Zhuan Zhu (simplified: 专诸, traditional: 專諸, pinyin: Zhuān Zhū, jyutping: zyun1 zyu1) was the assassin who killed King Liao of Wu (吴王僚 — Wú Wáng Liáo) using the legendary short sword Yuchang (鱼肠 — Yúcháng). The assassination enabled King Helü of Wu (阖庐) to take the throne of the State of Wu.
History
Zhuan Zhu was recruited by Helü (then a prince) to kill Liao. At a banquet, Zhuan Zhu hid Yuchang inside a fish and, when presenting the fish, drew the sword and stabbed Liao. Zhuan Zhu was killed by Liao’s guards, but the deed allowed Helü to become king. The story is a classic tale of loyalty and assassination in the Spring and Autumn tradition.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
In Jin Yong’s Sword of the Yue Maiden, the novel’s focus on famous swords and the Wu–Yue conflict places Zhuan Zhu and the Yuchang sword within the same legendary and historical framework.
Behind the scenes
The name follows the project’s SYM taxonomy (专诸 — The Sword of the Yue Maiden terms).
See also
- Yuchang — The sword Zhuan Zhu used
- King Liao of Wu — The king Zhuan Zhu assassinated
- King Helü of Wu — The prince who became king after the assassination
- Sword of the Yue Maiden characters