King Fuchai of Wu

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King Fuchai of Wu (吳王夫差) (reigned 495 BC - 473 BC), was the last king of Wu, a state in ancient China; he reigned towards the end of the Spring and Autumn Period.

[edit] Biography

Son of King Helü of Wu, he became king in 495 BC. At the beginning of his reign, he defeated the troops of Yue in Fujiao (now Wu County, Jiangsu) and captured the capital city of Yue. Instead of annexing his enemy state thoroughly, as suggested by his Prime Minister Wu Zixu, he made peace with King Goujian of Yue.

After this battle, he built Canal Han and pushed his army northward. In Ailing, his army defeated the state of Qi. In 482 BC, as he attempted to get the hegemony in the dukes' meeting in Huangchi, his capital was taken by surprise by King Goujian of Yue.

Some years later, the state of Yue defeated and annexed Wu, and King Fuchai committed suicide in his palace.

[edit] See also

• Spear of Fuchai
• Xi Shi

Preceded by King Helü of Wu

King of Wu 495 BC – 473 BC

Succeeded by '