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IueChinese princely dynasty
Country:
 China |
Content:
The Biography of Yue
IntroductionYue was a Chinese princely dynasty that ruled in the principality of Yue from 496-329 BC. The lineage of the Yue princes traced back to the Xia dynasty Emperor Shao Kang (2118-2058 BC). The last prince of Yue was granted control over Guiji (in modern-day Zhejiang province), which was predominantly inhabited by the Yue barbarians, giving the principality its name.
Early History
For many centuries, the kingdom of Yue, located far southeast from the core of Chinese civilization, played a minor role in Chinese history. Its rise occurred in the early 5th century BC when its ruler Gou Jian led a victorious war against the kingdom of Wu. In 496 BC, the Yues defeated the Wus at Zhuyi. The Yue king He Lu was mortally wounded in this battle, and his son Fu Cha inflicted a defeat on the Yues in Fuzhou in 494 BC. At that time, Yue's affairs were in such a poor state that Wu could easily annex it. However, Fu Cha chose not to do so, believing that Yue was finished, and turned his attention to other conquests.
Revival and Conquests
Meanwhile, Gou Jian began preparing for a new attack on Wu. He hung a bag of bile over his bed to constantly remind himself of his shame and consumed bile in his food and drink. After twelve years of relentless effort to revive his kingdom's power, Gou Jian suddenly attacked Wu in 482 BC, seizing their capital. This defeat undermined his enemy's strength. In 475 BC, Gou Jian once again surrounded Wu's capital and took it after a three-year siege. The kingdom of Wu was dissolved, and its ruler Fu Cha took his own life. After this victory, the Yue army dominated the Yangtze and Huai rivers, and Gou Jian received the title of Hegemon from the emperor.
Decline and Collapse
However, with Gou Jian's death, the glory of the Yue kingdom came to an end, and a period of turmoil and upheaval began. Meanwhile, neighboring kingdoms grew stronger. During the reign of Chu's King Wei (339-329 BC), the Chu forces dealt a heavy blow to the Yue army. The last Yue ruler, King Yu Jian, perished, and most of his territories were annexed by Chu, while the remaining fragmented into numerous small principalities.
