Yao Li

Yao Li (要離) was a famed assassin in the Spring and Autumn Period.^[1] Native in the state of Wu, he was recommended to King Helü of Wu by Wu Zixu. His mission was to kill Prince Qingji of Wu (慶忌), who was then in the state of Wei. In order to pretend to be a criminal in the state of Wu, Yao Li killed his wife and his mother, and his right hand was cut off by King Helü. After his arrival in the state of Wei, he met Prince Qingji and was able to stay in the same boat with his target. As the boat reached the middle of the river, he killed Prince Qingji with a lance and then committed suicide.

References