In 494 BC, the State of Yue was defeated by the State of Wu. King Goujian of Yue, his wife and officials (such as Fan Li) were held as hostages in Wu state for about three years. During this time, Goujian endured the humiliation. For example, Fuchai, the king of Wu, assigned them a stone hut beside Helü’s tomb, Goujian became a horse feeder. However, Gou Jian endured the humiliation with great patience and perseverance, and eventually won the trust of King Fuchai of Wu, allowing him to return to Yue.
Building the Gusu Terrace
After years of accepting tribute and flattery from Yue, King Fuchai of Wu grew ever more indulgent.
When he decided to construct the magnificent Gusu Terrace on Mount Gusu (in modern Suzhou, Jiangsu) as a pleasure palace, Goujian seized the opportunity.
He dispatched Wen Zhong with several exceptionally large timber logs – a “gift” that thrilled Fuchai, who had never seen such quality wood. Determined not to waste it, he expanded the terrace’s design, adding another story and widening its base. The result? A colossal project that exhausted Wu’s populace, who toiled day and night under brutal conditions, beaten and cursed by overseers.
While Wu bled for luxury, Yue prepared for war.
The weapon of beauty: Xi Shi
Goujian next deployed his most subtle weapon: beauty. At Fan Li’s suggestion, he sent the legendary Xi Shi – a woman of extraordinary grace, intelligence, and patriotic resolve – to Wu. Fan Li declared,
“She is willing to sacrifice her body for our king’s revenge.”
Fuchai was instantly enchanted. Within days, he was utterly captivated, neglecting state affairs for her company. Under her influence, he made fateful decisions – like lending 10,000 dan of grain to Yue during a supposed famine.
Xi Shi gently urged him:
“Let them borrow. It shows your magnanimity.”
Fuchai agreed.
The poisoned grain: A silent sabotage
Wen Zhong returned with the grain and distributed it to Yue’s poor, earning Goujian universal gratitude. The next year, after a bountiful harvest, Wen Zhong repaid the loan – with 10,000 dan of the finest seed-grade grain.
Fuchai, impressed by their plumpness, told Bo Pi:
“Yue’s grains are superior! Let’s plant them as seed.”
Bo Pi distributed them nationwide. But the seeds – secretly steamed and dried by Yue – never sprouted. After weeks of waiting, Wu farmers realized the truth: their entire crop was lost. Forced to replant with old seed, they missed the planting season entirely, triggering a nationwide famine.
The people blamed Fuchai and Bo Pi – but none suspected the grain had been deliberately sterilized.
Waiting for the Right Moment
When news of Wu’s famine reached Goujian, he wanted to strike immediately. But Wen Zhong cautioned:
“Not yet. Wu Zixu still lives – and Wu’s army is intact. We must wait.”
So Yue continued quietly expanding and training its forces, while Fuchai, blinded by ambition, turned northward.
The fall of Wu Zixu: A prophet Silenced
Fuchai planned a campaign against Qi to claim hegemony. Wu Zixu vehemently opposed it, warning:
“Defeating Qi is a minor gain. Yue is the true threat – it will destroy Wu!”
But Fuchai, egged on by Xi Shi and Bo Pi, saw only glory. He won a victory over Qi, returned in triumph – and grew furious at Wu Zixu’s “pessimism.”
Soon after, Fuchai sent Wu Zixu a sword, ordering him to commit suicide. The loyal minister died lamenting,
“After I am gone, drape my eyes over the eastern gate – so I may see Yue’s armies enter Wu!”
His death removed the last barrier to Yue’s vengeance.
The trap at Huangchi: Wu’s fatal overreach
In 482 BCE, Fuchai marched north again, convened the Huangchi Summit (near modern Fengqiu, Henan), and forced Jin, Wei, and Lu to recognize him as hegemon.
But while he celebrated, Goujian struck.
Yue’s well-trained army invaded Wu, routing its depleted defenders. By the time Fuchai rushed back, his troops – exhausted and demoralized – were shattered like autumn leaves in a storm.
Desperate, he sent Bo Pi to sue for peace. Fan Li advised caution:
“Wu is weakened but not broken. Accept truce – for now.”
Goujian withdrew, biding his time.
The final reckoning
Nine years later, in 473 BCE, Goujian launched his final campaign. Wu’s forces collapsed. Bo Pi surrendered first. Cornered, Fuchai covered his face in shame:
“How can I face Wu Zixu in death?”
He took his own life. Wu fell.
Goujian entered Gusu, seated himself on Fuchai’s throne, and received homage from former Wu officials. Among them stood Bo Pi, expecting reward for his betrayal.
But Goujian coldly rebuked him:
“You were Wu’s Grand Steward. How dare I take you as my minister? Why not follow your king in death?”
Humiliated, Bo Pi retreated – and was executed shortly after.
The fate of the loyal ministers
Goujian rewarded his followers – but Fan Li was nowhere to be found. He had vanished, leaving only a letter for Wen Zhong:
“When birds are gone, bows are discarded. When hares are caught, hounds are cooked. In hardship, the king needs us. In triumph, he fears us. Flee while you can!”
Wen Zhong hesitated. Soon after, Goujian visited him – and left behind the very sword that had killed Wu Zixu. Understanding the message, Wen Zhong committed suicide.
Legend says Fan Li escaped with Xi Shi, became a wealthy merchant under the name Tao Zhu Gong, and lived out his days in prosperity and peace.
The last hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Era
With Wu destroyed, Goujian crossed the Huai River and convened a grand assembly at Shuzhou (modern Tengzhou, Shandong) with Qi, Jin, Song, and Lu. With Chu weakened and Wu gone, the Central States had no choice but to acknowledge Goujian as hegemon.
Thus, after the Five Hegemons – Duke Huan of Qi, Duke Xiang of Song, Duke Wen of Jin, Duke Mu of Qin, and King Zhuang of Chu – history added two more:
- King Fuchai of Wu
- King Goujian of Yue
But only Goujian emerged victorious – not through brute force alone, but through patience, strategy, discipline, and the ultimate lesson of “Sleeping on Brushwood, Tasting Gall“.
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