Kuai, King of Yan (, died 314 BC),

ancestral name In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name, ...

Jī ''Jī'' () was the ancestral name of the Zhou dynasty which ruled China between the 11th and 3rd centuries BC. Thirty-nine members of the family ruled China during this period while many others ruled as local lords, lords who eventually gained ...

(姬), clan name Yān (燕), personal name Kuài (噲), was the second king of the state of Yan in

Warring States period The Warring States period () was an era in History of China#Ancient China, ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded ...

Chinese history The earliest known written records of the history of China date from as early as 1250 BC, from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), during the reign of king Wu Ding. Ancient historical texts such as the ''Book of Documents'' (early chapter ...

. He ruled the state between 320 BC and 318 BC. Kuai was the son of

King Yi of Yan King Yi of Yan (, died 321 BC), ancestral name Jī (姬), clan name Yān (燕), personal name unknown, was the first king of the state of Yan in Warring States period of Chinese history. He ruled the state between 331 BC until his death in 321 ...

, he came to the throne after his father's death. In 318 BC, Lu Maoshou (鹿毛壽) persuaded him to resign the throne in favor of the powerful chancellor Zizhi (子之) to "prove his humility". Kuai did so and even removed his crown prince from power. In 314 BC, Crown Prince Ping (太子平) revolted against Zizhi, but was failed and killed in action. Encouraged by

Mencius Mencius ( ); born Mèng Kē (); or Mèngzǐ (; 372–289 BC) was a Chinese Confucianism, Confucian Chinese philosophy, philosopher who has often been described as the "second Sage", that is, second to Confucius himself. He is part of Confuc ...

and other ministers, King Xuan of Qi sent Kuang Zhang (匡章) to attack Yan in 314 BC.''

'', chapter 4 Yan was practically conquered by Qi, and both Kuai and Zizhi were killed.

References

{{Monarchs of Yan (state) Monarchs of Yan (state) 314 BC deaths Chinese kings Yan (state) Zhou dynasty nobility Year of birth unknown 4th-century BC Chinese monarchs