King of Wu

King or Prince of Wu (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Wúwáng) was an ancient and medieval Chinese title referring to ruler of the area originally controlled by the Gou Wu tribes around Wuxi on the lower Yangtze, generally known as the Wu region. The title wang is written identically in Chinese, but it is common in English to distinguish between the scions of the imperial dynasties (translated "prince") and the dynasties of independent lords (translated "king").

According to traditional Chinese historians, the title was first used by two refugee princes from Zhou who were credited with civilizing the barbarian Wu (and sometimes Japan as well). Their state of Wu had its capital first at Meili (traditionally held to be Meicun in modern Wuxi), then at Gusu (within modern Suzhou) and Helu City (present-day Suzhou). It was established independently but became a vassal to Zhou after its conquest of Shang. It became independent again during the Spring and Autumn period, but was annexed by Yue in 473 BC.

The title was somewhat infelicitous for the early Kings of the Han dynasty, who were quite autonomous and powerful before being reined in after an unsuccessful revolt in 154 BC. Therefore, the early princes are sometimes counted as "kings" as well. After the rebellion, the Wuyue region was divided up among different princes and the title was abolished until it was recreated during the Three Kingdoms era when Cao Cao recommended Sun Ce to be Marquis of Wu in 197. Sun Quan was created as King of Wu in 220 as Cao Wei vassal kingdom, which translated as Prince of Wu. He later declared himself an independent king in 222 and proclaimed as emperor of Eastern Wu in 229.

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