Lord Huan of Qi

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Lord Huan of Qi (齊桓公, Qí Huán Gōng, died 643 BC) was the best-known ruler of the state of Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. His personal name was Jiāng Xiǎobái (姜小白) and he was the brother of Lord Xiang. He was the Marquis of Qi from 685 BC until his death.

The moment he took the throne, Lord Huan appointed Guan Zhong (管仲), an outstanding politician, to be his Prime Minister. Under Guan Zhong's reforms, Qi became the strongest state of the time, allowing Lord Huan to make a greater impact outside his state. Under the slogan of ‘respecting the king and defending against the barbarian’(尊王攘夷, pinyin: zūnwáng rǎngyí), Lord Huan gained hegemony among the states of ancient China. He helped the states of Yan, Xing and Wei against barbarian troops. He also called on some states to attack the state of Chu in order to ‘defend the honor of the king’.

The slogan 'Respecting the king and defending against the barbarian' was much later revived by the Japanese as Sonnō jōi at the time of the Meiji restoration.

An incident is recorded in the chapter Xiaocheng (小稱) of the book Guanzi (管子):

Yi Ya (易牙) served the Lord (公) Huan of Qi with his culinary talent. The lord said, "the only thing which I have yet to taste is steamed infant." Then, Yi Ya steamed his first-born and offered him to the lord.

(in Classical Chinese: 夫易牙以調和事公。公曰：「惟蒸嬰兒之未嘗。」於是蒸其首子而獻之公。)

(There was not a strong taboo on cannibalism in ancient China and many accounts of cannibalism can be found in other historical times.)