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Wen Zhong

Type Figure Region Yue state Time -551–-473 Also known as Minister Wen

Wen Zhong was a minister and statesman of the Yue state in the late Spring and Autumn period, active from the late sixth to mid-fifth century BCE;…

Timeline

  1. c. -496–-494Capital of Yue · Yue stateWen Zhong and Fan Li together served King Goujian of Yue; after the defeat at Fujiao he strongly urged submitting to King Fuchai of Wu to preserve Yue and proposed the strategy of 'humble words to sue for peace', enabling Goujian to return home.
  2. -494–-482Kuaiji · Yue stateAfter Goujian's return, Wen Zhong directed domestic affairs, implementing 'ten years of gathering, ten years of teaching', encouraging births, developing agriculture, training the army, and sowing discord among Wu's rulers and ministers, laying the foundation of national strength for destroying Wu.
  3. c. -482–-484Capital of Yue · Yue stateAfter Yue destroyed Wu, Wen Zhong still controlled domestic affairs, but Fan Li had already fled and left a letter warning him. Goujian, believing slander, ordered Wen Zhong to commit suicide with 'the gift given to Zixu', and the great minister died full of resentment.

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