楚肃王 / King Su of Chu
《资治通鉴·周纪》08丨一代名将吴起惨死（3） introduces Chu Su Wang as 楚悼王’s successor in the immediate aftermath of 吴起’s death. After nobles kill Wu Qi while also shooting the dead Chu Dao Wang’s body, Chu Su Wang reportedly punishes the attackers by exterminating more than seventy noble households. The episode makes him less a reformer in his own right than the ruler whose accession converts elite revenge into legally framed retaliation.
楚肃王 / King Su of Chu appears in Zhouji 09 as the newly enthroned ruler of 楚国 during the early Warring States melee. The source says Zhao seeks Chu’s help after being pressured by Wei and Qi, but Chu Su Wang does not simply rescue Zhao; he attacks 魏国’s border instead.
The episode makes him a case of opportunistic alliance behavior. In the interstate-war frame, help and self-interest are not separable: Chu’s move relieves pressure on Zhao while also exploiting Wei’s vulnerability.
《资治通鉴·周纪》10丨 以家族单位 有蚂蚁吃大象的精神（2） records Chu Su Wang’s death. Because he has no son, his younger brother 熊良夫 succeeds as 楚宣王, making this a brother-succession notice rather than a direct father-son transfer.
Connections
- 楚国 - polity he rules in the source.
- 楚悼王, 吴起, and Warring States Reform Backlash / 战国变法反噬 - succession and post-Wu-Qi purge branch.
- 赵国 - state seeking help.
- 魏国 - target of Chu’s opportunistic attack.
- Early Warring States Interstate War / 战国早期诸侯混战 - concept for the broader melee.
- 战国时期 - competitive setting.
- 楚宣王 and 周烈王 - later death and succession notice.