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During the mid–Warring States period, Lord Mengchang (Tian Wen), once chancellor of Qi, fell out of favor with King Min of Qi and retired to his fiefdom of Xue (southeast of present-day Tengzhou, Shandong). Though renowned for hosting thousands of retainers and honoring talent, his growing influence had aroused royal suspicion.
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In 311 BCE, during the eighth year of King Xiang of Wei’s reign, also known as King Ai of Wei, the state of Wei launched a full-scale invasion of the small kingdom of Wey. Wei’s forces swiftly captured two cities, and the Wey capital of Zhaoge trembled on the brink of collapse. King Si…
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Just as Qin and Chu prepared to counterattack, disaster struck Wu: Prince Fugai, Helü’s brother, rebelled, declared himself king, and allied with Yue state, promising five cities as reward.