee. During the escape he was wounded by a Chu arrow at Yunmeng from where he made his way through Yun
(鄖) to the State of Sui
(随国/隨國) in northern Hubei. Chu Minister of State Shen Baoxu (申包胥) meanwhile headed for the State of Qin
to plead for assistance from their army. At first, the Qin ruler Duke Ai (秦哀公) was non-committal in his response but after Shen spent seven days kneeling and wailing in the Qin palace courtyard, Duke Ai was moved by his devotion and agreed to send troops to assist Chu. Thereafter the Wu army retreated and King Zhao returned to the Chu capital at Ying.
In 489 BCE, King Zhao witnessed the inauspicious meteorological phenomenon known as “Clouds like numerous red birds pressing the day to fly” (雲如眾赤鳥，夾日以飛). Not long afterwards, King Fuchai of Wu attacked the State of Chen
and Chen requested assistance from King Zhao. The king led his troops personally and was killed during a subsequent battle.
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. Documents unearthed in the former state also show his title as King Shao. Born Xiong Zhen (熊珍), King Zhao was the son of King Ping of Chu (楚平王).
Life
In 506 BCE, King HelüKing Helü of Wu
King Helü of the state of Wu , a state in ancient China, was initially known as Prince Guang . He reigned towards the end of the Spring and Autumn Period.-Biography:...
of the State of Wu led an army to invade Chu. His army was commanded by the military strategist Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
, author of The Art of War
The Art of War
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is attributed to Sun Tzu , a high ranking military general and strategist during the late Spring and Autumn period...
, as well as Wu Zixu
Wu Zixu
Wu Yun , better known by his style name Zixu , is the most famous ancestor of people with the surname of Wu . All branches of the Wu clans claim him as their "first ancestor"...
, a Chu exile whose father and brother were killed by King Ping of Chu. The Wu army routed the Chu army at the historic Battle of Boju, and the Chu commander Nang Wa fled to the state of Zheng
Zheng (state)
Zheng （) was a vassal state in China during the Zhou Dynasty located in the centre of ancient China in modern day Henan Province on the North China Plain about east of the royal capital at Luoyang. It was the most powerful of the vassal states at the beginning of the Eastern Zhou...
.
The Wu army pursued the remaining Chu troops, won several more battles, and captured Ying
Ying (Chu)
Yǐng was a capital city of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese History.In the early years of Chu’s development, the state capital was located at Danyang , near modern day Xichuan County in Henan Province...
, the capital of Chu. Chu general Shen Yin Shu
Shen Yin Shu
Shen Yin Shu or Shen Yin Xu was a general of the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. A great-grandson of King Zhuang of Chu, he was appointed yin of Shen , and became known as Shen Yin Shu...
defeated the Wu army but was severely wounded, and was killed by a Chu officer at his own request. King Zhao was forced to flee. During the escape he was wounded by a Chu arrow at Yunmeng from where he made his way through Yun
Yun County, Hubei
Yun County is a county of Hubei, China. It is under the administration of Shiyan city....
(鄖) to the State of Sui
Sui (state)
The State of Suí was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state located in Hubei Province, China during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods located in the Han River Basin...
(随国/隨國) in northern Hubei. Chu Minister of State Shen Baoxu (申包胥) meanwhile headed for the State of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
to plead for assistance from their army. At first, the Qin ruler Duke Ai (秦哀公) was non-committal in his response but after Shen spent seven days kneeling and wailing in the Qin palace courtyard, Duke Ai was moved by his devotion and agreed to send troops to assist Chu. Thereafter the Wu army retreated and King Zhao returned to the Chu capital at Ying.
In 489 BCE, King Zhao witnessed the inauspicious meteorological phenomenon known as “Clouds like numerous red birds pressing the day to fly” (雲如眾赤鳥，夾日以飛). Not long afterwards, King Fuchai of Wu attacked the State of Chen
Chen (state)
Chen was a minor Zhou Dynasty vassal state during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese History. It was a relatively minor state based on a single urban centre near what is now Huaiyang County in the plains of eastern Henan province...
and Chen requested assistance from King Zhao. The king led his troops personally and was killed during a subsequent battle.