Ancient China · Ruler

King Liao of Wu 吳王僚

Wu Wang Liao

Attested BC 526 - BC 515

Passages: 8
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

King Liao of Wu was a ruler.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Liao	僚	Liao

Life and dates

Death

Assassination · Killed by Zhuan Zhu (專諸)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 66, passage 75

Attested activity

BC 526 to BC 515 吳王僚
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 66, passages 62, 75

Places and affiliations

Polity Wu 吳 · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 66, passage 62

References in the histories

Search passages

History

8 passages

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 66Biography of Wu Zixu · 8 passages

至於吳，吳王僚方用事，公子光為將。 He arrived in Wu, where King Liao of Wu was in power and Prince Guang was general.

伍胥乃因公子光以求見吳王。 Wu Zixu then sought an audience with the King of Wu through Prince Guang.

伍子胥說吳王僚曰：「楚可破也。 Wu Zixu advised King Liao of Wu, saying: 'Chu can be broken.

公子光謂吳王曰：「彼伍胥父兄為戮於楚，而勸王伐楚者，欲以自報其讎耳。 Prince Guang told the King of Wu: 'Wu Zixu's father and elder brother were slaughtered by Chu. He advises Your Majesty to attack Chu only because he wants to avenge his private grievance.

吳王僚因楚喪，使二公子將兵往襲楚。 King Liao of Wu took advantage of Chu's mourning and sent two princes to lead troops and invade Chu.

吳國內空，而公子光乃令專諸襲刺吳王僚而自立，是為吳王闔廬。 Wu's interior was empty, so Prince Guang ordered Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao of Wu and establish himself. This was King Helü of Wu.

前王僚所遣二公子將兵伐楚者，道絕不得歸。 The two princes whom the former King Liao had sent to lead troops and attack Chu had their way cut off and could not return.

後聞闔廬弒王僚自立，遂以其兵降楚，楚封之於舒。 Later they heard that Helü had assassinated King Liao and established himself, so they surrendered their troops to Chu. Chu enfeoffed them at Shu.