Wu Qi
Encyclopedia
Wu Qi was a Chinese
military leader and politician
in the Warring States period.
Rivers that Wei had just taken from Qin
. Later, after he was estranged
from his lord and forced into exile, Wu Qi went to the State of Chu
where he was appointed Prime minister
by King Dao of Chu
(楚悼王). His reforms made Chu a strong state at that time. The reforms he instituted enraged the old nobility in Chu and he was killed after the death of King Dao of Chu.
Wu's reforms, which started around 389 BC, were generally aimed at changing the corrupt and inefficient government. The nobility and officialdom were terribly corrupt and the government was burdened with the costs of paying them and a horde of other minor officials. Wu first lowered the annual pay of the Chu officials, then dismissed officials who were useless or incompetent. He also eliminated hereditary privileges after three generations. The money saved by cutting costs was used to create and train a more professional army.
Another of Wu's deeds was to move all the nobles to the borders, away from the capital: it could reduce their power and at the same time it could populate those areas, making them more useful to the Chu government. He is also credited with thinking up a set of building codes in Ying, in order to make the city look less "barbaric".
Although his reforms soon started to make Chu a powerful country, the nobles and Daoists of Chu hated him. Nobles accused him of trying to change the old ways, and even managed to find fault with the building codes. Daoists accused him of being a "warmonger" and an "admirer of force and weaponry", even going as far as to say that he was "a threat to humanity". He was accused of not returning to mourn when his mother died and for murdering his own wife (who was the daughter of a noble from the rival state of Qi) in order to gain trust from the ruler of the state of Lu. It is uncertain historically whether either of these charges are true, or whether they were created by Wu Qi's political enemies to slander him.
Chu's prowess was quickly seen during that period: Chu defeated the Yue state in the south and the Wei in the north, dealing with each in quick succession. However, King Dao died that same year. Old nobles plotted to assassinate Wu Qi at King Dao's funeral, where he would be separated from the army. Wu Qi spotted the assassins armed with bows, and rushed to the side of King Dao's body. He was killed, but many arrows struck the dead King. The new King Su (楚肃王), furious at his father's body being mutilated, ordered all nobles involved to be executed, along with their families.
are often listed in the same sentence (Sun-Wu,孙吴) as great military strategists.
His military work, Wuzi
was included in the compilation Seven Military Classics
.
Wu Qi is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
military leader and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the Warring States period.
Biography
Born in the State of Wei (衛), he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the states of Lu and Wei. In the state of Wei he commanded many great battles and was appointed Xihe Shou (Mayor of Xihe county). Xihe was the area between the Yellow and LuoLuo River (Shaanxi)
Luo River is a tributary of the Wei River. It flows through the Loess Plateau and has a length of about 680 km. The area between the Luo and the Yellow River was called 'Hexi' and was fought over by Qin and Wei .-See also:*Luo River...
Rivers that Wei had just taken from Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
. Later, after he was estranged
Estranged
-Personnel:* Axl Rose – lead vocals, piano, production* Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar, production* Slash – lead guitar, production* Duff McKagan – bass, production* Matt Sorum – drums, production-External links:*...
from his lord and forced into exile, Wu Qi went to the State of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
where he was appointed Prime minister
Prime minister (Chu State)
The post of Prime Minister of Chu was an official government position established in the vassal State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history ....
by King Dao of Chu
King Dao of Chu
King Dao of Chu , Family name : 芈, Clan name , was a ruler of the Zhou Dynasty vassal State of Chu from 401 BCE - 381 BCE: son of King Sheng. He made Wu Qi chancellor and reformed the Chu government and army....
(楚悼王). His reforms made Chu a strong state at that time. The reforms he instituted enraged the old nobility in Chu and he was killed after the death of King Dao of Chu.
Wu's reforms, which started around 389 BC, were generally aimed at changing the corrupt and inefficient government. The nobility and officialdom were terribly corrupt and the government was burdened with the costs of paying them and a horde of other minor officials. Wu first lowered the annual pay of the Chu officials, then dismissed officials who were useless or incompetent. He also eliminated hereditary privileges after three generations. The money saved by cutting costs was used to create and train a more professional army.
Another of Wu's deeds was to move all the nobles to the borders, away from the capital: it could reduce their power and at the same time it could populate those areas, making them more useful to the Chu government. He is also credited with thinking up a set of building codes in Ying, in order to make the city look less "barbaric".
Although his reforms soon started to make Chu a powerful country, the nobles and Daoists of Chu hated him. Nobles accused him of trying to change the old ways, and even managed to find fault with the building codes. Daoists accused him of being a "warmonger" and an "admirer of force and weaponry", even going as far as to say that he was "a threat to humanity". He was accused of not returning to mourn when his mother died and for murdering his own wife (who was the daughter of a noble from the rival state of Qi) in order to gain trust from the ruler of the state of Lu. It is uncertain historically whether either of these charges are true, or whether they were created by Wu Qi's political enemies to slander him.
Chu's prowess was quickly seen during that period: Chu defeated the Yue state in the south and the Wei in the north, dealing with each in quick succession. However, King Dao died that same year. Old nobles plotted to assassinate Wu Qi at King Dao's funeral, where he would be separated from the army. Wu Qi spotted the assassins armed with bows, and rushed to the side of King Dao's body. He was killed, but many arrows struck the dead King. The new King Su (楚肃王), furious at his father's body being mutilated, ordered all nobles involved to be executed, along with their families.
Depictions in Popular Culture
He and Sun TzuSun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
are often listed in the same sentence (Sun-Wu,孙吴) as great military strategists.
His military work, Wuzi
Wuzi
The Wuzi is a classic Chinese work on military strategy attributed to Wu Qi. It is considered one of China's Seven Military Classics.It is said there were two books on the art of war by Wu Qi, but one was lost, hence leaving the Wuzi as the only existing book carrying Wu Qi's military thoughts....
was included in the compilation Seven Military Classics
Seven Military Classics
The Seven Military Classics of China were seven important military texts of ancient China which included Sun-tzu's The Art of War. The texts were canonized under this name during the 11th century AD, and from the Song Dynasty onwards were included in most military encyclopedias...
.
Wu Qi is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.