Helü

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 23.36

    Han Feizi records King Helü of Wu pondered retreat after three wins against Chu’s capital Ying. Wu Zixu used the drowning metaphor, advising relentless pursuit instead of stopping halfway to fully defeat the weakened enemy.

  • Sun Tzu: Training palace maids into soldiers [Spring & Autumn]

    This article recounts the legendary test of discipline by Sun Tzu in the State of Wu. To prove his military philosophy – that “with true discipline, even women can fight” – Sun Tzu was given 150 palace maids to train. When the women, led by the King’s favorite concubines, treated the drills as a…