Zhuan Zhu & Yu Chang Sword
(A Tragic Tale of a Chinese Assassin)

Prince Guang (公子�?), son of the late King Zhu Fan (诸樊) of the Wu State (吴国), was very upset after a series of unforeseen circumstances led to his father throne being passed not to him, but his cousin, who is now King Liao (吴王�?) of the State.

A successful coup always needs enough support. Besides bribing important nobles in the court, Prince Guang quietly started recruiting men of talent. He found Wu Zixu (伍子�?), 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 (专诸).

Zhuan Zhu was born and grew up from a very poor family in the State. In ancient China, people like him were almost slaves. Prince Guang broke this conservative limitation on social status, and treated Zhuan Zhu and other poor talents as worshipful guests. Zhuan Zhu was inspired by his sincerity and sware to requite the Prince at all costs! However, Zhuan Zhu had been waiting for years to fulfill his promise�?

In 515 B.C., 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 sword 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 (吴王阖闾).

The sword used by Zhuan Zhu was the legendary Yu Chang (鱼肠�?, “Fish Belly Sword�? or more accurately, “Fish Intestine Sword�?) made by the master swordsmith Ou Ye Zi (欧冶�?).

After this incident, King Helu (former Prince Guang) sealed Yu Chang Sword forever in order to commemorate the great contribution of Zhuan Zhu. As a reward for Zhuang Zhu's sacrifice, King Helu made Zhuan Zhu's son a high-ranking minister of the Wu State.