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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…
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When King Cheng of Chu died in 613 BCE, his grandson ascended the throne as King Zhuang of Chu. At the time, Jin, under the leadership of Zhao Dun, seized the opportunity of Chu’s mourning period to convene seven states – Song, Lu, Chen, Wei, Zheng, Cai, and Xu – and reassert its dominance…
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Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong’er), the 22nd ruler of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (reigned 636–628 BCE), is renowned as one of the Five Hegemons. His path to power was extraordinary, marked by nineteen years of exile before his dramatic return and eventual dominance over the central states.