Biography of Fan Li (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Chen Wende
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features:
One Great Merchant and Military Genius
The Spring and Autumn Annals were compiled by Confucius based on the Rujun Spring and Autumn, editing and organizing its content. This book describes the deeds of the various vassal states during the Spring and Autumn Period. The Spring and Autumn Period can be said to be one of the most important eras in Chinese history. The rules of the patriarchal system and feudalism established by the Duke of Zhou could no longer adapt to the changing circumstances during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods. Although Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals with the intention of saving the situation, the old ethical and moral norms were still rapidly collapsing and would never return. However, compared to the Great Han Civilization—the more important new era for the Chinese people—this was undoubtedly the prebirth pains of a new era. During the collapse of artificial systems, competition would inevitably intensify, and the situation would change rapidly. An excellent merchant often played a significant role in this free and open era. The Confucian system, which valued scholars over merchants, had completely collapsed. Even among Confucius's disciples, there were many great merchants, with Zilu (Duanmu Ci) being the most outstanding. Confucius often praised Zilu for his broad knowledge and open-minded nature. The Records of the Grand Historian's Biography of Merchants also many legendary stories of great merchants who emerged during that time, with Tu Zhu Gong Fan Li standing out as the most prominent. Fan Li was active on the historical stage during the late Spring and Autumn Period when the states of Wu and Yue were vying for dominance. At that time, the center of Chinese history gradually shifted from the Central Plains to the southeastern coastal regions of Wu and Yue. During the long struggle between Wu and Yue, many military geniuses emerged, with Sun Wu and Fan Li being the most outstanding. Sun Wu, a native of Qi, gained fame throughout history and beyond for his Art of War. He accepted the invitation of Wu Zixu, the former chief minister of Chu who had fled to Wu, to assist King Helü of Wu in attacking Chu, laying the foundation for Wu's dominance. Fan Li, a native of Chu, accepted the invitation of his friend Wen Zhu (a noble of Chu) to travel to Yue to assist King Goujian in restoring his kingdom and avenging his humiliation, defeating King Fuchai of Wu and making Goujian the last hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period. These two rare military masters in Chinese history were scholars by background. They might have known some martial arts, but they were not fierce warriors on the battlefield. The Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue records that after his retirement, Sun Wu became a wealthy and skilled local gentryman living in the countryside, living a relatively prosperous and leisurely life in his later years. Fan Li, after abandoning his position as the prime minister of Yue granted by Goujian, took Xi Shi, a beauty who had suffered in the struggle between Wu and Yue, and wandered around the lakes and rivers, becoming a great merchant in early China. His later life, which combined wealth and beauty, was filled with romantic and legendary charm.
Two: Jin and Wu Alliance Against Chu
The struggle between Wu and Yue was a very interesting proxy war. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Qi and Guan Zhong, using wealth and strategy, created the position of the top hegemon at that time. However, due to insufficient national strength, Qi's hegemony lasted only one generation. Duke Huan of Qi's international ally, Duke Xiang of Song, intended to inherit his position and compete for dominance in the Central Plains, but he was defeated by King Cheng of Chu, the hegemon of the South. After Duke Wen of Jin defeated the northern expedition army of Chu at the Battle of Chengpu, he rose to become the long-term hegemon of the Central Plains. The next century was a period of long-term confrontation between the Central Plains hegemon Jin and the Southern hegemon Chu.