King Helü of Wu (simplified: 阖庐, traditional: 闔廬, pinyin: Hélǘ, jyutping: hap6 lou4; also written 阖闾) was a king of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. He came to power when Zhuan Zhu (专诸) assassinated King Liao of Wu (吴王僚) with the legendary sword Yuchang (鱼肠). Helü was the father of King Fuchai of Wu (夫差).
History
Helü (also known as Helü of Wu) had been denied the throne in favour of Liao. He plotted with Zhuan Zhu, who hid the short sword Yuchang in a fish and killed Liao at a banquet. Helü then became king and strengthened Wu, but was later wounded in battle against Yue and died; his son Fuchai succeeded him and vowed to avenge him against Yue.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
Helü is mentioned in the account of the five swords Ouyezi forged for Yue. After King Yunchang of Yue yielded three of them to Wu, Helü sent Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao of Wu with Yuchang.1
See also
- Zhuan Zhu — The assassin who enabled Helü to take the throne
- King Liao of Wu — The king assassinated for Helü
- Yuchang — The sword used in the assassination
- King Fuchai of Wu — Helü’s son
- State of Wu — Helü’s state
- Sword of the Yue Maiden characters