Helü of Wu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helü |
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|---|---|
| King of Wu | |
| Reign | c. 514 – c. 496 BC |
| Predecessor | Liao |
| Successor | Fuchai |
| Born | Guang |
| Died | c. 496 BC |
| Issue |
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| Father | Yumei |
| Helü of Wu | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 闔閭 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 阖闾 | ||||||||
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| Helu | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 闔廬 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 阖庐 | ||||||||
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King Helü was a powerful ruler of the ancient Chinese state of Wu. He reigned from about 514 to 496 BC. This was during a time known as the Spring and Autumn period in ancient China. His original name was Guang, and he was first known as Prince Guang.
Becoming King of Wu
Prince Guang was the son of King Yumei. He was also the nephew of King Liao. Prince Guang wanted to become king. He met a wise man named Wu Zixu. Wu Zixu had been exiled from the Chu and joined Prince Guang's group.
Wu Zixu helped Prince Guang plan to take the throne. Another person, Zhuan Zhu, also helped. In 515 BC, Zhuan Zhu assassinated King Liao. After this event, Prince Guang became King Helü. King Helü then asked Wu Zixu to design and build a "great city." This city is now the basis of Suzhou's old town.
Military Campaigns and Victories
In 506 BC, King Helü launched major attacks against the state of Chu. He had help from Wu Zixu and Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu is famous for writing The Art of War.
They won five battles against Chu. One of these was the Battle of Boju. They even captured Chu's capital city, Ying. Chu asked the state of Qin for help. After a defeat by Qin, Helü's younger brother, Fugai, started a rebellion. King Helü had to leave Chu to deal with his brother. Fugai later went to Chu and stayed there.
Later Life and Legacy
In 496 BC, King Helü heard that Yunchang of Yue had died. Yunchang was the ruler of the state of Yue. King Helü decided to invade Yue. During this invasion, he was badly injured. He later died from his injuries.
Before he died, King Helü told his son to get revenge. His son, Fuchai, became king in 495 BC. Fuchai later conquered Yue. He captured and enslaved their King Goujian. King Helü had two other sons named Bo and Shan. Bo was supposed to be his heir, but he died before King Helü.
Images for kids
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This sword was found in King Helü's tomb. The words on the blade say it was "Made for the personal use of lord Guang of Wu." It is now kept in the Shanghai Museum.
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This is a bronze basin called the Wu Wang Guang Jian. The writing inside says that King Helü ordered it for his daughter's dowry. This shows there was a political marriage between the families of Wu and Chu.
