Wu Zixu

Wu Zixu
Statue of Wu Zixu in Suzhou
Chinese	伍子胥
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wǔ Zǐxū
Wu Yun
Traditional Chinese	伍員
Simplified Chinese	伍员
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wǔ Yún
Shenxu (Wu kingdom title)
Chinese	申胥
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Shēnxū
Heroic and Upright King (Tang Dynasty title)
Chinese	英烈王
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Yīngliè Wáng
God of Waves (as a river deity)
Traditional Chinese	濤神
Simplified Chinese	涛神
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Tāo Shén

Wu Yun (died 484 BCE), better known by his courtesy name Zixu, was a general and politician of the Wu kingdom in the Spring and Autumn period (722–481 BCE). Since his death, he has evolved into a model of loyalty in Chinese culture. He is the best known historical figure with the Chinese family name "Wu" (伍). All branches of the Wu clan claim that he was their "first ancestor".

The historical records of Wu are found in the famous Chinese classics: Historical Records (史記; Shǐjì) by Sima Qian, The Art of War by Sun Tzu and The Annals of Lü Buwei. He is also mentioned in Guliang Zhuan and Gongyang Zhuan. The accounts differ, showing the significant influence of folklore on his historical character.

Wu Zixu was the second son of Wu She, the Grand Tutor of the crown prince Jian of the state of Chu. In 522 BCE, Fei Wuji, a corrupt official was sent to Qin to select a bride for the prince. King Ping of Chu received a princess from the state of Qin as a bride for his son, but decided to keep her for himself upon seeing her beauty. Fei Wuji, having gained favour from the King, convinced King Ping that Wu She and the crown prince himself would start a rebellion due to the bride being from Qin, and persuaded the king to execute Wu She. Before his death, Wu She was forced, under duress, to send a letter to his sons, Wu Shang (伍尚) and Wu Zixu, which asked them to join him in the capital. While both realized that this was a trap, Wu Shang decided to go to the capital to die with his father. Wu Zixu, promising revenge, fled to the state of Wu.

Wu Zixu, along with Prince Jian's son, Prince Sheng, hoped to flee to the state of Wu. Wu Zixu, however, was a wanted man. He and the young prince were constantly pursued by soldiers. King Ping also ordered a very tight controls over the state's borders to catch Wu Zixu. As Wu Zixu approached Zhaoguan (昭关), the last pass to the state of Wu, he sought the help of the physician Donggao Gong (东皋公), who recognized him as Wu She's son. Donggao Gong felt deep sympathy for Wu Zixu's plight and offered to help him escape across the border.