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The battle of Fujiao

In 494 BC, King Goujian of Yue heard Fuchai are planning to avenge the death of his father by attacking Yue’s troops. Fan Li, minster of Yue, advised Goujian to keep calm but he decided to strike first. Fuchai got the intelligence and sent his crack divisions for counterattack. The battle happened in Fujiao, and Yue’s troops lost the battle with only five thousand of them left. Yue’s troops fell back to Guiji Shan (now south Shaoxing, Zhejiang). Fuchai occupied the Guiji town (now Shaoxing, Zhejiang) and surrounded the Guiji Shan. Goujian had to adopt Fan Li’s suggestion and sent Wenzhong to bribe the Wu’s Prime Minister Bopi for making peace. Bopi accepted the gifts and promised to help Goujian. On the other hand, Fuchai was anxious to go north and contend with the state of Qi. With the two reasons, Fuchai made peace with Goujian and pulled out for home.

Comment: In the battle of Fujiao, although King Fuchai of Wu was victorious, he made peace with King Goujian of Yue. It left a possibility for Yue to develop and then extinguish Wu.

Wo Xin Chang Dan

Wo Xin Chang Dan is a famous idiom in Chinese, its meaning is enduring hardship and plotting revenge. It came from the story of King Goujian of Yue after he was defeated by Fuchai.

After Fuchai withdrew troops from Yue, Goujian took his wife and Fan Li to Wu to serve Fuchai. Goujian did his utmost to serve Fuchai and then got Fuchai’s favor and trust. After three years, Goujian was permitted to go back home.

After went back home, Goujian determined to work hard and prepare for the revenge. For not immersing into the comforts of life and wearing down the aspiration, Goujian slept on the straw with his head on the sword. He also hung a gall bladder in his house and tasted it every morning. He sent Wen Zhong to administer the government affair and sent Fan Li to manage his army. He worked with farmers in the field and his wife was weaving and doubling thread. Yue’s people were moved by Goujian’s action, Yue transformed from weak to strong after ten year’s hard-working.

King Fuchai of Wu lived an extravagant and dissipated life after defeated Yue. He was full of conceit and started war with his neighborhoods frequently. He also fell for Bopi’s words and executed Wu Zixu, who is Wu’s faithful minister. At that time, Wu went into a nose dive although it was powerful apparently.

In 482 BC, Fuchai leaded his troops to north to contest the overlord with the state of Jin. Goujian heard the news and made a swoop to Wu. Wu’s troops is defeated and Fuchai’s heir named You was killed. Fuchai took his troops back hastily and sent emissary to make peace with Goujian. Goujian reckoned it is impossible to extirpate Wu once only, so he agreed Fuchai’s offer. In 473 BC, Goujian began to attack Wu again and Wu’s troops had suffered repeated defeats. Fuchai had to ask Goujian for peace again but failed by Fan Li’s opposition. Fuchai finally committed suicide and Wu was subjugated.