Chapter Two. The Record Of King Ping Of Chu

This chapter of the Yuejue shu, concerns the early history of Wu Zixu, whose trials and tribulations are recorded in exceptional detail in a wide variety of ancient Chinese texts. It describes Wu Zixu's journey into exile after the arrest of his father and older brother, his reaction to their deaths, and his revenge against the kingdom of Chu in general and King Ping of Chu in particular. The character, personal history, contemporary importance, and significance of Wu Zixu in the events that led up to the conquest of Wu by Yue are exhaustively discussed. The chapter describes a parabola, from the lowest point in Wu Zixu's career, as a hunted half starved fugitive, to the highest point, when he was a trusted advisor of King Helu of Wu.Keywords: Chu; Ping; Wu Zixu; Yue; Yuejue shu