Lady Xu Mu

Lady Xu Mu (许穆夫人)was a princess of the state of Wei (衛), and the first recorded female poet in Chinese history.

Life

She was married to Count Mu of Xu, and although her surname was Ji, she became known as Lady Xu Mu or sometimes the Countess of Xu. She lived in the Xu state with her husband, but when the state of Wei was invaded in 660 BC and fell into turmoil, she tried to return there and call for help from Wei's neighboring states on the way. However, courtiers from Xu chased her and forced her to return to Xu. However, her appeals for aid succeeded, and the state of Qi saved Wei from its crisis. The Wei people remembered her for bringing supplies, getting military aid and rebuilding the state.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Bennet Peterson, Barbara (2000). Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. M.E. Sharpe, Inc. p. 21. 

Source