Yao Li (要離) was a famed assassin of the state of Wu in the

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history from approximately 770 to 476 BC (or according to some authorities until 403 BC) which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives fr ...

of ancient China. He was recommended to King Helü of Wu by Minister

Wu Zixu :''Note: names are in simplified characters followed by traditional and Pinyin transliteration.'' Wu Yun (died 484 BC), better known by his courtesy name Zixu, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Wu kingdom in the Spring and Aut ...

. His mission was to kill Prince

Qingji Qingji was a nobleman during the Spring and Autumn period. He is portrayed differently in various historical records. Life The Zuo zhuan records Qingji as a member of the clan of King Fuchai of Wu, often admonishing the king to change his ways ...

, who was taking refuge in the state of

Wei Wei or WEI may refer to: States * Wey (state) (衛, 1040–209 BC), Wei in pinyin, but spelled Wey to distinguish from the bigger Wei of the Warring States * Wei (state) (魏, 403–225 BC), one of the seven major states of the Warring States per ...

. In order to pretend to be a criminal in the state of Wu, Yao Li killed his wife and his mother, and his right hand was cut off by King Helü. After his arrival in the state of Wei, he met Qingji and was able to stay in the same boat with his target. As the boat reached the middle of the river, he killed Qingji with a lance and then committed suicide.

References

Zhou dynasty people Chinese assassins Murder–suicides in China Wu (state) 6th-century BC Chinese people Ancient people who committed suicide Suicides in China {{China-bio-stub