King Yunchang of Yue (simplified: 允常, traditional: 允常, pinyin: Yǔncháng, jyutping: wan5 soeng4) was a king of the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period and the father of King Goujian of Yue (勾践). His reign saw the rise of Yue and the beginning of prolonged conflict with the State of Wu.
History
Yunchang is recorded as a king of Yue who expanded Yue’s territory and came into conflict with Wu. After his death, his son Goujian succeeded him and eventually suffered a major defeat by Wu under King Fuchai, before later defeating Wu and avenging the humiliation.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
Yunchang is remembered as the king for whom Ouyezi forged five swords. When the King of Wu demanded them, Yunchang, fearing Wu’s might, yielded Zhanlu, Shengxie and Yuchang, and kept Chunjun and Juque, which remain in Goujian’s palace.1
See also
- King Goujian of Yue — Yunchang’s son
- State of Yue — Yunchang’s state
- Sword of the Yue Maiden characters