Zhuan Zhu (专诸) was an assassin hired by Prince Guang who
became King Helu of the Wu state in ancient China.
The story of Zhuan Zhu is recorded in the chapter "Biographies Of The Assassins" of the
Shi Ji,
the famous book by Sima Qian,
an imperial historian who lived more
than 2000 years ago during the Han Dynasty of ancient China.
Prince Guang (公子光), son of the late King Zhu
Fan (诸樊) of the Wu state, was upset after a series of
unforeseen circumstances led to his father's throne
being passed not to him, but to his cousin, who is now
King Liao of the Wu state (吴王僚).
Prince Guang quietly started recruiting men
of talent. He found Wu Zixu (伍子胥), a refugee
from Chu state who had befriended many
people while on the run. Wu Zixu recommended
a few swordsmen to Prince Guang, including one
called Zhuan Zhu.
In 515 BCE, Prince Guang plotted to usurp the throne by
getting Zhuan Zhu to assassinate King Liao. It would not be
easy, because King Liao was paranoid about his security.
Going undercover as a chef for King Liao, Zhuan Zhu had a
blade hidden inside a braised fish which he served to the king.
When he presented the dish, Zhuan Zhu whipped out the blade and
stabbed King Liao. The king's men killed Zhuan Zhu, but Prince
Guang's objective had already been accomplished. Prince Guang
staged a coup and successfully took the throne, after which he
changed his title and became King Helu of Wu.
As a reward for Zhuang Zhu's sacrifice, King Helu made Zhuan
Zhu's son a high-ranking minister of the Wu state.
The blade used by Zhuan Zhu was the legendary Yu Chang Jian
(鱼肠剑, "Fish Belly Sword" or more accurately, "Fish Intestine Sword") made by the master swordsmith Ou Ye Zi (欧冶子).
Shortly after this incident, King Helu employed the services
of another assassin, Yao Li (要离).
© 2007 Koh Chuen Ferng
