Yuchang (simplified: 鱼肠, traditional: 魚腸, pinyin: Yúcháng, jyutping: jyu4 coeng4), literally “fish intestine,” was a legendary short sword (匕首 — bǐshǒu) of Chinese lore. It is said to have been forged by Ou Yezi (欧冶子) and is famous for its role in the assassination of King Liao of Wu (吴王僚 — Wú Wáng Liáo) by Zhuan Zhu (专诸).
Legend
Yuchang is often listed among the “famous swords” (名剑 — míngjiàn) of antiquity. The name “fish intestine” may refer to its shape, its ability to be concealed, or a pattern in the blade. In the Spring and Autumn tradition, Zhuan Zhu hid Yuchang inside a fish and used it to kill King Liao at a banquet, enabling King Helü of Wu (阖庐) to take the throne.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
In Jin Yong’s Sword of the Yue Maiden, the novel’s focus on the Wu–Yue conflict, famous swords, and figures such as Zhuan Zhu places Yuchang within the same legendary and historical framework.