The city of Suzhou is famous not only for its classical gardens but also for the drama that took place more than 2500 years ago when the powerful Wu 吴 Kingdom was devastated as a consequence of plots and intrigues of the first of four famous beauties of China, Xi Shi 西施. This story is full of anger and revenge, betrayal and love, and there are no bad or good guys at the end.

No one knows exactly, when Xi Shi was born. Most probably between 512 and 506 BC, at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. Her birthplace is Zhuji, the city in Zhejiang province, the former capital of Yue Kingdom. Her father said to be a tea trader, and she was helping her family by washing silk in the river. As the legend goes, once, when she leaned over the water, fish looked at her, forgot how to swim, astonished by Xishi’s beauty, and drowned. And that’s how the first part of the idiom, describing a very beautiful woman, 沉鱼落雁,闭月羞花 (sinking fish, making gees to fall, eclipsing the moon and ashaming flowers) has been formed. She lived a carelessly simple life, while endless wars were going on around the nearest countries.

At the end of the Spring and Autumn period, there were a fierce battles for the hegemony over the territories of Chu楚, Yue越  and Wu 吴 kingdoms. Yue kingdom was first mentioned in historical annals as an ally for Chu kingdom against the Kingdom of Wu. In 506 BC Helü 闔閭, King of Wu, who built his new capital Helü city (nowadays Suzhou), supported by his most trusted ministers, Wu Zisu伍子胥 , who actually constructed the city, and Sun Tzu 孫子, or Sun Wu 孫武, the author of The Art of War, went to conquer the capital of Chu Kingdom, Yin. Battle of Bojin was successful, and Wu troops took Chu capital. That was the most desired victory for Wu Zisu. 20 years before, King of Chu assassinated his entire family, the young scholar had to flee and ended up serving future King of Wu. Wu Zisu was planning this revenge and strenghtening Kingdom of Wu for all this time, to finally kill the murderer of his closest people. The former ruler of Chu was already dead, but Wu Zisu exhumed his body and beat it in despair. But at the same time, Chu prime minister seeks help on Qin 秦 kingdom, Helü younger brother Fugai went to revolt with the help of Yue state, therefore King Helü had to return back to his capital.

In 496 BC, Helü, upon hearing the news, that ruler of Yue Kingdom Yunchang 允常 died, and seeking the avenge for the events 10 years before, went to the battle at Suili 檇李, hoping for the easy victory over his rival. But the young king of Yue, Goujian 勾踐 was successful in this battle, and defeated Wu kingdom troops, heavily injuring Helü and forcing Wu troops to retreat. King of Wu died from the wounds, but before the death asked his son and heir, Fuchai 夫差, to avenge his death and instructed him to listen to his most trusted Prime Minister Wu Zisu advice. New King followed his father will and in two years trained Wu army, managed state affairs carefully, building numerous channels connecting the rivers and lakes, to improve communication and trade.

Two years later, Goujian, understanding that Fuchai would sooner or later lead the troops against Yue, decided to strike first. But was defeated by Wu army, leaving only about 5000 Yue soldiers. In order to save his own life, following the advice of minister Fan Li, Goujian offered his wife as a concubine to Fuchai and said he will be his servant for 3 years. Fuchai was pleased with such an outcome, did not listen to Wu Zisu, who was asking to take up Yue kingdom throne but followed the bribed minister advise and allowed Goujian, his wife and Fan Li to serve him for 3 years, winning his trust.

Upon returning to Yue Kingdom, Goujian refused to lead luxury life and started planning revenge. He was sleeping on the straw and tasting gall before each meal, in order to remember his humiliation of being a servant. Chinese idiom, wòxīn-chángdǎn (臥薪嚐膽, “sleeping on sticks and tasting gall”), refers to Goujian’s perseverance. Knowing that Fuchai loves women, Goujian ordered Fan Li to find the most beautiful one to reach his goal. And that is when Xi Shi comes to the stage.

Fan Li found her and trained the beauty for three years in the palace. During this time, they fell in love, but Yue Kingdom interests came first, therefore Xi Shi has been sent as a tribute gift to Wu Kingdom around 483 BC. Fuchai fell in love with the beauty, as was planned. He neglected state affairs, preferring to spend time with his sweetheart. Once a brave warrior and careful ruler, he indulged in luxury life, built on an enormous expense Guanwa palace on the slope of Lingyan Hill, and the whole village of Mudu was founded in order to serve the king and his mistress.

As a triumph of Xi Shi intrigues, in 484 BC he forced his most trusted and wise minister Wu Zisu to commit suicide. Gradually, Wu kingdom’s power was diminishing, and in 473 BC it was conquered by revenge-seeking Yue troops. Fuchai committed suicide, in his last words regretting his wrongdoing to Wu Zisu and remorse not listening to his advice.

There are several legends about Xi Shi’s fate. One is telling, that Goujian ordered her to commit suicide, in order not to fall for her beauty and not endanger himself. The other says she jumped into the river herself, regretting the devastating of the kingdom, that was her home for 10 years.

But the most popular story tells that minister Fan Li left his post after the defeat of Wu kingdom, and since then he lived with Xi Shi in seclusion on the island on Shihu lake.

Places to visit, mentioned in the story:

SUZHOU, Jiangsu province:

Tiger Hill 虎丘, the tomb of King Helü. There are 2 twin wells on the top of the bridge over his tomb, called Well of Xi Shi.

Panmen 盘门，part of the ancient city wall from Spring and Autumn period, with Prime Minister Wu Zisu temple inside.

Mudu village 木渎, there is Xi Shi Bridge.

Lingyan Hill 灵岩山 with Guanwa Palace memorial place

Shihu lake 石湖 with an island, where Xi Shi and Fan Li lived happily ever after

ZHUJI, Zhejiang province:

Xi Shi temple, she is commemorated as Goddess of Beauty.

Helena Avdjukevica